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casvelyn's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
c713914's review against another edition
4.0
Strong mystery storyline, probably my favorite of the series so far, but predicable and overdone personal storyline really detracted from what could have been a 5!
riversong222's review against another edition
4.0
I love this series! This one has a great cast of characters and the twist is utterly unpredictable. Great cozy read.
jamread2021's review against another edition
5.0
Compelling story! The dual timelines kept the plot suspenseful. The characters were well-drawn. I love this series!
booksuperpower's review against another edition
4.0
And Justice There is None by Deborah Crombie is a 2002 Bantam publication.
This eighth installment in the Kincaid and James series righted itself after that truly awful seventh book. Thank goodness, Gemma and Kincaid area back to work on realistic police cases.
Gemma gets the initial call on this case, which involves the murder of Dawn Arrowood, a beautiful, married woman who also happened to be in the early stages of pregnancy. The suspects are plenty as Dawn’s husband, Karl, may have found out she was involved in an extramarital affair, or, of course, it could be Alex Dunn, her lover, a porcelain dealer, or it could have been a random attack. However, Duncan throws an unexpected curve ball into the mix when he explains that Dawn’s murder bore a striking resemblance to another murder, involving an antiques dealer. Could the two cases be connected?
On a more personal note, Gemma and Duncan begin making plans to blend their families in preparation for the new addition to the family, which is a huge step, especially for Gemma. Not only that, they seem to have added new fur baby into the fold, which was a nice addition, for sure.
I really enjoyed this installment. The police procedural cadence is rock solid and is the reason this series gets such high marks. Of course, the relationship between Duncan and Gemma is another reason why this series is so compelling and may be the real reason I keep tuning in even after encountering a few rocky bumps in the road.
This is a nice twisty mystery, is moody, and tense, and a real page turner. I was saddened by some of the events that transpired in the story, but I had a vague suspicion things were heading in that direction, unfortunately. However, I’m hoping there will be better times ahead for all concerned.
Now, I’m on to the ninth installment, hoping the momentum from this one will continue on-
4 stars
This eighth installment in the Kincaid and James series righted itself after that truly awful seventh book. Thank goodness, Gemma and Kincaid area back to work on realistic police cases.
Gemma gets the initial call on this case, which involves the murder of Dawn Arrowood, a beautiful, married woman who also happened to be in the early stages of pregnancy. The suspects are plenty as Dawn’s husband, Karl, may have found out she was involved in an extramarital affair, or, of course, it could be Alex Dunn, her lover, a porcelain dealer, or it could have been a random attack. However, Duncan throws an unexpected curve ball into the mix when he explains that Dawn’s murder bore a striking resemblance to another murder, involving an antiques dealer. Could the two cases be connected?
On a more personal note, Gemma and Duncan begin making plans to blend their families in preparation for the new addition to the family, which is a huge step, especially for Gemma. Not only that, they seem to have added new fur baby into the fold, which was a nice addition, for sure.
I really enjoyed this installment. The police procedural cadence is rock solid and is the reason this series gets such high marks. Of course, the relationship between Duncan and Gemma is another reason why this series is so compelling and may be the real reason I keep tuning in even after encountering a few rocky bumps in the road.
This is a nice twisty mystery, is moody, and tense, and a real page turner. I was saddened by some of the events that transpired in the story, but I had a vague suspicion things were heading in that direction, unfortunately. However, I’m hoping there will be better times ahead for all concerned.
Now, I’m on to the ninth installment, hoping the momentum from this one will continue on-
4 stars
writerlibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
Découvrir un nouvel auteur qui possède une longue liste de titres disponible (10 titres en anglais, 6 en français de disponibles) est toujours une joie.
Noël sanglant à Notthing Hill, est le dernier titre paru en français (#8 de la série) dans l’univers du superintendant Kincaid et la sergent Gemma James.
Accueillir un nouveau lecteur dans un univers où plusieurs titres sont en circulation n’est pas facile. Plusieurs auteurs après des années, tombent dans le piège d’assumer que les lecteurs connaissent déjà les personnages. D’autres prennent la direction opposée et remâchent un historique en accéléré au début de tous les romans. Il est rafraîchissant de découvrir un auteur qui réussit à accueillir un nouveau lecteur dans son univers, sans ennuyer ses fidèles. Deborah Crombie réussit ce tour de force.
On apprivoise Gemma James et Duncan Kincaid petit à petit, au fil de l’intrigue. Une intrigue intéressant, sans rebondissements spectaculaires arrivant de nulle part. Une intrigue solide, classique mais moderne. Les fans de l’inspecteur Jane Tennyson retrouveront le milieu très particulier de la police britannique moderne.
Sur un ton réaliste et non mélodramatique, elle campe un milieu, des personnages auxquels on s’attache et que l’on veut connaître un peu mieux.
Noël sanglant à Notthing Hill, est le dernier titre paru en français (#8 de la série) dans l’univers du superintendant Kincaid et la sergent Gemma James.
Accueillir un nouveau lecteur dans un univers où plusieurs titres sont en circulation n’est pas facile. Plusieurs auteurs après des années, tombent dans le piège d’assumer que les lecteurs connaissent déjà les personnages. D’autres prennent la direction opposée et remâchent un historique en accéléré au début de tous les romans. Il est rafraîchissant de découvrir un auteur qui réussit à accueillir un nouveau lecteur dans son univers, sans ennuyer ses fidèles. Deborah Crombie réussit ce tour de force.
On apprivoise Gemma James et Duncan Kincaid petit à petit, au fil de l’intrigue. Une intrigue intéressant, sans rebondissements spectaculaires arrivant de nulle part. Une intrigue solide, classique mais moderne. Les fans de l’inspecteur Jane Tennyson retrouveront le milieu très particulier de la police britannique moderne.
Sur un ton réaliste et non mélodramatique, elle campe un milieu, des personnages auxquels on s’attache et que l’on veut connaître un peu mieux.
lmiller's review
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
liloud0626's review against another edition
4.0
It struck me that I read Deborah Crombie's books with a pattern: 10 to 20 pages per night before bed until I get about 2/3s of the way to the end, and then she really has me hooked on the story and I don't put it down until I finish. Fortunately this often happens on a Saturday morning.
This installment was especially enjoyable, as it focused both on Duncan and Gemma's personal life and on the most recent murder case, this time in Notting Hill, near where they have chosen to move together with their little family. Crombie weaves the past into the current day and inserts bits of immigrant history into the story, making it all the more compelling.
4.5 stars, rounded down.
This installment was especially enjoyable, as it focused both on Duncan and Gemma's personal life and on the most recent murder case, this time in Notting Hill, near where they have chosen to move together with their little family. Crombie weaves the past into the current day and inserts bits of immigrant history into the story, making it all the more compelling.
4.5 stars, rounded down.