Dear Fellow Reader,
Garden of Lamentations is the newest release in Deborah Crombie’s British mystery series featuring Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James. The first book in the series was published in 1993 and with this book there are now 17 books in the series. When the books started, Gemma James was a Sargent reporting to Duncan Kincaid. In that first book, A Share of Death, the reader also learns that Gemma is a single parent with a young son. Duncan is divorced or almost divorced (I don’t remember – it was a long time ago!)
I
would suggest that you start at the beginning of the series and read the books in order. The characters grow quite a bit in the series. If I have any quibble about the latest book, it is that you really need to remember what happened in the prior book. The last book, To Dwell in Darkness, came out in 2014. I don’t know about you, but I don’t remember a lot about books that I read three years ago. If I had known, I would have re-read the last book again prior to reading Garden of Lamentations.
I enjoyed the book. The Deborah Crombie books have twists and turns and interesting characters. There is not only the “who done it” part of the mystery but the story also tells what is going on in the main character’s lives. In the same spirit as Elizabeth George and P.D. James, you get to know the characters; you don’t just read for that book’s “who done it.” I think the characters in Crombie’s books are far more normal. I like the series from the other two authors but I think Crombie’s characters, Duncan and Gemma, are more normal and warm.
In this book, Gemma is working on the murder of a young nanny. The young girl’s body was found in a shared private garden behind the house where she was employed. At the same time, Duncan finds that his supervisor who had been off on leave is back and he tries to see him. He was told the man was not in but soon after received an anonymous text setting up a meeting. While fairly sure the text is from his old supervisor, Duncan has some misgivings about going to the meeting. Upon arriving, he finds his previous supervisor. They have a very short conversation that Duncan feels is unsatisfactory. Duncan finds out the next day that the man was brutally attacked after leaving the meeting. The situation leads Duncan to believe there is something is not right with Scotland Yard and he and his prior associates start investigating the issue.
Facebook Followings
If you like Elizabeth Berg and Louse Penny, I suggest that you follow them on Facebook. They have lovely posts. I liked their books but now since I have been following them, I like them even more. When I read Elizabeth Berg’s posts, I just think we could be best friends. I know that is silly but her posts resonate with me. If you are unfamiliar with Louse Penny, she is a Canadian author of the Inspector Gamache series. I dare you to read the first book in the series, Still Life, and not be drawn in. Her writing is wonderful and the world of Three Pines is hard to leave.
100 Days
My 100 days of not shopping will be ending next week. I have not been completely successful but I did stop myself many times. I am now thinking about the next 100 days. What goal will I pick for them? Have you been inspired to try something new or change a habit lately? Let me know in the comments. I could use some inspiration.
Thanks for reading!
The Amazon links above are affiliate links that if used could bring me a commission. As I have said before, I have yet to make a penny with these. I think you need to know that I still hold out hope that someday I will make at least a penny.
Carol Early Cooney 
Wow! Great job on your 100 days of not shopping! (Even with a little cheating.) Speaking of shopping, if I ever decide to buy one of the books you recommend, I will be sure to use your link! 🙂