As The Crow Flies by Damien Boyd

February 17, 2022 By 1 Comment


As The Crow Flies by Damien Boyd
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer, Seattle
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Fern

Rock climbers can’t afford to make careless mistakes. But Detective Inspector Nick Dixon’s former climbing partner, Jake Fayter, died doing just that. Or so it seems. Dixon suspects foul play, but his only leads are unreliable accounts of something odd happening in Cheddar Gorge seconds before Jake fell.

The more Dixon learns about Jake’s life, the more he realises that Jake hadn’t been quite the man he remembered…and a lot of people could have wanted him dead. Once Dixon gets too close to the truth, those people will emerge from the shadows and kill to protect their secrets.

As the body count rises, Dixon bends the rules to breaking point to lure out a killer and unravel a conspiracy of silence that will rock the sleepy town of Burnham-on-Sea to its core.

It had been a number of years since DI Nick Dixon had been actively participating in the rock-climbing community, but he still had a number of good friends there and he kept in touch with their adventures online. When his old climbing partner and still very good friend dies in what appears to be an accident Nick can’t turn down his friend’s parents when they plea for Nick to help supply some answers. Jake had been a professional for many years and it seems incredibly unlikely that he made such a rookie mistake as tying an incorrect knot. But the more Nick digs into the case, the murkier everything becomes.

This is a completely new-to-me author, and I am so very glad I found this book and new series. Before I was halfway through this book, I had already ordered the second and I am very much looking forward to reading more. I thought this was a gripping and quite freshly different style of novel and story. The rock-climbing aspect to it was utterly new to me and while the author adds a good balance of technical detail (his knowledge and research is very clear from the outset) it also doesn’t get bogged down by too much data and the pace of the story moved along at what I felt was a good clip.

I enjoyed the main characters and definitely felt the author wrote this story really well. I was attached and intrigued by the characters but still found them realistic and relatable. The pace of the mystery was good – fast enough that I wasn’t bored or skipping pages, but slow enough I could actually catch everything and didn’t feel like I was racing along too fast to take everything in. For a first novel I felt this was a really good quality and standard and I am definitely eager to read more.

While in many ways this is a regular police procedural style of story, I feel enough different energy is present with both the interesting characters and in particular the rock-climbing element that this should appeal to readers as something a bit more than “just another British-inspector-murder-mystery” style of story. I certainly am pleased I gave this a shot and feel many other mystery/suspense readers will likely feel the same. Best of all this is the start of a decent length series so I have plenty more books to look forward to into the future. Recommended.

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Lightning in a Mirror by Jayne Ann Krentz

February 16, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Lightning in a Mirror by Jayne Ann Krentz, Sandra Michelle (Narrator)
Fogg Lake, Book 3
Publisher: Berkley, Recorded Books, Inc. (Audio Publisher)
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Sci-fi/fantasy, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Olivia LeClair’s experiment with speed dating is not going well. First there was the nasty encounter with the date from hell who tried to murder her and now the mysterious Harlan Rancourt—long believed dead—sits down at her table and tells her she’s the only one who can help him locate the legendary Vortex lab.

This is not what Olivia had in mind when she signed up for the Four Event Success Guaranteed package offered by the dating agency. She doesn’t have much choice, though, because her psychic investigation firm works for the mysterious Foundation and Victor Arganbright, the director, is adamant that she assist Harlan. There’s just one problem—no one knows Harlan’s real agenda. His father once ran the Foundation like a mob organization, and Harlan was destined to be his heir. There’s a real possibility Harlan has returned to claim his inheritance.

For now, however, it’s a case of the enemy of my enemy is my friend because others are after the secrets of the long-lost lab. Unfortunately for Olivia, the one thing friend and foe have in common is that everyone is convinced she is the key. Her unique psychic talent is required to defuse the ticking time bomb that is Vortex.

Neither trusts the other but Olivia and Harlan soon realize they must work together to survive and unlock the Bluestone Project’s most dangerous secrets before more innocent people die.

