ISBN 978-1-4489-7121-3
202 pages
Serena Brinkworth is a dedicated music student at Tilton University, and a very talented violinist. Her dream is to win a competition that will make her the concertmistress in the Young Artists' Orchestra. She has been working very hard towards that end, and if she wins, the world will be her oyster.
But life at Tilton University is a lot more dangerous than Serena imagines. On the night of the competition she dies from anaphylactic shock, brought on by contact with peanut flour. The detectives investigating her death are convinced by Serena's partner, backed up by Dr Joel Williams from Tilton's Department of Justice, that they should be considering murder. And then the autopsy confirms that it was no accident.
But who wanted Serena dead? The detectives find that there is actually quite a list of suspects.
In true Agatha Christie style the reader is led to consider a range of evidence, to discount the red herrings, and work out who is not telling the truth.
B - VERY FLAT is #2 in Margot Kinberg's Joel Williams mysteries. A former cop who is now a lecturer in criminal justice is an approachable and intuitive detective who seems to be able to see what others haven't seen.
B - VERY FLAT is an entertaining read, and both it and Margot's debut novel PUBLISH OR PERISH deserve to be popular not only with mystery addicts like me, but also with those who are developing their addiction.
My rating: 4.5
Margot Kinberg was born and raised in Pennsylvania, where she graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and later, received her Master's Degree from LaSalle University. After teaching at the University of Delaware for several years and earning her Ph.D. there, Kinberg moved west. She taught at Knox College in Galesburg, IL, and is currently an Associate Professor at National University in Carlsbad, California. Kinberg currently lives in southern California with her husband, daughter and two dogs.
She blogs at Confessions of a Mystery Novelist
Other reviews to check
Petrona calls it a "perfect mystery novel".
DJs Krimiblog
The Thrill of It All
9mm: An interview with Margot Kinberg (Crime Watch)
Reactions to Reading: a delightful whodunnit with a plethora of clues, red herrings and potential suspects.
Kerrie - Thank you so much for your kind review *blush*. It means a lot to me that you took the time to read B-Very Flat, let alone say such nice things about it. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI have publish or Perish in my "To read" pile... and anow, I'm gonna have to add this book. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great book review. I read Margot's blog everyday but haven't read her books. I will have to get started on her series.
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Great review. This sounds intriguing. Can't wait to read it. Love Margot's blog and can image there many twists and turns to keep the reader guessing at who the killer is.
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Thoughts in Progress
Margot does write very Christie-esque plots I agree Kerrie. And having read some shockers lately it's obviously much harder to do well than people think.
ReplyDeleteSounds good to me. Do you think it's best to read her first book first, or can I jump straight in with this one?
ReplyDeleteI would try to read them in order if I could Margaret.
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