Like the first glimpse of snowdrops on a dismal January day, for an author, a brilliant new 5-star review gladdens the heart. I’ve been lucky. I’ve had some wonderful reviews and it’s funny how they always seem to come in just when I’m experiencing a nasty case of Self-Doubt. This delightful one from Keith is no exception.
Wrestling with the opening chapters of Book 3 in The Love Detective series over the last week, I’ve been finding excuses to do anything but write – my house has never looked so sparkling but there are only so many times that I can clean out a sad and barren fridge currently devoid of ice-cold bottles of white wine, Prosecco and vodka (Oh, this Dry January thing!). And then along comes a lovely new review. With this, and the sight of those delicate bell-shaped flowers peeping up through the rain-sodden earth, I’m feeling bright and upbeat.
Thank you, Keith, and thank you to our precious natural world where, even in bleak mid-winter, a herald of spring reminds us that there is so much to look forward to… and that includes a bloody big glass of wine.
This is Keith on The Love Detective: NEXT LEVEL
Dyson’s new Clarry Pennhaligan novel is a treasure to behold. I have to admit that I am a sucker for this kind of mystery thriller that is homespun with its unique cast of characters set in a domestic setting with exciting results. This is a pure winner and I can’t wait for another instalment. Saying that, I will be purchasing the first in the series due to my love of the content.
The Love Detective: The Next Level is one of those novels that warms the heart, urges the reader to be fully invested while at the same time taking twists and turns as it makes its way to the climax. Using South London as the basis and setting is pure genius and roots the novel in reality. I love how Dyson is able to incorporate the small town mentality that lies within the many suburbs of a metropolis that is London itself.
The characters are wonderfully put together and the main character Clarry is a treasure to behold. With her strong female stance, showing enough vulnerability and strength and never once over stepping this balance to make her fully flushed out. Flan is simply a work of genius and I love her free spirited and bohemian outlook on life. Her many loves flowing in an out of the story really keeps things fun and light.
Dyson has a full understanding on what makes her characters tick. From the new characters introduced through the mystery itself, she really captures the class system within the UK without over egging the pudding. The group of women who form the nucleus of the mystery are very well drawn and makes you actually feel for them and their circumstances. This is a feather in the author’s cap.
The plot is outstanding and flows. Never does the author pigeon-hole plot points to try to make the story work. The story works organically and Dyson seems to be a master on how to put a mystery together with different twists and turns to keep it interesting. There is also a lot of empathy for some of the characters plot. There is a love interest that works well within the plot but doesn’t over indulge itself and feels natural to the characters and plot.
Overall, this is a winning combination and although I may be a bit prejudice as I love these sort of homespun mysteries, this is one of the best and a great way to start off the new year. Incredible characters, fantastic plot and so readable that the only one down point is that you feel the loss of a friend after you read the final words written and can’t wait to revisit them again. This is a total winner and one that every reader should rejoice in reading. A pure satisfied hit. Five stars.
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