The Man in Black & Other Stories by Elly Griffiths

 

First Line (from The Man in Black): Ruth loves the bookshop at Jarrolds.

 

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.

The Last Word by Elly Griffiths

 

First Lines: Monday, 4 April 2022. There are some advantages to being the oldest sleuth in the country, thinks Edwin.

 

Even though Natalka and Edwin's detective agency in Shoreham is kept busy with minor cases, Natalka longs for a big, juicy investigation. Then her wish comes true.

 

Melody Chambers, a local writer, is found dead, and her daughters are convinced it was murder. Edwin, a big fan of newspaper obituaries, thinks there's a link to the writer of Chambers' obituary, a man who predeceased his subject. 

Their investigation leads them to a rather strange writers' retreat, and when another writer is found dead, Edwin thinks that the solution lies in the stories written at the retreat. Realizing they need professional help, Natalka and Edwin turn to their friend, police detective Harbinder Kaur. What they find is a plot that's stranger than fiction.

~

The more Elly Griffiths writes, the more I admire her skill and artistry. When I learned that The Last Word would be a return to Natalka, Benedict, and Edwin-- characters last seen in The Postscript Murders-- I couldn't wait to read it, and it certainly did not disappoint.

Readers get to experience the story from the points of view of the three main characters: Natalka, an Eastern European caregiver who runs a detective agency on the side; her live-in boyfriend, Benedict, a former monk who runs a coffee shop at the beach; and Edwin, a former BBC employee who's on the far side of seventy. Natalka's life has been further complicated by her mother moving in and the news that her brother is in the army fighting in Ukraine. Is it any wonder that she wants a big, juicy investigation to take her mind off her worries?

The Last Word takes us into the worlds of writing retreats, book clubs, authors, and obituary writing. I love how Griffiths ties her story and characters into the here and now of our everyday world by mentioning things like the song "Jolene", a television series called "The Repair Shop", Goodreads ratings, and even tennis legends Federer and Nadal.

Harbinder Kaur is tangential to the story. She appears only a few times to give Natalka, Benedict, and Edwin advice even though she really doesn't want to become involved because "Authors, in Harbinder's experience, mean trouble."

I was enjoying myself immensely, but when all the pieces of the puzzle finally fell into place, I actually crowed with delight at the unveiling of the mystery's complete construction. (And you'll rarely hear me crow.) What a wonderful story peopled with characters who seem actual flesh and blood! Do yourself a favor. Get your hands on a copy of this book, sit back, and savor.

The Last Word by Elly Griffiths

ISBN: ‎ 9781529433432

Quercus Books © 2024

Hardcover, 352 pages

 

Private Investigator

Rating: A+

Purchased from Amazon UK

Bleeding Heart Yard by Elly Griffiths

 

First Line: Is it possible to forget that you've committed a murder?

 

When a Member of Parliament dies at his school reunion, it quickly becomes apparent that he did not die of an accidental drug overdose. Newly promoted and moved to London, Detective Inspector Harbinder Kaur is put in charge of the investigation and makes the acquaintance of the rest of "The Group". Twenty-one years ago, The Group was inseparable. Now they've grown apart and gone their quite exceptional separate ways. Two Members of Parliament. An award-winning actress. A famous rock star. A police officer. And a teacher living in Italy.

The death of one of their group dredges up memories of the death of another schoolmate twenty-one years ago. Kaur deploys her troops and begins gathering facts. Could the murder be linked to business lunches in a restaurant at Bleeding Heart Yard? Or could it have something to do with that young man's death over twenty years ago? That's what Kaur and her team must find out-- and fast-- because there's been another death.

~

I enjoy Elly Griffiths' writing so much that I'm beginning to think that her grocery lists should make the bestseller list, too. Many writers can "do" the mystery and the setting, but extremely few can combine those two elements with a finely crafted and multi-layered cast of characters. When you pick up an Elly Griffiths novel, it's a given that you're going to love, not just the main character(s), but the secondary ones as well. Bleeding Heart Yard is no exception.

Although Griffiths never intended for the lesbian Sikh police officer to be a recurring character, I am thrilled that this is now the third book in which Harbinder Kaur has appeared. In Bleeding Heart Yard, she's been promoted and is now living in London with two roommates, a teacher and an architect. I enjoyed seeing how she works with her team-- Cassie, who must stay out of the investigation because she's a member of the group of school friends linked to the dead man; the empathetic Kim who has an encyclopedic knowledge of London restaurants; the not-so-bright Tory; and the manspreading Jake. The book is told from various points of view, but Harbinder's is the best. Her thoughts and observations illuminate her character, and they're often quite humorous. Before I forget, a trio of characters from The Postscript Murders makes an appearance here, and it gives me hope that we may see them again. (Remember what I said about Griffiths' genius for characterization?)

Okay, enough about the characters. What about the mystery? Glory hallelujah-- I never saw the ending coming, and that's a rare occurrence for me. I love it when that happens, especially when I stop, think back, and can see where all the clues were planted. Clues that I ignored because I was enjoying the characters and the story so much.

Do you have series burnout and just don't want to start at book one (The Stranger Diaries)? Bleeding Heart Yard works well as a standalone, so confusion should not be a problem. However, don't be surprised if you find yourself looking for the other two books, and if you're new to Elly Griffiths (I almost envy you), she also writes the splendid Dr. Ruth Galloway series. Don't miss Ruth or Harbinder!

Bleeding Heart Yard by Elly Griffiths

eISBN:  9780063289307

Mariner Books © 2022

eBook, 352 pages

 

Police Procedural, #3 Harbinder Kaur mystery

Rating: A+

Source: Purchased from Amazon.