Review of Death in the Offing
Posted: 28 Aug 2023, 12:01
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Death in the Offing" by D.E. Ring.]
"Death in the Offing" by D.E. Ring is a murder mystery set against the backdrop of the newly built Clyburn Castle in the remote town of Barrachois, Nova Scotia. The book follows Jimmy Urquhart and Sandy MacDonald from their wedding to their honeymoon, which takes them to New York City and then up to Clyburn Castle for its grand opening. Jimmy is a police officer. Sandy is a reporter. Clyburn Castle is owned by Dr. Grandage, a friend of Jimmy and Sandy. A group of investors and partners are also invited to the grand opening, setting up a festive scene.
Everything at the hotel went well at first. Guests mingled in the dining room, the indoor pool, and the indoor movie theater. There were some tensions, but in general, everyone got along. But then it started to snow hard-a spring snowstorm that cut the hotel’s access to phone and power lines. The guests made the best of it, navigating through the hotel with flashlights and candles. And then someone died in a suspicious way. Was it murder?
I listened to this book on Audible, and I really liked it. It was narrated by the author, D.E. Ring, who has a captivating, deep voice. The rich timbre of the narrator's voice made it a pleasure to listen to for the full 7 hours and 58 minutes of the recording. The Audible format did justice to the tension of the plot, creating an immersive experience that kept me engaged in the narrative.
I enjoyed reading this book. The author did a good job of character-building, giving readers an understanding of the characters’ backgrounds and motivations. The plot moved quickly, and the author added a few unexpected twists that I appreciated. I felt as if the author could have shaped the story slightly differently, focusing more on the castle mystery and less on the wedding and the New York part of the honeymoon.
I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. In "Death in the Offing," D.E. Ring crafts a classic murder mystery that is easy to read. The book has skillful characterization and an evocative setting that kept me interested from start to finish. I took one star away, because I would have appreciated more of the murder mystery and less of the narrative. I enjoyed this book through the engaging Audible narration, but I think it would be enjoyable to read more traditionally as well. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy whodunit-style books set in remote castles where things get stormy and filled with intrigue.
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Death in the Offing
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
"Death in the Offing" by D.E. Ring is a murder mystery set against the backdrop of the newly built Clyburn Castle in the remote town of Barrachois, Nova Scotia. The book follows Jimmy Urquhart and Sandy MacDonald from their wedding to their honeymoon, which takes them to New York City and then up to Clyburn Castle for its grand opening. Jimmy is a police officer. Sandy is a reporter. Clyburn Castle is owned by Dr. Grandage, a friend of Jimmy and Sandy. A group of investors and partners are also invited to the grand opening, setting up a festive scene.
Everything at the hotel went well at first. Guests mingled in the dining room, the indoor pool, and the indoor movie theater. There were some tensions, but in general, everyone got along. But then it started to snow hard-a spring snowstorm that cut the hotel’s access to phone and power lines. The guests made the best of it, navigating through the hotel with flashlights and candles. And then someone died in a suspicious way. Was it murder?
I listened to this book on Audible, and I really liked it. It was narrated by the author, D.E. Ring, who has a captivating, deep voice. The rich timbre of the narrator's voice made it a pleasure to listen to for the full 7 hours and 58 minutes of the recording. The Audible format did justice to the tension of the plot, creating an immersive experience that kept me engaged in the narrative.
I enjoyed reading this book. The author did a good job of character-building, giving readers an understanding of the characters’ backgrounds and motivations. The plot moved quickly, and the author added a few unexpected twists that I appreciated. I felt as if the author could have shaped the story slightly differently, focusing more on the castle mystery and less on the wedding and the New York part of the honeymoon.
I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. In "Death in the Offing," D.E. Ring crafts a classic murder mystery that is easy to read. The book has skillful characterization and an evocative setting that kept me interested from start to finish. I took one star away, because I would have appreciated more of the murder mystery and less of the narrative. I enjoyed this book through the engaging Audible narration, but I think it would be enjoyable to read more traditionally as well. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy whodunit-style books set in remote castles where things get stormy and filled with intrigue.
******
Death in the Offing
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon