The Last Word by Elly Griffiths

 

Although this is billed as a Harbinder Kaur book, the detective has a supporting role, with the three characters from The Postscript Murders again taking center stage. Not that that is a bad thing—I love those characters—but I would have preferred more Harbinder.

When author Melody Chambers dies, her daughters, sure she was murdered by their step-father, employ detectives Naatalka and Edwin to discover the truth. An unlikely duo, 30-something Ukranian-born Natalka and eight-four-year-old Edwin, had successfully solved the murder of their friend, Peggy, a few years earlier. Suspecting there is a link between Melody's death and the death of an obituary writer, Edwin goes undercover with Benedict, Natalka's life partner, at a writer's retreat. No sooner do they arrive when one of the attendees mysteriously dies. Up to their eyeballs in murder victims and suspects, the trio begin sifting through the evidence with some help from Detective Harbinder Kaur and the local constabulary. Unfortunately, their activities have put them in the crosshairs of the murderer. It's now a race against time with their lives in jeopardy.

I love Natalka, Edwin, and Benedict and thoroughly enjoyed them in The Postscript Murders. This time, the complicated plot isn't as intriguing as in The Postscript Murders. The Last Word isn't as fast-paced or humorous either, but its twists and character interaction are first-rate. I would have preferred Harbinder's presence, as she is another excellent character. This is another good book from Elly Griffiths.

 4/5 stars.

For more information:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble