User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
The Postscript Murders by Elly Griffiths
The Postscript Murders gives us a cozy murder mystery, in the style of Agatha Christie. No in your face blood and guts, just a 90 year old woman who is such an expert on how to kill people that authors use her as their "murder consultant". But when Peggy dies, one of her caretakers, Natalka, gets suspicious for a number of reasons. Natalka had seen Peggy that morning and she was just fine, so Natalka, Benedict, the local coffee shack guy, and Edwin, Peggy's 80 year old neighbor, start brainstorming things they've found and become amateur murder sleuths, to the annoyance of DS Harbinder Kaur, who is the official investigator on the case. Peggy's death does seem suspicious, especially when an intruder holds a gun on Natalka and Benedict, while they are looking at crime books in the late Peggy's apartment.
We get to see things from the viewpoints of Natalka, Benedict, Edwin, Harbinder and others. Eventually Natalka, Benedict, and Edwin take off to an Aberdeen literary festival to do their snooping, and things get more dangerous and perplexing. Both Benedict and Harbinger are the most entertaining to me, with their inner thoughts on everything that was going on. Natalka brings to mind a beautiful spy (I'm not saying she is a spy), Edwin, at 80, is as suave as he was in his younger days, and Harbinder gets so irked by her partner Neil that she imagines he's a small woodland creature, although I don't think this helped her relationship with him, one bit.
Harbinder played a role in The Stranger Diaries but it's not necessary to read that book to enjoy this one. I hope we see more of Harbinder (and friends) in future books. I'd love to see things from the viewpoint of Neil, Harbinder's partner. As much as she thinks he drives her nuts, I suspect he has a few complaints of his own.
Pub: March 2, 2021
Thank you to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and NetGalley for this ARC.
Rating: really liked it
4.5 stars
“If I’m ever killed, my TBR pile will be the murder weapon.” The Postscript Murders is a tautly written murder mystery centered around the death of a 90-year-old woman who happens to have been a murder consultant. When Peggy Smith, a 90-year-old woman, is found dead, no one believes foul play had a role in her death….that is no one but her Ukrainian carer, Natalka. Upon the discovery that Peggy served as a murder consultant, thinking up unique ways for characters to die, for popular and critically acclaimed authors, Natalka teams up with Edwin, an 80-year-old “ancient TV producer," and Benedict an “ex-monk-turned-coffee-shop owner” to investigate Peggy’s death. Detective Harbinder Kaur is brought into the fold.
Investigating Peggy’s death changes the lives of this motley and eccentric group of armchair detectives. It also makes an impact on Harbinder’s life.
There are multiple narrators, all of whom offer a unique perspective on the investigation. Natalka was my favorite character, followed by Benedict. But really, I loved all of the characters.
This is book two in the Harbinder Kaur series but can be read as a standalone. Clare and a few others who played a role in
The Stranger Diaries make appearances, but it is not essential to read these books in order.
The Postscript Murders is a book for mystery lovers, especially those who are fans of jazz-age mysteries, as well for those who love to play the role of armchair detective. Clues are found in books, and
I love the idea of a 90-year-old woman being credited with thinking up original murders for novelists to use in their books. My only gripe was that I wanted to know more about Peggy.
I loved every minute of this book! It is smart, witty, and full of wonderful book-related gems. I had so much fun reading it. The mystery has many layers, and all is not what it seems. The characters are developed, intelligent, and each lovable in their own way. I hope to see all of them again in future books!
“Is there really a world where people care so much about books that they write to the authors and consider them friends?”I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: really liked it
Elly Griffiths's sequel to The Stranger Diaries featuring the gay, Sikh DS Harbinder Kaur, in her thirties, yet still living with her parents, is a rather different affair, but a winner nevertheless with murder and mayhem set in the world of a crime writers community, literary agents, murder consultants and publishers. In Shoreham by the Sea, a West Sussex coastal town, 90 year old Peggy Smith sits by her window, observing the world outside, making notes in her investigation book, such as the appearance of two suspicious men in a car outside. When Ukrainian care worker, Natalka Kolsnyk finds Peggy dead in her chair by the window, it seems a straightforward natural death of an elderly woman. However, a number of strange oddities make Natalka wonder if it could be murder.
