And Justice There Is None

A Duncan Kincaid / Jemma James Novel

By: Deborah Crombie

Narrated by: Michael Deehy

Length: 11 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's Summary

Gemma James is adjusting to professional and personal changes - and a future now intricately entwined with Duncan Kincaid. But her new responsibilities are put to the test when she is placed in charge of a particularly brutal homicide: The lovely young wife of a wealthy antiques dealer has been found murdered on fashionable Notting Hill.

The main focus of Gemma's investigation is Karl Arrowood, who had the most powerful motive for killing his unfaithful wife. But this case sets off warning bells for Duncan: It's far too similar to an unsolved murder in which an antiques dealer was killed in precisely the same way.

Investigate more mysterious doings with Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James.

©2002 Deborah Crombie. (P)2010 BBC Audio

Possibly my favorite

Love the way Deborah Crombie braids the past and present together throughout the book. It took great skill to write a novelette within a novel that takes you through some fifty years of storyline so well. All believable and interesting. Many surprises in this one and a bitter sweet ending.

Great story, well narrated

Loved this good story, which unfolds layer by layer. The writing is literate---not Dorothy Sayers good or John Le Carre good, just plain solid, entertaining, interesting good. If you've listened to all the super-star literate mysteries then try the Deborah Crombie series that features a sympathetic, smart, not-too-hard-boiled, but just tough enough woman detective. Narration is excellent.

Great writing and performance

This series is beautifully written with elegant prose. I'm so glad that Michael Deehy has returned as the narrator. He did a great job at the beginning of the series, and I was disappointed with the change midway. He performs the characters nicely, and makes clear who is speaking at any given time--something that hasn't been true with the interim reader.

So many characters! So confusing!

Although I really like this series, I felt like I needed a detailed program to keep track of all the characters. The time jumps were equally befuddling, and perhaps were easier to follow in written form. by the time I finished I was still confused about one of the main characters.

Deborah Crombie is always a favorite!

This was not Deborah Crombie's first in the series, but I liked hearing the male reader, as opposed the the females, who have read most of her works.

One of the best in this series

I have read in print all the Gemma James/Duncan Kincaid books over the years, and I'm going back now and listening to them. And I think this was one of the best in the series.

It starts with the murder of antiques dealer in fashionable Notting Hill, but Doug connects it to a similar murder that occurred previously to another antiques dealer elsewhere. As they are investigating these murders, another, slightly mysterious story, is also taking place, weaving in and out of the main one, about a family from Trinidad. Crombie handles the two plot lines very smoothly.

This is also a turning point for the characters in the series, as pregnant Gemma with her son Toby move in with Duncan and his newly-reunited son Kit, as they have decided to be a family. This proves to be a very moving part of the whole story.

I've always liked this series, though later books seem to have more filler and less mystery. I think this one still has a perfect combination of mystery and character development. Recommend!

Decent British police procedural, but drags.

4.5 years ago, I listened to #2, All Shall Be Well. I rather liked it, but my comments there are equally applicable to this book. "While I enjoyed the book, I found it slow and tedious at times. Further, the conclusion, while pulling together various characters and unresolved questions, also draws a rabbit out of the hat." In #8, Gemma is no longer with Scotland Yard, but is a DCI. The main difference is that (1) she is pregnant with Duncan's baby and (2) they move in together. Nevertheless, Duncan finds a way to involve himself in the case, and Gemma professes to enjoy working with him again. Their relationship seems to be more one of convenience than excitement.

Michael Deehy (aka Gerard Doyle) give his usual excellent reading.

I know Crombie has her ardent fans, and that's fine, but the MC's seem kind of drab to me. I won't be rushing out to grab another in the series.

Skillful Blend of Past and Present

So far I've loved everything about this series. Main characters Duncan Kincaid and Jemma James are interesting, complex characters who have changed and matured as the series progressed.

The story lines are intricate, but not confusing. The pace of the stories is steady, but not overwhelming. In this book Debra Crombie once again skillfully weaves elements from the past into the current mystery. There is tragedy, but there is also hope.

Narrator Michael Deehy is excellent. The tone of his voice is pleasing, his diction is excellent.

I look forward to listening to more books in this series.

Confusing at times

I like all Kincaid/Gemma books but this one has entirely TOO MANY characters. The list keeps growing even near the end. Then there are the dif names they have called themselves, dif timelines, etc. Many were non contributing characters that just added to confusion. Had to rewind quite a lot after hearing ANOTHER new name, “wait, where did they come from, who do they belong with, why are they popping up”?!Very convoluted story line, will continue to listen,for sure, this one at the bottom of the ladder.

Great story

The composition of this book starts off way in left field with fragments that slowly come together masterfully. This may be the third book for the Gemma/Kincaid series and it is completely different from the others. The complexity of the story in the end had me howling when I figured out who the murderer was!