The Broken Cage

Crow Investigations #7

by Sarah Painter

Get the Crow.

A man dies in a locked room, leaving a message written in blood and a lot of unanswered questions.

Lydia is still recovering from the fallout with her psychopathic cousin, but there are new threats to the Crows, and she must fight to maintain her position as leader of the Family.

Meanwhile, an actor has gone missing and Fleet is under pressure to find him fast. But there seems to be more to his tension than he is letting on…

Can Lydia solve the mysterious murder before she gets arrested for it?

Don't miss the seventh instalment in the bestselling urban fantasy mystery series, Crow Investigations.

Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Fiction, Audiobook, Mystery, Magic, Paranormal

322 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 10, 2022

About the author

Sarah Painter is the author of the bestselling magical novel, The Language of Spells, and its follow-up, The Secrets of Ghosts.

She has written 'book club' fiction with atmospheric settings and historical elements (In The Light of What We See and Beneath The Water), and a 'wonderfully dark and twisty' supernatural thriller, The Lost Girls.

Sarah's latest venture is an exciting new urban fantasy series, Crow Investigations. Yes, she finds it hard to stick to one genre!

Before writing books, Sarah Painter worked as a freelance magazine journalist, blogger and editor, combining this 'career' with amateur child-wrangling (AKA motherhood).

Sarah lives in rural Scotland with her husband and children. She drinks too much tea, loves the work of Joss Whedon, and is the proud owner of a writing shed.

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

As much as I enjoined reading this book I was extremely pissed off at the cliffhanger.

I felt this book in particular had to many loose ends which I really didn't like, because of this I felt the need to give it four stars such a shame.

Happy Reading 📗📓📙📕📓📒📘📔📗📘📒📓📙📚📕📗📔📘📒📓📚📙📒📓📚📖

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I’ve finished the most recent book out for this series, and I can say I’m grateful I was able to just borrow them from the Libby app.

This book especially feels so incomplete and ends on a cliffhanger to boot, which makes me not want to read the next one. There are so many plot lines and threads that aren’t even remotely tied up and just have been left open like gaping wounds in this book. There’s a lot to unpack, too. I’m beginning to get some of the plot threads mixed up in my mind, which is always irritating.

I think Sarah Painter is trying to cram too much into bite-sized barely-novels. She has this neat world, a system of magic that’s still barely been defined in any way, a group of magical families who run a unique London, and she still chooses to churn out these short novellas and end them on cliffhangers in slapdash manner. To not even resolve the major plot points she created in this book is especially egregious. She basically opened up a bunch of questions here and left them to wait till the next book comes out (if that one even resolves them).

I personally think you could smash the first six books into one trilogy because it resolves most of the major elements she put out there, ties up almost all the loose ends, and just feels like a stopping point for the series. You could happily skip the seventh book because of how book six ended.

All that is to say that clearly I’m more concerned about dropped plot lines than I am about the characters, which tells you they aren’t nearly as engaging as they could be. Lydia feels like she’s slowly becoming an antihero, anyway, as she has to dip her toes into the Family business and do things that clearly clash with her moral compass. She’s struggled with this but also admits to herself that her newfound powers really make her feel good and powerful, which makes me think this could really turn dark if Painter takes her down the antihero path. That would actually be a really interesting path to travel down, especially since Fleet seems to be a much weaker character to me now. I doubt that’s the direction we’re going and not sure I’ll stick around to find out if I’m right.

The only thing I think I’ll miss is Jason, the friendly corporeal, hot cocoa slinging ghost roommate. He was probably my favorite character.

[Asia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Looking back, I was actually a little surprised with this book, there was maybe 2 grammar errors that I spotted. That's very little for this series, and they weren't even bad ones!