There is the business card proclaiming Peggy as a murder consultant, and so many of her crime books have the authors thanking her for her help, acknowledging her contribution to their crime novels. Then there is the postcard with the ominous message 'We are coming for you'. Natalka, a mathematics graduate, gifted in algorithms in cryptocurrencies, takes her concerns to Harbinder whose interest is aroused and cemented when Natalka and Edwin are disturbed by a gunman in Peggy's flat. Unwilling to leave the investigation in the hands of the police, Natalka, the gay 80 year old Edwin Fitzgerald, a former researcher and religious radio broadcaster and an ex-monk, Benedict Cole, who runs The Shack cafe, form a tight knit group. Each has been lonely in their own way, now proving to be remarkably adept and skilled amateur detectives as crime authors begin to be murdered, not put off in the slightest by the danger they find themselves in.
Griffiths excels in the creation and development of quirky characters in her crime novels, and Natalka, Edwin and Benny make for a wonderfully interesting bunch, each bringing their own specific qualities as they dig deep to get to the truth of the murders and Peggy's mysterious history. Trying to rein them in and protect them, all to little effect as they take off to a literary crime festival in Aberdeen, is Harbinder, with her acute observations, yearning for a romantic relationship, trying to be there for her beloved mother when she suffers an injury that puts her out of action for a little while. This is a wonderfully entertaining crime read, humorous, engaging and just so much fun to read, leaving me looking forward to the next in the series. Fans of Griffiths will love this. Many thanks to Quercus for an ARC.
Rating: really liked it
The second book in the Harbinder Kaur series and it is an absolute delight!
The Postscript Murders is a murder mystery but it tends strongly towards cosy with several of the characters acting as amateur detectives and getting themselves into all kinds of difficulties. Luckily the police are involved and do actually maintain control of the investigations most of the time.
This is a book about books and their authors, publishers and literary agents. There are also retired wartime spies spending their time creating new ways for book characters to die, Ukrainian refugees out for revenge and an aged care nurse working the bitcoin market in her free time. All good fun and written so nicely it never becomes too over the top.
Elly Griffiths has a light touch in this book. There is plenty of humour, especially from Harbinder herself. She has her own wonderful ways of dealing internally with implied racism and with her partner's foibles. The three amateur detectives, Natalka, Edwin and Benedict are all beautifully drawn and make you cross your fingers that things will end well for them.
I know it was a good book because I found myself reading bits out loud to anyone who was listening. I thought it was good fun, very well written and totally entertaining.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Rating: really liked it
Well this was definitely a surprise of a book coming from this author! I read and loved “The Stranger Diaries” and some of her Ruth Galloway books. I think those books had a more “sinister”, heavier feel to them.
Who has ever heard of a “murder consultant”?? Well in this book you will hear all about Peggy, a lovely woman who was considered just that. She helped authors find unique ways of “killing off their characters” and she was well known among murder mystery writers.
The book opens with her Ukranian caregiver, Natalka, finding Peggy dead at her desk. This is where she wrote her “investigations” and observations of the people passing in front of her bay window overlooking the sea. Her death was thought to be a heart attack, natural causes. She was said to have a known heart condition? Did she??
This starts the beginning of a very novel mystery. The lead detective assigned to the case, DS Harbinder Kaur, gets lots of help from Peggy’s friends in solving this case. There are many different ideas floated around but when others are found dead, supposedly of natural causes, there are suspicions of a possible serial killer?
The characters were amazing, here are some of them; the first 4 make up our murder solving investigators! I love how their relationships changed and how well these four worked together :
Edwin, Peggy’s friend used to frequently do crossword puzzles. He was a very close friend and is shocked at her death. He said he thought she was quite healthy.
