The Perfect Couple

The Perfect Couple

by Jackie Kabler

Blurb:

The perfect couple…or the perfect lie?

A year and a half ago, Gemma met the love of her life, Danny. Since then, their relationship has been like something out of a dream. But one Friday evening, Gemma returns home to find Danny is nowhere to be seen.

After two days with no word from her husband, Gemma turns to the police. She is horrified with what she discovers – a serial killer is on the loose in Bristol. When she sees the photos of the victims she is even more stunned…the victims all look just like Danny.

But, the detectives aren’t convinced by Gemma’s story. Why has no one apart from Gemma seen or heard from Danny in weeks? Why is there barely a trace of him in their flat? Is she telling them the truth, or are there more secrets and lies in this marriage than meets the eye?

My Reaction:

I decided to read this after seeing it mentioned as a good thriller.  I wish I had enjoyed it as much as that person did!  Unfortunately, I found it less than wonderful.  

My main problem was that the police detectives in this book are so... inept!  More than once they moan to one another about whether or not they might lose their jobs, and to be perfectly honest, they deserve to be fired!  They're terrible at what they do!  The female detective, in particular, is just awful.  She quickly makes up her mind that Xxxx is guilty (even though it's statistically very unlikely to be the case), and from that point on, she ceases to even try to be open-minded and only grudgingly considers anyone else as a suspect.  The shoddy police work continues from there.  It's very frustrating to read! 

(There's a scene where the police detectives applaud... themselves?  Their stupid leader?  Not sure, exactly, but they decide to break into applause when they think they've found the murderer-- only it's painfully obvious that they're WRONG.  Even if they weren't, though.  It's so, so, SO OBNOXIOUS.  I wanted to throw the book, but it's an e-reader, so I refrained.) 

The protagonist, Gemma, is also a bit too stupid, at times.  I mean, how did she not know that bleach destroys DNA evidence?!  She was supposed to have been a serious journalist before going into the softer lifestyle/fitness arena, and the bleach thing has been common knowledge for decades, now.  It's bizarre that she wouldn't have known that.  

The pace was sluggish for most of the book, and certain themes are put on repeat a few times too many for my patience.  Once something has been stated a time or two, that's enough!  The mystery's solution was fairly predictable, too.  With a couple of the "twists", literally the first thing that came to my mind turned out to be the "solution".  It was the only thing that fit, and sure enough, that's what it was.  

I appreciate that it can't be easy to write new thrillers with interesting, unpredictable twists, but this just didn't cut it, in my opinion.  I wouldn't have minded the predictability as much if the police hadn't been so thoroughly incompetent.  I found them so irritating that I resented it when we were expected to care about the detectives' personal lives.  Get back to the story and waste less time on these bumbling idiots!  

Actually, the book might've been better if it had been edited down.  Either that or get in some more legitimate suspects, because this ended up feeling obvious, as well as bloated with repetition.

It's time for some spoilers... If you think you'll read this book and don't want to spoiled, you've been warned!

SPOILERS follow!  

• Yes, it was obvious that Danny might be-- must be the murderer.  And the explanation for the bloody scene at the old flat?  Who didn't see that as the only possible explanation?  I mean, you briefly wonder whether Gemma could have killed him and just blocked it out, but that's very quickly dismissed, so... That's the only possible explanation, right?  And yet the police seemed not even to consider it, and Danny gloats over how clever he was to think of it.  (I feel my blood pressure rising...)
• I couldn't believe it when Gemma still "loved" Danny after all the crap he so clearly decided to put her through.  (This is before he tries to kill her. ...Ha.)  It's obvious that he's been cheating on her, or at least trying to, and he's framed her for his murder, yet she still loves him.  It's astounding.  She's either very stupid or much more forgiving than I would ever want to be.  
• The detectives let Danny go to the bathroom unaccompanied?!  They didn't even bother to check that there was no possible escape route in the bathroom, first?!  (AAAAAH!  Someone, fire them immediately!  No, wait.  Let me do it!)  
• The detectives didn't automatically post someone outside Danny and Gemma's home after Danny gave the police the slip?!  What?!  That's the very first place you'd post an undercover officer, isn't it?!  (Nah, why bother?  He wouldn't risk going there.  Except he does, of course.)  
• So, in the end, Gemma gives birth to a baby fathered by Danny.  He looks just like dear old dad (and granddad).  Danny is a known serial killer, has tried to murder Gemma before, is on the run, and has a history of serious "father-son issues" as well as a penchant for murdering men who look like his father.  And she decides to stay in the same rental that Danny found for them-- the place where Danny tried to kill her.  ...Yes, that sounds safe.  I know, I know!  Danny's IT-god status probably means he could track her down anywhere she went, but still.  I think it's weird (and stupid) that she just stays at the same address.
• I think about five members of the police force are mentioned by name.  In that group, we are carefully informed that one is a lesbian (with a horrible wife who doesn't allow chocolate in the house! 😲😲😲😒) and one is a gay man.  So... congrats on ticking some boxes for "diversity", I guess?  It just felt a little too like, well, box-ticking.

...Anyway.  At least the dog was cute.  

The Guest List

The Guest List
by Lucy Foley

Blurb:

On an island off the coast of Ireland, guests gather to celebrate two people joining their lives together as one. The groom: handsome and charming, a rising television star. The bride: smart and ambitious, a magazine publisher. It’s a wedding for a magazine, or for a celebrity: the designer dress, the remote location, the luxe party favors, the boutique whiskey. The cell phone service may be spotty and the waves may be rough, but every detail has been expertly planned and will be expertly executed.

