✰✰✰½ Take a trip back in time to 1969 with Arthur Bryant and John May as they go undercover and leave London for a quiet weekend in the country. Stuck at crumbling Tavistock Hall, the two men stand out like a sore thumb. Nevertheless, they must keep the prosecution's star witness safe from harm until he can testify. Despite the quiet setting, Bryant and May run into unexpected trouble when their charge is nearly killed. With an eccentric cast of characters, secret passageways, and a band of hippies on the premises, the detectives have their work cut out for them.
The Bottom Line: It took a while for me to warm up to this novel; however, it may have been because this is the first installment of the series that I have read. While the story seemed slow to start, I hung in there and was rewarded with deadpan humor and clever fun to liven up this classic manor house mystery. Recommended for fans who enjoy mysteries with a twist of British humor. If you are new to the series, I recommend starting at the beginning.
Details: Bryant & May: Hall of Mirrors: A Peculiar Crimes Unit Mystery by Christopher Fowler. Hardcover published by Bantam Books in 2018. 432 p. ISBN: 978-1-101-88709-7 NOTE: I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This was made possible via the Early Reviewers program at LibraryThing.
✰✰✰✰✰ Murder rarely happens in the suburbs. So when Boy Scouts discover a body in a submerged car in a local lagoon, everyone wants the case. Major Crimes Detective Jake Houser is more than qualified to handle the job, but he soon discovers there are forces working against him. Even his own cousin, Sheriff Bev Warren, seems to be making things difficult for him.
Jake is eager to find the killer and make him pay, but every time he gets close to finding a clue, something gets in his way. With time running out, Jake is determined to uncover the truth, no matter what the cost. Before he can solve the case, he must consider how far he will go to see justice served. Ride along with Detective Houser in this page-turner as he races to solve the crime before someone else gets hurt.
The Bottom Line: This debut novel is dark with lots of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing until the very end. With vivid writing, relatable characters, and lots of action, Bo Thunboe is definitely an author to watch.
Very highly recommended for fans of mysteries and police procedurals, especially those with a Chicago connection. If you’ve been looking for a new series to read, check out the Jake Houser Mystery Series. You won’t be disappointed. I’m looking forward to reading the next book myself.
Details: What Can’t Be True (Jake Houser Mystery Series) by Bo Thunboe. Paperback published by Weston Press, LLC in 2018. 342 p. ISBN: 978-1949632002 NOTE: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
