The Sound of Broken Glass: A James and Kincaid Novel, Book 15

When Andy Monohan was 13, he became fast friends with his new neighbor, and older woman named Nadine. She was attentive, beautiful and encouraging; everything his mother wasn't. The two would sit out on their respective porches, seeking solace from the sweltering August heat, Andy playing his guitar, Nadine enjoying the sounds of the fledgling musician, letting him know that he had talent and one day he could make something of himself if he would stick with it. She was the kindest person he'd ever known. She was the complete opposite of Joe and Shaun, two upper class boys that did nothing but bully that very same summer. Something transpired months later, and Nadine was never heard from again. Andy had thought it was his fault and he would harbor guilt over the actions of three teenaged boys for years to come. Now, in the present, Andy is poised to break big as a professional musician. But sins of the past rarely stay in the past. A successful barrister is found murdered, gagged and strangled in a seedy motel room and all fingers point back to Andy and where he came from. Gemma James draws the case and along with Melody Talbot, they'll discover a history of betrayal and lies that will have them second guessing every single lead they encounter.Even in its fifteen installment, the James/Kincaid novels show no signs of slowing down. The Sounds of Broken Glass is yet another well thought out, well told chapter in the lives of Duncan and Gemma. Each book has its own unique feel and subject matter, but at the risk of sounding cheesy or contrived, these books always feel like putting on a comfortable pair of broken in jeans or a favorite sweater. They're just...comfy. This time around, the focus is music, since one of the central characters, Andy, is an up and coming musician who's poised to break big. Being a guitarist for over 20 years myself, Crombie's research shines. From the type of equipment, to band dynamics, she hits the nail on the head every time. But, just because they're comfortable reads, that doesn't mean her writing has become formulaic or cookie-cutter.Crombie is deft at handling multiple subplots at once. This novel, as with those previous, isn't all about the murder investigation. It's also about the lives of those involved. It's about the constantly changing family dynamics of Duncan and Gemma and how they balance a new addition to the family with the demands of their careers. I've seen a few reviewers complain about Duncan's part (or lack thereof) in the book. Duncan does play a part, but his role has changed. It's become a bit more domestic, giving focus more to Gemma and her work as well as Melody Talbot as they go through the investigation. Doug plays his part as well but this novel focuses mostly on Melody, and I'm fine with that. She's a great character and I enjoyed seeing her play a more central role. Still, no characters are 'forgotten' in this novel. This book mixes characters old and new, and it does it well.The plot, as always, is razor sharp. It shifts from the present to the past and never misses a beat. Every character plays their role in an overall story that's mixed with red herrings, twists, and turns. But, as can be expected of a Deborah Crombie novel, everything makes sense and there is not a single plot hole. It's always impressive to see how she can take so many plot threads and tie them all together while injecting the personal developments for the characters into the book. I'd imagine plotting these things to be a major task but when you read them, she makes it seem easy.This review isn't doing the novel or the series justice. It's tightly plotted, paced fantastically, and is filled with well fleshed out characters and fluid dialogue. This being the 15th book, I have no idea how much longer she plans on writing these books, but I count myself there for each and every one. If you haven't started the series yet, you really should. If you love reading well written mystery books with fantastic character development and a vast array of themes, look no further.

Deborah Crombie's a new author to me and that's both good and bad. Good because now I can go read everything she's written - new worlds to explore! Bad because I've really been missing out. Although Ms. Crombie's a native Texan, she spent time living in the UK and she writes a great British police procedural. Her primary characters, DI Gemma James and DS Duncan Kincaid, are married and dealing with the challenges of a blended family and an adopted child with a traumatic past and the consequent special needs. There is no perfect solution to any of these situations and Ms. Crombie is great about not offering impossible solutions where there are none.In a sense, the personal lives of our heroes mirror the complexities of the case presented in The Sound of Broken Glass - a trussed and strangled murder victim and all the questions that arise from the discovery of his corpse. There are lots of connections here between everyone involved, a reminder that England is not America. In America, we scoff at multiple connections because our geography is so large. It's an oddity when I meet a man who grew up in the same small town in Mississippi as my mother at a temporary job in Seattle, WA. If you telescope your vision to a smaller state, however, connections are so common as to be the norm. Given its size, it makes sense to me that people would be more obviously and immediately interconnected in England so all the strings and coincidences that attach each to each work and make sense to me.As much a story about family and friends as it is a murder mystery, The Sound of Broken Glass is a real pleasure. A sharp, well-plotted, well-written procedural that will hold your attention right through the very end.

