Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James Series
I’ve long enjoyed the Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James series. With #18, A Bitter Feast–the latest entry in the series under my belt, I can wholeheartedly recommend.
The series is often borderline cozy, with country houses, gardens, pubs and family. Nothing too dark or brooding. But Crombie’s main characters are police officers, and she avoids the too sweet and often unrealistic coincidences that often plague the cozy amateur detectives. We get realistic police procedurals, but without the gore.
The books are well crafted, and we get solid mysteries mixed with fully drawn characters that are allowed to grow with the progression of the series. Crombie is an excellent writer. She pulls us into each scene, whether it’s a country home, a village pub or Scotland Yard.
Main characters are Duncan Kincaid, a Scotland Yard superintendent, and Gemma James, a sergeant. Aided by Melody and Doug, fellow officers, we are treated to emotionally layered stories, well imagined plots, and of course lovely English scenery.
