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A review by mrsbooknerd
Best Served Cold by David J. Gatward
2.0
I preferred this second book in the Grimm series to the first, it felt more settled now that both the setting and characters are familiar.
I enjoyed the fact that there is an overarching series plot related to Grimm as well as the 'shorter term' book plot as well. I'm curious about Grimm's family and want to know more for sure.
Each of the characters have unique personalities and are likeable and, again, I want to know more about them as individuals outside of their crime fighting.
The writing style is easy to read but absorbing, really rich in description and detail I enjoy the journey.
I also liked the whole premise of the main plot but personally I felt like there was something lacking which I'm finding it hard to explain. Essentially, there were several gruesome murders which were given to the team to investigate. But there was very little investigation, the team instead just seemed to sit about and passively wait for the next event to lead them on. They didn't immediately investigate the victims to understand their history or, after the second murder, any connections between victims, at least not until someone pointed out to them that they should. They just knocked on a few doors and learned that the victim wasn't liked and then sat about being all woe is us we have no leads. It was all so passive that it didn't make for particularly interesting reading.
I grew bored reading about them eating cake and cheese and drinking tea. Or bantering about cake and cheese and tea. I got bored with them walking away from suspects who clearly had secrets without pushing them or asking other characters questions to get answers instead. It just felt like they were purposely being passive so that something could later be uncovered as a twist, but it was frustrating because it undermined their police prowess. Elements of investigation that seemed obvious and fundamental police work just seemed to be eradicated and at times they felt incompetent.
As an aside, the killer was so obvious from the moment that individual was introduced that it was a bit painful.
I definitely enjoyed the writing style and characters so I will read another in the series, I just feel like the next one needs more substance to bring me back again and to perhaps shake some of the repeated jokes about cake and cheese and Grimm's name and face...
I enjoyed the fact that there is an overarching series plot related to Grimm as well as the 'shorter term' book plot as well. I'm curious about Grimm's family and want to know more for sure.
Each of the characters have unique personalities and are likeable and, again, I want to know more about them as individuals outside of their crime fighting.
The writing style is easy to read but absorbing, really rich in description and detail I enjoy the journey.
I also liked the whole premise of the main plot but personally I felt like there was something lacking which I'm finding it hard to explain. Essentially, there were several gruesome murders which were given to the team to investigate. But there was very little investigation, the team instead just seemed to sit about and passively wait for the next event to lead them on. They didn't immediately investigate the victims to understand their history or, after the second murder, any connections between victims, at least not until someone pointed out to them that they should. They just knocked on a few doors and learned that the victim wasn't liked and then sat about being all woe is us we have no leads. It was all so passive that it didn't make for particularly interesting reading.
I grew bored reading about them eating cake and cheese and drinking tea. Or bantering about cake and cheese and tea. I got bored with them walking away from suspects who clearly had secrets without pushing them or asking other characters questions to get answers instead. It just felt like they were purposely being passive so that something could later be uncovered as a twist, but it was frustrating because it undermined their police prowess. Elements of investigation that seemed obvious and fundamental police work just seemed to be eradicated and at times they felt incompetent.
As an aside, the killer was so obvious from the moment that individual was introduced that it was a bit painful.
I definitely enjoyed the writing style and characters so I will read another in the series, I just feel like the next one needs more substance to bring me back again and to perhaps shake some of the repeated jokes about cake and cheese and Grimm's name and face...