Archive | February, 2012

murder on the Thames

26 Feb

No Mark Upon Her by Deborah Crombie

I love a good British mystery novel, but I always have trouble deciding which one to pick up. Not being familiar with most of the authors, it’s usually a hit-or-miss affair based on a random selection or recommendations. So far, I’ve discovered a few gems, but the genre is over-saturated and making a good choice is a daunting task. No Mark Upon Her was a definite hit and makes me want to find the rest of Crombie’s series post-haste!

This is the 14th novel in the Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James series, so I was somewhat ambivalent about delving into a series so late in the game, but I soon found that there were enough details to establish the history between Duncan and Gemma. Moreover, despite being part of an established series, the plot works well as a standalone mystery, so familiarity with the specifics of the series was unnecessary to follow the novel’s premise.

The novel opens with the sudden, suspicious death of Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Meredith, a former rower trying to make a comeback who is found floating in the Thames after being reported missing. Assigned to the case just days before he is set to take a family leave, Duncan Kincaid finds himself drawn into an investigation that goes deeper than expected, laying suspicion on a high-ranking former member of the Metropolitan police and a possible connection to a series of unsolved assault charges. The pace is fast, as Crombie lays clues that hint at more than the reader imagines, producing a plot that is complex and very engaging.

Like all great mystery writers, Crombie knows how to play with her reader’s perception. She introduces every possible suspect, exposing their flaws and connections with just enough detail to draw suspicion but never reveal the culprit. The dynamic between Gemma and Duncan and their easy ability to exchange information and follow each other’s lead adds to the narrative tone and makes the reader feel like an active part of the search for the killer.

As I said, I wasn’t sure I would be able to get into the novel when I learned it was such a late entry in the series, but this was not an issue once the case was set and the action started. It was a fast-paced, engrossing read and (best of all) not the least bit predictable. Loved that. I hate a predictable mystery but Crombie kept me guessing ‘til the end when that “aha!” moment happened and it all became clear. This is a great read for anyone who likes a good mystery where it’s all about the process of finding the culprit, not the gory aspects of murder.

I received my copy from William Morrow.

between two hearts

7 Feb

The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley (published as Sophia’s Secret in the UK)

My Nook is still trying to figure out what I like, so I’m trying to give it a push in the right direction by searching for books similar to my favorites. Susanna Kearsley’s The Winter Sea turned up as a Diana Gabaldon read-alike, so I was duly intrigued. I love Gabaldon and eighteenth century Scotland (when it was still a bit wild and rebellious), and I had been experiencing some serious withdrawal with regards to both. The Winter Sea did not disappoint.

The story moves swiftly  between the lives of writer, Carrie McClelland, and Sophia Paterson, a young woman who is sheltered by the Countess of Erroll at Slains Castle. Working on a new novel, Carrie is drawn to Slains during a weekend trip to Scotland, feeling that there is something about the place that will make her new novel come to life. Centuries before, Sophia is also drawn to Slains Castle after the death of her uncle leaves her without a guardian. A newcomer in a strange place, Sophia soon finds herself welcomed by the Castle’s residents and becomes enmeshed in a series of events that have both personal and political implications as loyal Scots, and friends to the Count and Countess of Slains, take part in a plot to restore Prince Charles to the thrown.

Initially, I questioned the dual time frame, but when the connection between Carrie and Sophia emerged, I found myself enjoying the novel more and more. Both timelines are fully realized, as are the characters that people them, so neither plot feels lacking. While not as fast paced as Outlander, Kearsley’s narrative style soon had me craving more (hello, Nook wishlist).

a death of one’s own

6 Feb

Losing Clementine by Ashley Ream

Clementine Pritchard has it all figured out, down to the last detail. She’s over the deadening meds and the personal dramas, it’s time to depart. And that is exactly what Clementine sets out to do, choosing the means to end her life with as little mess as possible and leaving all her baggage in order. Counting down to the day when she’ll settle in for good, she starts on a 30 day journey to pick her poison, make her mark final mark on art, and resolve all the little issues left over from a childhood gone wrong.

Suicide is a delicate subject, so this review starts with a caveat–whatever your views on the matter, if you don’t want to read about suicide, don’t read this one. That said, Ream manages to take a generally morbid subject and turn it into something witty and engaging. Clementine is a great character; fully realized and colorful, she adds snark as much as poignancy to the story. This could be a very dark novel, dealing with extreme depression, abandonment, and personal fears, Clementine’s narrative has the potential to become an existentialist playground, but it just manages to steer clear of that as Clementine finds meaning in the madness.

This is an oddly entertaining novel, if you don’t mind a bit of dark humor. Clementine’s constant need to pee, her renewed sense of flavor after dumping her cocktail of antidepressants, and her unapologetic determination to do things her way, including leaving her car as the tip after a lavish last meal to ensure it does not become a loose end after her death, add a tragicomic element that make the story more than just a manic depressive’s final manifesto.

I received my copy from William Morrow.

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