Reviews

The Blood Card by Elly Griffiths

melissa_who_reads's review against another edition

5.0

Enjoyed - about a terrorist threat on Coronation Day, and the ongoing threat of television. Very interesting for the historical background, and very interesting that the thing that brought television as a "must-have" into British homes was the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Also, Edgar gets to visit America as part of his investigation.

silkmoth's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

The third in the Brighton Mysteries series, this one is set around the Queen's coronation. It's interesting to get a perspective on the gradual shift from the austerity of post-war Britain, with the contrast of a whistle stop visit to the USA. I was really glad to see that this book is set a couple of years after the previous one. I dislike series where serious crimes are supposed to happen every couple of weeks.

ajnel's review against another edition

mysterious

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

The Novel is set in Brighton, England in 1953 on the eve of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The festive atmosphere is crushed when Edgar and Max's former wartime commander is murdered and a mysterious general asks them to assist in an investigation. Clues, such as a playbill and Blood card (Queen of Hearts), hint at hidden connections to Edgar and Max's wartime posting.  A truly atmospheric era murder mystery perfectly timed by Griffiths.  Definitely the best novel in the series so far. 

rasputina_99's review against another edition

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

3.5

smittybooks2630's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

4.0

meganspiers100'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

5.0

lottie_c'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? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

lollybee's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

D.I. Edgar Stephens and his friend magician, Max Mephisto are called to investigate the death of their former commanding officer at his home in London.
Set against the backdrop of Queen Elizabeth ll's Coronation The Blood Card was a very slow burner but nevertheless an enjoyable murder mystery.

jacki_f's review against another edition

3.0

This is the third book in the series about DI Edgar Stephens and his friend, the magician Max Mephisto. You'll enjoy it more if you've read the others in the series as half the charm lies in the relationships between the ensemble of characters. It's also not as good as the others in the series.

The characters are terrific and the setting - Britain in 1953 on the eve of the Queen's Coronation - is vividly conveyed. But the plot is convoluted, confusing and ultimately nonsensical.

I still enjoyed this and I am curious to see how the characters' lives will develop in the next instalment, but as a crime novel it's pretty weak.

christinebeswick's review against another edition

4.0

An exciting murder mystery with interesting well researched background on the last days of variety theatre and of the gypsy community.