Florence Osmund

This is another example of a book where the author had a pretty good story in mind, but then f'd it all up with too many pages, too many characters, too many completely irrelevant details, too many scenes that went nowhere and added absolutely nothing to the plot. (I am even tired of hearing myself complain about this, but seriously don't books undergo review and editing anymore?)

After losing both of her parents in a freak accident, young Grace discovers evidence that they may in fact NOT have been her parents, and that her real mother was murdered. To solve the mystery, she decides to become a private investigator. (As one does in these situations.) That way she will have some way of supporting herself while also working on her own case.

The story was set in the mid-60's because that was really the only way it could work; but there is very little sense of the time except for dutiful, random mentions of significant events from that time unrelated to the plot. Another thing that really annoyed me is that during her interminable investigation, some very dangerous people become convinced that Grace knows the whereabouts of a LOT of money. She is warned repeatedly by concerned friends not to stay by herself in the house, but she says, "I'll be fine." She had no special security system. No gun. No baseball bat or weapon of any kind. No plan whatsoever to be "fine" in the event that someone with bad intentions came after her.

I didn't DNF only because after doing so with several duds in a row I promised myself the next one I would soldier on regardless. And once I finally, finally, dear God finally dragged myself across the finish line, I have to admit the solution to the central mystery was pretty good - I always enjoy a twist that I didn't see coming.… (mais)