what_heather_loves's review
funny
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
"'We hardly know anything.' Edie didn't want to jump to conclusions this time. Sometimes a jigsaw puzzle looked like it fitted when it didn't. She couldn't waste time forcing things into place.
'I think that's how they want us to stay. Several pieces behind at all times.'
'They're not playing fair,' Edie said. Part of the enigmagologists' code involved being oblique as you like, but always giving enough information to solve a puzzle. But then, how was murder fair?'"
Present day Weymouth, Dorset and octogenarian, crossword compiler and jigsaw dissectologist, Edie receives some shocking post. 'Rest In Pieces' is challenging her to complete the jigsaw or people will die. She involves her great-nephew, DI Sean Brand-O'Sullivan and nonagenarian neighbour, Riga. Will they identify the vengeful puzzler?
Having read and enjoyed the author's earlier festive crime outings, I requested this as soon as I saw it appear on NetGalley and was not disappointed. Reminding me of Janice Hallett's novels, this is funny, clever with wonderfully engaging main and supporting characters. I loved fractious Edie and long-suffering Sean as well as all-knowing school receptionist Sandra and Edie's neighbour and eccentric love interest, Riga. As with her other novels, anagrams and Fleetwood Mac songs are sprinkled throughout. At the end of the book are recipes for Riga's Christmas Livener and Edie's Dorset Apple Cake. Perfect, festive entertainment in witty, cosy crime form!
'I think that's how they want us to stay. Several pieces behind at all times.'
'They're not playing fair,' Edie said. Part of the enigmagologists' code involved being oblique as you like, but always giving enough information to solve a puzzle. But then, how was murder fair?'"
Present day Weymouth, Dorset and octogenarian, crossword compiler and jigsaw dissectologist, Edie receives some shocking post. 'Rest In Pieces' is challenging her to complete the jigsaw or people will die. She involves her great-nephew, DI Sean Brand-O'Sullivan and nonagenarian neighbour, Riga. Will they identify the vengeful puzzler?
Having read and enjoyed the author's earlier festive crime outings, I requested this as soon as I saw it appear on NetGalley and was not disappointed. Reminding me of Janice Hallett's novels, this is funny, clever with wonderfully engaging main and supporting characters. I loved fractious Edie and long-suffering Sean as well as all-knowing school receptionist Sandra and Edie's neighbour and eccentric love interest, Riga. As with her other novels, anagrams and Fleetwood Mac songs are sprinkled throughout. At the end of the book are recipes for Riga's Christmas Livener and Edie's Dorset Apple Cake. Perfect, festive entertainment in witty, cosy crime form!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Violence
Minor: Child death
More...