Think Twice by Harlan Coben is a 2024 Grand Central publication.
The setup for the twelfth, and long overdue, installment in this series sees Myron reThink Twice by Harlan Coben is a 2024 Grand Central publication.
The setup for the twelfth, and long overdue, installment in this series sees Myron reunited with an old nemesis and all the baggage that goes with that, when a serial killer, using the modern technologies that have thwarted this brand of evil, manages to slide under the radar of the FBI- that is until Myron and Win get sucked into the investigation…
This is one of the few series in which I have read every single installment. I think I’d given up on there ever being another installment with both Myron and Win working together again. So, I was thrilled to see that we would be blessed with at least one more chapter in the series.
It was very easy to slide back into the series, although it has been, if I have my facts straight, nearly eight years since the last Myron Bolitar release. The banter between Myron and Win was still amusing and strangely comforting, if a bit rusty. All the characters people love the most in this series make an appearance and the nostalgia is often poignant at times as Coben acknowledges the passage of time and the aging factor.
Some events alluded to in the novel transpired in some of the earlier books in this series, and initially, I had to search my memory bank for the details of the long history between these people and Myron. Think, if you will, of a daytime serial that brought an old villain back from the dead and you’ll know how crazy it is to find these characters back in Myron’s life again. Very surreal, I must admit.
Still the story is riveting, dark and twisted, with a few ‘edge of your seat’ moments- and a truly stunning conclusion. It’s good to see Coben return to form here, and so great to hear from these characters again after such a long sabbatical.
Overall, a solid thriller made more enjoyable by the familarity of the characters and Coben reverting back to the tight writing and surprise twists that put him on the map. 4+...more
A Tidy Ending by Joanna Cannon is a 2022 Scribner publication.
What a clever little thriller, this turned out to be. I didn’t do a lot of research on tA Tidy Ending by Joanna Cannon is a 2022 Scribner publication.
What a clever little thriller, this turned out to be. I didn’t do a lot of research on this one- I just plucked it off the TBR list at random- so I had no expectations one way or the other. At times I just could not figure out where all this was heading, but the book took a on a brand-new dimension towards the end that I really did not see coming.
It’s hard to describe this one without giving too much away- and I'm not sure if truly fits into a single category- but basically, Linda lives a quiet, nondescript life after enduring a childhood trauma. She longs for companionship but is often rebuffed. But when catalogues arrive that were meant for the previous occupant of her house- a woman named Rebecca- Linda goes on quest to track her down, fantasizing about a close friendship with this woman she's never met.
In the meantime, her quiet neighborhood is all abuzz about a string of murders and Linda finds herself making connections between the murders and the recent behaviors of her husband, Terry.
Linda narrates the story entirely- and her first-person voice is utterly captivating. At once she’s a sympathetic character, shunned to some degree by others, and ignored and taken for granted by Terry, but because she’s often regulated to the sidelines, she picks up on things others might miss- she makes hilarious, spot-on observations about people and their motives, but has a naïve quality to her as well.
I got caught up in Linda’s narrative, but running sinisterly in background is an ever-increasing feeling of unease. But never would I have expected what the story was leading up to.
This is a darkly humorous book- very well executed. The only downside was the pacing- which is a bit slow- but now, in hindsight, I think that understated quality is what made it work in the end. I really liked it! What’s even better is that the author can write a smart, slightly quirky, story -but she doesn’t need to include graphic descriptions of murder, or strong language, or any other unnecessary or uncomfortable content for it to be effective. While that might lead one to conclude this book is a cozy- and I have seen a few people describe it as such, I’m going to balk at placing it in that category- it’s a bit too dark to fit into that genre, IMO.
Overall, if you like dark humor, clever plots, smart dialogue and narration this is a book you might consider.
Broken Genius by Drew Murray is a 2020 Oceanview Publishing publication.
Will Parker’s dreams turned on a dime when a coding error cost a young woman Broken Genius by Drew Murray is a 2020 Oceanview Publishing publication.
Will Parker’s dreams turned on a dime when a coding error cost a young woman her life. Now, a decade later, Will, though massively wealthy, seeks redemption by working as a special agent for the FBI. When he gets an urgent call, he discovers that his long-lost quantum computer has fallen into the wrong hands and is up for bid on the dark web. Not only that, one of the bidders has been murdered and another young woman’s life hangs in the balance. As Will works to solve the murder, his attention is also on recovering his invention before it falls into the wrong hands.
