The Postscript Murders

A murder mystery about the death of a murder mystery writer? Yes please! Peggy Smith, an elderly woman living alone, dies suddenly, and her effects include long-running correspondence with a popular author. It appears Peggy was a source of plot ideas and reviewed early versions of the author’s work. Her death is labeled suspicious, and then the mystery writer is also murdered. Harbinder Kaur is assigned to investigate. But at the same time, three civilians have formed a self-appointed investigative team: Natalka, Peggy’s care worker; Edwin, a neighbor; and Benedict, a former monk turned cafe owner. Harbinder has to figure out how to capitalize on their energy while still retaining control of the investigation. This is no easy task show more when the trio embarks on a road trip to a literary festival in Aberdeen. Clues and hijinks ensue, in equal measure.

Meanwhile, there’s Harbinder’s personal storyline. Her Sikh ancestry makes her stand out in the police force, and she’s often overlooked for opportunities. Harbinder is also openly gay at work but not at home, and she lives with her parents and hates having to hide herself from them. This novel sees some movement in a positive direction and a strengthening of her character.

This is only the second book in a series, and I’m looking forward to reading future installments as they are published. show less

I am delighted with another Elly Griffiths mystery, set in contemporary times in England:
This is Book 2 in a series featuring a British-born, East Indian character, DS Harbinder Kaur. I really admire how Griffiths has portrayed Harbinder with details about the subtle ethnic constraints as well as gender problems in the police force. I didn't like Book 1 very much (there were strange police procedurals and some illogical action, in my opinion). However, this story was particularly excellent. The plot developed along lines that had wonderful twists and reveals. Yes, some developments were wildly improbable. It was easy to overlook because I was enjoying the characters and the writing style.

I especially enjoyed how the more elderly show more characters were woven into the plot. Griffiths showed a very realistic view of aging, living in retirement homes with health care and the restrictions that occur with infirmities. The novel was not at all depressing in this regard. An added bonus was the secret lives of the elders ~ was wonderfully hinted at and woven into a complex somewhat psychological drama. Another series I'll be chafing to read as soon as the next book is released! show less

This is the second book in the author’s new series featuring Detective Sergeant Harbinder Kaur, a member of the West Sussex, England Murder Squad. Harbinder is 36 but still lives at home with her Punjabi parents, with whom she gets along well although they don’t know she is gay. But her mother is a good cook, after all. Harbinder is peppery, witty, and very clever, but underestimated by her peers, much to her chagrin.

In this installment, a young Ukrainian care worker, Natalka Kolisnyk, comes to see Harbinder about her suspicions that a client, Peggy Smith, although 90, did not die of old age but was murdered. Peggy was in excellent shape and seemed in fine health just the day before. Natalka explains that while cleaning up Peggy’s show more apartment along with Peggy’s friend and neighbor Edwin (a dapper and young-at-heart 80-year-old), the two found a number of alarming signs that Peggy’s death could have had a more sinister cause than just “old age.” Peggy’s apartment was full of mystery books, and a surprising number of them were dedicated to Peggy. Moreover, Natalka found a business card identifying Peggy as a “murder consultant.” Then she saw a postcard with the ominous message: "We are coming for you." But the biggest sign something was unusual was that while Natalka and Edwin were in the flat, a masked person came in with a gun and stole one of the mystery books - very odd indeed!

Harbinder agreed to look into it, especially after one of the mystery authors who dedicated his books to Peggy was murdered soon after Peggy’s death. He too had received a threatening postcard.

Meanwhile, Natalka, Edwin, and Benedict, an ex-monk who ran the local coffee shop, take off on a hilarious Scooby-Doo type mission to an Aberdeen book festival to try and find out what was going on. Harbinder now had to chase after them in addition to doing her own investigation, as well as arranging for her injured mother to have a caregiver (Natalka recommended one for her) while Harbinder was in Aberdeen.

The plot thickens with more murders, mysterious Ukrainian thugs, and romantic complications. As if that weren’t enough to keep readers entertained, there are red herrings and twists galore.

Evaluation: Griffiths’s main protagonists always manage to come across as wryly funny and even adorable. The author’s sense of humor is so delightful that I often find myself laughing out loud even while reading about murder. For fans of murder mysteries like those of Anthony Horowitz that feature books within the books and explore the world of writers, literary agents, and publishers, for my money Griffiths is much better. Her tongue-in-cheek self-deprecatory takes on authors and the book industry are funny and insightful rather than tediously self-aggrandizing, as I find Horowitz to be. One can’t help loving Griffiths’ recurring characters, and I can’t wait to read more about them. show less

When a 90-year-old woman dies, it's not usually considered suspicious, but Peggy Smith was no ordinary woman. A crime aficionado, she advised several mystery authors on the plots of their books, calling herself a "murder consultant." An unlikely trio of her friends: her Ukrainian caretaker, her next-door neighbor, and an ex-monk turned coffee shop owner, are determined to solve the case. But when the authors Peggy advised start dying in suspicious circumstances as well, it's definitely a case for the police -- specifically, DS Harbinder Kaur.