Benedict is a former monk, he is a caring neighbor and thinks Peggy’s death is suspicious, he loves murder mysteries
Natalka, is an amazing caregiver, we see her change a lot during the book, in a good way. She found Peggy dead and was the first to suggest this might be murder!
Harbinger Kaur is a very interesting character, she seems to have a rough exterior but she shows another side of herself in this novel
Nigel, Peggy’s son who doesn’t seem to be in mourning for his mother, in fact he starts packing the flat up to sell as soon as he could. Why was he in such a hurry, something isn’t right here.
Multiple murder victims whose names I will not mention or that would spoil the surprise :)
I really enjoyed this book, it was a very different side of Ms.Griffiths that I have not read before. I would recommend this book, it was a good mystery, well plotted and had great characters that made me care about them.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley
This novel will be published on March 2, 2021
Rating: really liked it
EXCERPT: Natalka turns back to Peggy. She looks at peace, that's what Patricia will say to Nigel. Passed away peacefully. There's a book open on the arm of Peggy's chair. 'Highrise Murder' by Dex Challoner. Peggy's binoculars are on the table beside her. There's also a pen,completed crossword and a pill dispenser, the sort that has the days of the week on it. There's something else too, a piece of paper just poking out from under the crossword. Natalka slides it out. It's a business card, very official, with black, curly writing.
Mrs M. Smith, it says.
Murder Consultant ABOUT 'THE POSTSCRIPT MURDERS': PS: thanks for the murders.
The death of a ninety-year-old woman with a heart condition should absolutely not be suspicious. DS Harbinder Kaur certainly sees nothing to concern her in carer Natalka's account of Peggy Smith's death.
But when Natalka reveals that Peggy lied about her heart condition and that she had been sure someone was following her...
And that Peggy Smith had been a 'murder consultant' who plotted deaths for authors, and knew more about murder than anyone has any right to...
And when clearing out Peggy's flat ends in Natalka being held at gunpoint by a masked figure...
Well then DS Harbinder Kaur thinks that maybe there is no such thing as an unsuspicious death after all.
MY THOUGHTS: 'No one knows the hour,not even the angels in heaven, or the Son himself...' - Matthew 24
There is something almost Christiesque about The Postscript Murders by Elly Griffiths. It has that feel of a Christie murder-mystery. The slow buildup, rather like a steam train pulling out of the station, the multiple suspects, the red herrings. But Griffiths murders and characters perhaps have a few more teeth than Christie's, and she is not above a bit of sarcasm, which I enjoy.
Although this is #2 in the Harbinder Kaur series, unusually for a series, the detective is not the focus of the book. The murder/s are firmly front and centre, with an ill assorted cast of amateur detectives playing the major role.
Natalka, carer for Peggy and a few of the other elderly residents of Seaview Manor, a residential care complex, has a past, one that she fears is catching up with her. Benedict, ex-Monk, now barista. He left because he fell out of love with God, although his faith is as strong as ever. And Edwin, in his eighties, ex BBC and a gentleman to the core, gay, and very observant. Convinced that Peggy's death was not natural, and that the police aren't taking it seriously enough, these three set out to investigate on their own. Although they do DS (who would love to be DI) Harbinder Kaur the courtesy of keeping in touch by text.
DS Kaur, who is almost 40 and still lives at home with her parents, is in turn frustrated and impressed by the skills and dedication of this group. Kaur is also gay, still hiding it from her parents, and disappointingly single. She has a nice line in sarcasm, and often thinks of her partner, Neil, as a little woodland animal, a cute squirrel who often nibbles at nuts somewhat larger than he is. Neil himself would have preferred to live in the times where detectives trampled all over the crime scene, pausing only to beat up suspects and drink beer, rather than having to worry about all the intricacies of forensics.
