This past weekend I devoured the acclaimed new mystery The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke. (The author’s name is a pseudonym for the noted writers V.E. Schwab and Cat Clark.) I can, without reservation, proclaim that this was a fun read. I loved the premise—6 authors invited to the Scottish island home of the famed mystery author Arthur Fletch. (The only thing missing from the setting was a blockbuster snowstorm.) Some dull spots three-quarters of the way through, however, but a brilliant epilogue woke me up. As mentioned, I enjoyed it, but I don’t believe it was as superlative a mystery as some of the reviewers have exclaimed. I think that one of the reasons this whodunit caused such a buzz was its full-blown satirical treatment of the current state of the publishing industry and the way it treats authors. I admired this aspect of the mystery, and thought it was well done and properly skewered the powers that be in publishing. The novel received a glowing review in the New York Times, and a starred review from Library Journal, and I believe Publisher’s Weekly.
I also gulped down another mystery last week. Over the last 8-9 years, I've been a fan of the Lake District Mysteries by Martin Edwards. I recently realized that my last dip into this series was in 2022, and I've not read another one since. So! My Nook held within its clutches the sixth in the series, The Frozen Shroud, which I hadn't read. So off I went.
Frankly, I thought the mystery itself was perfectly fine. But, (and this is a very big but), Daniel Kind, the lead series character who is a historian, and DCI Hannah Scarlett, although they're on the scene, do NOT figure prominently in this case. Not at all! In fact, Daniel Kind, who has been a wonderful character all through the series, has no more than a shadow role. A disappointment. Two more books are in the series, and I hope Daniel and Hannah appear more robustly because they are wonderful characters.
Have you read anything by Martin Edwards?
Much more has been on my reading plate, but I will need another post to describe all of that.
Oh yes, I've read quite a few of ME's Lake District mysteries. I thought I'd read up to book 7 but this one does not sound familiar. Perhaps I was unimpressed too and erased it from my mind! He's a good writer but even good writers seem to make errors of judgement like this. I've also read his Gallows Court but no more in the series so far. Oh and I've read one of his non-fiction books about vintage crime novels.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting you've read Gallows Court. I haven't read anything in this series. He published a stand-alone that appeared at Christmastime last year--it's Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife. I have it from the library right now, but am not sure when I'll get to it. It got some good reviews.
DeleteThe Ending Writes Itself sounds good, I have put it on my wish list to pursue later.
ReplyDeleteI have read two books in the Lake District Mysteries and I may read more. I read Gallows Court and I hope to read the second book in that series this summer.
Edwards also wrote the Harry Devlin series, about a solicitor living in Liverpool. I read the first book in that series and have three more that I hope to get to soonish.
Hi Tracy,
DeleteIt sounds like I need to try out Gallows Court! And thanks for letting me know about the Harry Devlin series.
I hope you like The Ending Writes Itself!
It's weird but I'm not a big mystery reader which I know is my loss and puts me in the minority ... but I usually like a good satire on the publishing industry ... and those can be like catnip. Too bad the Clarke novel had some dull spots for you. It sounded like it had a good start. Hope you are well and having a lovely spring there. Enjoy your reading.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan,
DeleteI do know what you mean about mysteries--I cannot endure a steady diet of them, that's for sure. I love literary fiction, historical fiction, history, some memoir, and then an occasional thriller is great, and a few mysteries on top! I guess I really need variety. And I don't think it's your loss--we all need to read what "tastes" best at the time!
Okay, The Ending Writes Itself sounds excellent! Putting it on the list. I love the premise and setting, and the fact that you devoured it is recommendation enough for me.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check out the series by Martin Edwards--again, the setting does it for me.
I hope you enjoy it! And I have loved the Lake District setting in the Martin Edwards series. An enjoyable setting adds so much!
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