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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
As a follow-up to [b:The Stranger Diaries|40796097|The Stranger Diaries (Harbinder Kaur, #1)|Elly Griffiths|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1532738769l/40796097._SY75_.jpg|58794499], this was disappointing. Harbinder Kaur, the detective who's a major character in that first book is more of a background figure in this second one. Instead, we get a quirky trio of amateur sleuths: Edwin, a dapper geriatric; Natalka, a Ukrainian healthcare worker; and Benedict, a former monk turned barista/café owner. They're investigating the death of an old lady (friend of Edwin, client of Natalka, and customer of Benedict) who several mystery authors credit with helping plot their books. It seems that she (and several of those authors) received threatening postcards. Is it all a coincidence or was she murdered?
Soon the quirky threesome is running their own investigation, parallel to Harbinder's, dashing off to a writer's conference to chase clues. It's a much cozier mystery than I expected, more reminiscent of [b:The Thursday Murder Club|46000520|The Thursday Murder Club (Thursday Murder Club, #1)|Richard Osman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1582287822l/46000520._SY75_.jpg|70861405], but with fewer old people and clunkier prose. Something just felt off about the writing: too much simplification and repetition. It didn't even feel like the same author in some ways. I'm still giving this one three stars because I did enjoy it overall: the quirky threesome was fun and the mystery was decent, if a little far-fetched. I probably won't be reading the rest of the series, though.
Soon the quirky threesome is running their own investigation, parallel to Harbinder's, dashing off to a writer's conference to chase clues. It's a much cozier mystery than I expected, more reminiscent of [b:The Thursday Murder Club|46000520|The Thursday Murder Club (Thursday Murder Club, #1)|Richard Osman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1582287822l/46000520._SY75_.jpg|70861405], but with fewer old people and clunkier prose. Something just felt off about the writing: too much simplification and repetition. It didn't even feel like the same author in some ways. I'm still giving this one three stars because I did enjoy it overall: the quirky threesome was fun and the mystery was decent, if a little far-fetched. I probably won't be reading the rest of the series, though.
The best thing about this book was the characters. They were such an eclectic and fun group. I liked how the book switched between the characters' povs, so that we got to know them all intimately. Oh my gosh, the way Harbinder described her partner so she didn't get irritated by him was hilarious.
I didn't read the first book in this series, but I was able to pick up this one with no difficulty. The plot kept my attention and I found myself wanting to pick it back up. I didn’t guess who the murderer was so that’s a plus, but the reasons for the murders were not very convincing, in my opinion. I would give another book in this series a try.
***I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway***
I didn't read the first book in this series, but I was able to pick up this one with no difficulty. The plot kept my attention and I found myself wanting to pick it back up. I didn’t guess who the murderer was so that’s a plus, but the reasons for the murders were not very convincing, in my opinion. I would give another book in this series a try.
***I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway***
It's becoming a habit to start and end each reading year with an Elly Griffiths book. I am currently hoarding the last few Ruth Galloway volumes, so I began 2025 with the second Harbinder Kaur book. I am coming to be almost as fond of Harbinder as I am of Ruth even though you couldn't get two characters more different from each other.
Harbinder is an Anglo-Indian police officer, in contrast to the Anglo archaeologist Ruth. Harbinder is a lesbian, but she lives with her parents so has very little purview to pursue a relationship. She suspects that her parents would be disappointed if they knew. She actually has a strong bond with her parents, once again unlike Ruth.
Also different is the looser focus on the main character. Yes, Harbinder ties all the various plotlines together, but the ancillary characters get a great deal of page time without her. Like Claire Cassidy in the first volume (who makes an incidental appearance in this one). Perhaps Edwin, Benedict, and Natalka will hang around too. That would be fun.
I also appreciated the method that Harbinder uses to be able to put up with her partner, Neil. She imagines him to be a shy forest creature—wiping his whiskers, twitching his tail, seizing a nut, nibbling, nibbling. I wish I had thought of this when I was still confined to an office! (Retirement really is the best decision I ever made.)
This was a very enjoyable part of the mystery binge that I seem to be indulging in at present. Ms. Griffiths is definitely one of my favoured authors.
Harbinder is an Anglo-Indian police officer, in contrast to the Anglo archaeologist Ruth. Harbinder is a lesbian, but she lives with her parents so has very little purview to pursue a relationship. She suspects that her parents would be disappointed if they knew. She actually has a strong bond with her parents, once again unlike Ruth.
Also different is the looser focus on the main character. Yes, Harbinder ties all the various plotlines together, but the ancillary characters get a great deal of page time without her. Like Claire Cassidy in the first volume (who makes an incidental appearance in this one). Perhaps Edwin, Benedict, and Natalka will hang around too. That would be fun.