The tune of this series seems to have switched dramatically. Rather than having lots of things happening which don't get very good conclusions like the series so far, very little actually happens. It almost feels like it suffers from "middle book syndrome". Maybe its middle plot syndrome instead? Either way, Lydia tackles a single case of her own and helps Fleet with his single case. That's it. Two cases. Lydia is dealing with Family drama and realises that maybe she can't make the Crows completely law-abiding, but that's okay. There's also some sneaking around as Fleet refuses to reveal to Lydia details of his dealings, and Lydia's power is ever growing.
Oh, and the love drama is back between Lydia and Fleet. Can I just bash their heads together and tell them to grow up?

This book was a little boring to be honest, there's not a lot done to generally advance the plot, it just feels like scene setting for later books. Hence, my "middle book syndrome" feeling. Also, there's that ending. The most stereotypical cliffhanger ending you can imagine. Literally, the last sentence is "And she knew." Like, come on! I'm assuming that this stranger is Fleets father, but I guess we will have to wait till next book to find out!

I'm still going to continue with this series, but currently I'm wondering: how long is it actually going to be? Is it one of those that last forever? I hope not. The premise for the world is interesting enough, but it isn't forever lasting, and certainly not with how it's delivered.

[Isobel B K · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m starting to get really frustrated with this series, it feels like in the last two books nothing much has happened really and they are just moving the plot along. This one especially leaves a lot more questions than it answers and I would just like a bit of resolution - what is the deal with Fleets power? What’s the real story about Charlie? Will we find out properly about Jason or will he just fade away? I get that the author wants to keep people gripped to the series and buying the next one but do that with engrossing characters not with cliffhangers and a whole load of loose ends! This book was nothing but unresolved plot lines!!

[Enid Hurst · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've enjoyed the séries, however this installment was disappointing. Ended abruptly with an annoying
cliffhanger. Unlike other readers who find this an exciting buildup to the next installment, I felt like I read a short story with a poor ending. Don't think I'll be back for more of the same.

[Nicki Frost · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ends on such a hanger I’ve bought the latest book and put my next intended book back on the TBR pile. I really need to know what happens next. A good sign, I guess?

[Keith Lovell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another fine entry in the continuing saga of the crows and underbelly of a slightly magical London.

[Dolores Parsons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh Sarah how could you!

I just read the Broken Cage today. Yes today, What a cliff hanger!! I have been following and reading everything I could get my hands on written by Sarah Painter, she's good. It was a pleasure to share Lydia's life again; to visit with the Crows, her housemates. Upstairs and down. Her friend Emily, and her boyfriend Fleete , so yummy.... I assume I just met Fleete's Father. This book seemed to be a straight forward story. One big plot wrapped up. Others have been opened up. Some surprises; who are her friends who are her enemies? The Foxes change of heart
seems to be a contrived plot twist. I don't care. We have made it to
book 7, other writers can't get to book 3 without losing
The story, and my interest. Ms. Painter I will follow your yarns forever.

[ClaireBear · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read & this series has kept my interest well. By book 7 you have an understanding of the characters & depth of history involved so the lack of detail & intricacy in the books no longer grates. Ends on a cliffhanger that expands this urban magical world & has left me eager for more. Relatively quick reads.
Heading off now to scour bookshop shelves for more urban fantasy reads…

[Giselle · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love these books but this one is ridiculous

I can not believe there’s a cliffhanger ending. What a cheap commercial ploy to sell book 8. I will not be ordering book 8.

[Clbplym · Rating 3 out of 5]

This feels like part one of a book rather than a book in its own right. I hope the last episode ties some of this up.

[Jacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook narrated by: Kate Rawson
First of all, let me say that I hate hate hate cliffhanger endings. You have to read/listen to this book along with the next in the series (The Magpie Key) which was probably the authors intention. Well, it worked, but I still didn't like the ending. Having said this I do like the Crow Investigations books and would have read the next book regardless. In this Lydia Crow is recovering from the aftermath of jumping off a roof and killing her evil cousin, Maddie. Lydia seems to have inherited some of Maddie's power, a not inconsiderable benefit as long as she keeps strict control of herself. She’s still with Detective Fleet and sharing a flat with ghostly Jason. A prisoner in Fleet's police station is found dead in a locked cell, with a smile on his face and no indication of cause of death. There's a connection with the Crow family and an attempt to implicate them, Can Lydia Crow solve the murder before she's charged with it? In the meantime a high profile actor has gone missing and Fleet is under pressure to find him. Lydia begins to suspect that her uncle Charlie, supposedly safely locked away by a shady government department, is managing to cause trouble. And then, as I said, there's a cliffhanger ending. Ouch.