Well, talk about a timely thriller. I rarely read techno-thrillers, but this one sounded intriguing when I put it on my TBR list. Ironically, I decided to read it just as the world is buzzing about AI. Is quantum computing far behind?
This is a fast-paced thriller that plays out at a Comic-Con convention, of all places. It is one part murder mystery, with a team of detectives on board- and one-part high stakes thriller- with the threat of powerful technology falling into the hands of people who would abuse its power.
The dialogue is a bit stiff, and the characters sometimes felt clichéd and unoriginal. It was like they were reading and acting from a television series manuscript at times. The one romantic interlude- if you want to categorize it as such- was completely ridiculous and unnecessary- it was a requisite sex scene- there just to be there- and served no purpose whatsoever.
That said, the story was a much-needed change of pace for me. It was an interesting premise and held my attention from start to finish, with a few twists and turns I never saw coming. It was a nice combination of mystery, action, and suspense.
There is supposed to be a follow-up to this novel- so I’m curious to see what happens next for Will and his quantum technology.
The Science of Murder by Carla Valentine is a 2022 Sourcebooks publication.
If you love crime fiction, forensics, Agatha Christie, True Crime, historyThe Science of Murder by Carla Valentine is a 2022 Sourcebooks publication.
If you love crime fiction, forensics, Agatha Christie, True Crime, history or science- you need to read this book!
I have always considered Agatha Christie's mysteries groundbreaking. This book proves me right as we look at the way Christie incorporated forensic detecting in her books, with accuracy, foreshadowing the day when forensics would become a crime genre of its very own and terms like 'trace evidence' would be commonly used- not only by authors, detectives, and scientist- but by the general population, as well.
The author is very careful not to give way any spoilers- which occasionally hampers her ability to do a deeper dive- and was occasionally frustrating- but a wise decision, nonetheless.
You don’t have to be a Christie aficionado to enjoy this book- though you might want to read - or re-read her mysteries after finishing this book!
The author discusses fingerprints, blood spatter, footprint analysis, time of death, and trace evidence- all of which have a place in Christie's books- including Miss Marple, Tuppance and Tommy, as well as Peroit.
Christie researched and studied the science behind murder investigations and detecting- Which occasionally seemed inspired by true crime cases- and the author compares those cases here.
The book does suffer some presentation issues and sometimes it can be dry reading- so I’ll admit I did some skimming here and there because I found myself zoning out on occasion.
Otherwise, I’m even more impressed with Christie’s hard work in studying true crime cases, her knowledge of poisons, and how involved she became in crime solving to make her novels as authentic as possible.
I also think it is worth noting that while many dismiss Christie’s novels as ‘cozies’, just because she didn’t go into explicit or gruesome details, preferring the psychological and technical observations of her chosen sleuths, she doesn’t shy away from dark themes, organized crime, or the horrific motives and methods of murder.
Overall, an interesting topic and mish- mash, of biographical information on Christie, true crime cases, and history while connecting Christie’s work to the future of the science of detecting we take for granted today.
A Minute to Midnight by David Baldacci is a 2019 Grand Central publication.
Atlee Pine returns to her childhood home searching for answers about her tA Minute to Midnight by David Baldacci is a 2019 Grand Central publication.
Atlee Pine returns to her childhood home searching for answers about her twin sister’s disappearance when they were children. The small town seems both welcoming and wary of Atlee and her questions.
Things get dicey when she discovers the body of woman wearing a wedding veil. In short order, another murder takes place. Is there a serial killer on the loose? Is there a connection to Atlee or her sister?
The first book in this series was a bit flat, in my opinion. Baldacci can write much better than that- but I had received an ARC of the third book in the Pine series, so I felt obligated to continue. I’m happy to say the series was definitely worth a second glance!!
This second book more than makes up for the lackluster series starter. Great pacing, plenty of action, and suspense, plus some surprise developments that has me eagerly anticipating book three!!
Take it Back by Kia Abdullah is a 2020 St. Martin’s Press publication.
Outstanding!
Zara Kaleel was on the path to legal greatness when she abruptly rTake it Back by Kia Abdullah is a 2020 St. Martin’s Press publication.
Outstanding!
Zara Kaleel was on the path to legal greatness when she abruptly reversed course. She is now working at a sexual assault center-a far cry from the illustrious career her family expected from her.
