danielshelsel's review
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
mimima's review
3.0
While in a way this reminded me of Murder She Wrote, and how deadly it was to go visit Jessica, the story was interesting and I was surprised by the twist.
missjenniferlowe's review
4.0
Open Road Media is republishing the Gregor Demarkian series in e-book format and I, for one, could not be more thrilled. This is one of my favorite series, but it is often difficult to convince anyone to dig in due to the earlier mysteries. It seems like the publisher decided Jane Haddam needed a gimmick to get people to read her books and so they went with holidays. This has, in my opinion, led to readers dismissing the series as fluffy and without merit, which is very sad. This is a wonderful series and has much in common with the Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny. These are thought-provoking mysteries with realistic characters but without excessive gore and violence. These are true mysteries with a puzzle to solve, not just suspense thrillers masquerading as mysteries. And until now, they have only been available in used paperbacks with schlocky covers. Now, thanks to Open Road Media, you can read them on your e-reader. Yay!
I had read this entry into the series some years ago and had forgotten it entirely, so it was a joy to read all over again as though it were new. I have read the entire series and was pleased, in going back to this earlier volume, to see how consistently the characters have developed throughout the series. I was also surprised at how much of what comes later in the series is foreshadowed here, if you know what to look for.
This was a very solid mystery, especially if you enjoy trying to figure out the ending along with (or perhaps before?) the fictional detective.
I had read this entry into the series some years ago and had forgotten it entirely, so it was a joy to read all over again as though it were new. I have read the entire series and was pleased, in going back to this earlier volume, to see how consistently the characters have developed throughout the series. I was also surprised at how much of what comes later in the series is foreshadowed here, if you know what to look for.
This was a very solid mystery, especially if you enjoy trying to figure out the ending along with (or perhaps before?) the fictional detective.
More...