I’ve read all three books in the Fogg Lake Trilogy and this final book is the BEST. It has much more intrigue, action, surprise twists, shocking revelations and outright hilarity. I wasn’t a complete fan of the narrator because I think male voices are a challenge for her, but when the writing is good, as it usually is from author Jayne Ann Krentz, it overpowers any hesitation. The storytelling is wonderful. Those fans who will read the print book are in for an excellent time.

Of course, longtime readers of Ms. Krentz will recognize some of her favorite writing techniques which seem to show up in almost all her books. That’s not a negative. It almost guarantees a wonderful time of pure escapism, entertainment and adventure. All of that is on stage in Lightning in a Mirror. I had a blast.

I do believe that all three books should probably be read in order only because there are a couple of plot conflicts/threads that are woven between all three. Then again, each one has its own heroine and hero, and they don’t seem to play much of a role in the other two beyond some scenes that help the current hero and heroine along, or out of a jam. There are two characters, Victor Arganbright and Lucas, the head guys at The Foundation, that pretty much stir the pot, so to speak, in all three books.

Olivia LeClair and Harlan Rancourt are the primary focus. Either they are being chased, investigating clues, escaping from almost certain death, or in a few scenes, being embarrassed and/or hilariously mortified as well as being confused with being someone … or something else. Somewhere in all that chaotic mix, Olivia and Harlan manage to get to know one another, answer the right questions and fall in love, eventually getting to explore the physical side of their relationship and prove that opposites do attract.

There are so many red herrings and options to choose from as to what is really happening, who is going to get there first, figure out why there’s all this fascination with mirrors and crystals and again, who is going to figure it out first. Many times, throughout this novel, I was left in breathless anticipation.

Now, I found the most hilarious scenes have to do with a car, and much later, a phone call. I know you see LOL all over the place but I truly did laugh out loud, immensely loud because I found the humor of the situations tickled my funny bone to the extreme. I was on a forum talking to another fan of Ms. Krentz and this novel in particular. We had to be careful about spoilers, but we both found the same things totally grin worthy. We shared the laughter about our favorite parts, without, you know, saying anything. It was so much fun getting to share the joy and appreciation about Lightning in a Mirror with another fan. That’s what I always hope to do in my reviews – share what I like in the hopes others will find also find enjoyment and fun when they get their own copy. There is so much in this story to keep a reader engaged, curious, guessing and entertained.

I’d be remiss in not mentioning the ending. It has a very welcome happy ever after, and indeed, Harlan’s final gesture totally warmed my heart. He may have issues with social cues, but when it really counts, he comes through with the most endearing, thoughtful gesture. He really is Olivia’s Prince Charming.

There are quite a few chapters in the novel and within its pages is a plethora of intrigue. I can easily get lost in trying to choose what parts to share with you, so I’m having to be vague in my references. There is so much meat to the plot, the conflict, the characters new and old, the descriptions of the garden and the eerie fog as well as wonderful dialogue between all the major players. I know there is a saying about ‘saving the best for last’, and that’s what Ms. Krentz did. Not sure if it’s by happenstance or design, but Lightning in a Mirror outshone the previous two stories. I am a very happy reader. I encourage fans of romantic suspense who don’t mind a little science fantasy and supernatural overtones spicing up the action to read this book. It’s splendid.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Blood and Tears by John Carson

February 14, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Blood and Tears by John Carson
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Two murderers on the loose. One relentless cop on their tail. Zero hope nobody dies.
DCI Harry McNeil is finally enjoying life outside of policing. But he’s forced back into all work and no play after a transport van explodes and a pair of convicted criminals disappear into thin air. And with his resources stretched to a breaking point and the escapees armed and dangerous, the Edinburgh detective fears nothing can stop more bloodshed.

So when experienced colleagues from Glasgow join the hunt, McNeil works the extra manpower hard to get the savage killers off the streets. But after the vicious slayings resume, the expert investigator and his team must race against time to stop a deadly spree of violence.

