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lljzmc 's review for:
The Puppet Show
by M.W. Craven
dark
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
M W Craven's Washington Poe series was recommended to me by a friend who is a smart and voracious reader. I'm always excited to try a new-to-me series, so I got my hands on book 1: The Puppet Show. I will now be looking for book 2 (Black Summer)!
The Puppet Show is an engrossing mystery, full of twists and burned bodies, glimpses of rural England and police politics. As the story progresses, we get to know disgraced detective Poe slowly and to build an impression of him as a solid, independent, occasionally brilliant loner with his own compelling ethics. He's a likeable guy with very few friends. My favorite aspect of the story was its focus on relationships, between friends, coworkers, family and community members... and especially the growing friendship between Poe and Tilly, a genius police analyst who has been both bullied and deeply sheltered. At first Poe seems like Tilly's white knight, saving her from assholes and introducing her to the world (via fieldwork and driving) but by the end of the story it's become apparent that he needs her too.
I recommend this book if you enjoy mysteries with engrossing characters; twists, turns and gray areas; and strangers-to-workmates-to-friends relationships. 4.5 stars, rounded up.
Now I'm off to find the second book.
The Puppet Show is an engrossing mystery, full of twists and burned bodies, glimpses of rural England and police politics. As the story progresses, we get to know disgraced detective Poe slowly and to build an impression of him as a solid, independent, occasionally brilliant loner with his own compelling ethics. He's a likeable guy with very few friends. My favorite aspect of the story was its focus on relationships, between friends, coworkers, family and community members... and especially the growing friendship between Poe and Tilly, a genius police analyst who has been both bullied and deeply sheltered. At first Poe seems like Tilly's white knight, saving her from assholes and introducing her to the world (via fieldwork and driving) but by the end of the story it's become apparent that he needs her too.
I recommend this book if you enjoy mysteries with engrossing characters; twists, turns and gray areas; and strangers-to-workmates-to-friends relationships. 4.5 stars, rounded up.
Now I'm off to find the second book.