mojoshivers's review against another edition
4.0
Another great mystery from Crombie. This set-up really is best for long ongoing mystery series. First, you have both main characters already be cops and partners, and then you slowly have them fall for each other over the course of the novels. And then you start having kids just pop out of nowhere to join their extended family. For the record that’s one son from a previous marriage, another older son that they weren’t even aware of from another previous marriage, and finally a daughter orphaned by her parents being murdered that they’ve just agreed to raise on their own.
I mean—the mysteries are all well and good, providing interesting motives and solutions. But damn it all, I’m invested in this crazy ragtag family that it almost doesn’t matter how good the mystery is. By now I just want to know what happens next with Gemma, Duncan, and their motley assortment of kids.
Truth be told, the human trafficking angle was a little slight and the clues that that was what these murders were all about comes very late. But having Charlotte be the lynchpin of what brings the dynamic duo to be involved was a nice touch. It lent it a bit of Cinderella flair to the plot and made you root for the couple for another reason besides bringing the bad guys to justice.
I mean—the mysteries are all well and good, providing interesting motives and solutions. But damn it all, I’m invested in this crazy ragtag family that it almost doesn’t matter how good the mystery is. By now I just want to know what happens next with Gemma, Duncan, and their motley assortment of kids.
Truth be told, the human trafficking angle was a little slight and the clues that that was what these murders were all about comes very late. But having Charlotte be the lynchpin of what brings the dynamic duo to be involved was a nice touch. It lent it a bit of Cinderella flair to the plot and made you root for the couple for another reason besides bringing the bad guys to justice.
house_full_of_books's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
akewalramani's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.5
ellarymt's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
magistratrium's review against another edition
4.0
This series gets better and better. The main characters are interesting and the plot lines are well done. I love all of the details and history about London.
theorysloth's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0