Can McNeil trap the ruthless felons before more body count rises higher?

DCI Harry McNeil and his partner Alex once again join forces with their friends and counterparts in Glasgow – DCI Jimmy Dunbar and DS Robbie Evans – when a daring escape outside the High Court happens and two convicted murders escape in the mayhem. Time is of the essence to bring these two fugitives – and their conspirators – into line before everything turns to blood and tears.

This is the fifth book in the DCI Harry McNeil series, and I admit I am thoroughly hooked. I also feel the author has really hit his stride with both this series and his writing as a whole. I find it very “moreish” in that once I get started reading even when I’m busy with other things I just keep wanting to know what happens next, and then after that, and again. While there’s nothing trail blazing with this series, I find the plot has an exceptional balance between detective work and action, the characters are fun, realistic and appealing. I care what happens to the characters, but I also love being along for the ride as they put the puzzle pieces together and solve the crime.

This story in particular had a slightly different bend to it which I found equal parts refreshing and completely different. It’s completely normal for there to be a dead body, a killer and the police figuring out who is responsible – but this time the two murderers are known to the police from the very first page. This is a classic story about what happens AFTER justice is served and the police and court system has worked correctly. What happens when one of the guilty has a strong network of connections and ties and has unfinished business he has no intention of leaving behind?

The jailbreak (or “court break” I suppose) occurs right in the opening chapters and what follows is an action packed, fast paced chase after the two murderers who are seemingly strangers to each other, and each go their own way. I loved how this gave a glimpse into what might happen after the system has performed well and this different look at police work from a new perspective.

Readers who enjoy a good police procedural but want something slightly different to the usual “who dun it” mystery should find this is a breath of fresh air. I strongly feel this story can be picked up as a standalone though it’s a middle book in a series. While there is plenty of backstory between Harry and Alex in particular, and the teams their work with to a slightly lesser extent – I feel this story can absolutely be enjoyed fully if it’s picked up on a whim with no prior background. I’m really enjoying this author and looking forward to reading more by him.

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The Christmas Wishing Tree by Emily March

February 11, 2022 By Leave a Comment


The Christmas Wishing Tree by Emily March
Publisher: St Martin’s
Genre: Romance, Holiday, Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Sometimes life’s most magical journeys bring you back to where it all began…From New York Times bestselling author Emily March comes The Christmas Wishing Tree, an enchanting account of the magic and miracle of Christmas.

A man who loves adventure and the open sea, Devin Murphy returns for a short Christmas trip to his small hometown of Eternity Springs. Immersed in the joy and magic of the holiday season all around him, he doesn’t hesitate to play along when a young boy phones Santa to ask for a very special wish. Devin never guesses that a wrong number has the potential to make everything in his life so right.

Jenna Stockton adopted Reilly when he needed a mother and she intends to keep him safe. A small town across the country called Eternity Springs seems like a good place to hide from their past without any complications —until sexy Santa himself discovers her secrets. When Devin proposes a daring plan to face down the danger together and defeat it once and for all, she is tempted. Maybe Devin really is capable of making wishes come true? Perhaps in a Christmas wish they’ll both find the miracle they’ve been looking for all along…

A cute story for a sweet time of the year.

I’d never read a book by Emily March and when I saw this one, I had to pick it up. I’m glad I did. The writing was engaging and the story interesting. It’s a good read.

I liked the characters. Dr Jenna is a smart woman who has a kid and some issues to deal with. That’s fine. I liked that she wasn’t afraid to deal with the issues (no spoilers given) and her attitude was good, too. Have a problem, deal, move on and forward. The one thing I wasn’t crazy about with her wasn’t so much her, but how she managed to fall into situations that worked out. Sure, there was one big one that wasn’t working, but things seemed to fall into place rather easily for her, despite her other troubles.

I liked Devin, too. He’s an adventurer, but he’s also a romantic. It was cute to see him get together with Jenna and her son.

