Garden of Lamentations (Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James Series #17)

by Deborah Crombie Narrated by Gerard Doyle

Overview

Scotland Yard detectives Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James are drawn into separate investigations that hold disturbing-and deadly-complications for their own lives in this powerful mystery in the bestselling series.

On a beautiful morning in mid-May, the body of a young woman is found in one of Notting Hill's private gardens. To passersby, the pretty girl in the white dress looks as if she's sleeping. But Reagan Keating has been murdered, and the lead detective, DI Kerry Boatman, turns to Gemma James for help. She and Gemma worked together on a previous investigation, and Gemma has a personal connection to the case: Reagan was the nanny of a child who attends the same dance studio as Toby, Gemma and Kincaid's son.

Gemma soon discovers that Reagan's death is the second tragedy in this exclusive London park; a few months before, a young boy died in a tragic accident. But when still another of the garden residents meets a violent end, it becomes clear that there are more sinister forces at play. Boatman and Gemma must stop the killer before another innocent life is taken.

While his wife is consumed with her new case, Kincaid finds himself plagued by disturbing questions about several previous-and seemingly unrelated-cases involving members of the force. If his suspicions are correct and the crimes are linked, are his family and friends in mortal danger as well? Kincaid's hunch turns to certainty when a Metropolitan Police officer close to him is brutally attacked. There's a traitor in the ranks, and now Kincaid wonders if he can trust anyone.

As Gemma begins to see a solution to her case, she realizes she holds a child's fate in her hands. Can she do the right thing? And can Kincaid rely on his friends, both inside and outside the Scotland Yard force, to stand beside him as he faces the deadliest challenge of his career?

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Praise for Deborah Crombie: “The strength of this series is in its characterizations, particularly those of James and Kincaid, as they balance the demanding work that they love and their family life. Another winner in a series that goes from one high point to another.” — Booklist (starred review)

“Densely plotted and with a balanced interplay between the domestic sphere and the intrigue of police internal affairs. Contemporary and propulsive.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Through several points of view, this multifaceted novel provides a sobering cautionary tale about the exploitation of idealism and the abuse of power.” — Publishers Weekly

“The novel’s title suggests sorrow, deep and debilitating, the kind of grief that chokes. It also alludes to Gethsemane and all that garden implies - betrayal, sacrifice and forgiveness. It’s all here.” — Minneapolis Star Tribune

“Garden of Lamentations moves at a brisk pace with acute attention to the details of both cases [...] a strong addition to an excellent series.” — SouthFlorida.com

“‘Garden of Lamentations’ is a strong addition to an excellent series.” — Miami Herald

“This is one of the best crime mystery novels of the season.” — Washington Book Review

“[Crombie’s] Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James characters are rich, emotionally textured, fully human. They are the remarkable creations of a remarkable writer.” — Louise Penny

Booklist (starred review)

Praise for Deborah Crombie: “The strength of this series is in its characterizations, particularly those of James and Kincaid, as they balance the demanding work that they love and their family life. Another winner in a series that goes from one high point to another.

Louise Penny

[Crombie’s] Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James characters are rich, emotionally textured, fully human. They are the remarkable creations of a remarkable writer.

Miami Herald

‘Garden of Lamentations’ is a strong addition to an excellent series.

SouthFlorida.com

Garden of Lamentations moves at a brisk pace with acute attention to the details of both cases [...] a strong addition to an excellent series.

Minneapolis Star Tribune

The novel’s title suggests sorrow, deep and debilitating, the kind of grief that chokes. It also alludes to Gethsemane and all that garden implies - betrayal, sacrifice and forgiveness. It’s all here.

Washington Book Review

This is one of the best crime mystery novels of the season.

Miami Herald

‘Garden of Lamentations’ is a strong addition to an excellent series.

The Washington Book Review

It is enjoyably full of suspense and mysteries. This is one of the best crime mystery novels of the season.

Library Journal

02/01/2017
Two (married) cops, two murder investigations. Such are the personal and professional stakes in Crombie's intricate latest installment featuring London's DI Gemma James and DS Duncan Kincaid (after To Dwell in Darkness). Duncan, still stung over a recent demotion, is deeply disturbed by the grenade attack at the busy St. Pancras rail station, especially coupled with the odd ramblings of his former boss Denis Childs. When Childs is attacked and left comatose, Duncan makes the connection to the recent suicide of a police officer and starts an investigation that turns nasty quickly. Gemma has her own homicide to probe, the case of a nanny found murdered in a Notting Hill garden. Nannies are so often the glue that joins disparate families and this one is no different, linking one of Gemma's friends with her son's ballet classmate. While the nanny seems perfectly angelic, Gemma suspects that something in her past got her killed and she's determined to unearth the secret. VERDICT An enthralling blend of suspense on the home front and possible scandal in the professional arena, with characters who are made as much for investigating as they are for each other, makes for a particularly strong series outing from an author who rarely disappoints. [See Prepub Alert, 8/15/16.]

MAY 2017 - AudioFile

This audiobook is the seventeenth in the popular Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James series, and that is a bit of a problem. For the listener to get all the preexisting relationships and plot points in place is like walking on paint that hasn’t dried. Wait, did I know that? When did I learn it? Is it important? Why are my shoes sticking to the floor? Crombie plots effectively and writes well, but narrator Gerard Doyle doesn’t do much to keep two heavily populated story lines and at least two different time frames distinct. He is good at a range of UK accents, but accents aside, many characters sound the same here. Nor does he in any way indicate when one time frame or plot line has shifted to another. Confusion follows. B.G. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170094691
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	02/07/2017
Series:	Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James Series , #17
Edition description:	Unabridged

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