I also appreciated the method that Harbinder uses to be able to put up with her partner, Neil. She imagines him to be a shy forest creature—wiping his whiskers, twitching his tail, seizing a nut, nibbling, nibbling. I wish I had thought of this when I was still confined to an office! (Retirement really is the best decision I ever made.)
This was a very enjoyable part of the mystery binge that I seem to be indulging in at present. Ms. Griffiths is definitely one of my favoured authors.
I love Elly Griffiths's mystery novels because of their clever twisty plots and warm-hearted characters. The Postscript Murders is the second in the Harbinder Kaur series. The first one, The Stranger Diaries, was a modern gothic mystery. The Postscript Murders is more a nod to classic 'golden age' crime fiction. You don't have to have read the first book in the series to enjoy this one.
Peggy Smith was a 'murder consultant'. She advised crime writers on their plots and invented original ways for them to kill off their characters. When she died at the age of 90 in a retirement home, Detective Sergeant Harbinder Kaur doesn't believe there is anything suspicious about it. Until Peggy's carer is held up at gunpoint - for a book!
Elly Griffiths is brilliant at creating characters that you really care about. I was so pleased when she decided to write another book featuring the dour Harbinder Kaur - now I'm hoping Elly will write another story featuring the stars of this story - Natalka (Peggy's care assistant), Benedict (the ex-monk) and Edwin (Peggy's friend, an ex-BBC producer). They would make a wonderful investigating team!
The Postscript Murders is like a fan letter to classic murder mysteries. Many of the secondary characters are crime writers and you get a glimpse into their lives. I love the way Natalka, Benedict and Edwin hare off to Aberdeen and gate-crash a writers' conference, determined to speak to Peggy's old clients and solve her murder. There is lots of bookish talk and even book bloggers get a mention. It's terrific fun!
The Postscript Murders is one of my favourite reads this year - such a gorgeous cover too! Recommended for all fans of traditional murder mysteries and readers of authors such as Richard Osman (The Thursday Murder Club) and Kate Ellis (the Wesley Peterson series). I'm counting the days until the next one - fingers crossed!
Thank you to Elly Griffiths and Quercus for my copy of this book, which I requested from NetGalley and reviewed voluntarily.
Peggy Smith was a 'murder consultant'. She advised crime writers on their plots and invented original ways for them to kill off their characters. When she died at the age of 90 in a retirement home, Detective Sergeant Harbinder Kaur doesn't believe there is anything suspicious about it. Until Peggy's carer is held up at gunpoint - for a book!
Elly Griffiths is brilliant at creating characters that you really care about. I was so pleased when she decided to write another book featuring the dour Harbinder Kaur - now I'm hoping Elly will write another story featuring the stars of this story - Natalka (Peggy's care assistant), Benedict (the ex-monk) and Edwin (Peggy's friend, an ex-BBC producer). They would make a wonderful investigating team!
The Postscript Murders is like a fan letter to classic murder mysteries. Many of the secondary characters are crime writers and you get a glimpse into their lives. I love the way Natalka, Benedict and Edwin hare off to Aberdeen and gate-crash a writers' conference, determined to speak to Peggy's old clients and solve her murder. There is lots of bookish talk and even book bloggers get a mention. It's terrific fun!
The Postscript Murders is one of my favourite reads this year - such a gorgeous cover too! Recommended for all fans of traditional murder mysteries and readers of authors such as Richard Osman (The Thursday Murder Club) and Kate Ellis (the Wesley Peterson series). I'm counting the days until the next one - fingers crossed!
Thank you to Elly Griffiths and Quercus for my copy of this book, which I requested from NetGalley and reviewed voluntarily.
The second installment of the Harbinder Kaur series is completely entertaining. Perfect for lovers of Richard Osman, Anthony Horowitz, and the Queen, Agatha Christie.
I love Elly Griffiths Ruth Galloway and Magic Men series, and was excited to find another engaging detective in DS Harbinder Kaur. DS Kaur was introduced in The Stranger Diaries, but both it and The Postscript Murders are billed as standalone novels. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and loved DS Kaur as she juggled her parents and an engaging mystery at the same time. The twists and turns in the story kept me guessing! Highly recommended!
Thanks to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for access to a ARC via NetGalley.
Thanks to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for access to a ARC via NetGalley.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really enjoyed experiencing the book through all the different characters perspectives. The book felt thrilling but also cozy. I was also surprised by the ending. I would recommend this book to people who like murder mysteries!