One thing that kept me from totally enjoying this book was the pacing. It took a long time for the characters to get together in the same place. I liked how the author strung the story out, but at the same time, it was a little too long. But that could be me.

If you’re looking for a sweet, holiday romance with some action, some suspense and love, then this might be the one for you.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

The Chocolate Cat Caper by JoAnna Carl

February 9, 2022 By 1 Comment


The Chocolate Cat Caper by JoAnna Carl
Chocoholic Mystery, Book 1
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

After giving up her career as a Texas trophy wife, 28-year-old Lee McKinney finds herself in a Michigan resort town, keeping the books for her Aunt Nettie’s luxury chocolate business. But she soon finds that her new life isn’t all truffles and bonbons…
Clementine Ripley, the defense attorney everyone loves to hate, is throwing a party that calls for several thousand dollars worth of custom chocolates—some made in the image of her champion cat. Lee jumps at the job, but sweet success takes a bitter turn when someone adds and extra ingrediant—cyanide—to one of their delicious chocolates and it finds its way into Ms. Ripley’s mouth. Now it’s up to Lee to figure out who tampered with Aunt Nettie’s recipe before they find themselves behind not-so-chocolate bars.

Chocolate, a mystery and cats? I’m in!

I picked up this book because there’s a cat, chocolate and a mystery. How can you go wrong? This is the first in the series, so it’s an easy pick-up read. This is an easy read and it’s perfect if one’s looking for a cozy to spend the evening reading.

Lee is an interesting investigator. She’s handy with chocolate and animals, but she’s good at solving mysteries. I liked the sprinkled in bits about making chocolate. It was interesting to learn about the process.

I have to admit there were times in this book that it seemed a bit slow. There was a lot of information about the chocolate, but sometimes the mystery seemed to get lost in the mix.

Still, it’s a fun read and worth the time. I liked how the mystery unraveled and it took me the whole book to figure it out.

If you’re looking for a cozy for the afternoon, then this might be the one for you.

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Bury Your Past by J M Dalgliesh

February 9, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Bury Your Past by J M Dalgliesh
Publisher: Hamilton Press
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Fern

A secret worth dying for is a secret worth killing…

When a violent storm uncovers the remains of an unknown young woman, long buried among the sand dunes, DI Tom Janssen must piece together fragmentary evidence to determine how she came to be there.

In the years she lay undiscovered several young women have disappeared and as the team work through the possibilities they come to an uncomfortable conclusion… is a serial killer stalking coastal Norfolk? Each missing person had a story. Each of them had enemies. Some were more dangerous than others…

They appealed to the same men, dabbled in the occult and came to the attention of powerful figures who would brush them aside without a second thought. But who had the motivation to kill? Where is the killer now? When the past is brought into the light will they be willing to ensure their closely guarded secrets remain buried?

To do so, they will have to kill again…

Set within the mysterious beauty of coastal Norfolk, this fast-paced British detective novel is a dark murder mystery with a little humour, one that will keep you guessing until the very end when the final shocking twist is revealed.

DI Tom Janssen has settled back very well into life in Norfolk. His police work keeps him busy but isn’t hectic and he tries to spend more time with his partner Alice and Alice’s young daughter Saffy. When a huge storm passes through the coastal town the skeletal remains of what appears to be a young woman buried in the sand at a popular part of the beach shocks the locals. But this body appears to be just one of a few missing young women and something far more sinister.

This is the second book in the Hidden Norfolk series by Dalgliesh and I admit I quite enjoyed it for the most part. This story can definitely be read as a standalone – only a brief mention is made of the fact that DCI Tamara Greave was brought on to help work with Tom on a previous case together. Aside from the facts that they know each other, have worked together once before and there’s a small bit of attraction (carefully hidden on both sides) nothing else is needed or stated and so this entire story stands really well by itself, and I feel readers should feel quite confidant in picking up this book without reading the previous one.