When a teenager, Jodie Wolfe, comes in to report she’s been raped, Zara embarks on a life defining journey to find justice for Jodie no matter what the personal cost to herself.
What sets this case apart from others is that Jodie suffers from a malady which presents with facial deformities. She has accused a group of nice Muslim boys of sexually assaulting her at a party. As a result, her allegations are met with extreme skepticism by nearly everyone, including her best friend and even her own mother.
Zara, though, is firmly in Jodie’s corner every step of the way, even when her family pressures her to give up on the case, and even when her own life is on the line…
I’m giving this book the highest marks possible! Just as I was lamenting the lack of pure legal thrillers, this book comes along. The author certainly knows how to weave a mesmerizing, unflinchingly raw story and explore every possible angle, from every single perspective. Every page of this book challenged me, kept me in a constant state of uncertainty, and literally on the edge of my seat. My emotions were all over the place, leaving me wrecked, drained, and exhausted before all was said and done- a reaction I seldom have when reading crime fiction.
The pitch perfect pacing kept me in thrall as I absorbed all the repercussions, the consequences, the doubts, and the many layers and complexities of the story.
There are some truly riveting courtroom scenes, from a British courtroom angle, which was interesting for me. That said, this book is much more than a legal thriller. It’s deep, dark, brilliantly plotted, with a no holds barred approach. Yet, the book, as raw and harrowing as it may be, is written with polish and style. This book would make a great book club selection and might even be a good movie-if done right.
The Last Time She Saw Him by Jane Haseldine is a 2016 Kensington publication.
Just one day before the start of a new school year, Julia’s nine-year-olThe Last Time She Saw Him by Jane Haseldine is a 2016 Kensington publication.
Just one day before the start of a new school year, Julia’s nine-year-old brother disappeared in the night, never to be seen or heard from again.
It was Julia, not her parents, who alerted the authorities of her brother’s absence. Although she was right there with him, Julia couldn’t remember the details of that night- which, like her missing brother, still haunts her thirty years after the fact.
Everything about her childhood has affected Julia- her choice to become a crime beat journalist, and her intense over-protective-ness of her children- which has put a serious strain on her marriage.
But then, her worst fears are realized when her own son is kidnapped on the anniversary of her brother’s disappearance. Knowing the window of opportunity is narrow, Julia goes all- in- not only to save her son, but to finally uncover her brother’s fate…
Somewhere along the way, I acquired the second book of this series, which has been languishing on my Kindle for a long while. I was laboring under the impression it was a stand-alone novel- but when I realized it was part of a series, I waffled a little. Did I really want to start yet another series? Since this series is only four -deep, at the moment, I thought I’d read the first book, and then decide.
Well, it looks as though I might be starting another new series. LOL! At first, I was a little worried because the set up here, with a long missing sibling, is remarkably similar to another series, I recently started, but as it turns out, the similarities end there.
I liked Julia, flawed though she may be. She’s got her vulnerabilities, but she thinks fast on her feet, is very smart, and tough as nails when she needs to be. The jury is still out on some of the secondary characters, as I was not entirely impressed with some people in Julia’s orbit.
The race against time is effective, as are the tense surprises that kept me glued to the pages. There is a poignancy to the story, amid the grit and darkness, that is melancholy and bittersweet, and gives the story an added layer of emotion.
Overall, this a very solid introduction to this series. I already have book two queued up and ready to go…
The Missing American by Kwei Quartey is a 2020 Soho Crime publication.
A promising start to a new series!
Emma Djan wanted to follow in her father’s The Missing American by Kwei Quartey is a 2020 Soho Crime publication.
A promising start to a new series!
Emma Djan wanted to follow in her father’s footsteps by becoming a homicide detective. She finally makes it into the police force, but her dreams of working homicide go horribly awry when she is kicked off the force. Thankfully, she lands on her feet getting hired on as a private detective, working for Yemo Sowah, also a former cop.
The first case Emma is assigned is that of a missing American man, Gordon Tilson, who had flown to Ghana to meet a woman he met online.
Upon arrival, Gordon realizes he has been duped, that the woman he was to meet, never existed. Gordon, feeling quite embarrassed, plans his return to the US immediately. But, an old friend of his curiously pressures him to stay in the country and enjoy himself for a few days, then suggests the scammers should not go unpunished, thus convincing Gordon to do some investigating. But, before he makes much headway, he disappears. Now Gordon’s son, Derek, has come to Ghana in search of his father, hiring Emma’s detective firm to investigate.
