Garden of Lamentations

A Novel

By: Deborah Crombie

Narrated by: Gerard Doyle

Length: 12 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

Scotland Yard detectives Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James are drawn into separate investigations that hold disturbing - and deadly - complications for their own lives in this powerful mystery in the best-selling series.

On a beautiful morning in mid-May, the body of a young woman is found in one of Notting Hill's private gardens. To passersby, the pretty girl in the white dress looks as if she's sleeping. But Reagan Keating has been murdered, and the lead detective, DI Kerry Boatman, turns to Gemma James for help. She and Gemma worked together on a previous investigation, and Gemma has a personal connection to the case: Reagan was the nanny of a child who attends the same dance studio as Toby, Gemma, and Kincaid's son.

Gemma soon discovers that Reagan's death is the second tragedy in this exclusive London park; a few months before, a young boy died in a tragic accident. But when still another of the garden residents meets a violent end, it becomes clear that there are more sinister forces at play. Boatman and Gemma must stop the killer before another innocent life is taken.

While his wife is consumed with her new case, Kincaid finds himself plagued by disturbing questions about several previous - and seemingly unrelated - cases involving members of the force. If his suspicions are correct and the crimes are linked, are his family and friends in mortal danger as well? Kincaid's hunch turns to certainty when a Metropolitan Police officer close to him is brutally attacked. There's a traitor in the ranks, and now Kincaid wonders if he can trust anyone.

As Gemma begins to see a solution to her case, she realizes she holds a child's fate in her hands. Can she do the right thing? And can Kincaid rely on his friends, both inside and outside the Scotland Yard force, to stand beside him as he faces the deadliest challenge of his career?

©2017 Deborah Crombie (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

Less history here, but plot that really delivers

I’ve enjoyed the historical and cultural information Crombie tucks into her stories, but this one hardly had time for that with the twists and turns of the story in the present. A very well thought out plot, and the cast of characters remains vibrant. Crombie portrays the race, gender and class landscape of British society humanely and with nuance.

Very good two storylines going

Plots going on keep me coming back to the stories. This is a very good continuation

Another fabulous book by Crombie!

Another fabulous book by Crombie! Love Kincaid & James, feel like we are old friends. The multiple plots kept it intriguing & I enjoyed the in depth connection to previous book. I could not stop listening. Wish there had been a more thorough story line about Kincaid & James' family life & their kids, it would have made an awesome book that much better! Can't wait to read the next one. Be sure to read this one in sequential order. Highly recommend!!!!

A Series for Mystery Lovers

The Garden of Lamentations brings a truly satisfying conclusion to a complex mystery developed over several books in this series. While Gemma James and Duncan Kincaid have each had mysteries to solve over the course of the last few books, an underlying thread of unanswered questions and suspected corruption has been dangled. This story is one of my favorites in this excellent, beautifully written series.

Very good

Appreciate the variety of characters. Liked the following on from the previous book. Great reader too!

A sweet read.

I want to read it again before the sequel comes out in the fall. The characters in this series are starting to feel like family.

Another excellent Duncan and Gemma Story

The author continues to write great stories. New characters come during each book and she seamlessly blends them into the stories of ongoing characters. I usually take some time between books when listening to this series, but there was so much unfinished business in the last book that my curiosity had me jumping into this book sooner than expected. Loose ends were tied up nicely. The author paints such a interesting picture of places around London and the countryside that I think it would be fabulous to actually tour these places even they aren’t exactly as pictured in the books. This has been a great series to listen to and I look forward to more.

Worth the wait

Excellent parallel mystery storylines, one ongoing from prior novels and one new. Crombie does a wonderful job developing characters that you care about in the midst of enthralling mysteries.

Duncan and Gemma in different directions

The talented detectives solve two different crimes working with other detectives rather than together. Though it's always fascinating to hear the ways they play off each other's strengths, they can also solve complicated issues independent of one another.

The best way to enjoy Kincaid and James is to read the books in order and follow their individual and combined development. Highly recommend Deborah Crombie's story telling. Ready for next book.

Complex

There was quite a bit happening in this story and at times I had to go back and untangle it all. I still enjoyed it as I have others in the series, minus those with the female narrator, and look forward to the next release. Gerard Doyle and Michael Deehy are two of my favorite narrators and both have done an excellent job in this series.