While I admit the slight attraction between Tom and Tamara is very much downplayed by both characters and indeed from outward appearances they try to not even show or express it – this was the only part of the story that niggled at me a little. Tom is already in a committed romantic relationship with Alice and so it felt odd to me that there was some level of attraction between Tom and Tamara. This was all done very subtly and was realistic (even extremely happily connected people feel attraction to another person now and then) but it still struck a very odd tune to me, personally, and while I didn’t dislike it, it was something I found uneasy to read – partly I think because I wanted this to be a fairly straightforward police procedural mystery and also partly because it’s highly unusual for one of the heroines of the story to not be feeling (even hiding those feelings) in a very heroic manner.

That said, this was all very subtle and effectively had nothing much at all to do with the murder mystery, which truly was the main thrust of the storyline as a whole. Excepting this attraction between Tom and Tamara I felt the entirety of the rest of the story was really well handled. I thoroughly enjoyed the cast of secondary characters who were all drawn in for various reasons into the investigation and were all locals of the small coastal town. I enjoyed seeing Eric again and feel he will in the next book or two be a very strong presence as his detective and police skills grow by leaps and bounds. I also enjoyed that the plot was twisty enough to engage my mind but not so convoluted I couldn’t keep track of all the threads. I feel the author did an exceptional job balancing the plot and pacing and once I got going, I read the book quite quickly and really thoroughly enjoyed it.

Readers wanting a British style, police procedural mystery should find this really suits their mood. While a little gritty I definitely don’t feel this is too dark or edgy and I am looking forward to the next in the series.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

The Body Under the Bridge by Nick Louth

February 7, 2022 By Leave a Comment


The Body Under the Bridge by Nick Louth
Publisher: Canelo Digital Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Fern

DCI Craig Gillard will be pushed to his limits… But will he break?

It seems like a routine disappearance, a case of musician’s stage fright. As a senior detective, Craig Gillard isn’t sure why he’s even involved. Until it turns out the woman’s father is the German Minister of Justice, and the British Home Secretary is on the case too.

But nothing about the case is simple. How does a woman on a train simply vanish? What do you do when a trail runs cold and the pressure is on?

Before long the perpetrator has another target: DCI Gillard himself. What if the detective isn’t just running the case, but is part of it? The victim merely a lure for a bigger fish.

The answer is under the bridge. The chilling setting for the biggest challenge of his life.

DCI Craig Gillard is called in on what appears to be a fairly simple missing persons case. At first he’s surprised to be called in so very early on what apparently is a completely routine situation. Until it turns out the missing woman is the daughter of a very important politician, and as the hours and then days pass this simple, routine case turns out to be anything but easy.

I found this to be a very interesting and complex story. While it is absolutely a police procedural style of mystery/suspense book, I was interested by the refreshingly different plot and a quite complex turn the missing person aspect of the case took. Before I’d reached the half-way mark of the story it was very clear this wasn’t a simple or straightforward plot but a very convoluted and well thought out story. I really enjoyed that rather than having two or three plots running simultaneously the events all unfolded quite neatly, with one aspect of the plot leading to the next and then the next after that. Often, I find it a bit difficult to believe that two or three mysteries/cases just “happen” to all dovetail and neatly intertwine – often that aspect to a story doesn’t feel realistic to me. But in this book while the missing person case is sometimes left on the backburner, the leads and red herrings and different threads the investigation leads to all widen until multiple – and not one – crime is being investigated concurrently. I found this really gripping to read and I was seriously impressed with the author’s handling of such a complex and multi-faceted plot.

I also really enjoyed the main characters. I had no idea when I picked up this book – and indeed didn’t realize until I was well past the mid-point of the book – that this story is in the middle of a series. Much of it can absolutely be read as a standalone, though I expect some of the back story to the secondary characters and police team likely would be given in the previous stories so from that perspective having read others might give the reader a deeper connection with the characters. From a plot perspective though at no time did I feel like I was missing pieces of the puzzle or that I needed more back-story to really understand the story I was reading.

