I’ve long admired Elly Griffiths’ writing and this novel is no exception. This was published in October 2019 and is one of the Max Mephisto series – Griffiths also writes a contemporary crime series.
This is the fifth installment in Elly Griffiths’ historical crime series set in mid-twentieth century Brighton. I’d read one of the previous books but think this one could probably be read as a standalone because the opening scene, a funeral, brings together all the key players and brings us up to speed with the back story.
This novel centres on a series of disappearances – young women and girls are going missing in Brighton and the police have no leads. Throw into the mix a bored superintendent’s wife (herself a former police detective), a nosy journalist and the celebrated magician, Max Mephisto, and the result is an interesting (if slightly sedate) investigation to find those who have vanished.
The novel is set in 1964 against a backdrop of the mods and rockers clashes on Brighton seafront. The historical detail is convincing and the restrictions on being a woman in this time period are portrayed well – Emma is suffocating as ‘just’ a wife and mother and there is the sense that things need to change for her and the younger women in the novel before Meg – a police officer of much promise – follows the same path.
Overall, this is an engaging and gentle crime story – a bit slow in places and ultimately forgettable, but an enjoyable read. I’d personally have liked more crime and less on the personal lives of everyone involved, but that’s my personal preference and there is a lot here to like.
I received a free copy of the novel from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Photo by Jose Silva from Burst
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