A review by shoelessmama
A Shilling for Candles by Josephine Tey

adventurous 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? No

3.5

 I’ve had a hankering for Agatha Christie lately, but I’m turning to a few of her contemporaries for something along her lines that’s new. I read the first book in this series a few years ago and enjoyed it but wasn’t wowed. If memory serves I was much more impressed with the authors style this go-round. There were instances of period specific racism in both (multiple instances of antisemitic sentiments and both iterations of the n-word with weird comments on slave mentality) that I found jarring but they didn’t come across as malicious- just comments that would have been normal at the time, unfortunately. I found Alan Grant a good partner to tag along with on the journey but also rather an empty vessel. It’s possible that his background was more fleshed out in the first installment, I don’t remember well enough to say. I really enjoyed the setting, the jaunty supporting cast, and the focus on celebrity. This wasn’t so much of a puzzle mystery as a leaping from suspect to suspect and mulling over the motivations. I’ll take either kind of mystery and be happy if it’s done well.