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notesfromthebookdrop's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
mojoshivers's review against another edition
5.0
The more I read this series, the more I realize it’s not like other mysteries with partners who happen to be romantically involved with each other. This is more like an extended family who happened to luck into each other’s live that just happen to be homicide detectives that handle some pretty horrific murder cases.
I mean—it was hard to tell at first, what with the romantic leanings subtle in the first two books. But after eleven installments, I think it’s safe to say this was Crombie’s plan all long. By focusing on the domestic partnership over the professional one, this series has a solid core of characters you want to care about. And not just Duncan and Gemma either; but Kit and Toby as well.
And this isn’t to say the murders and subsequent investigation aren’t brilliant on their own. They are. But the murders are just what fill in the emptiness around the domestic progress. It’d be no different if Duncan and Gemma owned a book shop where an interesting hunt fit some rare book could occupy the plot installment after installment. Or if they raced cars as a career; those would just be what filled the pages in their working hours. Sure, reading about it could be exciting and be different book to book.
But it wouldn’t be what this series is about. Solving crimes about mummified babies or teens drowning in canals or law offices burning are just what they do in their jobs, which they are great at.
But being a family and keeping the whole family sane and healthy and together is who Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James are from head to toe.
I mean—it was hard to tell at first, what with the romantic leanings subtle in the first two books. But after eleven installments, I think it’s safe to say this was Crombie’s plan all long. By focusing on the domestic partnership over the professional one, this series has a solid core of characters you want to care about. And not just Duncan and Gemma either; but Kit and Toby as well.
And this isn’t to say the murders and subsequent investigation aren’t brilliant on their own. They are. But the murders are just what fill in the emptiness around the domestic progress. It’d be no different if Duncan and Gemma owned a book shop where an interesting hunt fit some rare book could occupy the plot installment after installment. Or if they raced cars as a career; those would just be what filled the pages in their working hours. Sure, reading about it could be exciting and be different book to book.
But it wouldn’t be what this series is about. Solving crimes about mummified babies or teens drowning in canals or law offices burning are just what they do in their jobs, which they are great at.
But being a family and keeping the whole family sane and healthy and together is who Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James are from head to toe.
vkellermann89's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
aleitch's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
house_full_of_books's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
ellarymt's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5