This is the second book in a series, and I'd recommend reading the first book (The Stranger Diaries) first, but don't stop with that one! This book was a lot of fun. I loved the trio of amateur show more sleuths. I did think there was one rather large coincidence, and that the ending was a little jumbled, but the characters make the reading so enjoyable that I'll forgive some little snafus. show less

This one deserves more than five stars! I loved it and have added it to my "favorites" list. The premise sounds good and the book really delivers. When 90-year-old Peggy Smith dies, Detective Sergeant Harbinder Kaur assumes it was natural causes due to her heart condition. But her caretaker, Natalka, is suspicious since Peggy was an active woman for her age, as she walked and swam several times a week. While cleaning out the flat, Natalka discovers an unusual number of crime novels, all dedicated to Peggy (PS: for PS - now you know the reason for the book's title), and soon afterwards a gunman breaks into the flat to steal a book. When several crime novelists appear to be the victims of a serial killer, Natalka and a few of Peggy's show more neighborhood friends decide to help the police solve the murders.

I couldn't put this book down. Author Elly Griffiths not only provides tantalizing clues and red herrings, but most chapters end with a "What??!!" - someone you don't expect just walks in the room, the lights go out, a telling fact is revealed, someone receives a revealing note, another murder is discovered, a cryptic text is read - all kept me turning the pages.

Aside from the riveting plot, the intriguing clues, and the clever references to books, the characters are so well drawn and believable. Griffiths gives each of them a backstory with family, varied experiences (retired BBC announcer, Ukrainian refugee, former monk, murder mystery novelists, retired spies) as well as longings, hopes and dreams. It turns out this is the second novel featuring Detective Kaur, which means I'll soon be reading Griffiths' Edgar Award-winning The Stranger Diaries. In case you need further encouragement: run, don't walk, to get a copy of The Postscript Murders. I highly recommend it! show less

When Peggy Smith dies no-one is surprised, she was ninety after all. However her friend in the retirement flats, Edwin, isn't too sure and Peggy's carer Natalka is adamant that Peggy was murdered. In fact Peggy turns out to be an interesting woman, a 'murder consultant' for crime writers, and when a masked gunman turns up then things get murkier. Joined by an-ex monk who runs a coffee shop and a single gay Sikh detective the investigation is underway.
The plotting sounds mad and the characters sound cliched but as ever with an Elly Griffiths book this is a terrifically entertaining book. The Postscript Murders is at the fluffy end of crime fiction but is actually a sly tale involving Eastern bloc crime and a knowing pastiche of the life show more of crime-writers. Griffiths is very good at poking fun at institutions in a gently loving way and this is no exception. At its heart is a solid police procedural but the whole is lovingly wrapped in references to the golden age of crime writing and midsomer murders - fab! show less

In 2018 this author gave us The Stranger Diaries, a creepy & entertaining story that introduced DS Harbinder Kaur. She was more of a secondary character but with the arrival of this book, she steps into the shoes of MC. Not only is she up to the task, her unique voice is one of the most enjoyable aspects of this twisty murder mystery that caters to book lovers.

It all kicks off with the death of Peggy Smith, a 90 year old woman living in quaint-sounding Shoreham-by-Sea. She’s found by her care giver Natalka, sitting in her chair by the window & surrounded by her beloved mystery books. It’s sad but hardly a shock, right? Well….

It’s just that she was absolutely fine that morning when Natalka popped in. And there’s the small show more matter of the business card on the table that refers to Peggy as a “Murder Consultant”. Maybe Natalka better talk to someone.

Luckily, her visit to the police station gets her a meeting with DS Harbinder Kaur. Neither one can know it yet but it’s the beginning of a strange, deadly & entertaining adventure, Because sudden death doesn’t stop with Peggy. Pretty soon, mystery authors who were acquainted with the little old ‘murder consultant” by the sea begin keeling over at an alarming rate.

In short order, Kaur has several investigations on the go & whether she wants it or not, she’s also got outside help. Three of Peggy’s friends decide to act as Kaur’s eyes & ears. It’s not exactly an illustrious crew….a mysterious/gorgeous care giver (Natalka), an ex-monk turned coffee guy (Benny) & an OAP (Edwin). It’s like belonging to a really weird book club. But oddly enough, Harbinder is kind of enjoying it.

So you’ve probably figured out this is not another gritty thriller. It’s more than that. As events lead police, Kaur & her team of misfits on a dash across the UK, many references are made to well known mystery/crime writers & their work. There’s definitely a golden age vibe to the story, albeit with a decidedly modern edge. Intricate plotting, compelling characters, smart dialogue & plenty of dry wit makes this an engaging read.

At the centre of it all is Harbinder Kaur, a 30-something gay Asian cop who lives with her parents. I really like this character. She’s such an intriguing mix with one foot in the traditional Asian community of her parents while the other is firmly planted in her modern reality of being a cop. Several characters take turns narrating chapters but she provides the primary voice. And it’s one full of intelligence, determination & dryly observant humour.

Plenty of red herrings keep you guessing as to who is behind it all while a variety of secondary characters add colour & depth to the story. I really enjoyed this & look forward to watching Kaur & her colleagues develop in the next one. show less