Thursday, June 19, 2014

Necessary as Blood - TBR Review

This has been one of my favorite mystery series for years and one that somehow I got at least 3 books behind.  We're ignoring the fact that I'm still working on my spring TBR list after I posted my summer list!


Necessary as Blood by Deborah Crombie

Rating: 4 Stars

Description:  When Pakistani lawyer Naz Malik disappears and is later found murdered DI Gemma James is called in by mutual friends.  To make things more complicated Naz's wife Sandra had disappeared a few months earlier under mysterious circumstances.  Now James and her long time boyfriend Superintendent Duncan Kincaid must peak into their lives, Naz's murder and Sandra's disappearance.

Genre: Mystery

Why I Picked This Book:  Crombie is an automatic read for me because she does a great job of mixing really likable characters with gritty crime without getting too impossibly awful.  I was excited to catch up on this series.

My Impression:
Pros: For me a new Crombie is like hanging out with really good friends I haven't seen in awhile.  I'm excited to catch up with everyone and we still have our inside knowledge of each other.  Gemma, Duncan, Kit and Toby are so real that even though it's been years since I read the last book in the series I remember who they are with no problem.  They are genuine flawed likable people which helps make what's a fairly serious book a little lighter but in no way makes it silly.  The mystery is very well done and very compelling.  This is a book I found myself reading way into the night and sometimes when I didn't want to read it.  It's hard not to feel for Charlotte, the little girl whose secure happy little life was suddenly destroyed with no warning.  At times this book could be painful to read because I was worried so much about her.  The mystery and Charlotte's fate are wrapped up in a satisfying way with every end tied up but nothing too coincidental.  I'm looking forward to the next book so I can spend more time with these characters.

Cons: This wasn't my favorite Gemma book.  She spends quite a bit of time acting on a personal level instead of as a police officer.  While it was well done I prefer Gemma in a professional capacity.  I'm really quibbling here because Crombie does have to get creative to allow Duncan and Gemma to work together since they are no longer with the same department.

Overall: This is a fantastic British police procedural.  It's gritty and dark enough to really get into the really awful stuff and address it but warm-hearted enough to keep it from being too dark.  I think any mystery lover would enjoy this.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?: Yes

Would I Recommend this Book?:  Yes though while you could start the series at any point I recommend starting from the beginning so that you really get to know Duncan and Gemma.

14 comments:

  1. I've only read one Crombie book and I was really impressed. I have several of her other books and am looking forward to reading more by her.

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    1. I've been impressed with how consistent the series is. This is the 13th and I think there's only been 1 that I haven't really enjoyed.

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  2. I hate to say it but I don't think I've ever heard of this author, but since she's one of your auto buy authors I'm thinking I might just have to change that. Great review Katherine :)
    -Kimberly @ Turning the Pages

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    1. If you like mysteries she's definitely not to be missed! She's not a cozy writer so you don't have to worry about the cutesy factor which is nice.

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  3. It's great when you can just jump back into a series after a long time without missing a beat!

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    1. It really is! I'm reading another British police procedural that's part of a series I've read for years and am struggling to remember who everyone is. Definitely didn't have that problem with this one!

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  4. This sounds good, although I am not sure about Gemma. I love the crime aspect.

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    1. It's well done so don't worry about Gemma. I do miss seeing her and Duncan working together. It's really a great series.

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  5. I've heard of the author but I don't think I've ever read anything by her. I should probably start at the beginning, huh?

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    1. Maybe not at the beginning but definitely early on. I think you'd like her Bea!

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  6. Great description of Crombie's work. They definitely aren't cozies, but they're more compassionate and I think more nuanced than many police procedurals. I love Crombie, but I'm at least 5 or 6 books behind. I'm hoping to change that this fall. (Summer's already too booked up, so to speak!) I'm glad you enjoyed this one, and I can't wait to get back to these.

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    1. I've been impressed with just how consistent she is. I can think of several authors whose first 5 or 6 books I loved and then the quality started going downhill. The only one I didn't really care for was the one about Hazel that takes place in Scotland. It isn't bad just wasn't great. I hope you're able to pick one up soon. I'd forgotten what a treat her books were!

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  7. I have already been recommended this author by Lark, and I do mean to pick up the first in the series asap. I enjoyed your review and learned enough to decide I would probably enjoy her books. Thanks to you, and Lark, for a good recommendation--I can always use it!

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    1. I really enjoy her books. The beginning they're a little lighter - not cozy but more straightforward murder investigations. As the series goes along they become more emotional or more about social issues but it stays on the right side of overwrought and preachy for me. I really hope you enjoy them!

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