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A review by joikeen
A Private Investigation by Peter Grainger, Diane Hale
5.0
It has taken me a few days since finishing to get past the book hangover that this novel has given me. In fact, I am not sure that I am over it. I have read and loved all of the DC Smith books - they are some of my favorites. I am grateful to Audible that the first in the series was a deal of the day or a freebie that enticed me enough to see what the series was about. Otherwise, I am afraid that I might have missed out. I did not take the time to re-listen to all of the series before I stated book 8, but I did take the time to listen to #7 as a refresher before I dived in to A Private Investigation. One of my favorite aspects of Peter Grainger’s writing is his ability to make me laugh out loud. I am happy to report that I did that again many times in book 8. The natural arc of DC’s career and the realities of leaving behind a profession that has defined most of you (if not all of you) rang so true as I flipped the pages and listened to Gildart Jackson. And let me just say that Gildart Jackson is the perfect voice for DC and the whole cast of characters.
Now, to the ending. There are no spoilers here, only the chance to say that I hope we are able to learn more. I have read that Peter Grainger is not leaving King’s Lake behind for good - and I fervently hope that is the case. I have not been left this emotional by the ending of a novel in a very long time. Many days later, I am still not sure I have reconciled myself with it. I am not quantifying good or bad (it is good - achingly so), but it is just so gut-wrenching. It makes me think of Dickinson and her line - “If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know that is poetry.” My head (and heart) were most definitely “taken off.” I want the chance to re-visit this place I have come to love with the cast of characters who feel like family.
Now, to the ending. There are no spoilers here, only the chance to say that I hope we are able to learn more. I have read that Peter Grainger is not leaving King’s Lake behind for good - and I fervently hope that is the case. I have not been left this emotional by the ending of a novel in a very long time. Many days later, I am still not sure I have reconciled myself with it. I am not quantifying good or bad (it is good - achingly so), but it is just so gut-wrenching. It makes me think of Dickinson and her line - “If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know that is poetry.” My head (and heart) were most definitely “taken off.” I want the chance to re-visit this place I have come to love with the cast of characters who feel like family.