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thecraftywelshie's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
billd's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Sidney Chambers and the Perils of the Night is the second collection of short stories in the Grantchester mysteries by James Runcie. Once again, Canon Chambers investigates murders in 1950's - 60s Cambridge. This collection contains six stories; a fall from the rooftops of one of Cambridge's college buildings, a fire that turns into arson and murder, a seeming heart attack by a member of Cambridge's professors that may have been electrocution, a death at a cricket match, an unworthy suitor to Sidney's best friend Amanda and an adventure in East Germany.
They are all more than just criminal investigations, but also philosophical explorations, examinations of Sidney's conflicted feelings about his friendships with Amanda and the German widow Hildegarde. The stories focus more on Sidney than the TV series which is very much a buddy series, with Geordie Keating, the police inspector playing a much more important role. In these stories he is more a sounding board for Sidney's speculations, as they have their weekly backgammon games. Of course, ultimately, the police must be involved, once the crimes are solved.
The stories are all interesting. There is nice give and take between Sidney and his assistant Leonard. Mrs. M also plays a much less significant role, but does make appearances. Each case was different, and even though they mostly involve murder, they are quite gentle. I especially enjoyed The Hat Trick, with its explanations of the cricket matches, most enjoyable. And the final story, Appointment in Berlin, where Sidney goes to spend a vacation with Hildegarde and it ends up being a bit of a spy thriller in East Germany, was very different and quite exciting.
A most enjoyable visit to Grantchester, an easy, friendly read and ultimately, a very satisfying conclusion. (4.0 stars)
They are all more than just criminal investigations, but also philosophical explorations, examinations of Sidney's conflicted feelings about his friendships with Amanda and the German widow Hildegarde. The stories focus more on Sidney than the TV series which is very much a buddy series, with Geordie Keating, the police inspector playing a much more important role. In these stories he is more a sounding board for Sidney's speculations, as they have their weekly backgammon games. Of course, ultimately, the police must be involved, once the crimes are solved.
The stories are all interesting. There is nice give and take between Sidney and his assistant Leonard. Mrs. M also plays a much less significant role, but does make appearances. Each case was different, and even though they mostly involve murder, they are quite gentle. I especially enjoyed The Hat Trick, with its explanations of the cricket matches, most enjoyable. And the final story, Appointment in Berlin, where Sidney goes to spend a vacation with Hildegarde and it ends up being a bit of a spy thriller in East Germany, was very different and quite exciting.
A most enjoyable visit to Grantchester, an easy, friendly read and ultimately, a very satisfying conclusion. (4.0 stars)
firefly8041's review against another edition
2.0
The blurb in no way made it clear that this was a set of short stories, so I was confused nearing the end of the first one. Even if I had known this I don't think I would have enjoyed this much. I found it got sidetracked a lot, and so my mind wandered and the plots became not clear to me due to this. There was also far too much info given about certain things, such as cricket. At times I enjoyed the writing style, but for the most part I found it a bit dull.
turidt's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
tobyyy's review against another edition
3.0
I found that was more of a hit-or-miss volume than the first book in the series was. There were some good stories in it — I loved the final story about West Germany & espionage — but there were also some duds. Namely the one about cricket — the mystery was intriguing but there were FAR too many extraneous details about cricket (which is a sport I know nothing about, but also I don’t care much — or know much — about ANY sport). Details that really didn’t affect the actual emotional punch of the story.
But overall, not a bad read. It just took me awhile (like a month or a little more *facepalm*) to actually care enough to finish this one. TO BE FAIR though, I’ve been in a reading slump for much of this month, so that slow pace is not solely indicative of my feelings about this book.
But overall, not a bad read. It just took me awhile (like a month or a little more *facepalm*) to actually care enough to finish this one. TO BE FAIR though, I’ve been in a reading slump for much of this month, so that slow pace is not solely indicative of my feelings about this book.
arianatee's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
After having been a fan of the tv series for many years, I'm glad I've given the books a go as I love a cozy mystery. Each short story contains a unique crime, of which only some have been turned into episodes. I was glad to read some of the stories that had not been in the TV show as it kept more of the mystery going and I found it sweet to see more of Hildegard in the second book. Grantchester never fails to make me feel warm and fuzzy, giving me nostalgia for a time in which I've never even lived. Sidney and Geordie were charming as always. A very entertaining novel that transports me to the quaint English countryside in the 1950s.
bbabyok's review against another edition
4.0
Wanted to see if the books were similar to the show Grantchester. Interestingly they both are and are not. I enjoyed it and now I'm going to have to go back and read the first one.
mizele20's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoy the PBS Series, Grantchester, so I enjoyed reading the stories. I read the second one first by mistake---working on the first one now. They are light murder mysteries with enjoyable characters.
julija125's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.75
Die Serie ist echt viel besser. Vieles geht einfach zu schnell und ich mag die Zeitsprünge nicht, Details fehlen. Aber trotzdem okay.