This is my first book of the year and the first book that fits under 1 of the 12 categories I chose as a goal for this year. My introduction will be the category I chose and a short overview of the book.
Mystery. A sleepy English town is not so sleepy anymore (murder). An editor who goes from being behind the scenes to being the star of the show (solving murder).
This book is set up in two parts. The first part is the manuscript of a book that the main character Susan Ryeland is reading because she is an editor. The second half is about her trying to figure out who killed the author of the manuscript that she reads in the first half. A weird recommendation I have would be to read the first half without trying to solve the mystery. I know that sounds strange to say since this is a mystery, but it all comes together in the end and it is so much more satisfying seeing it solved by Susan. The book is very clever and entertaining which seems like the perfect recipe for a whodunit.
The ending of the first half will make you feel unsatisfied which is what I assume the author intended. The second half wouldn’t need to exist if the ending was complete. He sure makes you wait until the ver end. I’ve never read a book within a book and I have to say I found it to be a very fun experience. I don’t have quotes to post like I usually do because I don’t think any of them will add to this post. Every little detail is important when reading this book and quotes would just be out of place.
I’m not sure I would say I enjoyed learning who the murderer/murderers are as much as I loved the way the author solved it. It amazes me that he could keep everything straight in order to create an ending that you can actually understand. There are so many moving parts which could easily make it complicated and confusing.
I can’t end this post without saying how hilarious I found it that the author Anthony Horowitz, mentions Midsomer Murders, a detective tv show that he created, so many times. I get the feeling from his writing that he very much enjoys what he is doing and it made me smile.
Book It Babe 