[Amy Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, I could not put it down! The penultimate book in the series and I cannot see where this is going. I absolutely love this series and will be sad to finish it. However, when I think back on this book, I almost feel like not much actually happened... I guess it's setting up for the final book... THE ENDING was a massive cliffhanger and feels so unresolved ahhhhh. I can sense a book hangover on its way after the last book.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m loving this series and this book was, like the previous, really entertaining. I’m listening on Audible while I stitch and the narrator is brilliant. This one ends in a massive cliffhanger though, but I have the next ready. I’ve also got a few more by this author.

[Vivienne Fraser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still loving listening to this series, and this book was one of the better ones.

I loved how Lydia was the strong one this time, and showed that her strength was not just magical, but was also part of who she is. Can't wait to see where this goes next.

[Mel Horne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well this book did not do it for me. I like this world and the characters, but in this book nothing much happens it is a setting the scene book and just as the story starts to pick up, it ends, most unsatisfactory.

[Ronald McCutchan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am still enjoying Crow Investigations, but it is approaching the point of not attending to the bigger plot issues. In The Broken Cage, we do get resolution on the two cases introduced in the book - the mysterious death of a blackmailer while in lockup (with an incriminating message "Get the Crow" at the scene) and the disappearance of an up-and-coming young actor, linked to the blackmailer. We get a bit more on Uncle Charlie - or at least, the intimation that he's still alive and able to influence people (notably, said blackmailer, as well as Lydia's Aunt Daisy, who blames Lydia for her daughter Maddie's death--technically true, though Maddie was trying to murder Lydia at the time). Lydia's relationship with Fleet gets complicated, and it may have to do with Fleet's glimmer as well as his estranged father (but that's left as a cliffhanger). We don't see much of ghost flatmate Jason (aside from a small excursion within/inside Lydia to check out a ghost in Churchill's War Rooms), so no further development on his death and connection to the Crows and Silvers (maybe we're not going to get any more closure on this, since to do so would probably mean Jason's crossing over--though there are some sad hints in The Broken Cage that Lydia--and maybe the author--doesn't really have much for Jason to do these days, aside from the occasional interview with a ghost or hacking a bank transaction.

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do not know how I got addicted to this series. The books are shorter than I like, and I don't usually like fantasy — especially mixed with detective fiction. But I seem to be completely hooked on this series. I think what keeps me going is that Lydia is a strong woman really struggling with what it means to be a strong woman (at this point, running the family business) in the 21st century — which really is not enough different from all the preceding centuries. And, let's face it, I love Jason. I need a "Jason" in my life. I really wish each book were longer.

[Debra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sample chapters, masquerading as a book

To say this ended in a cliffhanger is inaccurate. It simply ended half way through (maybe a third of the way through). There wasn’t a completed story arc in the whole thing. It was more like sample chapters.

[Bee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Every time Lydia decides not to do something, she ends up doing it “reluctantly” and convinces herself that she is doing it for good reasons. She has the moral compass of an emerging villain and that obvious traiy makes the book very dull. We know she is very good at finding excuses for herself.

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great instalment of the Crow Investigations series! And another cliffhanger, can’t wait to find out what happens next

[Kate Hayward · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really?

This is half a story. Really disappointing decision by someone to release half. At tu8s point, after now reading 7 crow books, i feel badly used.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Weakest book of the series. No real development or movement of story arc. Disappointing as I have enjoyed other books in the series.

[Mohan Vemulapalli · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Broken Cage", the seventh installment in the "Crow Investigations" series, is a weaker offering than previous books, but still worth reading. This novel is definitely transitional in nature in that it takes place after the character arcs of Maddie and Mr. Smith have been resolved but does not do very much to advance the overall story arc of the series.

