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454 reviews for:

The Zig Zag Girl

Elly Griffiths

3.48 AVERAGE

emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
lighthearted slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

During the war Edgar had been seconded to a unit based in Scotland charged with deceiving the enemy as to the strength of the forces through illusion. Known as the 'Magic Men' the group was disbanded when one of the team was killed during an illusion that went wrong. Five years later and Edgar is a police officer in Brighton. A body is found cut into three, like a failed magic trick, and clues are sent to Edgar. the Magic Men are being targeted and Edgar is in a race against time to solve the case before they are all killed.

I have read one of Elly Griffiths 'Ruth Galloway' novels and quite enjoyed it, this is nothing like that! Set in post-War Britain it highlights the difficulties of the demobbed and the entertainers who scratch a living on 'the circuit'. The plot is clever and although I did work it out by about halfway, it still satisfies. This is not a demanding book but it is a really entertaining light read.

I am a "ride or die" fan of the author's Ruth Galloway mysteries. I honestly avoided starting this series for several months, because I wasn't sure how I would feel about a new series.
I didn't dislike this novel. It is certainly intriguing and unique. I was not drawn into it like I was the Ruth Galloway series, but I will continue reading the series. A magician and a police detective working together can only hold surprises in store.

This was gripping and very well thought out. I think Elly Griffiths’ strongest talent is writing amazing characters. It’s the third book of hers I read in the last weeks and all of them have memorable interesting characters.

I also loved the background story and the less than typical setting, the theatrical elements combined with Second World War history. It would make a good tv show.
dark mysterious sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

I worked out two of the big twists pretty early which did dent my enjoyment of the book.

the fact that Charis’s body was never found and she had no grave made me think she was alive, the fact she spoke three languages made me think she was a spy, and the description of the killer as a small, young man (I.e., no low deep voice, no facial hair) made me think the killer was a woman


The motive of the killer is very unclear, which is frustrating, and I found the
attempted murder by a snake utterly ridiculous. Where did Charis get a venomous snake from!? And Ruby was a snake charmer?! Yeah, sure, ok


I liked the moody atmosphere, I liked some of the descriptions, but the plot wasn’t strong enough.
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

Saw the twist coming
emotional lighthearted mysterious reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes