A Killing of Innocents

Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James Novels, Book 19

By: Deborah Crombie

Narrated by: Gerard Doyle

Length: 10 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times bestseller Deborah Crombie returns with a new novel focusing on Scotland Yard detectives Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James as they must solve the stabbing death of a young woman before panic spreads across London.

On a rainy November evening, a young woman hurries through the crowd in London’s historic Russell Square. Out of the darkness, someone jostles her, then brushes past. A moment later, she stumbles, collapsing against a tree. When a young mother finds her body and alerts the police, Detective Superintendent Duncan Kincaid and his sergeant, Doug Cullen, are called to the scene. The victim, Sasha Johnson, is a trainee doctor at a nearby hospital, and she’s been stabbed.

Kincaid immediately calls his detective wife, Gemma James, who has recently been assigned to a task force on knife crime. Along with her partner, detective sergeant Melody Talbot, Gemma joins the investigation. But Sasha Johnson doesn’t fit the profile of the typical knife crime victim. Single, successful, daughter of a black professional family, she has no history of abusive relationships or any connection to gangs. She had her secrets, though, and Kincaid uncovers an awkward connection to his Notting Hill friends Wesley and Betty Howard.

As the detectives unravel Sasha’s tangled relationships, another stabbing puts London in a panic, and Kincaid’s team needs all their resources to find the killer stalking the dark streets of Bloomsbury.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Deborah Crombie (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

Characters still engrossing, story terrific

I look forward to each new installment of Gemma and Duncan and this one was excellent. I’ve always read them in the past, but I loved listening to the narration: the characters were very distinguished and came alive to me. I read a lot of British mysteries and this series has always been one of my favorites.

Great if you follow this series

I loved the book and the family soap opera, but cannot imagine this as a standalone, or the place to start this thoroughly enjoyable series. I really like Gerald Doyle, and normally would give him five stars, however, having listened to all the slough house books as they come out, i was distracted by thinking I was listening to Roddy Ho most of the time.

Great story

I thought it was a well constructed story. The narrator was great. His voice seem seem to carried the story through the highest and lows. I loved the characters and thought the author did a great job of constructing police officers teams that were more like real people. Story was interesting and more than enough detail and mystery to keep the reader/listener engaged and interested.

People’s lives & detective work continue….

I enjoy the familiarity of the cast of characters. The introduction of a few new people. Watching the children mature & go through new phases. I have sufficient drama in my own life. I appreciate a relatively gentle story.

Too many tea breaks

I missed the usual interaction between Gemma and Kincaid and got confused between all the different plot lines. Not her best work .

Excellent!

An excellent addition to the series. Already looking forward to the next one. This was a wonderful continuation.

If you haven’t read the series this might be tough

I’ve read all of this series and even
I had a bit of a hard time keeping track of all the characters. I love how she brings them back in books as it helps you feel immersed in the journey of Gemma and Duncan but it does mean that there are many characters and references to past stories that can add a complexity to the listening. But, I do think these books overall are solid. Definitely one of my favorite series.

Great story

It had been awhile since I had listened to a book in this series. Great catching up with the characters. Good plot twists.

Another great book by Deborah Crombie

I hope the next book doesn’t take too long. I love this series. Excellent book.

Not the best in the series

I am a big fan of the Gemma/Duncan but was disappointed in this installment. First I think Debrorah is still in the 1980's the way she addresses relationships. I couldn't beleive she was blaming Melody for the breakup with trashy/rude/controlling boyfriend and then has her crawl back for the sex. C'mon, this is the third book where Melody is thinking with her lady bit and not head and heart. It seems that sex is the only thing these two have in common. Just end it and movoe along and find Melody a more suitable person and not Doug (love that they are just friends). Then she has Gemma worrying about getting a nanny. Really, this is 2023 and strong, confident working women all over the world take help when they can get it. The mystery itself was ok. Nothing new. It was good to have old friends/characters pop up.