Although this series is immensely different to Elly Griffiths Ruth Galloway series, she still holds me spellbound with her use of words, both in her character and scenery descriptions, and her setting of atmosphere . . . '...the spaces beneath them. Old mining tunnels. Caverns measureless to man. Death and dread.' and 'ghost cottages with the gardens still in flower.'
I loved The Postscript Murders. I loved the characters. I loved the plot with its red herrings and twists. I loved the solution. It was something that I had not even considered! An altogether wonderful read.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.8
#ThePostscriptMurders #NetGalley
'It's such a civilised world; books, libraries, tea and cake.'
THE AUTHOR: Elly Griffiths' Ruth Galloway novels take for their inspiration Elly's husband, who gave up a city job to train as an archaeologist, and her aunt who lives on the Norfolk coast and who filled her niece's head with the myths and legends of that area. Elly has two children and lives near Brighton.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Quercus via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Postscript Murders by Elly Griffiths for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
Rating: really liked it
Unpopular opinion alert!
This was just a 3⭐️ read for me!
I loved “The Stranger Diaries”...the story within the book, the suspense, the hint of the Supernatural...
So, I was excited to receive approval to read an ARC of “The Postscript Murders”!
The death of 90 year old, Peggy Smith, reveals that she has been a “Murder Consultant” for several best-selling crime fiction authors! Her name appears in dedications and the acknowledgement pages of several books-apparently she was great at plotting and dreaming up new ways to murder someone!
P.S. Thanks for the Murders
P.S. for PS
I wanted to hear about how Peggy collaborated with the authors and brainstormed with them! I wanted to hear her ideas, and to get to know HER. Peggy could have been one of those characters that we never forget!
THAT is the book that I wanted to read!
But, alas, we didn’t get to spend time with Peggy beyond the Prologue.
Instead, we join her three friends (unlikely armchair detectives) and DI Harbinder Kaur (who was first introduced in The Stranger Diaries) for a “COZY” mystery, which at times read a bit like a farce to me because of a white Ford Fiesta which seemed to be lurking around all of the authors of the “Postscript Murders”.
It is not necessary to read “The Stranger Diaries” to read this one, but if you haven’t read it, it was the book which I preferred of the two, so you may want to start there.
Thank You to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
Rating: really liked it
This character driven mystery is perfect for fans of The Thursday Murder Club. It’s book two in a series about Harinder Kaur, a gay, 36 year old Sikh, female DS. A ninety year old “murder consultant” dies of an apparent heart attack. But Natalka , her caregiver, has misgivings and shares them with Harinder.
Griffiths’ sense of humor is still intact. When Natalka and Benedict, coffee shop owner and ex-monk, decide to investigate, they are confronted by a gun wielding masked man. “But he can’t deny it’s the most interesting thing to have happened to him since Brother Giles forgot the doxology in Matins.”
Each character is given a chance to narrate the story. Everyone is well developed, engaging and likable. They are people you would love to enjoy a cocktail with.
Peggy, the “murder consultant”, helped novelists find new and interesting ways of murdering their victims. As those novelists feature in the story, Griffiths is given even more opportunities to turn her wit to writers and their methods.
This isn’t a fast paced book. But I just found it very enjoyable entertainment. Griffiths harkens back to the “golden age” of crime stories, and the story definitely has a cozy, old fashioned feel to it despite the characters being distinctly modern.
It can easily be read as a standalone.
Kudos to Griffiths for having three different series, each of which I love.
My thanks to netgalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for an advance copy of this book.
Rating: really liked it
Ninety year old Peggy Smith observes two men from her window seat at her sheltered accommodation ‘Seaview Court’ in Shoreham, West Sussex. Peggy is an astute observer but why do they attract her attention? Shortly after this, Peggy is found dead by her Ukrainian born carer Natalka. Maybe her death is no surprise given Peggy’s age but Natalka is uneasy, as is fellow resident and friend, sprightly eighty year old Edwin. They discuss their thoughts with mutual friend and coffee shop owner Benedict and decide Natalka should go to the police with their suspicions. DS Harbinder Kaur investigates and this takes her from Shoreham to Aberdeen and back again in search of the truth. The story is told from several perspectives including Harbinder and this works really well.
