ajnel's reviews
665 reviews

The Janus Stone by Elly Griffiths

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

A demolition project unearths the incomplete skeleton of a child concealed beneath a doorway, which in turn leads to further gruesome finds. A macabre novel with a number of twists and turns and chilling reveal.  Masterfully writen with just enough breadcrumbs.

The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

In this first novel in the series, Dr. Ruth Galloway is called in to investigate the bones of a child found on a beach near her home. The bones are believed to be the remains of a girl who went missing ten years earlier. As Ruth investigates, she uncovers a dark secret and becomes entangled in a dangerous situation. Decent character development but again just a bit too many breadcrumbs.

A Dying Fall by Elly Griffiths

dark reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

An archiologist is murdered at a Northern England university in the midst of a dig where the bones of King Arthur might have been found. A classic Ruth Galloway murder mystery, complete with twists and turns and loads of well-placed bread crumbs.

The Laughterhouse by Paul Cleave

dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

The sixth novel in the Christchurch murder noir series deals with a vigilante killer,  who murders a number of people who played a role in ensuring the release of a man who murdered his child.  The novel is another example of Cleave's ability to perfectly balance black comedy and the elements of a macabre murder thriller. 

Murder in the Caribbean by Robert Thorogood

adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Four robbers end up being killed one after the other, some 20 years after the robbery.  By far the best constructed novel in the series.  The breadcrumbs are very well-placed and lead logically to the reveal.  A true page turner. 

Death Knocks Twice by Robert Thorogood

funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

By far my favourite novel in the series so far.  Great character development. Excellent locked room mystery.  Such a joy of a novel.

The Killing of Polly Carter by Robert Thorogood

adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

A pretty decent murder mystery in the Death in Paradise series. In this installment, a supermodel is murdered outside her house.  As always, the breadcrumbs are few and far apart and the unfold truly over the top. Despite this, the novel is fast moving and entertaining.

Murder on Lake Garda by Tom Hindle

mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

A locked room mystery, set on an island where two members of the wedding party (the only visitors of the island) are murdered.  The novel is fast-paced, well-written and with a good number of breadcrumbs and a very decent unfold. 

A Meditation on Murder by Robert Thorogood

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

A fun locked room murder mystery set on a tropical island.  Decently written, with more than the odd twist and turn. 

The Teacher by Freida McFadden

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

A medium paced thriller about spouses working at the same school and who appears to have lost the spark in their relationship.  Matters takes a dark twist when it becomes apparent that the husband is giving too much attention to one of his female students.  A decent medium paced thriller with the odd twist and turn.