I enjoyed this mystery partly because it is set in Ghana, an interesting locale, and because of the different dialects and procedures. I also liked the characters, especially Emma, who is easy to cheer for. Internet scams are nothing new, of course, but the plot is fresh, multi-layered and quite interesting.
I will admit the pacing is slow, and the book does require a sharper focus and a little patience at times. But, I felt the slower pace enabled me to fully absorb this well-crafted, detail driven story. Everything is somehow connected, and as the pieces drop into place, in their own good time, it becomes clear how brilliantly plotted the novel is.
Overall, I loved the atmosphere, the lush, rich, and complicated location, the different dialects and the culture which helped create a tense, riveting crime drama. I already have the second book in the series queued up and ready to go!!
Missing and Endangered by J.A. Jance is a 2021 William Morrow publication.
Sheriff Brady- dependable, as ever!
Jennifer Brady’s college roommate has gMissing and Endangered by J.A. Jance is a 2021 William Morrow publication.
Sheriff Brady- dependable, as ever!
Jennifer Brady’s college roommate has gone missing. Quickly becoming proactive, Jennifer calls her mother for advice and help.
Meanwhile, one of Joanna’s officers was shot in the line of duty. The case becomes more complicated when two young children get caught in the crossfire.
This story allows Jennifer to share the spotlight with her mother. I enjoyed this thread because of the spotlight it shines on the continual exploitation of young people on the internet by sexual predators.
The main case, though, is the officer involved shooting. This case highlights child abuse and neglect, various criminal activities, and of course murder. Elements of this thread are heartbreaking. Joanna’s tenderness towards the young victims was especially poignant.
Overall, this is another solid addition to the series, and I really enjoyed it.
Night Passage by Robert B. Parker is a 1998 Jove publication.
Jesse Stone, a fired alcoholic homicide cop from L.A., accepts a job offer as Chief of PNight Passage by Robert B. Parker is a 1998 Jove publication.
Jesse Stone, a fired alcoholic homicide cop from L.A., accepts a job offer as Chief of Police in the small community of Paradise, Massachusetts. His past worked in his favor, as certain citizens of Paradise would rather have an incompetent person in the job, someone who wouldn’t pay too close attention to their activities.
Sadly, for them, Jesse Stone turns out to be far more perceptive than they bargained for…
Jesse Stone… not much of a conversationalist…. Which is probably a good thing. Despite his issues with the bottle and his profound depression over the end of his marriage and career- mainly the marriage, I think- you don’t get much past Jesse. He’s quiet, a man of few words, but a great listener. Overall, a fascinating character- flawed, sure, but a man, one can’t help but like and root for.
This first installment in the series is just flat out awesome… and despite the age of the book, it seems some things never change. Jessie gets on the bad side of a local when he humiliates him for beating his wife. Now, it seems Jesse could be the target of his revenge. When the former Chief dies, and a woman is murdered, a scheme unfolds worthy of any he might have encountered in LA.
While this style of writing is not very common anymore and would probably be met with disdain by the majority of current, more enlightened readers- I liked the spare dialogue, the quietness that screams menace, and builds the suspense, creating a dark, moody atmosphere, almost Noir-ish in style.
This book may have followed a format frequently used in the nineties, might have been a little predictable, but for me it was like a breath of fresh air. Today’s crime fiction might seem far more advanced, but they got nothing on Jesse Stone.
Usually, I’m kicking myself for getting a late start on a series. In this case, I’m glad have this series to work through right now. I’m also glad I watched the movies first. Jesse is a bit younger in the books, but otherwise the feel is similar.
I was a big fan through the movies, I’m a bigger fan now, thanks to the books!
The Night of the Hunter by Davis Grubb is a 1953 publication.
I’ve seen the movie, which was adapted from this book, starring Robert Mitcham, who did The Night of the Hunter by Davis Grubb is a 1953 publication.
I’ve seen the movie, which was adapted from this book, starring Robert Mitcham, who did an incredible job with the role of “Preacher”. It is yet another situation in which I’d seen the movie, but somehow never got around to reading the book, despite considering it countless times.
Naturally, I’m already familiar with the plot. A con man/ serial killer is stalking John and his little sister Pearl, because they know where a nice stash of stolen money is hidden. The Preacher insinuates himself into the children’s lives by marrying their mother, who accepts his proposal under the guise of providing a father to her children. From there a terrifying game of cat and mouse ensues, as the Preacher menacingly pressures poor John relentlessly, while his mother remains clueless about her new husband’s true motives….