Readers looking for a very complex and interesting plot – a solid mystery where there are many moving parts and is a lot more intense than your usual linear and straight-forward murder mystery, this is an excellent book to give a try to. While it’s a British based police procedural and more mystery than action based, I feel it is a solid and gripping read, and I am definitely planning on going back to the start of the series and reading more from this author.

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Starvation Lake by John Carson

February 1, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Starvation Lake by John Carson
Publisher: Vellum
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Brand new series from the creator of the DCI Harry McNeil and DI Frank Miller novels, comes DCI Sean Bracken.

A killer on the loose.

A killer behind bars.

And a detective caught between them…

Ailsa Connolly was a brilliant psychologist and a respected criminologist.

She was also a serial killer.

Six years ago, DCI Sean Bracken caught her just before he was about to become her seventh victim. Every year on the anniversary of her incarceration, she taunts him with a phone call, giving him one message; when I get out, I’ll kill you.

Now, Bracken has transferred back to Edinburgh from Fife and is thrown into the deep end on his first day back on duty.

There’s a killer who is emulating Ailsa, threatening to surpass her body count.

Bracken knows he needs her on board to help him track the killer down, but she’s reluctant to get involved.

Then the case takes an unexpected twist, and she agrees to help. But this new killer is taking them down a dark, twisted path, where nobody sees the outcome.

Until it’s too late.

Needing a change, DCI Bracken transfers from Fife back to his original home base of Edinburgh. He’s hoping to start a fresh chapter, but when a serial killer begins mimicking Bracken’s biggest arrest – Ailsa Connolly – he finds his life changing but not in a good way.

I really enjoyed this full length novel. It’s the first of a new series, and I was eager to try it given I’m a big fan of one of this author’s other series – DCI Harry McNeil. I found this book absolutely lived up to my expectations and I’m really pleased to now have another series to look forwards to.

I thought the pacing of this story was good. While it’s absolutely a Scottish police procedural the plot might feel a little slow to readers looking for a more action-based or full throttle type of story. Yet I found the plot really well balanced, between introducing new characters, setting up the police team so I could get a handle on all the new people, and really begin to dig my teeth into the murder mystery plot. I also enjoyed that while Ailsa – the previously caught serial killer – was a strong part of the storyline she didn’t overshadow any of the main cast of characters.

There was a very, very light touch to the first bloom of romance between DCI Bracken and one of the pathologists. I was also fairly pleased with this. I often don’t mind there being no romance at all in my mystery reading (especially the more police procedural style of stories) but I felt this book didn’t have the romance or attraction take over from the actual mystery and thriller parts of the plotline.

Readers looking for a well plotted, slower paced and character centric style of story should find this book really fits the bill. I personally adored that it was set in Scotland and felt it added a lot to the ambience and general atmosphere of the story without feeling too cliched or overdone.

A good book and a new series I’m looking forward to getting into.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

The Price of Time by Tim Tigner

January 28, 2022 By Leave a Comment


The Price of Time by Tim Tigner
Publisher: Self-published
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

There’s a secret in Silicon Valley. A discovery. An invention. One so startling and surprisingly sinister that it needs to be concealed—at any price.

Tim Tigner takes a step back from his bestselling Kyle Achilles series to introduce Zachary Chase and Skylar Fawkes in a fresh standalone novel that’s bound to keep you glued and guessing. With secluded meetings, sudden disappearances and strange murders; secret agents, skillful assassins and sexy locations; The Price of Time is packed with fast-paced action and first-class intellectual intrigue.

Propelling the thrills and perched at the middle of the mystery is one of humanity’s great questions: Would finding the Fountain of Youth be a blessing?

Prepare for sleep-deprived nights and skipped chores while repeating the phrase: “Just one more page.”

Would you like immortality? This novel by Tim Tigner explores this idea. Sounds great—but is it really? A small group of scientists and business people have found the secret to stopping aging, but they can die from ways other than old age.

