Spoiler Discussion (June 2019) Value Read - Crime in the School by Catherine Moloney

[Pat]

Despite mysteries involving murder, I felt a heaviness or negativity throughout "Crime in the School" that I don't often feel in the mysteries I read. The author uses language well, creatively. Once past the first few slow chapters, it's difficult to put the book aside. At the end, where the author provides the clues the detective followed to the culprit, I thought that they were not clues that would lead most readers to identifying the murderer.

[Erunyauve]

I agree that there weren't a lot of clues to the murderer, and at times, Markham is a bit too intuitive to be believable. I found it a bit surprising that Olivia wasn't a prime suspect, though I'm glad the author didn't follow that particular thread (too predictable).

I did like the writing a lot - quite prosaic at moments. I've downloaded the sample of the next book in the series, though I think my next read will be a bit more cosy and less body-in-the-cistern.

[AngryGreyCat]

I really enjoyed this and thought it was very well paced. I had some doubts the first chapter or so but then it just took off. I really liked the idea of Noakes and Burton together. Noakes strikes me as a Andy Dalziel type and I loved that series. I was interested to see how they interacted. I was also glad that they did not pursue Olivia as a suspect, because that would have just been very predictable. I will read more in this series.

[Bill]

Two things I didn’t like: we don’t find out an identity or motive for the murderer till close to the end, hence no chance to try to match wits with the author in spotting the villain. And having the culprit cut his throat and die when apprehended was messy, both literally and aesthetically.

[Beth]

OK, Bill!!!! Just read Bloody January and found it WAY TOO messy to finish so I am not going to follow up with this one!!!!

[Bill]

The throat cutting wasn’t all that detailled but the decomposing body winched from the cistern was. Don’t read my posted excerpts if you’re squeamish.