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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
This is the second title of the Harbinder Kaur series, and if anything, the characters here are rather peculiar. It was fun to follow a whole bunch of amateur sleuth who sometimes helped and at other times made Harbinder worry about them. What I enjoyed is that Griffiths plays a little more with Harbinder being gay. Maybe it is because it has become a fashionable prop for main characters, but I hope not. The plot was fun, you can guess who might be behind the series of crimes, however, I was a bit disappointed by how the culprit got caught. Nevertheless, characters, plot, setting, atmosphere, and a style of writing that also wants you to read on make this a really good title. 5 out of 5 stars.
This is the second in the Harbinder Kaufman series by Elly Griffiths. Harbinder is an Indian-British, lesbian detective with a slightly cynical view on life. This new series makes me very happy. I can’t wait until the 3rd one is published!
challenging
funny
mysterious
fast-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:
N/A
3.5. In some ways this book is a love letter to cozy murder mysteries. The trio of amateur sleuths were fun to spend time with and I’m glad they ended up being the “main characters” versus Harbinder—although I did warm to her slightly more in this book. I did a mix of reading the ebook and listening to the audiobook (the narration is great).
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This was such a fun, clever mystery. I absolutely did not guess whodunit, but I enjoyed the whole journey. It's called the "Harbinder Kaur" series, but honestly, she's a supporting character in this one (and honestly, the last one, too). It's an interesting take and I really enjoyed meeting Natalka, Benedict, and Edwin.
This author surprises me with her breath of book series. I didn't like The Brighton Mysteries at all; Ruth Galloway has an undiagnosed eating disorder/the early 2000s "health" mentality that I find extremely irritating, but this series has proven to be something special.
Also, just to nitpick -- the editor on this book wasn't great. I found two instances of characters being called by the wrong name and a double period at the end of a sentence. That's just the things I noticed. How does that shit slip by a major editor??!!??
This author surprises me with her breath of book series. I didn't like The Brighton Mysteries at all; Ruth Galloway has an undiagnosed eating disorder/the early 2000s "health" mentality that I find extremely irritating, but this series has proven to be something special.
Also, just to nitpick -- the editor on this book wasn't great. I found two instances of characters being called by the wrong name and a double period at the end of a sentence. That's just the things I noticed. How does that shit slip by a major editor??!!??
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was a little disappointing. I loved Stranger Diaries and I like DS Kaur. The characters were good and the premise was intriguing, but it moved slowly and the ending felt pieced together and a bit forced. Too many reveals that I ended up not caring about. Total bummer because I usually like her books and the again the characters here were really strong.
I just love Elly Griffiths. Her Ruth Galloway series is a delight, as is this series too.