In the days before Halloween, one of the English teachers at Talgarth School is murdered in her home. Clare Cassidy is one of her fellow teachers and a friend, but police question her involvement when a note is found near the body with a quote from a story she uses in teaching is found written near the body.

Unlike most mysteries, the investigation in the narrative is led by Clare rather than the police. There is a ghostly element to the story and the writing is atmospheric, almost gothic as one by one Clare's fellow teachers are murdered and her ex-husband is attacked. There is a story within a story element to add to the entertainment. ( )

I love the Ruth Galloway series so much I was a little afraid to read this - but I shouldn't have worried. Elly Griffiths is my favorite kind of crime writer - one who writes wonderful, interesting, complicated characters, whether they are the series lead, a secondary character or someone who's only there for this book. Now I'm worried there aren't enough Harbinder books - the most recent is called The Last Word - but it's also about an obituary writer. Plus, I'm just going to trust her and figure that I'll almost certainly enjoy whatever she comes up with. And probably re-read Ruth Galloway in the not-too-distant future. If you like Kate Atkinson's Jackson Brodie books, or Robert Galbraith's Cormoran Strike (before those books got ridiculously long), there's a pretty good chance you'll appreciate Griffiths. ( )

As per usual, from Elly Griffiths, an excellent read. This book grips from page one to the end. I didn't guess the culprit, but I should have done; it was the only person that I hadn't suspected at any stage! ( )

There were multiple narrators and some worked better than others. I really enjoyed the first part of the book but the last third or so felt muddled and rushed. However, I did like the character of Harbinder Kaur so will pick up the next book to see if the series settles in. ( )

In the days leading up to Halloween, one of the English teachers at the Talgarth School is found murdered in her home. As the police investigate, they'll hone in on Clare Cassidy as a person of interest. Not only for Clare's close relationship with the victim but because a slip of paper was found near the body with the line from a story of a Victorian author that Clare regularly teaches. As Halloween approaches and more crimes follow, DS Harbinder Kaur has her work cut out for her as she works to solve who is behind the murder.

A truly atmospheric read, perfect for the final few days of October. The novel has distinctly Gothic vibes in both the contemporary mystery as well as the excerpts from the (fictional) Victorian short story that are interspersed throughout. Told from the three perspectives of Clare, DS Harbinder Kaur, and Clare's daughter, Georgie, Griffiths creates a really suspenseful and occasionally creepy mystery that kept this reader guessing until the very end. Filled with well-rounded characters and a mystery that will have a particular appeal to readers of Golden Age mysteries, this was an excellent read. Recommended. ( )