The problem with writing a very long series about murder in a very small town is that you quickly run out of characters to be killers or victims. By this book in the series, the pattern is clear--if a new character is introduced at the beginning, guess what? He/she is the killer. The mystery here was so patently obvious that it almost took the pleasure out of the read. The only thing that keeps me going is my connection to the main characters--the 10 or so central folks that appear in each book. Will I keep reading? Really, I'm not sure. My disappointment in this one will have to battle it out with my obsessive compulsive need to finish any series I start. Good thing one of these issues didn't show up late to the game, or we'd know for sure which one would win. . . .Sarah Graves, please pay more attention to the delightful world you have created. Stop abandoning interesting characters that could become integral parts of the books that follow. Actually surprise us once or twice with a killer we wouldn't expect. Bring back the ghosts. That was a great idea you abandoned too soon. OH, and please start dressing Ellie in something reasonable. Sincerely, me
I really enjoy this series and am re-reading the earlier books on and off as I come across them.I like the protagonist, Jake Tiptree and her partner in crime solving, Ellie White. The two have a supportive relationship where they balance one another well. This book in the series was another good one. It had an interesting premise and conclusion. (view spoiler)[ I am not sure, however, that I really bought George's silence. I mean really he's going to jail for murder just to 'give his friend a chance to do the right thing'? Perhaps, but after a while you would think that he would get that that is not going to happen. Plus, it felt a little contrived that when he got to that stage, or would have gotten to that stage, a clobber on his head caused amnesia so that he forgot everything, including being in jail and the reasons for it. (hide spoiler)]
What do You think about Mallets Aforethought (2004)?
Not everyone can be Agatha Christie, but this particular sleuth - well, I had to finish it because I started reading it, not because it was well-written. Not everything connects, too many sentences split in awkward places, and too much "how did she know that?" I dislike know-it-alls. That's my job. :) I picked it up because it said home improvement junkies would enjoy the DIY details as much as the mystery. Eh. Not worth it. Took me nearly a week to finish it, so it definitely wasn't a page-turner.
—Megan
One of the reasons I enjoy these books so much is the fabulous narration. The reader does such a wonderful job on the voices and just the overall telling of the tale, it's very engaging. It helps that she has solid material to work with. Another good mystery from Ms. Graves - though it didn't take me as long this time to figure out "whodunit" - she's pretty good a masking the "bad guy" until the last few chapters, but I am starting to be able to pick out the clues better, the longer I'm with this writer. Will continue along happily with this series.
—Amanda
I like this series. I don't much about Maine, passed through there once when I was about 12 and my brother had a friend who had a summer job there, We were on our way to Canada.Jacobia Tiptree is a repairing fool. Her usual partner in crime, Ellie White was extremely pregnant so on this investigation Jake had to take the lead. And the problem is the person who needed clearing is Ellie's husband who won't say where he was at the time of the murder. And this is complicated somewhat by Jake's former partner in crime having been nabbed by the Feds and a U.S. Attorney is trying to get in touch with her. She kind of thinks that she has to get her father out of the vicinity before she even begins to think about getting in touch with the AUSA. He is still wanted for bombings from the '60s-70s. Anyway, I find these entertaining books. Quick reads for the commute.
—Jan C
