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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Murdered Professor and a Missing Girl, August 29, 2006
The Wales police are trying something different. They are setting up Major Crime Units to respond to cases and get results faster. Evan Evans has the honor of being placed on the very first one, and they are immediately sent out to their first crime.
A university professor has been shot through an open window while sitting at his kitchen table. The man was brash and opinionated, so the list of potential suspects is rather long. But Evan's new boss is focusing on the man's wife. She claims she was out walking her dog when the crime happened, which isn't a solid alibi. Still, Evan thinks there is more to this case then meets the eye. His theory is proved right when a second murder with the same weapon takes place in a nearby town. What is the connection between the two men?
Meanwhile, things are getting interesting in Evan's village of Llanfair. An Arab family has just bought the local grocery store and is reopening it. They represent a huge change to the status quo, and many aren't sure they like the change.
Evan's wife, Bronwen, has befriended their daughter, Jamila. Jamila begins to open up to Bronwen, sharing the trouble brewing in her family. They are thinking of shipping her back to Pakistan to face an arranged marriage to a man much older then she is. Bronwen is concerned, but that is only heightened when Jamila vanishes. Where has she gone?
Since Evan moved up from patrol to detective, the series has spent less time in Llanfair. While I understand the need to expand the series, I miss spending time with the characters there, and savor each appearance they make. Their appearances here are fun, and the perfect counterpoint to the story.
Both mysteries are well developed. Being the sub-plot, Jamila's story stays perfectly in the background for most of the book. The main mystery of the murdered professor kept me intrigued. I had a suspicion as to what was going on, but wasn't completely sure until Evan began to put the pieces together. Both stories tie together well thematically, making this into a coherent whole.
Evan and Bronwen are the only recurring characters we spend much time with in this book. Their newly wed relationship is a joy to watch, and I enjoyed their scenes together. The many new characters were well drawn. I had no problem keeping them straight. Even the characters that had small roles were strong and memorable.
After ten books, this series feels like a visit with friends. While the old friends aren't around as much as I would like, the news friends are fun to meet. This is a strong mystery series that shows no signs of slowing down. Here's to another ten!
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Plot Reminiscent of Old Locked Room Mysteries, February 22, 2007
Evanly Bodies is set in a small town in Wales, where Detective Constable Evan Evans and his new wife Bronwen live in a small and somewhat eccentric house. Change comes to their little town when a Pakistani family moves in and reopens the defunct grocery store. While the townspeople are glad of a place to shop locally, a few culture clashes ensue. And while Bronwen finds herself embroiled in the issues with the new residents, Evan is trying to solve a series of seemingly related, unusual murders.
Three men, who are apparently unknown to each other, are shot on different days by the same weapon while eating in their homes, all seated by a window. Evans must solve these improbable crimes while dealing with a new boss and a position on a special, centralized crime squad - a position which might be either a reward or a punishment, depending upon interpretation.
I found this book particularly interesting because of the contrasts in it. The quaint Welsh village is a backdrop for the heinous acts people commit against each other and serves to highlight some of the harsh truths of our modern world. And just when you think you have the situations and characters sussed out, Bowen slips in some surprises that both keep you on your toes and are ultimately rewarding.
The settings in the book are good and well described, as are the characters. The townspeople, in particular, are a hoot. The plot is reminiscent of old locked room mysteries and, true to that genre, Bowen tries out some sleight of hand to keep the reader from asking the right questions.
Favorite character? Evan Evans, who sees his duties through to the end, no matter how they end up. Did I guess it? Most of it. Will I read another? Yes.
Mystery Book Reviews by Liz at [...]
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A charming traditional mystery, October 4, 2006
Rhys Bowen is one of the few authors of "cozy" mysteries in recent years to achieve much critical success, having been nominated for the prestigious Edgar Award in 2005. It's clear to see why she has received that acclaim, as her new book shows.
"Evanly Bodies" is a charming mystery set in Wales, featuring the unassuming Detective Constable Evan Evans, a man with a quiet manner, but a sharp mind.
Evans' knack for investigating crimes doesn't sit well with his ambitious superiors, which is why he's been relegated to only the menial tasks on a murder case. That doesn't stop him from probing to the heart of the crime, however, pursuing clues and theories that his thickheaded boss would never even consider.
Bowen writes with a light, deft touch, adding considerable likeability to both her characters and her story. "Evanly Bodies" is a fine example of a traditional mystery, and a real treat to boot.
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