First of all, although Peggy isn’t in in the book as such, you feel her fascinating and enigmatic presence throughout. She was a ‘murder consultant’ who helped many authors struggling with plot holes to find solutions and this is intrinsic in the storytelling. The characters are terrific as they are all colourfully likeable with really good back stories which makes them a cut above other characters in this genre. I’m sure Harbinder will feature again as she is such a good lead detective character but Natalka, Edwin and Benedict make such excellent amateur sleuths it would be great if they made another appearance too. There’s plenty of humour which I really like (several unladylike snorts of laugher throughout the reading!) and each chapter has a heading which is either obviously funny or dryly ironic. It is extremely well written, it has an old fashioned ‘Golden Age’ crime novel vibe to it but it’s not at all dated, in fact it feels clever, fresh and original. It has all the requisite features of a crime novel with some shocks, dangerous incidents, a killing spree, numerous twists and although it does get somewhat convoluted towards the end it’s a fun caper! I love the crime novel, television show references and quotes throughout and the wry commentary on the literary world is good too.
Overall, this is a very enjoyable read with an intriguing and well thought out plot that keeps you guessing. Recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and Quercus for the ARC
4-5 stars rounded up because of the entertainment value!
Rating: really liked it
The Golden Age of mysteries with a contemporary setting and overtones, aided by three quirky amateur detectives and, Harbinger, the gay, Sikh detective from the Stranger Diaries. It starts with the death of a ninety year old in a care home. A mystery afficiendo, her apartment is chock full of mystery novels, some aged, some more current. Her death is thought to be from a heart attack, but her care giver is not sure having been told by the woman that she thought someone had been watching her. She enlists the aid of a fellow pensioner at the home and an former monk who now owns a coffee shack. And we're off to the races.
A delightful blend of non graphic murder, wonderful characters, a look into the art of mysteries, much humor, and plenty of red herrings strewn hither and non. Loved the armchair today into Scotland and a book festival that features mystery writers that all seemed to know the dead women. Of course, more murders are soon committed making a strange case even stranger. Harbinger, brings us up to date in her life and tries to solve these mysteries while keeping track of her erstwhile amateurs.
This is a fun, well put together story. I've read all three of Griffiths series and loved every one. Her characterizations are top notch and the atmosphere created always, for me, feels authentic.
"Of course, plot is overrated,' says Lance. 'i try to get beyond what happens next.'
Edwin reminds himself never to read Lance's book."
Don't need to make that decision here, there is plenty of plot and plenty of Golden Age feel.
ARC from Edelweiss.
Rating: really liked it
3.5 starsIn this 2nd book in the Harbinder Kaur series, the police detective investigates several suspicious deaths. The book works fine as a standalone.
*****
Ninety-year-old Peggy Smith lives in Seaview Court, a seaside block of retirement flats in Shoreham, England. Peggy's a nosy-parker who likes to sit in her bay window and make notes about the people she sees outside.
Shortly after Peggy observes two suspicious men sitting in a car she's found dead in her apartment, a death that's ascribed to a heart attack.
Peggy's carer, a beautiful Ukranian woman called Natalka, doesn't buy the natural death scenario.
While packing Peggy's books, Natalka notes that many mystery novels are either dedicated to Peggy or mention Peggy in the acknowledgements, and Peggy has a business card that reads 'Mrs. M. Smith, Murder Consultant.'
Natalka hastens to the police station.....
....and reports her suspicions about Peggy's death to Detective Sergeant Harbinder Kaur.
Harbinder agrees that 'murder consultant' has a sinister ring to it, but isn't especially alarmed by (what seems to be) the death of an elderly woman from natural causes.
Natalka then shares her concerns with two friends who knew Peggy: Benedict - a thirtysomething former monk who now runs a coffee shop;
and Edwin - an elderly gent who lives in Peggy's apartment building.
With Natalka's urging, the odd threesome decide to launch their own investigation into Peggy's death, a seriocomic exercise that's both fun and dangerous.
The amateur sleuths attend Peggy's funeral, because the 'murderer always goes to the funeral', after which Natalka and Benedict search Peggy's apartment for clues. While the duo are looking through Peggy's things, a masked figure enters the residence, points a gun at them, grabs a book, and runs out.
This incident DOES make DS Harbinder Kaur suspicious, and the subsequent murder of a mystery author who mentioned Peggy in all his books clinches the deal. Harbinder accepts that the deaths of Peggy and the writer might be linked.
While Harbinder makes inquiries in Shoreham with her partner DS Neil Winston, Natalka, Benedict, and Edwin engage in a parallel investigation - one that takes them to a literary festival in Aberdeen.
Another death follows, and it looks like Natalka and her cohorts might be in danger as well.
The book's plot is engaging, but the best parts of the story are the characters.
♦ Natalka is an ex-pat who can't return to Ukraine because of the conflict with Russia. Natalka has a degree in maths, a facility for trading in cryptocurrencies, and a dangerous history with the Ukranian mafia. Natalka works as a carer to have a flexible job that provides a little money.
♦ Benedict is an amiable man who loved the spiritual life of a monk but came to yearn for 'a normal life.' Benedict is shy about meeting women, but hopes a special lady will miraculously walk into his life. The café owner loves to read mysteries, and turns out to be a clever detective.
♦ Edwin is an elegant gentleman who once worked for the BBC, and still has connections in the entertainment industry. Edwin is bored with his retirement life, and longs for interesting things to do. The chance to look into a crime is pure fun for him.
♦ DS Harbinder Kaur is a gay Sikh woman who still lives with her folks. Harbinder's parents run the family store, and her mom is a wonderful cook who serves delicious Indian cuisine.
Harbinder thinks of her police partner Neil Winston, who doesn't 'get' a lot of things, as a woodland creature - sly, slightly stupid, but ultimately lovable.
Harbinder's inner thoughts about Neil's animal persona (nibble nibble nibble; twitching nose and ruffled whiskers; a squirrel deprived of its nut) provide amusing mental images.
♦ DS Neil Winston is awed by wealthy people, loves pretty English villages, and thinks the rich and beautiful are above criminal activity. Despite these limitations, Neil is a decent detective....and he loves Mrs. Kaur's cooking.
♦ Other characters in the tale include home care workers, writers, editors, agents, publicists, family members, police officers, elderly ladies, Russians, and more - so there are plenty of suspects for the murders.
The story has clever twists, and armchair sleuths will be challenged to solve the crimes.
Thanks to Netgalley, Elly Griffiths, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for a copy of the book.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com
Rating: really liked it
For all you “cozy mystery” lovers, “The Postscript Murders” by Elly Griffiths is the book for you!
Author Griffiths told NPR that she was inspired by her own Aunt Marge, who provides Griffiths ideas and plots for murders. Griffiths wondered if there was such a thing as a murder consultant; if so, her aunt would be the perfect murder consultant.
Plus, Griffiths admits there is nothing cozy about murder, but there are avid readers who find comfort in a great murder mystery, sans blood and guts. Mysteries that are puzzles, that engage the reader in solving said puzzles are a must in creating a cozy mystery.
In “The Postscript Murders”, Peggy Smith is a ninety-year-old woman who sits by her window and watches the world go by. She catalogues what she sees, to keep herself amused. She also is a puzzle lover, an anagram solver. After she dies of an alleged heart condition, her care giver notices that all Peggy’s mystery books have acknowledged Peggy in the author’s notes. One says PS to PS, thanks for the murders. Plus, there is a business card with Peggy’s name and the title “Murder Consultant.” After a novelist dies(one that acknowledged Peggy), and through unlikely events, a motley group of amateur sleuths get together to try and solve the mystery of Peggy’s death and deaths of other novelists.
