Today I am reviewing No Mark Upon Her by Deborah Crombie for TLC Book Tours. As always, I am provided with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
The Story: A woman’s body is found in the Thames by a K9 Search and Rescue Team. The woman is identified as Rebecca Meredith, a former Olympic Rowing hopeful who is working toward a comeback. She is also a Detective at the Met, which adds another layer to this mystery and is the reason that New Scotland Yard Detective Duncan Kincaid is brought in to head the investigation. Kincaid and his wife, Detective Inspector Gemma James, tackle an increasingly complicated mystery with tentacles that reach out to include New Scotland Yard itself.
I will reveal no more plot than that. I don’t want to be a spoiler!
Review: For some reason, Deborah Crombie hadn’t been on my radar system. Since I am a lover of mysteries, I’m not sure how that happened. Consequently, I looked forward to discovering a new-to-me writer. As I read, I was sure Ms. Crombie was British and it wasn’t until I read the blurb on the back of the book that I realized she’s from Texas. You would never know. She is such an excellent writer, paints such a realistic and vivid picture of London and Henley, has such an ear for a Brit’s turn of phrase, that she might as well be born and bred in the UK. She’s that good.
The novel takes place in London and Henley. Henley is known as a training ground for rowers and the novel is rich in details about rowing and a rower’s life. Crombie has a gift for descriptive detail that makes every setting come alive. I could see the river, the rowers, the cottages; each piece of the setting vividly came to life. There is a colorful and richly drawn cast of characters, each of them fully realized and each of them integral to the plot.
The plot is complicated and deftly written. Though this mystery is part of a series that includes Kincaid and James, it is fully able to stand on its own. I hadn’t read any of the other novels in the series and, yes, there is some back story that I picked up here and there. Some of it I could figure out, other details remained hidden, but none of that kept me from being fully engaged in this excellently written mystery.
In fact (and this rarely happens for me) I didn’t want the novel to end, yet I did want it to end. You know what I mean? You want to find out who did it, but the novel is so well written and the world you’re living in via the words on the page is so real that you don’t want to leave it. I finished the novel wanting to learn more about the recurring cast of characters. I want to know more about what led them all to this point in time in the series. I promptly ordered the first 6 books in the series from my local library. It’s that good. Crombie writes in the tradition of P.D. James and Elizabeth George, both of whom have written an excellent series of books revolving around a police detective. I can’t wait to read all of the books in the series.
By now I’m sure you’ve realized that I recommend this book highly.
The author: A native Texan who has lived in both England and Scotland, Deborah Crombie is a three-time Macavity Award winner, an Edgar Award nominee, and a New York Times Notable author. She is the author of more than a dozen novels, including the recent Necessary as Blood and Dreaming of the Bones, which was selected as one of the 100 Best Crime Novels of the Century by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association. She lives in McKinney, Texas, sharing a house that is more than one hundred years old with her husband, three cats, and two German Shepherds.
I’m not sure, at this moment, if there is an official giveaway with this book. I’m still checking on that. But, if there isn’t, I will donate my copy of the book. So, either way, I’ll give away a copy of this excellent novel to some lucky person. Leave a comment if you want to be entered. I’ll draw the winning name on Friday evening.
Happy Tuesday,
Claudia, can you list the first six books of the series? This book and the lead-up books sound very interesting…but since I’m such a slow reader & basically can only read right before bed, it might take me a while to get through them all! I’d like to file the list away and request each book at the library when I can. BTW, I’m STILL reading Expats (told you I’m slow) but I’m loving it. Over half way through and trying to guess what is going to happen – but I’m sure there is a surprise or two in the works. Thanks for getting me interested in books again!
Thank you for the book review and recommendation! I love a mystery, especially one that takes place in the UK…and written by an American no less
I just ordered “Wave”, a new book out today.
(yes, it’s from Amazon….but I couldn’t beat the price!)
Have a wonderful day!
Lori
Claudia, you know how much I love to read, so thank you for a new author suggestion! I will pass her name on to my mother as well, as she is a big fan of Elizabeth George. I went online and reserved the first three books at my library…happy reading to both of us!
Once again, your review has pulled me in, Claudia! Thanks for a chance to win this book.
I love finding a new author and knowing there are more books to enjoy by them.
