Scotland Yard Superintendent Duncan Kincaid and Sergeant Gemma James are sent to suburban Surrey to investigate the murder of a high-ranking police officer. Alastair Gilbert was bludgeoned to death in his kitchen, and the list of potential suspects is long. The man's arrogance earned him widespread enmity both in the village where he lived and in police circles. But Duncan and Gemma must put aside their personal feelings—for the victim, as well as for each other—to solve the most troubling case either has faced.
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"Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James are on the romantic outs in this book which provides for an interesting underlying tension. Still, they manage to work together to solve a case that might be better left unsolved. Because the murdered man is a Scotland Yard officer, they are drawn into what is essentially a village murder mystery. Everyone with connections to the murdered Commander Gilbert seems to agree the world is a better place with him gone. There were enough twists and turns to keep me turning those pages."
— Nancy (4 out of 5 stars)
“Crombie keeps this series on its toes with her smooth procedural techniques and engagingly eccentric characters.”
— New York Times Book Review" But the book was fun. One of the pleasure's of Crombie's books are the carefully developed settings. This one takes place in a village in Surrey and I could almost smell it. As always, I appreciated the fine writing, the careful and vivid character development and the believable behavior of the suspects. "
— doybia, 11/13/2020" Not my favorite - just didn't keep my attention. I'm not against the Duncan/Gemma love, but how has no one addressed that he is her BOSS?! "
— Lauren, 2/17/2014" This is rapidly becoming one of my favorite series. Duncan and Gemma work together for Scotland Yard. Each book deals with a case - sometimes two. They are well written and suspenseful. We are also drawn into the personal relationship between Duncan and Gemma as they try to juggle their personal and professional lives. A surprising event at the end of the previous book had me rushing to get this one and it did not disappoint. "
— Judy, 1/25/2014" Still enjoying my interactions with Kincaid/James; their relationship is still the main draw for me, but I do like the mystery aspects as well. :) "
— Sarah, 1/24/2014" Lot's of will they get together/won't they going on here. The plot was a good one, tied in well with the main characters "
— Leslie, 1/22/2014" Well, it took some getting into. Not the greatest mystery. I guessed the ending. "
— Louise, 1/11/2014" A good read. A fun, relatively fast-paced mystery. "
— Christina, 1/9/2014" I am really enjoying this series. The mystery is always good with plenty of red herrings and twists to keep things interesting and the romantic tension between Duncan and Gemma is perfect. I'll be reading the next book in the series as soon as it arrives in my mailbox. "
— LeeAnne, 1/8/2014" Unexpectedly good pick for Valentine's Day if you don't mind a little murder with your romance. "
— Stacey, 1/8/2014" Duncan and Gemma become more alive with every entry in the series, and Crombie crafts the connections between books smartly and with great continuity. "
— Jessica, 12/1/2013" Excellent series, Deborah Crombie gets all the details right. "
— Adriene, 11/29/2013" Another Gemma and Duncan mystery. The motive was dull to me...But once again the story line between Gemma and Duncan managed to save the book... "
— Suzanne, 11/10/2013" Small town, St Mary-Holcomb, with marvelous cast of courageous, compassionate characters. Didn't figure it out til the end. Gemma and Duncan distant after their first night together. One of the best Crombies. "
— Mary, 10/30/2013" Another enjoyable read, though I wanted to smack Gemma and Kincaid many times! "
— Elizabeth, 5/12/2013" Be sure to read this series in order because, although each novel is a well plotted mystery, the main charm comes in the protagonists: the British detective and his assistants and their engaging stories and development. The morals, however, of the detectives are "modern,"so be warned. "
— Sandra, 4/20/2013" Some interesting personal developments here, and a page-turner, as expected. I wasn't disappointed. "
— Rebekah, 4/19/2013" Excellent addition to the series with increased character development. Interesting to follow the developments in the case and in the relationship of police partners at the same time. I really love British mysteries and this series is a real find! "
— Kathleen, 3/13/2013" Enjoyed the growing relationship between the main characters and their kids. Didn't enjoy the story quite as much. "
— Kandice, 4/13/2012" Anticipated really liking this chapter in the lives of Duncan and Gemma. Story was OK and the story flowed. I think the problem was that I was expecting too much from the book in terms of their relationship. "
— David, 1/17/2012" More Kincaid/James fun! Loving this series. "
— Jessica, 1/5/2012" Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James investigate a death in a well-known musical family. Family dynamics are pretty awful and the Duncan-Gemma relationship is a bit troubled at this point, which may be why I didn't like it as well as some of Crombie's. "
— Nikki, 12/21/2011" Another memorable entry in this series "
— Kim, 12/20/2011" Good quick read. Kept me engrossed. "
— Joann, 6/28/2011" Anticipated really liking this chapter in the lives of Duncan and Gemma. Story was OK and the story flowed. I think the problem was that I was expecting too much from the book in terms of their relationship. "
— David, 6/9/2011" Excellent addition to the series with increased character development. Interesting to follow the developments in the case and in the relationship of police partners at the same time. I really love British mysteries and this series is a real find! "
— Kathleen, 4/23/2011" Good quick read. Kept me engrossed. "
— Joann, 3/11/2011" I am really enjoying this series of books! "
— April, 9/14/2010" Well, it took some getting into. Not the greatest mystery. I guessed the ending. "
— Louise, 3/24/2010" Another memorable entry in this series "
— Kim, 1/12/2010" Best one yet in the Kincaid/James series. "
— Shari, 10/25/2009" Enjoyed the growing relationship between the main characters and their kids. Didn't enjoy the story quite as much. "
— Kandice, 10/24/2009" I am really enjoying this series. The mystery is always good with plenty of red herrings and twists to keep things interesting and the romantic tension between Duncan and Gemma is perfect. I'll be reading the next book in the series as soon as it arrives in my mailbox. "
— LeeAnne, 7/16/2009" Be sure to read this series in order because, although each novel is a well plotted mystery, the main charm comes in the protagonists: the British detective and his assistants and their engaging stories and development. The morals, however, of the detectives are "modern,"so be warned. "
— Sandra, 7/4/2009Deborah Crombie is a Macavity Award winner and a finalist for the Edgar Award and the Agatha Award, as well as a New York Times bestselling author. She has written more than a dozen novels and is best known for her contemporary mystery series featuring Scotland Yard’s Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James. Among this series is Dreaming of the Bones, which was selected as one of the 100 Best Crime Novels of the Century by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association.
Michael Deehy is an Earphones Award-winning narrator and an actor whose career has taken him around the world performing in a multitude of plays by Shakespeare, Chekhov, Shaw, Synge, and a host of other playwrights. He divides his time between the United States and England, where he has performed in both regional theater and in London’s West End, as well as a number of national television shows.