Christina

The historian author painstakingly reveals the details of a murder mystery in Peking just prior to the Japanese invasion. The book reveals the seamy side of the colonial/expat community. It describes a time in Chinese history I knew little about and appreciated becoming more familiar with.The description of the political climate of the time and the conquest of China by Japan adds urgency and interest to the tale as does the description of the unflagging devotion of the father, despite changing governments and armed conflicts to identify the murderer of his daughter.

I was totally enthralled with Keeper of Lost Causes even though the story of the victim is horrifying. I liked this second in the series, but I felt the story had less punch and less humor overall. That said, I still think this is an above average crime story and well worth the credit. I'm curious to see how the recurring characters develop in books to come.

Well written and beautifully narrated. It may take a bit of careful listening in the beginning to get into the rhythm of the flashback/current time storytelling, but it's well worth the effort. Laura Lippman is an outstanding writer; Linda Emond an excellent narrator. I was hooked into the characters and their stories from the beginning. The only slightly off note, to my mind, was the ending. Believable, but a bit too pat.

I was interested by the book's description and looking forward to the setting in an Amish community. However the lengthy descriptions of Chief Burkholder's brooding about her conflicted feelings about the Amish community got in the way of the story line.Hard to imagine her in directing the work of a police department --- even a small one. I think some judicious editing would have helped this book because, basically the story is a good one with some good plot twists.

I liked the strong and capable Lucinda Pierce. The book is well plotted and thoughtful while keeping up a lively pace. I will look for other Lucinda Pierce mysteries.

An appalling crime is at the center of this story, yet homicide detective Carl Morck and his unconventional

The characters are engaging, the setting (Rhode Island) a bit unusual and therefore interesting, the dialogue intelligent & full of wit. I hope to hear more of this author's work.

I enjoyed the story and the way it was told. I think the author captured the human experience of people caught up in world changing events who live them as their daily experience without the drama of thriller novels.
I enjoyed the narration and thought the narrator was an excellent match for the tenor of the story.

i liked this book because the story kept me interested and the characters were believable. well done, light entertainment. i'll be looking for more by this author

i really enjoyed this book and feel fortunate that i came across it "by accident." i liked the characters. the role of the geneologist was a nice change from the omnicient computer expert as researcher. the author kept the story moving at a relentless pace.