But perfection is for plans, and people are all too human. As the champagne is popped and the festivities begin, resentments and petty jealousies begin to mingle with the reminiscences and well wishes. The groomsmen begin the drinking game from their school days. The bridesmaid not-so-accidentally ruins her dress. The bride’s oldest (male) friend gives an uncomfortably caring toast.

And then someone turns up dead. Who didn’t wish the happy couple well? And perhaps more important, why?

My Reaction:

I found this one a fast and fun read.  I read The Hunting Party by the same author last year.  There are definitely similarities between them (especially the way the story shifts among a variety of characters' POV and toggles back and forth in time), but of the two, I much preferred this one.  

There are some nit-picky things that maybe don't make complete sense (or aren't explained to my complete satisfaction), but on the whole, I enjoyed it.  Entertaining, so long as you don't mind hating or at least not caring for most of the characters!  Funnily enough, unlikeable characters was one of the reasons I didn't enjoy The Hunting Party that much, but I guess I'm in a different frame of mind this time, or maybe this cast of characters are more of the "fun to hate" type.  Whatever the reason, I'd give this a solid 3.5 stars, which is pretty high for me, these days.  

Problem at Pollensa Bay

Problem at Pollensa Bay, and Other Stories

by Agatha Christie

Blurb:

Three of Christie's top detectives—Hercule Poirot, Mr. Parker Pyne, and Harley Quin—star in these entertaining short mysteries. Two do not involve detectives, but focus on the deceptions of men and women in relationships. Includes "Problem at Pollensa Bay", "The Second Gong", "Yellow Iris", "The Harlequin Tea Set", "The Regatta Mystery", "The Love Detectives", "Next to a Dog", and "Magnolia Blossom".

My Reaction:

I started by listening to the audiobook version of this collection of short stories.  The narrator is Hugh Fraser (Captain Hastings from the 90s/2000s Poirot).  I loved his portrayal of Hastings, and he's an excellent narrator, as well. I've listened to one or two of his narrations of Poirot novels, too, and always enjoy his reading.  (The way he voices Poirot is closely modeled after David Suchet's performance-- perfect!)  I can be a little picky about narration, but no complaints this time!  

Unfortunately, the audiobook version I listened to doesn't include all the stories in the original collection, which was disappointing.  Of course I had to find a text copy, so I could at least read the remaining four stories myself.  It's a mixed bag, like most short story collections.  Some are a bit weak, but others were entertaining enough.  I don't think you'll be any the worse if you listen to the audiobook and give the others a miss.  


"Problem at Pollensa Bay"
I believe this was my introduction to Parker Pyne.  It was fine.  A bit predictable, as a modern reader, but entertaining, all the same. (...Though I did feel a bit resentful of the male love interest in the last part of the story... tsk tsk!)  

"The Second Gong"
This story was familiar, as I'd seen the Poirot TV adaptation of a very similar story; however, reading further, it seems that Christie later expanded this story into a novella, and it is that which was adapted for TV.  That explains the differences in complexity and denouement!  An interesting mystery with the classic locked-room set-up. 

"Yellow Iris"
This one, too, was familiar from the TV program.  I was surprised to learn that the song in that Poirot episode was written for the show, to fit the lyrics from the short story.  I'd have guessed that Christie was quoting an existing song. 

"The Harlequin Tea Set"
I don't think I'd read about Harley Quin before.  Not that I can recall, at any rate.  This story had a dreamy, otherworldly atmosphere that was completely unexpected.  (I understand now that all of the Harley Quin stories are slightly mystical, apparently.)  It's not the type of thing I'd want to read all the time or in novel-length doses, but it makes an enjoyable change of pace.  The mental images of some of the scenes came across very clearly and beautifully.

"The Regatta Mystery"

A bit familiar.  I think there was a Poirot episode that had an expanded version of this story (but can't be bothered to look it up).  Not the best mystery, but... Fine.  ...Okay, I did just look it up, and apparently the Poirot version of the story came before this one, which features Parker Pyne instead.  

"The Love Detectives"
Another Harley Quin story.  I didn't like this one as well as "The Harlequin Tea Set".  Again, it was fine, but maybe slightly predictable.  

"Next to a Dog"

I waited too long after reading this story to return to this blog post... I believe I thought it was okay, but sad, especially for dog-lovers.  Not something I'd read again.  

"Magnolia Blossom"

I didn't care for this at all.  Very melodramatic and blah.  I didn't care for any of the characters and didn't find the story compelling.  

Death in Zanzibar

Death in Zanzibar
by M.M. Kaye


Blurb:

Dany Ashton is invited to vacation at her stepfather's house in Zanzibar, but even before her airplane takes off there is a stolen passport, a midnight intruder--and murder. In Zanzibar, the family house is Kivulimi, the mysterious "House of Shade", where Dany and the rest of the guests learn that one of them is a desperate killer. The air of freedom and nonchalance that opened the house party fades into growing terror, as the threat of further violence flowers in the scented air of Zanzibar.

 

My Reaction:
On the whole, this was a pleasant bit of escapism, though not quite as immersive as some of the genre, such as the best of Mary Stewart.  It's undeniably dated, which often is part of the appeal of such books, but at times it had me rolling my eyes.  

The mystery isn't the most riveting, and the final revelation is far from stunning, but for some old-fashioned "travel romance/mystery", it's fine.  At least there was a decent amount of interaction between the heroine and hero.  That's something I always appreciate even if the heroine seems a bit dim and the hero uses an irritating amount of outdated slang!