To Dwell in Darkness by Deborah Crombie

I have followed this series from the first installment, A Share of Death in 1995, and have eagerly awaited each new installment in Ms. Crombie’s intelligent, well-crafted British mystery series.

Now if you are unfamiliar with Deborah Crombie  – you will enjoy this latest mystery in her series, but I urge you to go right now to your library and check out a Share of Death. Then read each of her series in order… I’ll wait right here until you do so.

OK now you’re with me on the series and her latest, To Dwell in Darkness, does not disappoint.

From the Back Cover:

Recently transferred to the London borough of Camden from Scotland Yard headquarters, detective superintendent Duncan Kincaid and his new murder investigation team are called to a deadly bombing at historic St. Pancras International Station. By fortunate coincidence, detective sergeant Melody Talbot, Gemma’s trusted colleague, witnesses the explosion. The victim was taking part in an organized protest, yet the other group members swear the young man only meant to set off a smoke bomb. As Kincaid begins to gather the facts, he finds that every piece of the puzzle yields an unexpected pattern, including the disappearance of a mysterious bystander.

The bombing isn’t the only mystery troubling Kincaid. He’s still questioning the reasons behind his transfer, and when his former boss continues to avoid him, those suspicions deepen.

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Ms. Crombie does her research and always chooses a lesser-known London area site to center her mysteries – in this case, St. Pancras train station.  As a special treat, the hard copy books include hand-illustrated maps of said location.  Here’s a sample – click to view larger.

St. Pancras is the setting for a very current and news-worthy event – a public bombing…and the perpetrators aren’t who they seem.  Duncan Kincaid has been demoted from his high-powered post with Scotland Yard and transferred to Holburn.  D.I. Gemma Jones is investigating the kidnapping, rape and murder of a 12 year old girl.   Melody Talbot plays a key role in this case, while jugging  a new relationship,  and there are kittens!

Sounds like a mess, but as in all Ms. Crombie’s novels the pacing is superb, while she builds tension yet gives us breaks with glimpses into the loving family of Duncan and Gemma.  Their relationship continues to delight and I just adore the descriptions of their home life  – so chaotic (did I mention a litter of abandoned  kittens?) yet warm.

 

In the previous installment (Sound of Broken Glass) we were left hanging on why Duncan was demoted and transferred  —  this installment does not resolve that or even shed any light on that question.  That’s twice now, where I’ve turned the last page/last chapter only to face the “about the author” blurb…totally surprised there wasn’t more .

I fear Ms. Crombie may be using the television series trick – stringing us along to her next new book — but that’s alright with me. I’ll go anywhere she wants to take me.

 

Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn

There’s been a great deal of buzz regarding this novel, so I approached  it with a little chip on my shoulder.  I read Gone Girl with every intention of not falling for the “best seller” hype. But, all I can say is WOW.   Ms. Flynn is indeed masterful.  I finished the book saying “how did she do that?”.

Within a few pages, I was engrossed in the twists and turns of the plot – even gasping aloud at some points and eagerly turning the pages to find out what is happening here?  Nick and Amy are totally unlikeable – their marriage is disturbing and dysfunctional.  The author surrounds them with money issues, in-law problems and mutual nastiness —   and yet I found myself holding my breath in terror for them – thinking, “how did things get this bad?”

The second half of the book turned me on my ear –  no spoilers here, just be warned huge surprises await.  And, if you’re like me, you’ll binge-read this novel to its sick and evil conclusion.

Warning, the novel contains foul language and some sordid sex  – accenting the twisted and  creepy atmosphere.  Now I want to read her other books;  Sharp Objects and Dark Places.  And I want to re-read Gone Girl – just to relish in Ms. Flynn’s  crafting and structure of this novel.

Review copy provided by Crown Publishing.

A Rather Lovely Inheritance, by C. A. Belmond

Grab this book, cozy up under an afghan and brew a pot of tea.   Just what I wanted,  in front of the fire with holiday music on the radio.   This is the first in a series and although predictable,  it is, nonetheless, well written and simply delightful.

Penny Nichols (great name ha!) comes into an inheritance from a distant aunt – an antique car and a huge flat in London  — but that’s just the beginning.   There’s a fun romp across England, France, and Italy (all my favorite places). It has an amusing cast of family members, co-workers, and friends.  There’s a little mystery, a little romance, a little danger and some mad capers on the coast of France.  There are two more installments that I plan to read.

Probably falls into the genre of  “chick-lit” but with a redeeming Anglophile/European slant.