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annie_g_scott's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
knottyrambler's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-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
4.5
dancingdane's review against another edition
I still love this series, but there was just too much going on in this one. I usually don't get confused by the names in these books, but I frequently had to go back and double-check who was where. I admit, I was a bit distracted while reading this one, but still...
terri24601's review against another edition
5.0
This one was a real journey. Even figuring out the victim’s identity was complicated, making the tale very twisty. And, this was a nice reprieve from having one component of the tale told in the distant past.
susanhenry's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
ghostowngranny's review against another edition
4.0
I've grown to love this series. Both Duncan and Gemma are fully developed characters with all of their individual humanity on display. Plots are complex, yet fully believeable. Minor characters are well-drawn and distinctive, often displaying unexpected traits that make them sympathetic in spite of any prejudices we may have developed about them.
rebeccajay's review against another edition
2.0
Not my favorite one in the series, very readable, but there was little to no suspense and none of the plot twists Crombie is known for.
dennisfischman's review against another edition
4.0
Crombie writes so well that this book made me want to go back and reread Dickens’ Little Dorrit, to find out whether the classic resonates in the plot and characters of the mystery (not just in its location and atmosphere). Granted, she is not one of the authors whose detectives don’t believe in coincidence, if they did, they could never have figured out how a warehouse fire and a dead body found in the ashes relate to three women and one girl gone missing, a battered women’s shelter, and two sets of divorced parents. (In fact, a young firefighter who reminds Duncan of his deceased ex-wife dies better detective work than any of the police!)
The saga of Gemma, Duncan, and the children who live with them continues, and I do think it’s about time he got past thinking brilliance and charm will make everyone forgive him for selfishly putting work ahead of family. There are signs he may be getting there, but is it too little, too late?
The saga of Gemma, Duncan, and the children who live with them continues, and I do think it’s about time he got past thinking brilliance and charm will make everyone forgive him for selfishly putting work ahead of family. There are signs he may be getting there, but is it too little, too late?
allyann's review against another edition
4.0
One of the best in the series so far. The author researches the settings very thoroughly but somehow the London-based novels seem to be more naturally rich.
It's a testament to how well the characters are created that I found myself disappointed in the main character's priorities at one stage. This is shows how engaging and real their personalities are.
(Gemma's workload does seem to allow her to traipse off to interfere in cases quite a lot and both parents seem to abandon their children from time to time?)
It's a testament to how well the characters are created that I found myself disappointed in the main character's priorities at one stage. This is shows how engaging and real their personalities are.
(Gemma's workload does seem to allow her to traipse off to interfere in cases quite a lot and both parents seem to abandon their children from time to time?)