Carole J. (PianoLady357) reviewed Remembering the Dead (Penny Brannigan, Bk 10) on + 157 more book reviews
For anyone who enjoys British mysteries, the Penny Brannigan series by Elizabeth J. Duncan is a winner. And a Welsh setting is simply the icing on the cake! I discovered this series many years ago when searching for murder mysteries set in the UK and have greatly enjoyed each story. Remembering the Dead easily stands alone, but reading through the series gives a familiarity with the characters and setting.
Remembering the Dead is one of my favorites from the series, probably because of its historical detail and theme of honoring those who served and died in the first World War. I learned that Wales is a country that honors poets, the historical chair symbolizing that âthe poet has a place at the table of princes.â The Black Chair itself was a national treasure, considered to be the masterpiece of a Belgian refugee. That it was bestowed upon a national poet was something that every person in the country would have known about â not exactly easy for a thief to hide.
Remembering the Dead has all the elements of a cozy mystery â murder committed off stage, amateur detective, idyllic setting â but is more serious and complex than what is typical for this genre. That's a compliment, something that I loved about this story. The author vividly conveys the North Wales setting of Llanelen, with its natural beauty and interesting residents. When asked to organize a dinner party at Emyr's estate, Ty Brith Hall, to celebrate Remembrance Day and mark the end of World War I, Penny Brannigan involves a few friends and business connections to help. The Black Chair, with its connection to the war, will also be there for one night, for the chair ârepresents all the empty chairs in front of the hearth that the lads and men of World War I never came home to.â
The mystery is well crafted, with beautiful prose, and one clue seemingly leading to another. I loved that there was a self-contained group of suspects, for the thief/murderer almost had to be a guest, staff, or someone with intimate knowledge of Emyr's estate. Penny Brannigan makes a great protagonist with her skill, logic, intelligence and insight. She is methodic in her investigation and doesn't rush headlong into danger. I loved reconnecting with some of the recurring characters who play important parts, such as the gossipy Mrs. Lloyd, ex-thief Jimmy, and eccentric herbalist Dilys. Remembering the Dead is an excellent mystery, one that I never wanted to put down.
Highly recommended.
I received a copy of this book through Great Escapes Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Remembering the Dead is one of my favorites from the series, probably because of its historical detail and theme of honoring those who served and died in the first World War. I learned that Wales is a country that honors poets, the historical chair symbolizing that âthe poet has a place at the table of princes.â The Black Chair itself was a national treasure, considered to be the masterpiece of a Belgian refugee. That it was bestowed upon a national poet was something that every person in the country would have known about â not exactly easy for a thief to hide.
Remembering the Dead has all the elements of a cozy mystery â murder committed off stage, amateur detective, idyllic setting â but is more serious and complex than what is typical for this genre. That's a compliment, something that I loved about this story. The author vividly conveys the North Wales setting of Llanelen, with its natural beauty and interesting residents. When asked to organize a dinner party at Emyr's estate, Ty Brith Hall, to celebrate Remembrance Day and mark the end of World War I, Penny Brannigan involves a few friends and business connections to help. The Black Chair, with its connection to the war, will also be there for one night, for the chair ârepresents all the empty chairs in front of the hearth that the lads and men of World War I never came home to.â
The mystery is well crafted, with beautiful prose, and one clue seemingly leading to another. I loved that there was a self-contained group of suspects, for the thief/murderer almost had to be a guest, staff, or someone with intimate knowledge of Emyr's estate. Penny Brannigan makes a great protagonist with her skill, logic, intelligence and insight. She is methodic in her investigation and doesn't rush headlong into danger. I loved reconnecting with some of the recurring characters who play important parts, such as the gossipy Mrs. Lloyd, ex-thief Jimmy, and eccentric herbalist Dilys. Remembering the Dead is an excellent mystery, one that I never wanted to put down.
Highly recommended.
I received a copy of this book through Great Escapes Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Remembering the Dead by Elizabeth J. Duncan is the tenth A Penny Brannigan Mystery. Emyr Gruffydd is going to host a dinner in honor of the hundredth anniversary of Armistice Day and he has asked Penny Brannigan to help organize the event. There will be a display of World War I artifacts plus the newly restored Black Chair that was awarded posthumously to Welsh poet Hedd Wyn in 1917. When they remove the black drape from the bardic chair, they find it is gone. Penny is looking for Lane Hardwick who disappeared during the dinner service and discovers one of the waiter's dead outside. The waiter is Rhodri Phillips, the nephew of her spa receptionist, Rhian who asks Penny to investigate. Remembering the Dead can be read as a standalone for those who are new to the series, but I would recommend reading The Cold Light of Mourning first which will introduce you to the series. I thought the book was well-written with developed characters. Mrs. Lloyd, Jimmy and Dilys are back. Mrs. Lloyd is the town busy body. She likes to attend the big events and know the latest gossip. Jimmy provides insight on the theft of the chair (being a former thief himself). Dilys is an unconventional woman who roams the area and drinks an herbal tea that is unappealing. We meet Riley who is staying in the traveller's encampment near Penny's house and a talented artist. It was interesting to learn about the Black Chair and the poet, Hedd Wyn. It would have been helpful if there had been a pronunciation guide for the Welsh names. Elizabeth J. Duncan is a descriptive writer which allows the reader to imagine the characters and the scenes, but it does slow down the pacing. The mystery is multifaceted with a twist or two. I like how it all tied together in the end, but I did feel it could have used a little tweaking. There were some tense moments that will have you quickly flipping the pages. Solving the mystery, though, is not a challenge. There are lovely cozy moments and the tea was hot and abundant. Reading Remembering the Dead is a pleasing way to spend a quiet afternoon. Remembering the Dead is a diverting cozy mystery with a delicious dinner, a misplaced bardic chair, encamped traveller's, a wandering waiter, a lost coffee aficionado, and one kindhearted sleuth.