This is very clever and charming. Yes, a murder mystery book is charming. The motley group are eccentric and fun. And Griffiths keeps the reader involved in the silly antics of the group along with the murders. This is my first Elly Griffiths novel, and I must read her prior works.
Rating: really liked it
It's not meant to be. Ruth Galloway by Elly Griffiths is one of my favorite mysteries, and after seeing so many four to five stars I decided to give this book a go. Unfortunately, I could never find any point in the story nor characters that draw me in. I wish I DNF it but I was hoping I might enjoy the second half of it. It's probably a me problem than the book.
Rating: really liked it
This new series from Elly Griffiths featuring DS Harbinder Kaur, a thirty six year old gay Sikh woman still living with her parents, is shaping up to be very enjoyable. More cosy crime than police procedural, it has a lighter feel than her excellent Elly Griffiths series with a good infusion of humour.
In this second episode, the mystery is kicked off with the unexpected death of ninety year old, Peggy Smith, a woman with an interesting past and a self proclaimed Murder Consulatant who helps authors with plots for their murder mysteries. Her friends, pensioner Edwin, carer Natalka and cafe owner Benedict all become involved in solving the mystery of her death, much to Harbinder's amusement and despair. The amateur detectives are all interesting quirky characters, something the author writes so well. Harbinder is also developing well as an original character; a good detective with a kind heart who listens to people but gets the job done. The plot takes us into the world of writing and publishing and even to a literary festival. Well written with some good twists and a gentle humour, this was a fun and engaging read. 4.5★
With thanks to Quercus Books and Netgalley for a digital arc to read
Rating: really liked it
THE POSTSCRIPT MURDERS by Elly Griffiths combines death and authors within a novel that is a police procedural and almost a cozy mystery hybrid set in England and Scotland. The death of ninety-year-old Peggy Smith seems to be one of natural causes, but is it? One of her caretakers, Natalka Kolisnyk, thinks it is murder. While helping to clear out Peggy’s apartment, she notices the large number of murder mysteries; many of which have mentioned Peggy in their acknowledgement section. Detective Sergeant (DS) Harbinder Kaur doesn’t see anything out of the ordinary initially, but is willing to listen to Natalka. When a gunman breaks into Peggy’s apartment and steals a book, the situation rapidly changes and escalates.
Natalka and friends Benedict Cole and Edwin Fitzgerald decide they have to help Harbinder solve the case and take on the roles of amateur sleuths. DS Kaur seems to interact with the amateurs a little too freely, but it made for an enjoyable read. The characters of Harbinder and Natalka are well developed and showed growth. The supporting characters of Cole and Fitzgerald were not quite as well developed, but were adequate for their role. I felt that Harbinder’s partner, DS Neil Winston took too much of a backseat to be realistic.
The book changes point of view frequently, but the chapters are labeled with the character’s name and it is never confusing. The author did a great job of world-building. A strong sense of place made me feel like I was transported to Shoreham-by-Sea and Aberdeen. The plot is somewhat intricate with several subplots. There are lots of twists and turns and a few surprises along the way. The author’s sense of humor came through in the dialogue. Several themes are woven into the novel including death, murder, loneliness, elder care, religion, cultural differences, racism, and much more. Additionally, it also deals with books, authors, agents and publishers.
Overall, it was an entertaining book that approached an investigation with a serious, hardworking, and kind investigator that was willing to listen to some quirky amateur detectives. This is the second book in the Harbinder Kaur mystery series, and I recommend it to those that enjoy the genre. It was a fun read and I am looking forward to the next book featuring Harbinder as well as other series by this author. This is the first book that I have read by Elly Griffiths, but it won’t be the last.
Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for March 2, 2021.
