A review by jessbookishlife
Barnabas Tew and The Case Of The Missing Scarab by Columbkill Noonan

5.0

I don't know how many books I have read in the mystery/detective genre, but I have found out that each and every book are unique to the authors' style, and that's so refreshing. With this book I found yet another book in genre that is so different from all the others I have read, including the classics.

This is the first book in the series, so we get to met the main character Barnabas Tew, and he's a private detective. The funny thing is, he's struggling. As I keep reading the book and get to know more about Barnabas, I found the all situation and his thought quite hilarious. That humor that Columbkill added to her book gave the plot some softness and uniqueness that I enjoyed.

But that's not the only unique thing about this book. When you read the blurb you see that there is this paranormal/fantasy kind of thing going on, since Anubis, the Egyptian God of the Dead, makes an appearance. When I read that, I didn't know what to think, but once I read the book... It works!

The reason why I'm using the word 'unique' a lot is because I don't know what else to say to describe the book. It was a different take on the usual private detective book, an unexpected story, with characters that leave a mark in the plot, with a storyline quite intriguing because, let's be honest, when was the last time you read a mystery/detective book with an Egyptian God as the client?

And if that paranormal aspect of the book hasn't convince you to read the book, can I just remind you that there is humor in the book?... Image Barnabas, an Englishmen, private detective with big dreams, but whose abilities are not that over the top, and Wilfred, Barnabas' loyal assistant and an interesting character, with perfect manners. And then imagine them going to the Underworld to find the Scarab God, who is responsible for rolling the sun across the sky each day.

Can you imagine the journey to uncover each mystery and in the end solving the case. Imagine how much troubles Barnabas would put himself (and Wilfred) in? Doesn't that sound fun? It does (and it was) sound fun to me. I went on a journey too, but to me is was a journey of laughter and having fun with Barnabas actions and how Wilfred would react to what's going on. I think I could see this book series turn into a TV show. I would certainly watch it.

Because I find Egyptian Mythology very curious, I was excited to know the authors take on that. I would love to know more about it, but the way the characters, the Gods, were portrait made the book even more fun to read.

I do recommend this book and I can't wait to read the next adventure this duo will have, and what kind of problems will happen.

[This review is part of a blog tour hosted by the amazing Rachel, at Rachel's Random Resources, so I want to thank her and Columbkill Noonan for the eCopy of this book in exchange for an honest review.]