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connorscottgardner 's review for:
Murder Before Evensong
by Richard Coles
3.5, light on actual crime, heavy on day-today life, and I don't hate that.
It was marketed to me as a cosy mystery, and that's what I got. I enjoyed the country village English setting, with all the drama that comes with that. Setting it in the 1980s was a good strategy, because it allows for things to be much more contained as people have access to very little technology.
I enjoyed all the references to the church and the way in which Daniel approached his job. I'd have liked to see the pacing pick up a little, especially as we have to get a quarter in before any murders happen, but equally setting up all the characters and the life of the village was nice too.
It's not a gritty crime novel, so if that's what you're after then give it a miss. But if you enjoy the day-to-day happenings of a small village, with a little drama thrown in, you are likely to enjoy it. Honestly it was just a comfort read. It broke the horrible reading slump I've been in. It allowed me to read something and enjoy the setting without feeling overly burnt out and drained by a heavier novel.
I did find the ending and the reasons behind the murders to be a bit weak. It wasn't where I thought it was going, and whilst I usually enjoy a surprise I thought this one was a stretch. But then again I'm not sure I expect this to be realistic. It was more about the setting than anything else for me. Honestly I'd be quite happy reading a book about people who go around living their lives, murders or not. Just getting to read those little details. Though I understand that most people would absolutely hate that!!!
If we get more books I'd like to know Daniel a bit more. He's obviously someone who cares about his job and family, but what more is there? What are his regrets? What are things from his past that truly made him happy? I think there's more to find out. This isn't going to become my favourite series ever, but I'd pick up another book for sure. Sometimes it's nice to have something a little quieter to read.
It's honestly like a day-time crime TV show that you put on because you know there'll be a bit of a story, but it's more about the routine and having a setting which is kind of familiar in a way. So I do understand how this wouldn't appeal as well.
It was marketed to me as a cosy mystery, and that's what I got. I enjoyed the country village English setting, with all the drama that comes with that. Setting it in the 1980s was a good strategy, because it allows for things to be much more contained as people have access to very little technology.
I enjoyed all the references to the church and the way in which Daniel approached his job. I'd have liked to see the pacing pick up a little, especially as we have to get a quarter in before any murders happen, but equally setting up all the characters and the life of the village was nice too.
It's not a gritty crime novel, so if that's what you're after then give it a miss. But if you enjoy the day-to-day happenings of a small village, with a little drama thrown in, you are likely to enjoy it. Honestly it was just a comfort read. It broke the horrible reading slump I've been in. It allowed me to read something and enjoy the setting without feeling overly burnt out and drained by a heavier novel.
I did find the ending and the reasons behind the murders to be a bit weak. It wasn't where I thought it was going, and whilst I usually enjoy a surprise I thought this one was a stretch. But then again I'm not sure I expect this to be realistic. It was more about the setting than anything else for me. Honestly I'd be quite happy reading a book about people who go around living their lives, murders or not. Just getting to read those little details. Though I understand that most people would absolutely hate that!!!
If we get more books I'd like to know Daniel a bit more. He's obviously someone who cares about his job and family, but what more is there? What are his regrets? What are things from his past that truly made him happy? I think there's more to find out. This isn't going to become my favourite series ever, but I'd pick up another book for sure. Sometimes it's nice to have something a little quieter to read.
It's honestly like a day-time crime TV show that you put on because you know there'll be a bit of a story, but it's more about the routine and having a setting which is kind of familiar in a way. So I do understand how this wouldn't appeal as well.