Devi Nair
Having reviewed the first book in the series, Bury the Lead, I was excited to return to Port Ellis. This sequel, Widows and Orphans, raises the stakes and deepens the emotional core.
Widows and Orphans, the second installment of the Quill & Packet mystery series, is a sharp step up from the first. The plot is tighter, the mystery more layered, and the stakes, both personal and professional, are deeply felt. The story cleverly folds in current issues like influencer culture, media ethics, and the politics of public opinion, all while grounding us in the warm, chaotic newsroom of Port Ellis.
Maryne Young picks up much better in this one, and the connection to all of the characters in the audiobook is instant. I especially loved how Cat’s relationships deepened with all of her family members, and with the staff at the Quill & Packet. The connection she is building with Amir is handled with subtlety and warmth, adding emotional depth without overwhelming the plot.
While the mystery kept me hooked, it’s the characters and their connections that lingered. Kate Hilton and Elizabeth Renzetti have brought more soul to this sequel. They reveal that a mystery isn’t just about who did it. It’s also about who we are to each other when everything’s on the line.
Originally posted at viewsshewrites.wordpress.com.
Having reviewed the first book in the series, Bury the Lead, I was excited to return to Port Ellis. This sequel, Widows and Orphans, raises the stakes and deepens the emotional core.
Widows and Orphans, the second installment of the Quill & Packet mystery series, is a sharp step up from the first. The plot is tighter, the mystery more layered, and the stakes, both personal and professional, are deeply felt. The story cleverly folds in current issues like influencer culture, media ethics, and the politics of public opinion, all while grounding us in the warm, chaotic newsroom of Port Ellis.
Maryne Young picks up much better in this one, and the connection to all of the characters in the audiobook is instant. I especially loved how Cat’s relationships deepened with all of her family members, and with the staff at the Quill & Packet. The connection she is building with Amir is handled with subtlety and warmth, adding emotional depth without overwhelming the plot.
While the mystery kept me hooked, it’s the characters and their connections that lingered. Kate Hilton and Elizabeth Renzetti have brought more soul to this sequel. They reveal that a mystery isn’t just about who did it. It’s also about who we are to each other when everything’s on the line.
Originally posted at viewsshewrites.wordpress.com.