The Postscript Murders: a gripping new mystery from the bestselling author of The Stranger Diaries

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Although this series is immensely different to Elly Griffiths Ruth Galloway series, she still holds me spellbound with her use of words, both in her character and scenery descriptions, and her setting of atmosphere . . . '...the spaces beneath them. Old mining tunnels. Caverns measureless to man. Death and dread.' and 'ghost cottages with the gardens still in flower.' I loved “The Stranger Diaries”...the story within the book, the suspense, the hint of the Supernatural... She came up with a very good plot twist for one of my Dr. Ruth Galloway books that involved a stair-lift. And I do remember the book was reviewed in the Financial Times in a really nice review, but they also said "it contains one of the nastiest uses of a stair-lift that I've ever heard of." And I cut that little article aunt for my aunt, and she was so happy that she framed it, she was so proud of her stair-lift murder. The premise is a little flimsy, because I don’t think anyone would have thought it worth investigating Peggy’s death, especially after she was cremated and no post mortem could be performed. But I didn’t care a whit about believability with this story. It’s a mystery novel about mystery novels, a love letter giving a big meta wink to the writing and plotting side of the genre. (If you can call a book that kills off more than one mystery writer a love letter … hmmm.) I loved every word of it. Peggy, the “murder consultant”, helped novelists find new and interesting ways of murdering their victims. As those novelists feature in the story, Griffiths is given even more opportunities to turn her wit to writers and their methods.

When Peggy Smith, a 90-year-old woman, is found dead, no one believes foul play had a role in her death….that is no one but her Ukrainian carer, Natalka. Upon the discovery that Peggy served as a murder consultant, thinking up unique ways for characters to die, for popular and critically acclaimed authors, Natalka teams up with Edwin, an 80-year-old “ancient TV producer," and Benedict an “ex-monk-turned-coffee-shop owner” to investigate Peggy’s death. Detective Harbinder Kaur is brought into the fold. With Natalka's urging, the odd threesome decide to launch their own investigation into Peggy's death, a seriocomic exercise that's both fun and dangerous.At the centre of it all is Harbinder Kaur, a 30-something gay Asian cop who lives with her parents. I really like this character. She’s such an intriguing mix with one foot in the traditional Asian community of her parents while the other is firmly planted in her modern reality of being a cop. Several characters take turns narrating from their POV but hers is the primary voice. And it’s one full of intelligence, determination & dryly observant humour. Peggy Smith, a 90-year-old, has died and her home aide/carer Natalka is concerned that it might be suspicious, especially when she finds an interesting business card stating “Murder Consultant.” Soon we are immersed in the world of mystery book writers, including a book festival in Edinburgh. Benedict is a former monk, he is a caring neighbor and thinks Peggy’s death is suspicious, he loves murder mysteries

Peggy Smith loved to gaze out her window and people watch. She was ninety years old and her mind was as sharp as ever. She loved taking notes and creating murder plots. But the morning Natalka, Peggy’s carer, arrived and discovered Peggy had passed away, still sitting in her chair at the window, would be the beginning of an intriguing and complex mystery.

Summary

Now most people would think that a ninety year old did her daily routine for entertainment and to pass away the hours. But for Peggy it was more than that. The time finally came when Peggy sat facing the shore with sightless eyes. Her caregiver, Natalka, came upon her that day. Peggy never got the chance to share what she saw moving along in the sand and the wind. And then, no one felt differently while attending the funeral. Old age and all that...... Harbinder agrees that 'murder consultant' has a sinister ring to it, but isn't especially alarmed by (what seems to be) the death of an elderly woman from natural causes.

Investigating Peggy’s death changes the lives of this motley and eccentric group of armchair detectives. It also makes an impact on Harbinder’s life. An enjoyable read, but I did not like it as much as “Stranger Diaries” and I hope that in future books Harbinder Kaur is a bit more optimistic and happier! There are multiple narrators, all of whom offer a unique perspective on the investigation. Natalka was my favorite character, followed by Benedict. But really, I loved all of the characters.

If you're looking for a laugh and to travel on a murder hunt, The Postscript Murders is the read for you. * Daily Record * I really enjoyed this book, it was a very different side of Ms.Griffiths that I have not read before. I would recommend this book, it was a good mystery, well plotted and had great characters that made me care about them. Ninety-year-old Peggy has died and her caretaker, Natalka, believes it was no ordinary death. When Natalka was cleaning out Peggy's home she noticed there was a large collection of crime novels and each came with a dedication to Peggy. She approaches Detective Sergeant Harbinder Kaur with her suspicions. After a gunman breaks in to steal one of the books, Harbinder sets out to determine if Peggy was murdered. And that Peggy Smith had been a ‘murder consultant’ who plotted deaths for authors, and knew more about murder than anyone has any right to… THE AUTHOR: Elly Griffiths' Ruth Galloway novels take for their inspiration Elly's husband, who gave up a city job to train as an archaeologist, and her aunt who lives on the Norfolk coast and who filled her niece's head with the myths and legends of that area. Elly has two children and lives near Brighton.

Exactly,’ mutters Harbinder. She’s being unfair, she knows. Neil isn’t a bad sort, it’s just he’s in thrall to a certain idea of Englishness, one that still isn’t available to people whose skin isn’t as white as Bing Crosby’s Christmas. Natalka, carer for Peggy and a few of the other elderly residents of Seaview Manor, a residential care complex, has a past, one that she fears is catching up with her. Benedict, ex-Monk, now barista. He left because he fell out of love with God, although his faith is as strong as ever. And Edwin, in his eighties, ex BBC and a gentleman to the core, gay, and very observant. Convinced that Peggy's death was not natural, and that the police aren't taking it seriously enough, these three set out to investigate on their own. Although they do DS (who would love to be DI) Harbinder Kaur the courtesy of keeping in touch by text. Other characters in the tale include home care workers, writers, editors, agents, publicists, family members, police officers, elderly ladies, Russians, and more - so there are plenty of suspects for the murders.

A light-hearted, life-affirming celebration of crime fiction and the colourful characters that create it... such witty and charming entertainment * The Times * She seemed okay in The Stranger Diaries but there wasn’t so much of her. In Postscripts, she has much to say about her race and the prejudices against her but she’s racist herself and her many comments were off putting. She also subtly bullied her partner. There’s a fun trio that is investigating the “crimes” – Natalka, a coffee shop owner Benedict, and Peggy’s neighbor, friend, and snappy dresser Edwin. Though the trio was surrounded by murders, I felt that they were safe from harm in this cozy mystery. I found this one to be reminiscent of Agatha Christie. How does the book also create a conversation about sexuality and LGBTQ culture in contemporary society? What does Edwin reveal about his experience living as a homosexual man during the height of AIDS? How does he say that things have changed since his youth? What secret does Harbinger keep from her parents and how does this affect her life? What does Natalka reveal about her own sexuality? To whom does she reveal it, and how do they respond to this? The death of a ninety-year-old woman with a heart condition should absolutely not be suspicious. DS Harbinder Kaur certainly sees nothing to concern her in carer Natalka’s account of Peggy Smith’s death.