A review by em_da5h
Before the Poison by Peter Robinson

4.0

Really enjoyable read with a nice mix of mystery and history. I found the main character, Chris, really sympathetic, despite the fact that he's a British widower in his 60s. He struggles with the loss of his love, conflicting new love, finding ways to continue and be passionate about life, working through creative slumps -- age old problems that humans perpetually deal with. Chris is an ex-pat who finally returns home after 3 or 4 decades of writing scores for Hollywood movies. Robinson weaves this profession nicely with the plot and mentions many composers, musicians, and old movies that I want to go back and make a list of to find later.

I also enjoyed the development of Grace Fox's character through different "interviews," discoveries, and journal entries. Robinson did a good job of making the reader feel more and more sympathetic towards her.

I'm a mystery junkie, but I think the non-mystery fanatic could also really enjoy this novel.