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A review by rgoth
Bleeding Heart Yard by Elly Griffiths
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I would rate this book 3.5 ⭐, which I ultimately rounded up to a 4.
This instalment felt like a departure from the previous two books in the series, and unfortunately, it lost some of the magical charms that drew me in earlier. While DI Harbinder Kaur’s transition to London is a significant change, it wasn’t solely that shift that affected my engagement with the story. The plot, while still intriguing, didn’t possess the same level of complexity and suspense that I had come to expect from the earlier instalments.
I also found myself struggling with the numerous points of view presented throughout the book. It took me quite some time to get into the flow of the narrative, and I was well into the story before I could keep track of all the characters’ perspectives. This was particularly challenging because several of the viewpoints belonged to people who were students together and whose experiences overlapped, creating a bit of confusion.
Despite these drawbacks, the mystery itself is well-crafted and engaging. I managed to piece together some clues, but I still misidentified the killer, which speaks to Griffiths' skill as a storyteller. Her ability to weave a complex narrative is commendable, and the characters are notably well-developed and realistic, which adds depth to the story. I have a strong affinity for DI Kaur, and despite my mixed feelings about this book, it hasn't deterred me from wanting to continue reading the series. I'm looking forward to seeing where Griffiths takes the characters next!
This instalment felt like a departure from the previous two books in the series, and unfortunately, it lost some of the magical charms that drew me in earlier. While DI Harbinder Kaur’s transition to London is a significant change, it wasn’t solely that shift that affected my engagement with the story. The plot, while still intriguing, didn’t possess the same level of complexity and suspense that I had come to expect from the earlier instalments.
I also found myself struggling with the numerous points of view presented throughout the book. It took me quite some time to get into the flow of the narrative, and I was well into the story before I could keep track of all the characters’ perspectives. This was particularly challenging because several of the viewpoints belonged to people who were students together and whose experiences overlapped, creating a bit of confusion.
Despite these drawbacks, the mystery itself is well-crafted and engaging. I managed to piece together some clues, but I still misidentified the killer, which speaks to Griffiths' skill as a storyteller. Her ability to weave a complex narrative is commendable, and the characters are notably well-developed and realistic, which adds depth to the story. I have a strong affinity for DI Kaur, and despite my mixed feelings about this book, it hasn't deterred me from wanting to continue reading the series. I'm looking forward to seeing where Griffiths takes the characters next!