Beyond Belief by Helen Smith
★★★★★
Genre: Mystery, Fiction
Synopsis:
When famed psychic Perspicacious Peg predicts a murder will occur at England’s Belief and Beyond conference, her science-minded colleagues recruit twenty-six-year-old budding sleuth Emily Castles to attend the event as a “future crimes investigator.” The suspected victim: celebrated magician Edmund Zenon, who plans to perform a daring stunt at the conference—and is offering fifty thousand pounds to any attendee who can prove that the paranormal exists.
In the seaside town of Torquay, Emily meets a colorful cast of characters: dramatic fortune-teller Madame Nova; kindly Bobby Blue Suit and his three psychic dachshunds; Sarah and Tim Taylor, devastated parents mourning their late son; and religious cult members Hilary, Trina, and the Colonel. Tensions rise as believers in science, the supernatural, and the spiritual clash with one another. But once a body count begins, Emily must excuse herself from the séances and positivity circles, and use old-fashioned detective work to find the killer.
In the seaside town of Torquay, Emily meets a colorful cast of characters: dramatic fortune-teller Madame Nova; kindly Bobby Blue Suit and his three psychic dachshunds; Sarah and Tim Taylor, devastated parents mourning their late son; and religious cult members Hilary, Trina, and the Colonel. Tensions rise as believers in science, the supernatural, and the spiritual clash with one another. But once a body count begins, Emily must excuse herself from the séances and positivity circles, and use old-fashioned detective work to find the killer.
Review:
I have been looking forward to reading this book since I was approved to read it on Netgalley. And obviously, because of the rating, I was not dissapointed.
As a fan of Agatha Christie novels, it is hard to find a true English murder mystery that can hold my attention in the same way. This book however, does just that. It is a light-hearted mystery, though definitely has become a murder mystery after the first body shows up. Like any great mystery novel, the reader has no idea who the murderer could be, and almost anyone has enough evidence against them for them to be a suspect. Personally, I went through about four or five suspects in my head, all believing them to be THE ONES.
I didn't realize that this book was part of a series, and quite frankly I don't think it is neccesary to read the first book in order to be able to enjoy this one. However, I know that I will be reading the first one as soon as I can get my hands on it, if only because I think it will be as great as this one.
I was a tad bit disappointed with what happened with the murderer at the end, finding it a bit weak. However it was not enough for me to find it a great fault. Others have found the ending a rather poetic (and perfect) ending, so do not let that deter you.
All in all, this book was a joy to read, and I know I will be rereading it soon!
I have been looking forward to reading this book since I was approved to read it on Netgalley. And obviously, because of the rating, I was not dissapointed.
As a fan of Agatha Christie novels, it is hard to find a true English murder mystery that can hold my attention in the same way. This book however, does just that. It is a light-hearted mystery, though definitely has become a murder mystery after the first body shows up. Like any great mystery novel, the reader has no idea who the murderer could be, and almost anyone has enough evidence against them for them to be a suspect. Personally, I went through about four or five suspects in my head, all believing them to be THE ONES.
I didn't realize that this book was part of a series, and quite frankly I don't think it is neccesary to read the first book in order to be able to enjoy this one. However, I know that I will be reading the first one as soon as I can get my hands on it, if only because I think it will be as great as this one.
I was a tad bit disappointed with what happened with the murderer at the end, finding it a bit weak. However it was not enough for me to find it a great fault. Others have found the ending a rather poetic (and perfect) ending, so do not let that deter you.
All in all, this book was a joy to read, and I know I will be rereading it soon!
Beyond Belief is released tomorrow, January 28th!
I would 100% recommend this book.
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
Other Books By This Author: Helen Smith has written a good number of books, including the children's series Of London, as well as other novels such as Being Light and Alison Wonderland. The first Emily Castles book is Invitation to Die.
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