Tag Archives: Criminal Element

Book review: The Missing Sister

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The Missing Sister

The Missing Sister,
by  Elle Marr
Thomas & Mercer
4/1/2020
Mystery/Thriller
300 pages
Goodreads

You can follow the author on Twitter @ellemarr_

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The Missing Sister by Elle Marr is a thrilling debut, set in Paris, where one twin sister has seemingly vanished, and the other must scramble to solve the mystery and find her sister before the danger turns deadly.

Elle Marr is far from being the first author to choose the Catacombs of Paris as her setting. And yet, in her debut, The Missing Sister, she manages to create a very atmospheric thriller with gripping scenes that will cause shivers.

VERDICT: The Missing Sister is a very promising debut—atmospheric, gripping, and set in Paris. In other words, the perfect ingredients for a satisfying result.

Please go to Criminal Element to read my full review

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Book review: A Noël Killing

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A Noel KilllingA Noël Killing,
by  M.L. Longworth
Penguin Random House
11/12/2019
Crime / Mystery
304 pages
Goodreads

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M.L. Longworth recently talked on Criminal Element about mysteries set in small towns. Her latest mystery, A Noël Killing, the eighth volume of her Verlaque and Bonnet series, is set in Aix-en-Provence.

The description of the city, with its famous places, streets, plazas, and restaurants,  and of the food offered there, is nicely done.

VERDICT: If you want to try a Christmas mystery with a Provence setting, you may find A Noël Killing enjoyable.
It was too slow for me, and as I notice the same criticism applied by other readers to the first book in this series, I don’t think I’ll stay in the company of Verlaque and Bonnet. Joyeux Noël ! 

Please go to Criminal Element to read my full review

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Book review: A Better Man

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A Better ManA Better Man
by  Louise Penny
Macmillan/Minotaur Books
08/27/2019
Mystery/Thriller
448 pages
Goodreads

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A Better Man by Louise Penny is the latest addition to the #1 New York Times bestselling series starring Armand Gamache.

She has done it again. With a vengeance. Take the same backwater in Québec, the same core of main characters, and write fifteen crime stories with that. You will probably end up with predictable plots. But Louise Penny doesn’t. Not ever. A Better Man is here to prove it. Once more.

VERDICT: Louise Penny is a mystery in herself. Once again, for this #15 i the series, she managed to deliver a unique book, with an original plot. And red herrings. And many twists and layers. 

Please go to Criminal Element to read my full featured review

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