Great review, Claudia. I, too, would love to read the series and will check out my library. I’d love to be selected for this book. I’d be willing to share after I read it! Pay if forward!
Wow, I can’t believe I have missed her, too. I love British mysteries, so I am looking her up at the library :)
Where on earth have I been, that I’ve never heard of her? I am going to have to start reading her series….thanks for the info. Sounds like a great mystery, with the New Scotland Yard, the UK, and murder…I am so there! Happy Reading! ;)
Claudia, I would love to read this book; especially a free copy. I love books and look forward to recommendations from you! Thanks for the chance to win this one.
Dori
Claudia, You have me hooked. Your reviews are always so good that without even knowing more I know this book is on my list, and I am not even a fan of English novels. I would love a chance at your drawing.
I am intrigued! Sign me up. Thanks!
I’m always looking for new authors. And I pretty much only read mysteries and thrillers. I love when I find a
book I don’t want to end! Many thanks for the chance to win.
Sounds like a winner Claudia..I love a good mystery!
Claudia I am always looking for a new to me author also and this series sounds great to me! Please enter my name in the giveaway. I’m going to get the list of her books and start trying to find some at the library or used book store!
hugs, Linda
Thanks for bring this book to us, Claudia!! I love a good mystery!! I haven’t read anything by this author but I love P. D. James and Elizabeth George. This sounds like something I could get hooked on. Thanks, again! Francine
Hi Claudia:
I love all things English and especially detective novels that take place there. Always fun to discover a new author as well. Thanks, Noelle
P.S. although I didn’t post anything yesterday with the Pajama Party, I loved the honest photos that everyone did post, but I wanted to say Claudia that your hair is so lovely. Thanks for the post again, just wanted to let you know before I forgot.. Noelle
Right up my alley….went straight to Amazon and downloaded it for my Kindle. Thanks for the recommendation!!
I would love to win this book.. I’ve been reading more lately. Enjoy the week! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Claudia, you do have a gift for writing reviews….you pulled me right in. Thanks for the opportunity to win this book. I could use some escapism!
Yes, I do know exactly what you mean. I will definitely add this to my list.
Thanks, Claudia.
Hi Claudia, The book sounds very good. I will look for it at my library. I am still catching up on your pj party! Doris
I would love to read this. I have read Crombies’ “Water Like Stone”. Love her work. Thank you for the chance to win.
i will read this book and the rest!
Oh most definitely, count me in! I love British mysteries. Most of our DVDs and novels are British detective stories. :-) This sounds like an interesting one!
this is my kind of book. please sign me up. thank you.
Hi Claudia –
I’ve loved Deborah Crombie’s books for years. Glad you found them too. I love British mysteries and I too couldn’t believe she is American. She does British so well.
Gail
P.S. Don’t you love it when you find a new author you like and you can go back and read all their books? I, on the other hand, am on the list at my library for a copy of Deborah Crombie’s latest book that I can’t wait to get.
Sounds like a winner Claudia….I love books that you can’t put down..
This book sounds great! Count me in. I love your book reviews.
The book sounds like a wonderful read, Claudia. I, too, love mysteries (especially those set in England) and I’m a huge fan of P.D. James, so your recommendation has hit home with me. I will definitely look for this author at the library. Thank you so much for posting this review! I love learning about new books… and I think we have similar tastes!
We have an awesome rower in the family! I really like the sound of this novel…………….and, if I am able to get a copy and read it, I’ll then send it to my niece Katie who graduated from Notre Dame last year where she was on the rowing team – and actually rowed at Henley with her team a couple of years back! She’s just commenced her first big job – finished her training, and is now moved into her first apt. in Pennsylvania.
Thanks for the review Claudia.
Have a nice week – hopefully without more snow!
Hugs – Mary
I like to have books lined up on my “To Read” list, so I’ll definitely add this author. She lives about 45 minutes from me! What a small world. Thanks for finding her books.
I totally know what you mean about both wanting it to end and NOT wanting it to end. I LOVE books like that!
Thanks for being a part of the tour.
Thanks for the review. This has gone onto my Books to read list. I love mysteries. P. D. James and Elizabeth George are two of my favorite writers. It looks like I may have a new one to turn to now.
Hugs,
Sharon