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I heard awhile ago that this is Martha Grimes's awardwinner and have thus, looked forward to reaching volume three especially. I am not into it yet because it was late, after I concluded another novel. However I got through the introduction and am sure the humour, mystery, and adventure will start soon.

There are too many "cozy mystery" elements. A district police inspector not wanting deaths to be murders and acting annoyed when the local constable and his superior suspect they are. Who doesn't want things solved, whatever the cause!? Who wouldn't be fired for hoping to get awa with letting deaths sit, to look like suicides or accidents, because it is convenient!? A "standard mystery" would be about the puzzle.

This is a reason I loathe many "cozy mysteries". There is no suspense or urgency. A slightly more serious tone would make this a "STANDARD MYSTERY". Then, it would be all about an important archaeological find in Wales. Why anyone wanted to kill the elderly, much-liked discoverer, who had already shown it to the whole village. As usual, "small town constable" has to fight to prove it was murder: "cozy" cliché!

Knowing the strong potential upon which the first, too "annoying villager character"-driven novel closed, is already allowing me to enjoy the second. Yes, this is "cozy" versus her "standard mystery" historical New York series (you don't call that subject matter light). But the intelligence I know constable Evans has and the storyline of an archaeological discovery will make a much more fun novel for me! :)

I don't like it so far but we jump all over the place and there is room for interest to occur.

No characters are to anyone's liking. Reviewers prepared me - haha! However, I can't help admiring creativity; a fresh angle. Instead of investigating a murderer, we meet the living person for a long time. We dislike her understand why her relatives do. I hate to say it but I think the point is that, by the time she dies, readers are relieved too, because everyone is better off! Now that, is a character study!

I am not liking any page of this novel, any more than reviews indicated that I would. I hope to zip through it tonight, as the earliest in a bunch of Robert Barnard mysteries I acquired. However, when I am dubious about liking a novel; it is in this case that negative reviews might improve the journey. If I know in advance what aspects people dislike and don't find them any worse, it boosts the experience for me!

This story is more interesting than it looked like it would be and far better than the first novel! I love that it takes place in Scotland. Simon's crime motives come out of left field in this series. External people and situations he used, that we couldn't know, were a stretch. I grant they aren't the stretch and distasteful motives of the first mystery. I still dislike Charles Paris but this is a better story.

My least favourite Simon Brett personage and series. However I own it, so it is time I read it. I will try his newer series soon and savour more of my favourite, Mrs. Pargeter, later!

Loving this novel and it's characters and a window of education into a country, at a time of political change I have wanted to know about. Here are paranormal and folklore-tinged mysteries in Laos of 1976! They are historical for a very specific situation, time, and place but not historical distance-wise, because we are talking my lifetime now!

I am really appreciating this book for its paranormal anthropology now! It was already intriguing and educational for its introduction of little-known Laos, which has interested me since I was a child. Knowing something about the home of two special people who crossed my path memorably is due. Adding fun, loveable characters and interesting mysteries, confirm this as a fantastic, unique series I knew I would love.

Happy Easter to everyone, including my Mom healing in the hospital and us! Xoxo, Carolyn.

When I ask for prayers, I mean what you believe: the word with meaning to you. Talking to God/Jesus, send help and hope into the universe, positive energy, guardian angels, support, healing, combined power. Establishing that, we need united prayers please.

My Mom is in the hospital. Please let my Mom heal, improve, and live years longer with us. Yours, Carolyn.
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