It seems the book was well represented on the big screen as it appears, to the best of my recollection, it remained faithful to the book, with only a few differences. Was the book better than the movie? Well, in this case I’d say they were both very good, which is rare. I did think I got more insight into some of the characters’ actions and attitudes, like the way John behaved in Rachel’s care- which was a bit of a mystery to me- but made more sense after reading this book.
Overall, this a very chilling story of serial killer moving amongst people under the guise of being a man of God. It is also a story of hope for John and Pearl who are freed from the evil and danger that lurked around every corner, and land in a wonderful, stable, loving environment.
Death of a Busybody by Dell Shannon is a 1970 Pyramid/William Morrow publication. (Originally published in 1963)
This book is from my vintage paperbackDeath of a Busybody by Dell Shannon is a 1970 Pyramid/William Morrow publication. (Originally published in 1963)
This book is from my vintage paperback collection. Many have heard me mention the collection, and usually when I write a review for one of these books, it’s an old Gothic mystery or one of my Medical romances, but I do have a very healthy collection of old detective books and a few cozy mysteries too.
I wasn’t sure if these mysteries were gritty, hardboiled stories or if they came down on the lighter side. As it turns out, the novel seems to fall somewhere in between a standard police procedural and a cozy mystery.
The Luis Mendoza series began in 1960 and ran through the late eighties and boast 28 installments. The series was popular, but over time it fell into obscurity, and never gained a renewed interest in the way a few other old detective series have. I have a handful of these books on my shelf, but this is the first one I’ve read-
A woman with a penchant for starting nasty rumors about people is found murdered. Naturally, she had a few enemies, so there is no shortage of suspects. Therefore, Luis Mendoza has his hands full trying to ascertain who the murderer is. There are several nice theories he works through along the way, some more plausible than others, but I was satisfied with the way the mystery was wrapped up.
I also enjoyed the private moments in the life of Detective Mendoza, who is married and is currently house hunting. He and his wife are also cat lovers, plus there is a cat featured prominently in the story, which is right up my alley.
But, because this is the fifth book in the series, I have obviously missed out some of Mendoza’s personal backstory, which would be nice to catch up on sometime-
It took me a little while to get into a groove with this book. Mendoza speaks Spanish with no translation, on occasion, and the writing takes a little bit of getting used to. I find that happens to me quite often when reading older books. Once I got all the characters down, the flow evened out for me, so the second half of the book was pretty good.
Unfortunately, this book is very much a product of its time and is politically incorrect to the max. To be fair, the book was written over fifty years ago and the attitudes expressed here were pretty normal, back in 1963. That doesn’t make it right, of course, but, if you see past those issues, the mystery is not half bad.
I’m not sure if all of Shannon’s books are like this one when it comes to political incorrectness and offensive attitudes and language. This may not be the best representation of her work, so I’ll probably try one of her other 'Mendoza' mysteries someday, when the mood strikes.
However, I am not sure I would recommend this particular installment in the series to anyone, as I feel quite confident the book would be too offensive for the majority of contemporary readers, but if you think you can tolerate it, there was a digital copy available on Amazon-or there was the last time I checked.
The Aosawa Murders by by Riku Onda, Alison Watts (Translator) is a 2020 Bitter Lemon Press publication.
This Japanese mystery is certainly perplexing,The Aosawa Murders by by Riku Onda, Alison Watts (Translator) is a 2020 Bitter Lemon Press publication.
This Japanese mystery is certainly perplexing, with an interesting and unique presentation of the facts. Unfortunately, I had a very hard time with this novel. We've all struggled with the ability to focus lately, which made this a bad time to tackle this book, perhaps.
So, I put the novel down for a while, then picked it back up only to feel more lost than ever. I started over from the beginning, reading slowly, and concentrating as best I could. But, no matter what, I remained confused, and the ending, after all that trouble, turned out to be one of those open to interpretation, ambiguous conclusions that only compounded my frustrations with the book. I was a little miffed, to be honest.
Normally I would love a crafty, original story like this one because of its extraordinary approach and the clever way the story unfolds. But, it never grabbed me.
I think it could be one those 'it’s not you, it’s me’ situations- 'a cliché, I know, but I think maybe that’s the case for me with this book, since it appears to have been well- received, overall.
