Murder Most Fair

I hovered between three and four stars for this one. The writing is always strong from this author, which makes me want to rate it higher, but I don't think I would read this one again.

The characters are fleshed out and the plotting is thorough, as always, but my biggest complaint is that the mystery is sidelined in this one to make room for exhaustive family drama, which has never been my favorite. The murder mentioned in the title happens two hundred pages in, about halfway through, and there are no elements of the mystery you can solve along with the characters.

As for the family drama, it all centers around Verity being gone for five years, which to me doesn't feel that long, especially in the middle of a war. Her family shows little understanding or compassion for her (considering she thought her husband was dead for a year and a half of that time frame) and they have long drawn out discussions about their anger towards one another that could have been edited down. Then in the end, everything is wrapped up neatly between everyone, with love and acceptance ruling the day, which didn't feel authentic to me.

Also, the characters still feel a bit too highbrow, and they are too perfect (skillful, clever, mature, attractive, sexually competent, etc.)—to the point of teetering on unlikeable.

I plan to read the next one but look forward to more action and less face-touching in the midst of grief.

PS In reference to some other reviews I've read... I don't understand why anyone would start with the fifth book in a series, and then complain that they didn't understand the backstory. And I still think this series is far better than Maise Dobbs. I had to give up after the fourth one because I couldn't stand it.