Sunday Salon: St. Patrick’s Day & A Murder Mystery

Welcome to another edition of Sunday Salon where we discuss the books we’ve read and the ones we want to read.

Hope everyone is enjoying St. Patrick’s Day and that the luck of the Irish is with you. While I don’t have a book set in Ireland to share with you today, I do have one set in London. It’s a murder mystery that is part of an intriguing series. So let’s get comfortable and talk books.

The Sound of Broken Glass by Deborah Crombie

One of the joys of reading is being transported to places you couldn’t visit otherwise. Author Deborah Crombie excels in placing her readers smack-dab in the middle of London with her Kincaid/James series.

Crombie’s latest release, The Sound of Broken Glass, is the 15th installment in the series and can be read alone. However, don’t be surprised if you find yourself looking for prior stories involving the pair and the cases they’ve investigated.

Narrator Gerald Doyle does an excellent job bringing the characters to life with his distinct British accent. He gives each their own unique voice making it hard to believe there’s only one narrator. His cadence gives great emphases to the emotions portrayed throughout the story.

Detective Inspector Gemma James and Detective Sergeant Melody Talbot are called to a murder scene at a seedy hotel in Crystal Palace in South London. A well-respected barrister has been found dead, naked and tied to the bed. Their investigation leads them to a local pub where the victim was last seen. As they learn more, the investigation expands and leads Melody to cross a line of conduct involving a sexy guitarist.

Meanwhile, Gemma’s husband, Detective Superintendent Duncan Kincaid, has taken personal leave from work. He is caring for the couple’s children, especially their foster daughter, 3-year-old Charlotte, who is having problems adjusting since her parents were murdered.

The story is beautifully woven between events in the past and present bringing the elements full circle. The lead characters are well-developed and very likable. The secondary characters add their own flare to the story.

Crombie combines the elements of 2 mysterious murders with the daily home life of her characters. By blending the two, she makes the characters realistic in their pursuit of family and career.

An eye for detail, Crombie’s descriptions of the setting adds to the story. Each chapter also begins with a bit of history concerning Crystal Palace making it as much a character in the story as the people. Crombie’s way with the words and phrases of London makes it difficult to believe it’s not the author’s home instead of McKinney, Texas.

The Sound of Broken Glass moves at a steady pace. It has its moments of humor, suspense, romance, and family. The twists will keep you guessing who the real killer is until the end. Even though these murders are solved, Crombie opens the door for the next installment in this series leaving fans eagerly awaiting the next case.

While I still haven’t figured out how the title ties in with the story, it is a book I highly recommend. The story is mesmerizing as it flows back and forth. The suspense will hold you captive while you waver between suspects. 

Author Deborah Crombie’s website is www.deborahcrombie.com  

The Sound of Broken Glass by Deborah Crombie, A Kincaid/James Novel, Performed by Gerald Doyle, Harper Audio, @2013, ASIN: B00B29PRGK, Unabridged, Digital Download, Listening Time: 11 Hours 37 Minutes

FTC Full Disclosure - This audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
 
Thanks for stopping by today. I’d like to end with a couple of old Irish Blessings for you:

May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life's passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!

And

May your neighbors respect you,
Trouble neglect you,
The angels protect you,
And heaven accept you.