There is truly something for everyone in Elly Griffiths' The Man in Black & Other Stories, especially if you're already a fan of her books featuring Ruth Galloway, Max Mephisto, Justice Jones, and Harbinder Kaur.
Readers will get to experience Harbinder Kaur's first day on the job, Justice Jones as a 21-year-old private detective in London, and a few featuring Ruth and Nelson. There's even a story from the point of view of Ruth's cat, Flint.
The nineteen stories feature Scandinavian traditions, psychological suspense, love and loss, mini cozy mysteries, and some spine-tingling ghost stories. I think I read most of this book with a smile on my face.
My favorite stories? The very first one in the book, The Man in Black. I was enchanted by the very first line: "Ruth loves the bookshop at Jarrolds" and it got even better from there. A nameless forensic archaeologist made me smile in Articulation, and Flint's Fireside Tale was a treat.
If you're already an Elly Griffiths fan, this book is a must-read. If you haven't had the pleasure of reading one of her books, this may be the perfect introduction. She's one of the best writers of crime fiction today, so don't miss out!
The Man in Black & Other Stories by Elly Griffiths
ISBN: 9781529420494
Quercus © 2024
Hardcover, 320 pages
Short Story Collection
Rating: A
Source: Purchased from Amazon UK.
Oh, I must read this book. I bet the library will take forever to get it, given the city's budget cuts.
ReplyDeleteI hope not, but so many libraries are facing those cuts---some of them in danger of losing all their funding.
DeleteOK, this one just went right onto my TBR, Cathy. The other books on it can just deal with it! This isn't one I want to miss.
ReplyDeleteI don't want you to miss it either!
DeleteI had heard about this one, but now I'll definitely be watching for it. I'm not much of a short story lover, but....it's Elly Griffiths. Exceptions can be made - ha!
ReplyDeleteYou betcha!
DeleteThat first line is very intriguing. I want to know more about this bookshop.🙂
ReplyDeleteIt's a story written by someone who loves books and bookshops.
DeleteHow fun that there are stories about all her different characters in this one! I'm not a huge fan of short story collections, but I totally want to read this one. :D
ReplyDeleteI appreciate short stories much more now than I have in the past, but I still wouldn't say that I'm a huge fan. However, THIS is an exception! :-)
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