Garden of Lamentations

I have long loved the Duncan Kincaid and Jemma James series, and every book in it is well-worth the read, but this book! This is the 17th book in the series, and I think by far the best! Deborah Crombie lives in Texas, but she spends a great deal of time in London doing research for her books. She writes of London and it's streets and buildings like a true Londoner. In this book Jemma and Duncan are each on their own investigations since they work for different districts. Jemma is on the trail of a particularly sadistic killer of a young Nanny who is found in a park not far from where Jemma and Duncan live. What starts out as a seemingly simple investigation, turns into one with repercussions close to home. Duncan is on his own show more investigation into something that has far-reaching consequences. A close friend and his old superviosr was mugged on his way home after an evening when he had met Duncan for a drink. Duncan realizes that Denis Childs has a past history that is reaching it's cold fingers out to the present and to people and colleagues that are still in the force today. A trail of apparent suicides and accidents of police officers or former officers, is leading Duncan into a morass of danger, deception and corruption which extends high up into the upper echelons of the force. Through it all we have glimpses of Gemma and Duncan's family life with their three children and numerous pets. It's these glimpses into domesticity that put both cases in a very chilling light, since all could be endangered by either one of their investigations. This is a grab-you-by-throat thriller which will keep you madly turning pages until the end. I highly recommend this book and this series to people who love hard-hitting thrillers with a very human aspect. Duncan and Gemma are so realistically portrayed that it all becomes personal to the reader as you read through the books. show less

It's been a long three years between the publication of To Dwell in Darkness and this latest Kincaid and James mystery, Garden of Lamentations. Crombie's series has been one of my favorites since I read the very first book, so getting this latest installment was a major priority. I'd barely started reading when I found myself sinking into the magic of a good story and one of the best casts of characters in fiction.

There was a very palpable feeling of danger around Duncan, and since he felt as though he couldn't confide in Gemma, this led to some strain and bitterness on Gemma's part. And speaking of Gemma-- I do love the way she treats witnesses during her investigations. There's such a gentleness and compassion to the way she behaves show more that I think I'd be telling her all my deep dark secrets within five minutes.

Duncan's plotline held most of the danger while Gemma's gave us an intimate look at the families living in those London homes that share a private garden. In their relationships and behavior, the families sharing one of those gardens are a microcosm of London. Both investigations compliment each other very well, and with an interesting proposal by Kincaid's parents at the end of the book, here I am in a very familiar position: waiting eagerly for Deborah Crombie's next book! show less

I'm a big fan of Deborah Crombie's series that features Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James. The latest (#17) is Garden of Lamentations.

Now both working for Scotland Yard, Gemma and Duncan have two puzzling - and disturbing - cases on their hands. Gemma is after the murderer of a young woman found in a private London garden. And Duncan believes that there's a traitor in the ranks - especially after a former mentor is attacked. This thread has been present in the last few books - and comes to a head in Garden of Lamentations.

I've written in my previous reviews ..."the most captivating of all, is the large group of characters that appear in each book, their lives changing and growing with every new entry. They're so well drawn, they've become show more almost real, especially Duncan, Gemma and their children. I feel like I know them. Although others may complain that the domestic details of the characters detracts from a good mystery, I find it gives the story much more depth. I've become invested in their lives and want to see where Crombie takes them from here. Sitting down with the latest feels like catching up with old friends." This is what has me always eagerly awaiting the next book from Crombie.

But Crombie's mysteries and investigations are just as strong as her characterizations. The clues, suspicions and what-ifs are there for the reader to discover along with the police. I enjoy not knowing the 'whodunit' until the final pages. Crombie gives us lots of choices along the way.

I'm not sure what the next book will bring - there's a plot turn that has me wondering if the series will continue or is simply moving shop..... If you've not read Crombie before, I suggest starting with earlier books - this latest draws on previous events. show less

This remains one of my favorite mystery series, but this entry is not a favorite. I don't like it when Gemma and Duncan are not communicating. And my memory isn't good enough for multi-book story arcs. This one seems to have resolved some of the police corruption issues, and I hope the next will be back to form.

Still, Crombie writes wonderfully about London. Finishing her books, I always want to hop on a plane for a quick visit.

3.75 stars

When Detective Inspector Gemma James joins Detective Chief Inspector Kerry Boatman to investigate the death of a young woman, she discovers Reagan Keating was the nanny for Jess Cusick, a child attending the same ballet school as her son, Toby. But as they dig into the case, the detectives discover that this is not the first death in the garden. And what will Gemma do when she discovers that solving her case will directly affect the life of a child?

Meanwhile, Gemma’s husband, Detective Superintendent Duncan Kincaid struggles with questions about earlier cases and deaths he fears were murders rather than suicides. Can he find the answers before there’s another victim in this vicious cycle of deaths? Unsettled and uncertain, Duncan show more fears for the safety of those around him and doesn’t know who can be trusted. When his solitary investigation keeps him away from home, will his search for the truth cost him his family?

In this, the seventeenth book in the series, readers will find a nice balance between police work and home life for Gemma and Duncan who now have a house, three children, two cats, a dog, and never enough time. Deftly plotted, with unexpected twists and steadily-building suspense, this finely-crafted tale will keep readers captivated. Familiar, believable characters and captivating mysteries draw readers into the narrative and keep them guessing until the unexpected reveal. The combination of the intriguing locked garden murder and an enigmatic, long-ago undercover assignment make this unputdownable book one of the best in the series.

Highly recommended. show less

It was probably more of a four-star book, but it relied on the reader having a knowledge of previous events in the series. Yes, one wants a mystery series to build on previous events, but it's also nice when each mystery stands alone, so that new readers can come on board at any point. It may seem a minor quibble—and it is—but, as a bookseller, it makes the book a challenge to handsell unless you know for sure that your customer has read the previous books.

Garden of Lamentations by Deborah Crombie is a 2017 William Morrow publication.

Another strong, gripping installment in the Kincaid and James series!

This seventeenth installment is very involved and busy. Gemma is asked to help solve the murder of a young nanny found in the exclusive London Park. In the course of their investigation, they uncover even more deaths in the area, one of them, a child.

Meanwhile, Duncan is drawn ever deeper into the cases he thinks are related, which involve members of the force. When a Metropolitan police officer is attacked, Duncan is now positive there is a rat in their midst, and he doesn’t know who he can trust.

The situation has Duncan spiraling down a dark path as his alcohol intake increases and his show more secrets from Gemma begin driving a wedge between them.

If you haven’t been faithfully reading this series in order, you might want to make sure you have read the two previous chapters in this series before tackling this one. There are many references to events in the last book and because there is so much going on it could be quite confusing if you aren’t familiar with what has transpired up to this point.

For the first time we see Gemma and Duncan hit a serious and worrisome rough patch in their relationship and each of the recurring characters are individually haunted – both professionally and personally.

Both cases are suspenseful and compelling, although the overall tone of this installment was different from any before it, in my opinion. While we love Gemma and Duncan’s teamwork, the relatively mild moments of doubt and the insecurities they encounter, has never truly put their relationship to the test. It was realistic to expect them to face relationship bumps, and to show their humanity and flaws.

Overall, this was another excellent episode in the series, and it wraps up a few threads and opens the series up for deeper connections with the characters and for stronger bonds between Gemma and Duncan and their friends and colleagues.

While I’m looking forward to the next chapter in the series, I’m going to wait a little while before reading it. It’s the only one I have left to read before I’m all caught up, and then I’ll have to start waiting for the next release like everyone else. It’s been rewarding to read the series from start to finish. It has grown stronger and stronger over time and has become one of my favorite British mystery series!

4 stars show less