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A review by richardrbecker
Glory Be by Danielle Arceneaux
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Glory Be is best described as mystery light, despite all the elements it has working for it. What works is Glory Broussard, an amateur investigator and small-time bookie. The location of Lafayette, Louisiana, adds some interest for anyone who enjoys a bayou setting. And the premise — the death of her best friend, a nun, who either committed suicide or (more than likely) was murdered.
While one would suspect this to pack a punch as a trifecta, Glory's age sometimes makes her more plodding than plotting in her work despite a sometimes fiery disposition. This opens up some room for her less interesting daughter to take some pages. Although Lafayette is billed as a supporting character, it never truly emerges as much as a sketch of a backdrop. Lastly, more challenging in some respects, is that the writing style is almost too simple in its presentation. The outcome is mixed in that it's a fine story but not one that is memorable or will even get under your skin.
Her shadow investigation isn't much more than collecting gossip from otherwise interesting people like oil tycoons, churchgoers, drug dealers, and voodoo priestesses. But even these false flags are largely stunted as playing any real part in the novel beyond an endless series of coffee clutches before the rushed conclusion that robs the novel of its climax, leaving readers to scratch their heads and conclude: Well, that happened.
It is a fine series debut for someone looking for a mature amateur sleuth with all the appeal of an afternoon special on a lazy day with nothing else on. Those have a place too, sometimes. And so does Glory Be.
While one would suspect this to pack a punch as a trifecta, Glory's age sometimes makes her more plodding than plotting in her work despite a sometimes fiery disposition. This opens up some room for her less interesting daughter to take some pages. Although Lafayette is billed as a supporting character, it never truly emerges as much as a sketch of a backdrop. Lastly, more challenging in some respects, is that the writing style is almost too simple in its presentation. The outcome is mixed in that it's a fine story but not one that is memorable or will even get under your skin.
Her shadow investigation isn't much more than collecting gossip from otherwise interesting people like oil tycoons, churchgoers, drug dealers, and voodoo priestesses. But even these false flags are largely stunted as playing any real part in the novel beyond an endless series of coffee clutches before the rushed conclusion that robs the novel of its climax, leaving readers to scratch their heads and conclude: Well, that happened.
It is a fine series debut for someone looking for a mature amateur sleuth with all the appeal of an afternoon special on a lazy day with nothing else on. Those have a place too, sometimes. And so does Glory Be.