Mystery lovers who enjoy, dark, cultural and historical crime fiction will probably love this one. It is a challenge and will be a nice change of pace for those who are looking for something a little different, that doesn't follow the usual crime formulas. It just didn’t work for me at this time.
The Sussex Downs Murder by John Bude is a 2015 Poison Pen publication. (Originally published in 1936)
This Golden Age mystery was saved from obscurity The Sussex Downs Murder by John Bude is a 2015 Poison Pen publication. (Originally published in 1936)
This Golden Age mystery was saved from obscurity with the help of the British Crime Library and is now available via Poisoned Pen Press in digital format.
Any avid, contemporary, mystery reader will have absolutely no trouble at all figuring out, well in advance, 'whodunit', and maybe a whole lot of the ‘how’ part too.
While that would ordinarily bug me to no end, it wouldn't be fair to judge this novel by our wizened and jaded modern day standards.
I think it is obvious the author put some serious thought into the plot, with some truly novel details, but, still, I’m not even sure the more innocent 1936 audiences would have been entirely baffled by this plot.
Nevertheless, I did enjoy seeing how Meredith pieced all the bits and pieces of the puzzle together to finally solve the crime he investigated for months.
This is my first ‘Meredith’ mystery, and while it certainly didn’t blow me away, I did enjoy reading an old Golden Age mystery by an author I was not familiar with.
Meredith has some nice dialogue and observations in the story- and takes a few jabs at the detectives featured in popular novels of the day-
“But when it comes to a proper detective yarn give me something that’s possible, plausible, and not crammed with a lot of nice little coincidences and ‘flashes of intuition’. Things don’t work that way in real life. We don’t work that way. At least, sir, that’s how it seems to me anyway.”
Oh snap! I do detect a bit of snark there!
Of course, this is a quick, gentle, clean mystery, I can’t think of anything I found offensive, though the story is very much a product of its time.
I found the book mildly entertaining, with most of the novelty coming from its rescue from obscurity. I’m so happy to see these older detective and mystery novels reaching new audiences, though, and even if some of the material isn’t nearly as challenging to readers as it was when first published, they are still fun to read!!
I will definitely look for more “Meredith” mysteries in the future!
What Rose Forgot by Nevada Barr is a 2019 Minotaur Books publication.
Wildly entertaining, darkly humorous, with best unreliable narrator ever!
Rose DWhat Rose Forgot by Nevada Barr is a 2019 Minotaur Books publication.
Wildly entertaining, darkly humorous, with best unreliable narrator ever!
Rose Dennis, a widow in her sixties, awakens in a hospital gown unsure of what has happened to her. Her memory is murky, to say the least. Yet, she soon discovers she has been admitted to a nursing home and is being housed in the Alzheimer’s ward. Overhearing an ominous conversation suggesting she might not make it through the week, Rose realizes her life is in danger and not because she has dementia! She begins planning her escape, although she has a few lingering doubts about the sharpness of her mind. However, her suspicions that someone is out to get her are confirmed when she catches someone breaking into her home.
With the help of her reclusive sister and her granddaughter, Mel, Rose sets out to discover who wants her dead and why…
I have been meaning to check out Nevada Barr's long running Anna Pigeon mystery series for a long time. I still intend to do that, but when I saw this was a stand-alone novel, my interest was instantly piqued.
I had no idea what to expect, but the story grabbed me right away- and Rose!! OMG! She’s a real hoot! The plot is a unique one because the reader has no idea how stable Rose really is. Her memory may not be reliable, but it does begin to return in fits and starts as the story progresses. The reader has no more of a clue than Rose what is going on, but her investigative methods are unconventional to say the least, and her inner dialogue is hysterical. She has the uncanny ability to think fast and lie hard, which also really funny, and adds another quirky element to the story. The secondary characters complement the atmosphere and play off of Rose’s antics perfectly.
This story is, at the end of the day, a standard whodunit, but the presentation is certainly outside of the box, which sets it apart from the standard traditional mystery. The author’s execution is pitch perfect, making this one of the most entertaining mysteries I’ve read in a long time. I loved the dark humor, the witty dialogue, and the occasion moment of poignancy in the midst of the screwball action and suspense.
Overall, it’s nice to have stumbled across a pure mystery that is fresh and inventive, and keeps the reader off guard, and thoroughly entertained, at the same time!
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