Take a photo of a barcode or cover
oysterkatcher 's review for:
Etiquette for Lovers and Killers
by Anna Fitzgerald Healy
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Etiquette for Lovers and Killers follows Billie, a Princess Belle-type woman who dreams of more than her provincial life--with a dark twist inside her that others her from her surroundings. It all starts with a letter in Billie's post box, which she checks frequently as she's applying for work to any museum that will take her (but has yet to find a job), that tilts her world from "inching towards spinster" to (literally) "flirting with danger and intrigue."
After the murder that kickstarts the story, Billie slowly starts to come out of her shell as she delves into investigating. While she's by no means a genius detective (and honestly, is it fair to expect her to be?) the mystery starts to unravel as we unearth clues and new theories alongside her, and there are plenty of suspects, dead ends, and red herrings to keep the reader entertained.My main complaint with the novel is that Avery is mysteriously absent for a majority of the novel--Billie encounters him here and there over the course of her investigations, but due to Billie's interest in him his absence was (to me at least) a giant clue that Avery was not only involved, but likely the prime suspect. I did enjoy that their flirtation/relationship allowed Billie the sexuality she desperately craved (for better or worse) and I was a bit confused as the book wrapped by her docile, in her own words rather boring domestic life with him. The big finale, her stuck between her decision to do the right thing and turn Avery in, or indulge in her thrilling life with him was the perfect ending for me. If she'd immediately turned him in, I would have been a quite disappointed! They seem to suit each other very well, and I found the letter she left him to be the cherry on top of a great novel.
I would absolutely recommend this book to the true crime girlies, to anyone that loves a good mystery with a smart, snappy female lead, and people that have often found themselves wishing they were more like the characters in their favorite books. I will definitely be reading more of Anna Fitzgerald Healy's works in the future!
Massive thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this advanced reader's copy! Etiquette for Lovers and Killers releases next week on July 1st, please give it a shot!
After the murder that kickstarts the story, Billie slowly starts to come out of her shell as she delves into investigating. While she's by no means a genius detective (and honestly, is it fair to expect her to be?) the mystery starts to unravel as we unearth clues and new theories alongside her, and there are plenty of suspects, dead ends, and red herrings to keep the reader entertained.
I would absolutely recommend this book to the true crime girlies, to anyone that loves a good mystery with a smart, snappy female lead, and people that have often found themselves wishing they were more like the characters in their favorite books. I will definitely be reading more of Anna Fitzgerald Healy's works in the future!
Massive thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this advanced reader's copy! Etiquette for Lovers and Killers releases next week on July 1st, please give it a shot!