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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
Weird relationship to fatness and feminism that kept it from being great for me (felt more dated than it should be for when it was published?) but I liked the writing and pacing and I'm glad I finally read this one!
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
A cozy mystery. I was so fascinated by the mythology and archeology. Halfway through, I couldn't put it down.
But, too much adultery.
But, too much adultery.
I haven’t read a formulaic mystery since the Nikki Heat books that were a part of the Castle tv show. This is like Bones, only set in England. I couldn’t get into the actual Bones books, but enjoyed the show. I have no predetermined idea of these characters, so that’s been nice. I’m interested to read the next one in the series, even though I figured out the killer fairly early on in this one. I’d give this a 3.5 and round up for the enjoyment factor.
This book was an absolute joy to read and there’s only a few tiny things that kept it from getting all five stars from me (but I’ll get to those in a second). This is probably going to have spoilers sprinkled in so consider yourself warned.
So, what did I like? In the age of cheap thrill(er)s, this book has a solid mystery with an interesting solution and an ending Agatha Christie would applaud. The line between the past and present are blurred when a little girl goes missing and an Iron Age body is discovered on a saltmarsh in northern England. There are red herrings galore, no one is exactly who he or she seems, and this unnerving feeling that someone knows more than they’re letting on * cue the dramatic music *
If you follow my reviews, you know I hate easily guessable mysteries. This one comes together the way a mystery should – in pieces and if you can guess some of the bad guys, you aren’t going to get them all. And you have to work for it a little bit! Of course, the kidnapper/killer’s fate is what I’m saying Mrs. C would be proud of (and if you’ve read any of her novels, you can probably guess what I mean). Yeah, it always feels like a little bit of a cop out when the criminal’s only motivation is being crazy AF, but I can forgive it. Nothing else would make as much sense – like I said, we’re back and forth between modern crimes and historical ones in kind of a magical setting the author created.
I also appreciate good research and learning little factoids from a book. Another box checked.
So where are the issues you ask? The biggest one was the sly lil pregnancy announcement at the end of the book. I literally did a double take, mouth hanging open, said “WHAT?!” out loud.
I loved the chemistry between Ruth and Nelson, but since he’s married (apparently happily?), I wasn’t expecting anything to come of it. So damn, points for that, but I felt like Ruth spent the whole book asserting she was a satisfied, Independent Woman who was Happy despite Not Being A Mother. Then at the end she’s like, jk, I want a baby. Biological clock is making its presence known.
That’s fine, but there really are people who are happy not having kids, so don’t insult them by turning Ruth into another “I’m just saying that I’m not a sad single lady but I really am inside and now that I’m having a baby I’m complete” character. Maybe we were supposed to read between the lines and see she wasn’t happy, but I was excited to see a character comfortable with herself for once.
The jury is still out on Nelson. I do like him, but I hate a cheater. I really hate a cheater. Mmm. I’m curious to see if this ends in divorce or a timely murdered wife.
So was it perfect? Hardly. But was it well-written? Definitely, and that is a quality I really appreciate in a mystery. And every other book too, but you know what I mean. Will be continuing the series to see how this relationship plays out. Only like 12 books to catch up on, it’s fine.
So, what did I like? In the age of cheap thrill(er)s, this book has a solid mystery with an interesting solution and an ending Agatha Christie would applaud. The line between the past and present are blurred when a little girl goes missing and an Iron Age body is discovered on a saltmarsh in northern England. There are red herrings galore, no one is exactly who he or she seems, and this unnerving feeling that someone knows more than they’re letting on * cue the dramatic music *
If you follow my reviews, you know I hate easily guessable mysteries. This one comes together the way a mystery should – in pieces and if you can guess some of the bad guys, you aren’t going to get them all. And you have to work for it a little bit! Of course, the kidnapper/killer’s fate is what I’m saying Mrs. C would be proud of (and if you’ve read any of her novels, you can probably guess what I mean). Yeah, it always feels like a little bit of a cop out when the criminal’s only motivation is being crazy AF, but I can forgive it. Nothing else would make as much sense – like I said, we’re back and forth between modern crimes and historical ones in kind of a magical setting the author created.
I also appreciate good research and learning little factoids from a book. Another box checked.
So where are the issues you ask? The biggest one was the sly lil pregnancy announcement at the end of the book. I literally did a double take, mouth hanging open, said “WHAT?!” out loud.
I loved the chemistry between Ruth and Nelson, but since he’s married (apparently happily?), I wasn’t expecting anything to come of it. So damn, points for that, but I felt like Ruth spent the whole book asserting she was a satisfied, Independent Woman who was Happy despite Not Being A Mother. Then at the end she’s like, jk, I want a baby. Biological clock is making its presence known.
That’s fine, but there really are people who are happy not having kids, so don’t insult them by turning Ruth into another “I’m just saying that I’m not a sad single lady but I really am inside and now that I’m having a baby I’m complete” character. Maybe we were supposed to read between the lines and see she wasn’t happy, but I was excited to see a character comfortable with herself for once.
The jury is still out on Nelson. I do like him, but I hate a cheater. I really hate a cheater. Mmm. I’m curious to see if this ends in divorce or a timely murdered wife.
So was it perfect? Hardly. But was it well-written? Definitely, and that is a quality I really appreciate in a mystery. And every other book too, but you know what I mean. Will be continuing the series to see how this relationship plays out. Only like 12 books to catch up on, it’s fine.
I missed the original publication of this first book in the series because it was published just before my son was born. However, now that I have found Elly Griffiths, I am eager to read more of her books.
I've put off reading this one several times, but this time I got sucked in from the get go. I love Ruth and cannot wait to join her on more adventures.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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:
Yes