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A review by jessicamap
The Blood Card by Elly Griffiths
3.0
Thank you to HMH Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
I was really hoping to like this book. Historical fiction and mystery? Sounds like something I'll enjoy. Unfortunately THE BLOOD CARD by Elly Griffiths fell a little flat for me. Granted it is book three in the Magic Men mysteries series, but usually these genres are easy to have them as standalones.
DI Edgar Stephens and magician Max Mephisto are the unlikely crime solving duo in this series. With Mephisto's television debut quickly approaching - for Elizabeth II's coronation - their former commander, Colonel Cartwright, is found dead. Mephisto and Stephens must join forces in order to find out what happened to their wartime commander.
This book bounces back and forth from New York (Edgar ends up there to follow a lead) and London. I didn't feel too invested in the characters and probably would need to read books one and two to get to know the main characters. I was excited for the element of a magician being added to the mix, something unique for a mystery solving team. The book does move very slow. I was struggling to finish, but I pushed through! It did pick up a little bit at the end but it felt rushed.
I did enjoy the writing and the initial premise, but I felt like something was missing. I couldn't tell you what exactly, but something was lacking. I've heard great things about Griffith's other books, so I would definitely want to try her other series!
Overall, because of the writing, a more unique premise, and her setting the scene very well for the 1950's in Britain, I give this one 2.5 stars!
I was really hoping to like this book. Historical fiction and mystery? Sounds like something I'll enjoy. Unfortunately THE BLOOD CARD by Elly Griffiths fell a little flat for me. Granted it is book three in the Magic Men mysteries series, but usually these genres are easy to have them as standalones.
DI Edgar Stephens and magician Max Mephisto are the unlikely crime solving duo in this series. With Mephisto's television debut quickly approaching - for Elizabeth II's coronation - their former commander, Colonel Cartwright, is found dead. Mephisto and Stephens must join forces in order to find out what happened to their wartime commander.
This book bounces back and forth from New York (Edgar ends up there to follow a lead) and London. I didn't feel too invested in the characters and probably would need to read books one and two to get to know the main characters. I was excited for the element of a magician being added to the mix, something unique for a mystery solving team. The book does move very slow. I was struggling to finish, but I pushed through! It did pick up a little bit at the end but it felt rushed.
I did enjoy the writing and the initial premise, but I felt like something was missing. I couldn't tell you what exactly, but something was lacking. I've heard great things about Griffith's other books, so I would definitely want to try her other series!
Overall, because of the writing, a more unique premise, and her setting the scene very well for the 1950's in Britain, I give this one 2.5 stars!