The novel seems to have been designed to set the stage for future developments. As such, we see Lydia struggle with her inherited empire while her relationship with Fleet becomes more tenuous. Additionally, Sinclair, the spook who replaced Mr. Smith, emerges as a major player and begins to make demands of Lydia while tensions with Foxes and Silvers continue to grow. What is missing , though, is any clear direction to these developments or a reason for the reader to engage.

Finally, the most irritating and disappointing part of this book is that it just peters out. Sure, there is a cliff hanger of an ending, but it feels more like the mid point of what should be a longer book than an actual suspenseful ending.

[Elizabeth Weiss-Jeffries · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lydia Crow, Brilliance!

I have followed this series from the beginning. Lydia started out as a bit of something magical. Her awareness and and power have evolved throughout story.
She sets an example of intelligent acceptance of her place of importance and the critically flawed self concern for her own well being. As the plot has advanced I see deeper meaning in this unfolding. She is relatable and dealing with what many of us do. She is on a dare, she can't back down, progress is messy and uneven. The goal is to just keep going because she can't go back.
Start at the beginning to get the most out of this story. There are many unique and inventive details that are not found in many other contemporary urban fantasy. That is highly unique plot and setting. I am bored with shifters, confused witches, demons etc. This is grown up a women's detective series. Start with Book 1.

[Tonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

***Audible Version***

Now we’re talking! The Broken Cage has been the best book in this series so far. Lydia is finally shedding her naïveté and wow, has she come a long way from the description of her in the first book where she had been a dog groomer, and whatever else, before becoming a PI. 🕵🏼‍♀️ Her character has definitely grown. And I appreciate that.

I loved her boss scene where she met with thugs in the hotel. And when she had a “talk” with Ryan. Let’s see more of this! I hope Charlie is alive and on the scene. And that they make up. She needs his experience and contacts. WTH is happening with Fleet? Let’s get Angel more involved! I’m still wondering about those stories Henry told Lydia…And what about the money paid to Stacy? Seriously, Lyds—you should know every penny on the books. Going in and out.

I flew (no pun intended) through this book. I’m excited to start the next!

[Karen Heenan · Rating 4 out of 5]

a point in every series where you open a new book and feel like you're among friends. Lydia, Jason, Fleet, the complicated Crowd family dynamic - I missed them.

As a mystery, The Broken Cage is a solid read, well structured and capably written. As a series installment, it was like meeting friends at the pub, hearing their stories and catching up on their lives. Enjoyable, and you realize how much you miss them when they're not around.

I read an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I'm glad Sarah Painter writes relatively quickly, because the Crow series is medicinal reading in times like these.

[Mrs D A D Brook · Rating 5 out of 5]

My name is (you name) a and I am a Crow Investigations addict

Station ep.1 this is a glories set. Stay on this. You will read back. My point? You should read this. Sarah Painter brings a new twist. It is worth it. She mixed normal every day stuff with......other not normal. And it is impossible not to be drawn in. I cannot remember why I started this ( crow magic) but I am so, so very happy that I did. @sarahpainter. Thanks. As Dickens character Oliver is reputed to have said 'please can I have some more?'

[Áine · Rating 4 out of 5]

some interesting developments

I always enjoy this series learning about the families, what makes them tick and how they interact. A lot of new information is revealed - do we really know what we think we know? Who can we trust? Who will we become - all questions Lydia is struggling with as head of the crow family.

Raging though that it ends on a cliff hanger! I can guess who the person in question is but I guess I’ll have to wait until book 8!

[The Man from DelMonte · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing is more confident these days. The author is more comfortable in her milieu. However, this is not Book 7, this is Book 7 Part 1, because everything is set up for the next in the series. Lydia is sorting out various family power plays, probably instigated by Uncle Charlie. There's a side issue of the Pearl King possibly manifesting in an actor. Lastly there's Fleet's dad turning up in the last paragraph. And these plot threads are all unresolved!