The Sound of Broken Glass was my first exposure to author Deborah Crombie, but it will not be my last. She is a talented author who really knows how to develop a plot and interesting characters while keeping the reader engaged and entertained.She keeps the reader mesmerized and guessing as she plants clues and weaves back and forth in time at a pace that is on the mark for this suspense filled whodunit set in London.She paints a vivid tale that impacts the readers' senses. I could almost feel the February elements--moist fog, splashing rain, shivering snow and slippery ice--and uncomforting settings like being overdressed in an overheated space or rancid crime scene.Andy Monahan was the victim of a pathetic childhood as a poor latch keyed kid and caretaker for his alcoholic mother until her death while being stalked and bullied by a set of sociopathic high society brats, Shaun Francis and Joe Peterson.When the widowed, kind and beautiful school teacher, Nadine Drake becomes his friend and neighbor, Andy finally sees a ray of hope in his pitiful existence. She not only gave him adult encouragement, comfort and food, but also gave her deceased husband, Marshall's prized and expensive red Fender Stratocaster guitar to Andy and boosted his confidence by reveling in his music. That friendship was shattered too after Nadine was unjustly accused of a crime that ruined her reputation, caused her to be fired from her job and resulted in her moving and abruptly disappearing from Andy's life.Fast-forwarding to the present, Michael "Tam" Moran, Andy's agent convinces him to bring his failing band with Andy at guitar, and his mates Nick, lead singer and base player and George on the Drums to a the White Stag bar for a gig where music producer Caleb Hart was to evaluate Andy's skills for a chance to team up with his child prodigy, Poppy Jones an accomplished base player and phenomenal singer.After Andy's scuffle with drunken lawyer, Vincent Arnott at the end of his gig, the later turned up humiliated and murdered in a nearby sleazy hotel room and Andy becomes the prime suspect.Enter Detective Inspector Gemma James and her police officer husband, Dunkin Kinkaid; Gemma's underling Detective Sergeant Melody Talbot; and Melody's injured friend, Detective Sergeant Doug Cullen. Together they investigate Arnott's murder and an identical styled murder of Andy's childhood nemesis and hated lawyer, Shaun Francis. They methodically piece together evidence, lies and motives to resolve the case before others fall victim to the diabolical serial killer.This was a compelling and riveting tale that I hated to put down. It left me satisfied with the ending, but craving another from Deborah Crombie!Enjoy!

I have loved the whole series! The story is riveting and the characters are so real, they feel like friends!

Good as always

Auch das 15. Buch dieser Reihe hat mich wieder überzeugt. Neben einem augenscheinlich recht einfachen Fall - was natürlich täuscht, ohne zuviel zu verraten - werden die einzelnen Hauptpersonen weiter entwickelt. Das Ende läßt auch weitere spannende Entwicklungen erwarten ... hoffentlich dauert es nicht zu lange bis Band 16 erscheint.Ein ganz klarer Kauf für alle Krimileser.

Deborah Crombie poursuit son bonhomme de chemin avec le personnage de Gemma et de sa petite famille. Son excellente connaissance de Londres et son traitement réaliste des personnages rendent son histoire fort crédible et prenante à la fois. Comme d'habitude, il est difficile de poser le bouquin avant de connaître le dénouement. Une lecture bien sympathique qui donne envie de lire les ouvrages qui suivront. Je ne peux que conseiller cette lecture.

I love Deborah Crombie's books and this was as good as the rest. Her writing is of a consistently high standard and the plots well worked out. If you've not read any of her books I would recommend starting at the beginning for a complete understanding of the characters, however they can be read as stand alones.