Customer Reviews

Whatever Doesn't Kill You: An Emma Howe and Billie August Mystery (Emma Howe and Billie Auguast Mysteries)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This novel seems like two novellas merged into one. Billie is trying to find evidence that a wealthy but mentally challenged young man did not kill his best friend. Emma tries to find the biological parents of an adopted child. Both of the plot lines would make excellent short stories, but they do not merge well into the same novel. Overall, I enjoyed it, but Ms. Roberts' work is generally better.

I like the two ladies, Emma and Billie, even better than I did Amanda Pepper, whom I enjoyed thoroughly. Maybe it's west coast bias. This second book in the series is stronger and tougher than the first. Roberts practically writes off the expectable mystery in the first pages, turning us in a less familiar direction. She has also captured completely an interesting aspect of Marin County very few, if any, others have -- the off-handed disdain and judgementalism of its residents for those who do not cleave to their own standards -- the way both Emma and Billie look at people who don't connect with them as "one-dimensional," or "stupid" or "doomed." (This attitude may not be restricted to Marin, but the style is unique.) They even look at each other that way on occasion. But under the superficial arrogance is a humanity which combines with the superciliousness to make complex interesting characters who struggle through the fog with intensity and some considerable charm. They're unpleasant in the same way Seinfeld's characters were unpleasant. You wouldn't necessarily want to know any of them, but they fascinate and teach and bring us a fair amount of laughter. And you come to like them and pull for them, despite everything, which speaks quite highly of the author's skill. Good book -- new direction for Ms Roberts, tougher, darker, grittier. Maybe some of her long-term fans might not like the direction, but this one does.

I am very fond of the Philadelphia-based Amanda Pepper mystery series by Gillian Roberts. That series is snappy, literate, and articulate. This was my first read of Roberts' Emma Howe and Billie August series. I am disappointed. It was flatter than a bottle of cheap New Year's Eve champagne left uncorked `til past St. Valentine's Day. No zip. No fizz.

Just a little over 1/3 of the way through this book, I said to myself: "Hmmm, self, it appears obvious what is afoot here. Or, peradventure, is the author throwing in a school of red herring?" Alas, amongst all the exotic animals in this tale of an over-privileged, "slow" boy-man accused of murder in Marin County, there is not a red herring to be had. What you read is what you get. At least there is some mystery to the genealogy of the other case being worked. The conflicting Point of View between Emma - the boss and owner of the P.I. agency, and Billie - her younger, new hire P.I. in-training, is good. But ultimately this is a mediocre mystery by an author who is usually much better. "I'd Rather Be in Philadelphia!"

Couldn't put this book down! Very good and keeps one wondering about the outcome. Highly recommend this book.

Emma Howe and Billie August are back and on not one, but two new cases, both which are interesting and cleverly presented. Like most of Gillian Roberts' mysteries, there is a very human element to all of her stories, and "Whatever Doesn't Kill You" is certainly no exception. Billie and Emma are great characters, and their vitality keeps the story moving even in times when it moves away from the particulars of the mystery. The ending is interesting and surprising, and replete with fun and suspense. This is a great new series and I can't wait for the next one!

Gillian Roberts has a talent for this sort of writing -- light, funny and addictive. I don't know if I would have enjoyed this book quite as much if I weren't already a devotee of the Amanda Pepper series. If you're not already a fan, I'd suggest starting with Caught Dead in Philadelphia. It could be my geographic prejudice, but I think the Pepper books are wittier and less predictable.

Although I find Emma (and Zachary) somewhat stereotypical, from past experience I know that Gillian Roberts' characters evolve, so I'm betting that these will as well. Otherwise, Billie could end up investigating Emma's demise. Still, it's Gillian Roberts and "cozy" mysteries don't get too much better than that.

Ever since Time and Trouble, I've been looking forward to the second Emma Howe and Billie August novel and I'm delighted to see that Whatever Doesn't Kill You was well worth the wait. The deepening relationship between these two dissimilar personalities enriched the converging plots as each woman struggles to help her client. As a bonus, we get slices of only-in-California-life, with animal mediators and the marine mammal rescue center in Marin County. The novel's a little darker than Roberts' usual, but I enjoyed the tension.

One of the best things about Gillian Roberts's books is always her character development and that in "Whatever Doesn't Kill You" is no exception. I loved seeing the deepening of the relationship between the crusty Emma and the neophyte P.I. Billie. As always in Roberts's work, language, tone of voice, body language all work together seamlessly to make the characters leap off the page. Also, as a Bay Area resident, I liked the Marin County local color: the marine mammal rescue center, the llama-rancher, and, of course, the always-funny Roberts can't resist showing us an animal mediator. Only in Marin---or Santa Fe! Way to go, Gillian! More, more...

I don't usually write reviews here, but Gillian Roberts is one of my very favorite mystery writers and I particularly loved this book. These are terrifically engaging characters. I loved the feeling that the author really knows the setting and I thought the plot was terrific. I recommend all of her books highly, and especially this one!

I love watching Billie and Emma learn to work together! They're such terrific examples of different ways to be strong and independent. The cases in this book give them the chance to uncover interesting parts of Marin County, not your usual hot tub stuff. Great insights into how this society deals w. some difficult issues, and a terrific mystery to boot make Gillian Roberts one of my favorite authors.