Quercus | 29 September 2022 | 352 pgs
Source: Library
This is the third installment of Elly Griffiths' Harbinder Kaur series and I've to admit I'm addicted to this series since book one. While each book can be read as a standalone, I'd recommend reading them in order for the characters developments.
The story begins with Harbinder now serving in the Met as a DI in the Homicide and Serious Crimes Unit and her first case involved a prominent MP who is found dead during a school reunion party at Manor Park School. At first glance, Garfield Rice's death seems likely to link with drug overdose with the syringes found at the crime scene but forensic later claims that this isn't the case.
To complicate matters, Harbinder's subordinate, DS Cassie Fitzgerald, is present at the same reunion party. She and Garfield were schoolmates alongside with a few others who are known as "The group" back during their school days twenty one years ago. While this group of seven members differ in characteristics, status and moral values, they've one secret which they've shared within themselves - the murder of a schoolmate named David Moore and they're all complicit in the crime, though it is also stated early on in the story that Cassie was directly involved. As the story progresses, Harbinder couldn't shun the feelings that these two cases might be related despite the years apart. Is Garfield's death simply a political motive given his upcoming campaign and some enemies he'd met along the way? Or is it Cassie or one of "The group" who wouldn't mind killing again for some reason?
The story was told in three narratives with present and past timeline: Harbinder, Cassie and Anna (one of the group members) and each of their voices add intrigue and depth to the story. Harbinder has become one of my favourite female detectives and I loved her calm, competence and meticulous mind in her investigations. She's family oriented (she's single but she's close with her parents) and I enjoyed reading her relationship with her two flatmates and her two other invaluable subordinates, DS Kim Manning and DS Jake Barker (both whom I hope we'll see more of in this series). Also, the London setting and Bleeding Heart Yard (a courtyard in Holborn. Read more here) add intrigue and atmosphere to the suspense and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Overall a good read if you love police procedural and a strong female character.
Harbinder Kaur Books in order:
#1 - The Stranger Diaries
© 2023 Melody's Reading Corner (https://mel-reading-corner.blogspot.sg/), All Rights Reserved. If you are reading this post from other site(s), please take note that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
Posts
Melody, I've read The Stranger Diaries and loved it. I'm going to read The Postscript Murders for a mystery book group meeting in May and then I've already got Bleeding Heart Yard. I'm very interested in this one, but I'll wait until I get #2 read. Thanks for telling about your reading experience.
I'm now two books behind in this series! This one sounds as good as the first one. Someday maybe I'll get caught up. ;D
Kay - I loved The Postscript Murders as well. I hope you'll enjoy reading that book and Bleeding Heart Yard when you get to it, Kay.
Lark - You can catch up with this series since there are only three books to-date. ;) I hope Elly Griffiths write quickly for the next installment. I'm really looking forward to it.
I haven'gt read any in her new series and have to catch up with her Ruth mysteries, which I really enjoyed.
https://bookdilettante.blogspot.com/
Harvee - This is a series which I'd recommend. :)
What a beautiful cover! I did read The Stranger Diaries and loved it so I need to catch up on this series as it sounds like it's getting better and better!
Iliana - I loved that cover! This is a series I'd definitely follow for sure. :)