Kissed a Sad Goodbye

A Duncan Kincaid / Jemma James Novel

De: Deborah Crombie

Narrado por: Jenny Sterlin

Reminiscent of Ruth Rendell, multiple award-winning author Deborah Crombie creates graceful mysteries, resonating with lyrical prose, elegant suspense, and finely-drawn characters. This is her darkly irresistible tale of friendship shattered by shocking betrayal, and repercussions that echo down through the years.

A stunningly beautiful young woman is found strangled in London's Mudchute Park, her clothing carefully arranged to preserve her modesty. With that unusual detail in mind, Detective Superintendent Duncan Kincaid and his partner Sergeant Gemma James suspect the crime was more than a simple assault gone awry. As they collect the strange facts surrounding her death, they discover the victim's life was a mystery even to those who knew her best.

Internationally-acclaimed author Deborah Crombie brilliantly weaves together events of World War II England with complex problems of present-day London. As British actor Jenny Sterlin's superb dramatization unfolds, you'll understand why this crime novel is as at home on the bookshelf with literary novels as it is with the most baffling whodunit.

Solve more mysteries with Duncan Kincaid and Jemma James.©1999 Deborah Crombie (P)1999 Recorded Books, LLC

Reseñas de la Crítica

"This complex, thoughtful novel is another satisfying entry in an exceptional series." ( Publishers Weekly)

Thoroughly absorbing

I love how ms Crombie intertwines the history of the Isle of Dogs and WW2, with a modern day mystery. And the characters totally drew me in.

Great book

Love the characters. Can’t wait for the next episode in their lives. I like the way Duncan and Gemma work together

Good resolution

I appreciated that although this is one of a series, it tied up the story, which was pretty emotionally hard, but engaging and entertaining and thought-provoking. 

Unlikeable characters

Even our heroes, Duncan and Jemma, do not put their better sides on display. Both show unbelievably poor judgement, but that is nothing compared to the lying, condescending attitude of virtually all of the other characters in the book. I wish they had all been murdered before the book ended.

There is a repeated flashback to a history that took place during the second world war when children from London were evacuated to the countryside to escape danger. That had to be horrific for both the parents and the children, but a totally unnecessary and unutterable vile character is introduced and sends the story spinning off in space. While this section does provide an explanation for what happens later, there is no reason it had to be presented in this confusing and off-putting way.

The narrator only contributes to the overall unpleasantness of the story and the characters. She sounds as though she read the entire book with a sneer.

I do not recommend this book. There is some very disturbing treatment of children, which was hard for me to read. There is no one to cheer on or wish a happy future for. They all earned their just desserts. And if Jemma and Duncan can't be honest with each other, I have little hope for their relationship.

Complex story is overshadowed by bad parenting

The main mystery in the novel is intriguing and pulls the reader into the story. I can't say the same for the personal problems of the two detectives, Duncan Kincaid and Jemma James, and their cluttered relationship. Duncan Kincaid's lack of attention to a small child staying with him made me dislike him early on. Can he really be so thick as to leave the child unattended for hours? And the fact that Jemma James was having a physical relationship with Kincaid, her superior officer, was so unprofessional that I disliked them both for it. Especially since Jemma had an unfathomable attraction to a street musician. I didn't buy the coincidence of this character being in both the murder plot and in Jemma's plot. I am not sure I will return to Duncan and Jemma. I don't mind flawed characters, I just don't like stupid ones. I did enjoy the narration.

My favorite Duncan & Gemma so far!

This is #6 in the series. Though it could be read as a stand-alone book, I don’t think readers could appreciate the story as much without knowing the backgrounds of the two main characters. Each book has been better than the one before, and Duncan & Gemma are like old friends to me now.

It took me a little time to adapt to the change in narrator that came beginning with the 5th book but Jenny Sterlin is good. I think I just missed Michael Deehy as Duncan’s voice.

Bad Recording

This was better than the last one but the reader is so breathy - you can hear her breathing and then there was a ticking/smacking through the entire book so it was irritating to listen to. Not sure if the noise was the recording or the narrator but I paid for the book and can't return it. Will not listen to anymore with this narrator.

Fabulous

Intrigue, history, complexity and humanity; it had it all! Wonderful read. Thank you Deborah Crombie

Another thought

Additional thought. This author has moved away from the inspector/mystery story and has moved into the area of literary far-ra-ra. Every chapter is preceded by a poetry extract and is not what I want in a mystery story. But I did enjoy it - I simply stomached the superfluous poetic nonsense.

A compelling listen

Any additional comments?

Good mystery with interesting, intriguing characters. Another good book and a satisfying listening experience.