steph0611's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
xabbeylongx's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Spoilers Ahead: I really liked this book. It was my first time reading Helen Cox, and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. It started off quite slow, in my opinion, but the book was captivating, and it was definitely worth the read.
We follow Charlotte Banks throughout the story. She's in the midst of getting married and going on a 3 month anniversary with her wife, when she visits Kitt Hartley. Banks is concerned about a murder that has happened recently, worried that it might have something to do with her brother, Ewan, who has already done a 20 year stint in Prison for murder. Coincidentally, he's recently moved into the area, just at the time of the murder, and has now got a girlfriend, Nancy Murphy.
Together, Banks, Kitt and Kitt's partner, Grace, intend to figure out what happened to the first victim. As they dig further in the first victim's murder - strangled in the office of a museum and dragged underneath a tub on display. It was made to look like an accident, done by one of her co-workers, but there were fibres left on the victim's body. They interview Ewan and Nancy, but they both have alibis. Instead, they try a dud lead, and they focus on the victim's relationships at school. It is rumoured that she had a lot of enemies, including one woman, who, coincidentally, goes missing around the same time, and they start to worry that they won't have enough time. It's also rumoured that the first victim had an inappropriate relationship with a teacher there, who is also married to an ex-student who threw them off trail, and they pursue him.
When the victim's death location is set up in flames, rumoured to be arson, they see Bank's brother on CCTV. She believes that he is covering for Nancy, and tells him that he has to be honest to get a reduced sentence. He blames it on Nancy, who insists she has an alibi, but they get it checked out, and they realise she had more than enough time to commit the murder in the time she wasn't in her knitting group. They manage to find the woman who was missing, and she brings everything to a close, and Banks manages to get married.
It's a lovely read, a very lovely read indeed. I do like the fact that Banks has a wife, I thought that was a really cute addition to the story. The pacing was good once I got into it, and I could read it in one day. The suspense kept me hooked throughout, and the ending wasn't what I was expecting at all. The tone was eerie, but also subtly eerie, and I thought it worked very well! I will definitely be reading more of Helen Cox in the future!
We follow Charlotte Banks throughout the story. She's in the midst of getting married and going on a 3 month anniversary with her wife, when she visits Kitt Hartley. Banks is concerned about a murder that has happened recently, worried that it might have something to do with her brother, Ewan, who has already done a 20 year stint in Prison for murder. Coincidentally, he's recently moved into the area, just at the time of the murder, and has now got a girlfriend, Nancy Murphy.
Together, Banks, Kitt and Kitt's partner, Grace, intend to figure out what happened to the first victim. As they dig further in the first victim's murder - strangled in the office of a museum and dragged underneath a tub on display. It was made to look like an accident, done by one of her co-workers, but there were fibres left on the victim's body. They interview Ewan and Nancy, but they both have alibis. Instead, they try a dud lead, and they focus on the victim's relationships at school. It is rumoured that she had a lot of enemies, including one woman, who, coincidentally, goes missing around the same time, and they start to worry that they won't have enough time. It's also rumoured that the first victim had an inappropriate relationship with a teacher there, who is also married to an ex-student who threw them off trail, and they pursue him.
When the victim's death location is set up in flames, rumoured to be arson, they see Bank's brother on CCTV. She believes that he is covering for Nancy, and tells him that he has to be honest to get a reduced sentence. He blames it on Nancy, who insists she has an alibi, but they get it checked out, and they realise she had more than enough time to commit the murder in the time she wasn't in her knitting group. They manage to find the woman who was missing, and she brings everything to a close, and Banks manages to get married.
It's a lovely read, a very lovely read indeed. I do like the fact that Banks has a wife, I thought that was a really cute addition to the story. The pacing was good once I got into it, and I could read it in one day. The suspense kept me hooked throughout, and the ending wasn't what I was expecting at all. The tone was eerie, but also subtly eerie, and I thought it worked very well! I will definitely be reading more of Helen Cox in the future!
annarella's review
5.0
I've been reading Kitt Hartley mysteries since the first book and the characters became sort of friends you need to check from time to time and know that they are well.
The series is becoming more mystery and less cozy mystery but it's not losing it's appeal as this story is well plotted and gripping.
I love how Helen Cox makes you feel the places and visualising them. The industrial archeology, the museum are fascinating and I wish i could visit the places that inspired this story.
The mystery is solid, tightly knitted and fast paced. it kept me guessing and the solutions surprised me.
Can't wait to read the next one.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
The series is becoming more mystery and less cozy mystery but it's not losing it's appeal as this story is well plotted and gripping.
I love how Helen Cox makes you feel the places and visualising them. The industrial archeology, the museum are fascinating and I wish i could visit the places that inspired this story.
The mystery is solid, tightly knitted and fast paced. it kept me guessing and the solutions surprised me.
Can't wait to read the next one.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
librariangeorgia's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
I absolutely adore this series. I just love the idea of a librarian doubling up as a PI!
I loved that in this one we got more backstory linked to a friend/colleague of Mal's! Considering that Kitt doesn't really mix with Mal's colleagues, it was nice to see the friendship develop between Charley and Kitt.
As much as I love the dynamics between Kitt and her friendship group, my favourite part has got to be Ahhh, just the heartwarming ending I needed!
Another great addition to the series which, like the others, can be read as a standalone.
I loved that in this one we got more backstory linked to a friend/colleague of Mal's! Considering that Kitt doesn't really mix with Mal's colleagues, it was nice to see the friendship develop between Charley and Kitt.
As much as I love the dynamics between Kitt and her friendship group, my favourite part has got to be
Spoiler
Charley and Evie's wedding!Another great addition to the series which, like the others, can be read as a standalone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Bullying, Murder, Kidnapping, Confinement, Mental illness, Stalking, and Toxic friendship
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