Rating: 
Summary: Crombie has talent, but she breaks no new ground.
Review: "Kissed a Sad Goodbye" is a workmanlike police procedural. The strengths of the books are its dialogue, which is realistic, and the flashbacks to World War II, which are nicely done. However, the plot of the "too beautiful woman who drives men mad" has been done to death (excuse the pun). It is a tired cliche. As the plot line dragged on, and the red herrings piled up, I became restive. The books could have been edited and the ending was far too melodramatic. The author's attempt to make a downbeat book a little more upbeat by getting some couples together at the end falls flat. Elizabeth George, P. D. James and Ruth Rendell do it better.
Rating: 
Summary: Fresh exhilerating Kincaid-James entry
Review: Annabelle Hammond is so beautiful that men flock to her as Pooh Bear does to honey. Anyone who knows her figures she has it all since she has a doting fiancé and operates a tea business that she loves. However, someone must not have been a fan of Annabelle because the young woman with everything to live for was murdered. Detective Superintendent Duncan Kincaid and his partner and lover Gemma James begin to investigate. Duncan finds the case difficult because of personal problems. His beloved Gemma seems to be changing even as she seems to be hiding a secret from him. He also struggles to connect with a son he never knew existed until recently. The case is a major distraction. Many people seem to detest the victim, but he wonders who would have the strongest motive to kill her. To learn the truth and subsequently uncover the killer, the police will have to look to the distant past for the reason. The Kincaid-James series never seems to grow stale as Deborah Crombie continually modifies the personal lives of her lead characters. Because they already seem like an everyman or woman, the changes make them feel genuine. The delicious flashbacks to WW II enhance a brilliant who-done-it. Once again Ms. Crombie provides her audience with an especially entertaining novel. Harriet Klausner
Rating: 
Summary: Terrific, as usual!
Review: Deborah Crombie has done it again. It's amazing that this Texan writes such "English" mystery novels. This time out, she fashions an intricate plot involving a present-day murder, and a World War II mystery. In addition, Duncan and Gemma are having personal problems, in the style of Elizabeth George. Thoroughly enjoyable!
Rating:
Summary: one of the best British mysteries I have ever read.
Review: Having read all of Ms. Crombie's other mysteries, and being a devoted fan of the British mystery genre, I can truly say this is one of the finest novels I have ever read. The plot is incredibly woven together without being overly complicated, and the character portrayals are magnificent. If you like P.D.James, Peter Robinson, or Cynthia Harrod-Eagles, this particular book will blow you away! It has my vote for the next Edgar Award!
Rating:
Summary: Another good one!
Review: I am reading this series in succession and very much enjoying it.
You've read the synopsis of the book. The story weaves back and forth, somewhat convoluted. Gemma almost strays with Gordon. Some may be disappointed in this but really, should Kincaid have all the delicious temptations before he realizes Gemma is the ONE! The solution was surprising, but DC had to find a murderer and it was different. I thought the ending(s)tightened up nicely. I always like to know what happens to everyone. A quick read!
Rating:
Summary: Another good one!
Review: I am reading this series in succession and very much enjoying it.
You've read the synopsis of the book. The story weaves back and forth, somewhat convoluted. Gemma almost strays with Gordon. Some may be disappointed in this but really, should Kincaid have all the delicious temptations before he realizes Gemma is the ONE! The solution was surprising, but DC had to find a murderer and it was different. I thought the ending(s)tightened up nicely. I always like to know what happens to everyone. A quick read!
Rating:
Summary: Pretty good mystery for first-time author.
Review: I enjoyed this mystery. I don't think I've read Crombie before (but I may have lost track given the amount of books I read!)
This story had several sub-plots intertwined with the main mystery, the murder of a beautiful young woman in a park. Much of the sub-plots had to do with parent-child relationships between both the primary investigator, Duncan, and his chort, Gemma. Both have children who have lost a parent for one reason or another, and both are coping with guilt over having to leave their children to perform their respective jobs. This is a real problem in today's world, and it is not easily coped with. It is not until the mystery is solved that it become apparent that it also deals with family relationships. I got led off on several other possibilities for the woman's murderer, but they all were too pat, and I should have known better. There is a twist at the end that does make sense in some ways, though physically I wondered if the murderer had the strength to do the deed. I enjoyed the history of the Docklands (snippets at the front of each chapter) and the history of the children in Britain who were forced from London into homes that were alien in the countryside due to the WWII Blitz by the Germans. I always like a little history with my mystery.... Karen Sadler
Rating:
Summary: A very satisfying novel...
Review: I guess I'm lucky because this was my first Deborah Crombie novel, so I couldn't compare it to earlier "better" works as I read it. I enjoyed it so much, however, I checked out all the other Crombie novels from the library and read them. I can see a definite progession in her writing (not the story line between the two detectives but actual improvement in her ability to develop her characters.) She seems to write more and more satisfying novels as she goes along. While I read "Kissed a Sad Goodbye" I pulled out one of my maps of London, and followed the trail. This may have helped me enjoy it. I like to follow maps while I read if the author is naming and describing places. I also may have enjoyed the book more because I was in the Docklands in last fall, and walked the tunnel under the Thames to Greenwich and through the little village itself. I had wanted to see the tunnel since I read P.D. James novel "Original Sin". Mudchute was also featured in "Playing for the Ashes" written by Elizabeth George, and I think the area was captured in the film "Career Girls" too. Also, I am an inveterate tea drinker and fan, so I loved the description of the tea business.
Rating:
Summary: A very satisfying novel...
Review: I guess I'm lucky because this was my first Deborah Crombie novel, so I couldn't compare it to earlier "better" works as I read it. I enjoyed it so much, however, I checked out all the other Crombie novels from the library and read them. I can see a definite progession in her writing (not the story line between the two detectives but actual improvement in her ability to develop her characters.) She seems to write more and more satisfying novels as she goes along. While I read "Kissed a Sad Goodbye" I pulled out one of my maps of London, and followed the trail. This may have helped me enjoy it. I like to follow maps while I read if the author is naming and describing places. I also may have enjoyed the book more because I was in the Docklands in last fall, and walked the tunnel under the Thames to Greenwich and through the little village itself. I had wanted to see the tunnel since I read P.D. James novel "Original Sin". Mudchute was also featured in "Playing for the Ashes" written by Elizabeth George, and I think the area was captured in the film "Career Girls" too. Also, I am an inveterate tea drinker and fan, so I loved the description of the tea business.
Rating:
Summary: Very good until the end
Review: I liked this book very much; was intrigued by the plot and the switching back and forth between present day and WWII England. I felt there was not enough character development of the murderer and also was disappointed in the handling of the relationship Gemma almost or did have with the musician. But a very well thought out plot and great twists!
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