Simeon's Bride

Rating:
Summary: can that really be the author's attitude?
Review: this is an absorbing mystery (the solution is not telegraphed from the first page) written beautifully. the procedural aspect is realistic. the three main male characters are three dimensional and their interaction feels real. the only problem i have with it is: does the author really think women are this appalling? (second question: is the author really a woman?)

if i hadn't first read the author's third book,'house of women,'in which the female characters are varied, flawed but frequently admirable, i might not have been able to enjoy this book as much as i did. in 'simeon's bride,' the female characters are, with only one exception, horrid. with the exception of the victim, some of whose motivations are not explained, they are not unrealistic, they are well drawn, but they are definitely not women i would want to know. and the author almost seems to present them as the normal run of women. i will say that there is one male character who excels the women in sheer disgusting, contemptible nastiness, so there is some balance between the genders.

nevertheless, this is a book i would recommend. the author writes well, with some wonderful turns of phrase and descriptive passages. the dialogue is enjoyable, too. the plot is as twisty as any mystery reader could want. the secondary characters are well done. atmosphere is well conveyed. for a first novel, it is amazingly good.

Rating:
Summary: Icy fingers up and down my spine!
Review: This is quite possibly the best series of mysteries I have ever read and I wish Taylor would keep cranking them out. I can't remember reading a book where I was actually "there" for the entire thing--even SIMEON'S BRIDE which was my first experience with Taylor's writing. The characters are human and likeable and the plot never thins nor weakens in any way. I've read this book twice and intend to read it again. Superb!!!

Rating:
Summary: Icy fingers up and down my spine!
Review: This is quite possibly the best series of mysteries I have ever read and I wish Taylor would keep cranking them out. I can't remember reading a book where I was actually "there" for the entire thing--even SIMEON'S BRIDE which was my first experience with Taylor's writing. The characters are human and likeable and the plot never thins nor weakens in any way. I've read this book twice and intend to read it again. Superb!!!

Rating:
Summary: Thoroughly engrossing British mystery.
Review: This mystery will please fans of Elizabeth George. The main characters are fleshed out and interest you from the beginning. The plot is very absorbing and the setting in Wales only intensifies the air of "mystery" about it. I enjoyed this mystery immensely and look forward to reading more of Ms. Taylor's books and continuing to get to know DCI McKenna.

Rating:
Summary: can that really be the author's attitude?
Review: Three policemen try to unravel first the identity and then the reason for the murder of a woman found hanged near 'Gallows Cottage'.The men have an uneasy and at times bickering association. There is much of interest in the locale and characters involved. I found the book to be enjoyable and am anxious to read Mrs. Taylor's next installment. She is a good writer with strong beliefs who expresses all the petty and serious discontents faced by "Everyman".The mystery is inhabited by familiar ghosts. Mrs. Taylor observes of one character, who has left his wife and alienated most others around him that, "...he waited for Death, the only visitor likely to call." A thoughtful mystery with more than murder on its mind.

Rating:
Summary: Good start to a Wales based mystery series.
Review: Three policemen try to unravel first the identity and then the reason for the murder of a woman found hanged near 'Gallows Cottage'.The men have an uneasy and at times bickering association. There is much of interest in the locale and characters involved. I found the book to be enjoyable and am anxious to read Mrs. Taylor's next installment. She is a good writer with strong beliefs who expresses all the petty and serious discontents faced by "Everyman".The mystery is inhabited by familiar ghosts. Mrs. Taylor observes of one character, who has left his wife and alienated most others around him that, "...he waited for Death, the only visitor likely to call." A thoughtful mystery with more than murder on its mind.