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smartalec's review against another edition
3.0
The writing in this book is good, and we do grow to like DC Smith throughout the story, but there are three issues that keep this from rising above middling.
1. There's very little action. For a police story involving murder, possible terrorism, and foreign intrigue, most of the story takes place in calm investigations by Smith and his sidekick. Maybe this is your cup of tea, though, so I'll invoke the your-mileage-may-vary clause here.
2. The wrap-up is abrupt and anti-climactic. Smith figures everything out without including the reader in his cogitations, and then just explains it all to his boss at the end, after everything is settled, and the danger has passed. I found it a bit unkind to the reader, if I'm honest.
3. The final scene is arduous. After the crimes are solved, we're presented with a long scene that, I suppose, is meant to humanize Smith. But it's apropos of nothing, and I just kept wishing it had been deleted in editing.
1. There's very little action. For a police story involving murder, possible terrorism, and foreign intrigue, most of the story takes place in calm investigations by Smith and his sidekick. Maybe this is your cup of tea, though, so I'll invoke the your-mileage-may-vary clause here.
2. The wrap-up is abrupt and anti-climactic. Smith figures everything out without including the reader in his cogitations, and then just explains it all to his boss at the end, after everything is settled, and the danger has passed. I found it a bit unkind to the reader, if I'm honest.
3. The final scene is arduous. After the crimes are solved, we're presented with a long scene that, I suppose, is meant to humanize Smith. But it's apropos of nothing, and I just kept wishing it had been deleted in editing.
knkaliszewski's review against another edition
3.0
Listened as audiobook
Fine. Not an overly complicated mystery, but was pleasant enough to listen to while driving.
Fine. Not an overly complicated mystery, but was pleasant enough to listen to while driving.
krissipie1's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
kellymikesell's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
I like the DC Smith series books. I like the characters in the book series, and I like the writing style. If you are looking for something entertaining to go through fast, this is a good series. Not the best crime fiction out there, but okay.
perpetuia1965's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting, well -written story. Older, widowed detective in London. Good guy working among some bad cops.
josephks's review against another edition
4.0
Wonderful. Very satisfying. I'd want my mystery-loving friends to read it...
gb1232's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. It started off slowly, as British detective/mysteries often seem to do, but it is worthwhile to keep reading until the end.
My only negative comment is that the cause of the event that precipitated the whole story was not cleared up - at least not in my mind. Nevertheless I have given this book 5 stars.
My only negative comment is that the cause of the event that precipitated the whole story was not cleared up - at least not in my mind. Nevertheless I have given this book 5 stars.