Where Memories Lie: A Novel (Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James Novels)

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Editorial reviews

Product Description

Erika Rosenthal has always been secretive with her friend and neighbor, Detective Inspector Gemma James, about her past, except for one telling detail: She and her long-dead husband, David, came to London as refugees from Nazi Germany. But now the elderly woman needs Gemma's help. A unique piece of jewelry stolen from her years ago has mysteriously turned up at a prestigious London auction house. Erika believes the theft may be tied to her husband's death, which had always been assumed a suicide.

Gemma has a tough challenge. She must navigate the shadowy and secretive world of London's monied society to discover the jewelry's connection to David's murderer. However, the cold case needs to be put back on the books and possibly into the hands of her partner, Duncan Kincaid. When a second, present-day murder kicks the investigation into high gear, Gemma becomes more determined to exact justice for Erika—in a case that will have lasting repercussions.

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Customer reviews

review by: Laurie Fletcher date: 2008-12-13 rating:
A very special Crombie...
In Where Memories Lie, the latest Crombie outing that involves Superintendent Duncan Kincaid and Detective Inspector Gemma James, they continue to build on the domestic bliss that has been threatening in fits and starts for the last few books. The fact that Gemma's biggest worry at the start of the book is how to pull off an important dinner party is a testament to how far they've come in this merged household with a son each from a previous relationship. It's warm and well-drawn family and Crombie does a nice job progressing the family dynamics.

But this is a murder mystery and a British procedural to-boot so we know that this is all the calm before the storm, which starts with the appearance of a piece of jewelry at a London auction house that was last seen in Germany in World War II. The piece belonged to a friend of Gemma's, Erika Rosenthal, who was a German refugee during the war, and the story progresses back and forth in time until we understand just how much Erika lost during that war and its aftermath.

Meanwhile, two people who have a connection to Erika's jewelry are killed and Duncan and Gemma are thrust into a race to find the killer(s) before anyone else dies. Yes, even though they work out of different stations, Duncan and Gemma, who was once his sergeant, have found a way to work together again. Not everyone is pleased with this development, especially Doug Cullen, who is now Duncan's sergeant, and Police Constable Melody Talbot, who works with Gemma. But it will take the wits and participation of all of them to bring this story out of the shadows and into the light.

Crombie writes good mysteries with interesting characters but this one is quite special. The world of auction opulence is juxtaposed with the sad and dreadful history of Jewish refugees as they made their way to safety, some of them to London. And many of the people in this book are truly memorable.

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review by: Bookworm date: 2008-11-27 rating:
Well written crime series
This crime mystery revolves around a magnificent diamond brooch lost during the Holocaust. The author tells the story of a murder investigation from the 1950's and the story of a diamond brooch that resurfaces in the present day. There are also different family issues that are developed in the story such as Gemma's mothers illness and Gemma's relationship with her father that are very well crafted. Both the murder investigation from the early 1950's and the diamond brooch investigation will keep you guessing.

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review by: tybie15 date: 2008-11-19 rating:
absorbing
Absorbing story with interesting characters and plot. Just started reading it and look forward each day to picking it up where I left off.
arlene

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review by: Dog lover date: 2008-10-01 rating:
Loved It
This was my first (Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James) novel. I thought it was very well written and had an interesting plot. Jemma and Duncan make a very likeable team, and they are surrounded by interesting family and friends. While I certainly had questions about some of the relationships, I felt this book could definitely stand on its own. It made me want to go out and read the books at the beginning of the series. I read a lot of mystery's, and I liked the fact that this story was to the point. Sometimes you get an extra 50 pages or more which are not necessary to the story line. Some of the book flashes between the past and the present of one of the central characters. Debra Crombie does this in an accomplished manner, as we are witness to a truly hateful time in history.


review by: date: 2008-08-22 rating:
Buried Secrets
The appearance of a long-lost precious brooch at an auction house in London sets off a wide-ranging investigation by Gemma James and Duncan Kincaid, protagonists in this popular series of mysteries. Coupled with flashbacks to Jewish refugees fleeing to England just before the start of World War II, and Gemma's personal problems--her mother's illness and her own insecurity with regard to her relationship with Kincaid--set the tone for a highly emotional and poignant story.

The author, a Texan with a penchant for the English procedural, travels at least twice in each novel to London to research the places in which the tales take place. A charming map highlighting the locations and characters adorns the inside cover of the meticulously researched book. However, there is one error: the Hagganah as a terrorist group (it was the Irgun that performed such deeds against the English).

The alternating descriptions of the past and present keep the reader on edge virtually till the end of the book. The characters are deep and the interplay of emotions and relationships telling. The author's sensitivity to the plight of German Jews under the Nazis are moving and touching. A very good read, and one which is recommended.

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