verityw's review
4.0
Full review on my blog Verity Reads Books
At the start of Death of an Angel Danny’s name is found written on the hand of a woman who has fallen from a tower block. To make matters worse, the pub’s phone number is in her contacts list, so of course the police haul him in for questioning. Trouble is, Danny has no idea who she is. The police seem strangely reluctant to believe this and soon Danny is investigating what led to Cathy Byrne’s fall from the ninth floor. At the same time, Danny is doing a touch of investigating for his solicitor and there are major ructions going on in his family – as his siblings are convinced something is wrong in their parents’ relationship. And don’t even get started on the boyfriend front.
Death of an Angel takes us away from the Marq – which as there’s a limit to how many bodies can turn up at a business and it remain solvent (no matter what the cupcake bakeries over in the cozy crime genre would have you believe) is a good thing and it’s great to see Danny stretch his wings in his south London home neighbourhood. This is a great mystery – fast-paced and with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. And the fabulous banter is still there – I mean what’s not to love about a hero who refers to himself as “Sherlock Homo”?
But there’s also a serious side to this. There are some proper social issues here too. This is the best of Danny – mysteries with a conscience, that will entertain you but also make you think without clubbing you over the head with A Message.
At the start of Death of an Angel Danny’s name is found written on the hand of a woman who has fallen from a tower block. To make matters worse, the pub’s phone number is in her contacts list, so of course the police haul him in for questioning. Trouble is, Danny has no idea who she is. The police seem strangely reluctant to believe this and soon Danny is investigating what led to Cathy Byrne’s fall from the ninth floor. At the same time, Danny is doing a touch of investigating for his solicitor and there are major ructions going on in his family – as his siblings are convinced something is wrong in their parents’ relationship. And don’t even get started on the boyfriend front.
Death of an Angel takes us away from the Marq – which as there’s a limit to how many bodies can turn up at a business and it remain solvent (no matter what the cupcake bakeries over in the cozy crime genre would have you believe) is a good thing and it’s great to see Danny stretch his wings in his south London home neighbourhood. This is a great mystery – fast-paced and with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. And the fabulous banter is still there – I mean what’s not to love about a hero who refers to himself as “Sherlock Homo”?
But there’s also a serious side to this. There are some proper social issues here too. This is the best of Danny – mysteries with a conscience, that will entertain you but also make you think without clubbing you over the head with A Message.
j_lbrbsblogs's review
4.0
4.5*
This is a cracking story, well plotted, well written, sprinkled with witty banter, filled with – often dark – humour and, whilst this is no cosy mystery, the denouement is delivered in true Conan-Doyle or, perhaps, we should say Agatha Christie style.
I thought the sub-plot regarding his parents was handled particularly well bringing a tenderness into the book and insight into Danny’s character and life
This is a terrific book and one I would more than happily recommend.
With many thanks to Fahrenheit Press for an eCopy of Death of an Angel by Derek Farrell and to Emma at Damppebbles for inviting me onto this wonderful BlogTour. Do catch up with rest of the Tour see -
https://lovebooksreadbooks.com/2019/06/25/death-of-an-angel-the-danny-bird-mysteries-by-derek-farrell/
This is a cracking story, well plotted, well written, sprinkled with witty banter, filled with – often dark – humour and, whilst this is no cosy mystery, the denouement is delivered in true Conan-Doyle or, perhaps, we should say Agatha Christie style.
I thought the sub-plot regarding his parents was handled particularly well bringing a tenderness into the book and insight into Danny’s character and life
This is a terrific book and one I would more than happily recommend.
With many thanks to Fahrenheit Press for an eCopy of Death of an Angel by Derek Farrell and to Emma at Damppebbles for inviting me onto this wonderful BlogTour. Do catch up with rest of the Tour see -
https://lovebooksreadbooks.com/2019/06/25/death-of-an-angel-the-danny-bird-mysteries-by-derek-farrell/
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