Series: An Edie York Mystery #1 (Standalone)
Publication Date: 21st Sep 2023
Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery, WWII
3 Stars
One Liner: Decent but slow and long
Manchester, 1940
Edie York joined the newspaper office hoping to become a stylish and real wartime reporter. However, she ends up as a secretary, multitasking throughout the day but bored out of her wits. A certain development leads her to the soldier training site and makes her a witness to the death of a Home Guard soldier.
Edie is excited, knowing the case is her ticket to prove her abilities as a crime reporter. However, she soon realizes it’s harder than it looks, and the stakes are high.
DI Louis Brennan is arrogant and infuriating. He doesn’t even take Edie seriously. But when things get dangerous, he agrees to help her. Yet, it won’t be easy for Edie to find the truth. Can she solve her first case without getting killed?
The story comes in Edie’s first-person POV.
My Thoughts:
As the first in the series, the book sets the stage by introducing Edie York and the setting. We meet various characters, though only a few are important for the plot. The WWII backdrop is well done. There are recurring instances of rations, air raids, volunteering work, etc.
The newspaper office and its employees are also easy to visualize. We see the difference in how men and women are treated at work and in general. This was when times were changing, and women were actively doing ‘men’s work’ but still got overlooked.
The plot, as such, is simple enough to follow. The mystery has interesting elements, too. However, the MC is a major letdown. While I understand her motivations and some of her actions, she fails to make a good impression for the majority of the book.
I’ve tried to excuse a lot since this is Edie’s first case (she is bound to stumble). Sure, she is talented at writing obituaries, and the unexpected promotion gives her a chance to investigate a crime. However, for someone who devours so many mysteries, she doesn’t seem to have a basic understanding of how to handle a case. Just about everything is a mess. It’s as if the MC doesn’t bother using her brain much (not until it’s too late). Surely, a wannabe crime reporter wouldn't say something like he’s my boyfriend (that too a very recent development), so he can’t be a suspect (despite the red flags). Ridiculous!
The writing is heavy and slow. The first-person narration results in a lot of blabbering and excessive descriptions. This makes the book feel 100 pages longer than its actual 300-page count. Also, I dislike long chapters. The first chapter was long and ended at 10%. (This is an uncorrected proof, so I’m hoping it will read better in the final version. It’ll need helluva edits).
Despite everything, I am interested in the second book. Edie did seem like she learned her lessons. I can only hope she will display a better sense of judgment and balance in the coming book. Fingers crossed!
To summarize, Murder in the Blitz does offer a good setting and portrayal of the Blitz and how it affected ordinary people. As a mystery, it is yet to step up and deliver.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC.
#NetGalley #MurderintheBlitz
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