Kissed a Sad Goodbye (Duncan Kincaid / Gemma James Book 6)

Superintendent Duncan Kincaid and his sergeant, Gemma James, are assigned to investigate when the body of a beautiful young woman, meticulously laid out, is found in a park on the Isle of Dogs. It takes little time to identify her, but then begins the arduous task of sorting through all her complicated family relationships, her multiple love affairs and the many reasons various people might have to kill her. All of which is very inconvenient for Duncan, who had promised to take his just-discovered son Kit to Wimbledon for the tennis and had to bow out of that promise, and for Gemma, who is rather strongly attracted to a suspect in the case….This is the sixth Kincaid/James novel and, like the others, I find it a kind of comfort-food read - not terribly demanding of the reader, but entertaining enough and with a number of plot twists to keep the reader engaged. I do like this series, although Ms. Crombie seems to have a penchant for having her main characters fall, quite inappropriately, for people with whom they should not become entwined. The main characters are all growing and evolving, and their relationships to each other are also evolving, which is nice to see. A mild recommendation from me, then, although I definitely will continue reading this series.

"Crombie weaves a tale of two boys who become allies, then friends, in a story of trust and betrayal whose repercussions echo across six decades."Another 5 star read in this series which I jumped into midway and have gone back to start over.My first read was book #8 when Gemma and Duncan moved in together. I am gaining on all of it now and so very much enjoy the mysteries as presented and the characters sub-story.Each volume in the series is set in an interesting place in England ( and other areas I suspect) which allows for an intricate plotline. This one was in the Isle of Dogs, London and shifted back and forth between the present day and WWI evacuated children.Gemma and Duncan, Scotland Yard Detectives were called upon to solve a mystery which had it's beginnings in another time. The additional twists and turns are enhanced by their growing relationship. and how they process through their own past history.Amazingly well written and absorbing. I can't recommend Deborah Crombie and her series enough.

KISSED A SAD GOODBYE is a Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James Mystery Book 6 by Deborah Crombie.This title is an excellent addition to the series.George Brent is walking his dog on the ‘Mudchute Plateau’ when he discovers the body of a beautiful young woman. The case for Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James is a very complicated one and is filled with the history of the area, revenge, old friendships, secrets and miscommunications.The back stories or subplots were so interesting and came together in the end. I was fascinated by the history and culture of the area. There was a map; excerpts from historical documents and surveys of the Dockland area; “Memories of Children on the Isle of Dogs, 1870-1970”; historical anecdotes from the Blitz; quotes from Dickens.A sense of place is so important to a good story. KISSED A SAD GOODBYE had an excellent historical aspect to it and made the ‘case’ all the more interesting and sad.Five Stars. *****

This novel was not as good a read for me as all of the other Duncan Kincaid / Gemma James series books I have read, about 6 or 7 now. The characters are not as interesting as others to which I've been introduced in the series, and the state of the Kincaid & James relationship is not as interesting here, except for Kincaid's struggle to connect with the son he just discovered in the prior, excellently plotted book. The long flashbacks about one of the key characters were intrusive and too lengthy. A plus for the book is the intersting setting in and around the Isle of Dogs and Greenwich. The map on the inside covers of the hardbound (absent in the Kindle edition, alas, is a further treat. Don't let my review discourage you from trying other books in this excellent series in Kindle or book form. If you choose the Kindle, please see if you can get the hardbound out of your library (or buy it if so inclined) to see the included, wonderful map of the London area of the scene of this mystery.

I happened to like this book. Granted, some of the flash-backs were a bit long, but I started skimming them and gleaned just enough info to keep abreast. One reviewer complained that Duncan and Gemma's romance didn't progress. I not only thought it actually did, but thought Gemma needed to proceed the way she did. After all, she hasn't had the easiest life so no time to find out who she is, what she likes, and what she wants. Seemed clear to me that she was growing as a person (character). And in the end she did choose Duncan. What more can you want? I think Crombie is getting better with each book, including this one. Different strokes, I guess.

Another captivating Kincaid & James crime mystery. A brilliant intriguing complex series of plots indicative of Agatha Christie - Indeed I suspect that Ms Crombie had devoured all Agatha Christie's crime novels before she had entered her teens...she is a master (mistress?) of the complex plot....the Agatha Christie of the 21st century. The many characters in the book are given life by her ability to describe & paint personalities in a few well chosen words. Despite being a "crime novel" it is a surprising gentle book to read. No blood and gore (well not too much) which is too common with many of today's crime writers seeking the shock factor. Tying up all the lose ends in the last few pages makes for a very satisfying read and encourages the reader to look for the next book (7) in the series.A slight amount of discord for this reader was the romantic folly which took Gemma at one stage - totally out of character but I guess this does happen in real life.

I began reading the Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James books in the middle of the series - Water Like a Stone - and was hooked but, to be honest, I wouldn’t have read all Deborah Crombie’s 18 in the series had I started at the first which Is good but not as rounded as the later novels and I held off commenting on any until completed the marathon. Firstly, I can say, without fear or favour, that I thoroughly enjoyed all of the mysteries. They are all whodunnits but centred around an expanding group of families and friends. While each book covers a separate mystery and murder(s) there is the recurrent theme of the family that runs through all the stories - and often murders come to Duncan and Gemma - separately and together. Because of the titles there is no need for a spoiler alert to the readers of the first book to know that Duncan and Gemma become an item and then a family - not as quickly as one might think. Having read a number of books that have been turned into TV series I’m surprised that no-one has attempted to turn what I believe to be one of the finest of the genre - I have not come across another series that so economically but finely draws its main characters. However, I notice that many of the current TV series have relatively few central characters and that perhaps the increasing cast of friends and family (despite losing a few on the way) might put producers off.

I enjoyed this story the most of the first 6 in the series that I have read so far. Especially the details of that area of London were quite intriguing. Not sure but it might have been the Isle of Dogs, or Poplar, the setting for Kill the Midwife.

Thoroughly enjoyable reading.

cracking good yarn

well satisfied thank you

Just reading it now and it is as good as all other Deborah Crombie books.

very good condition

As ever with Deborah Crombie, it's a real page turner.

THANK YOU

Good as ever

Loved it.

Love this series. This book, in particular is very interesting, because of the historical detail about the area and early Earth Goddess practices.

All her books are excellent

J'ai beaucoup aimé ce roman de Deborah Crombie, qui nous présente avec un style élégant, comme toujours, une histoire passionnante, dans un cadre délicieusement british.Ses héros, Duncan et Gemma se déplacent dans un univers où le thé est une valeur reine, et poursuivent leur aventure personnelle malgré des difficultés.L'histoire mêle le passé et le présent, la musique et des passions violentes.Ce livre peut plaire à tous ceux qui aiment les atmosphères caractérisées par les charmes de l'art de vie anglais.

I loved her books and would recommend to everyone trouble is I have read all of them . don't think she is still writing