The “Immortals” must come up with a way to change their identities after every twenty years because they cannot explain their not aging. How to do this? They cross a moral line, and it comes with a cost. Reading about their debates on how to solve this problem and others is fascinating and brings human nature to attention.

There is a mystery here as well. Someone is murdering the immortals, but why? At the same time, a former CIA agent rescues a woman from the dark plans of the immortals. They work together to try to find these people and get answers. These two storylines work together to make great suspense. There are surprises in this book, and readers are unlikely to guess the ending. The characters are well-drawn.

This is a unique story that is worth a reader’s time. I’ll be looking for more from this talented author.

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Smoke And Ashes by Abir Mukherjee

January 25, 2022 By Leave a Comment


Smoke And Ashes by Abir Mukherjee
Publisher: Pegasus Crime
Genre: Historical, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Captain Sam Wyndham and his sidekick Surrender-Not Banerjee return in this prize-winning historical crime series set in 1920s Calcutta.

India, 1921. Haunted by his memories of World War I, Captain Sam Wyndham is battling a serious addiction to opium that he must keep secret from his superiors in the Calcutta police force.

When Sam is summoned to investigate a grisly murder, he is stunned at the sight of the body: he’s seen this before. Last night, in a drug addled haze, he stumbled across a corpse with the same ritualistic injuries. It seems like there’s a deranged killer on the loose. Unfortunately for Sam, the corpse was in an opium den—and revealing his presence there could cost him his career.

With the aid of his quick-witted Indian Sergeant, Surrender-Not Banerjee, Sam must try to solve the two murders, all the while keeping his personal demons secret, before somebody else turns up dead.

Captain Sam Wyndham is a British officer in Calcutta’s Imperial Police Force in the early 1920s. Keeping his battle with opium addiction a fiercely held secret, everything begins to unravel on him the evening he barely escapes an opium den during an unscheduled police raid and discovers a murdered man on his exiting the building. With his police partner Surrender-Not Banerjee can they discover what’s really going on and manage to keep Sam’s secrets safe?

I found this to be an interesting and well plotted story. This is the third book in the series and while I strongly feel it can be read as a stand-alone, I equally feel most readers will find a lot more depth and interest in the characters if they begin at the start and read the series in order. That said I definitely believe the plot and mystery can absolutely be read intact in this story and no previous knowledge about the characters and their relationship would be necessary.

While this book is absolutely a mystery set in historical times, there is an incredibly tepid “romance” between Sam and Annie. I strongly feel this relationship is utterly superfluous to the story as a whole and I just don’t understand why the author doesn’t drop it. Indeed, calling whatever lies between Sam and Annie doesn’t really fit into the category of romance to my mind at all, considering there are only two or three scenes between them in the whole of this book and while they did date off stage between two of the prior books, certainly neither of them feel there is currently a relationship between them – merely history. Added to that I felt no chemistry, no meaningful connection or spark really between them so I just don’t really understand why the author continues with Annie being present in this story. I feel in most ways the book would be a lot stronger without this aspect to it.

In all other ways I found this story really strongly written and entirely engrossing. I enjoyed the fact that Sam and Surrender-not’s working relationship and friendship continued to grow stronger. I also adored Sam’s growing knowledge and acceptance of the historical British-ruled-India that the story is set in. The historical aspects and exotic setting really helped sell the series as a whole to be and I loved delving in once more. I was also impressed with the strength of the plot of the mystery itself. I feel the author is really beginning to find his feet with each book and his pacing was really on point for me.

Finally, I really enjoyed how Sam in particular is growing as a character. His opium addiction really came to a head in this story – partly forced upon him by circumstances in general, but I feel it was clear that Sam, himself, was also coming to the strong realization that he couldn’t coast along for much longer – that a firm decision either to get clean or to move on would be needed. I felt this aspect of the story was particularly well handled and I found it both realistic and satisfying.

Readers looking for a strong mystery/police procedural story set in a historical setting (1920s British-ruled-India) should find this enjoyable book is deeply satisfying. I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to future installments in this series.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
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