Official Review: Dead Before Morning #1 Rafferty & Ll...

Juliet+1 · Post by **Juliet+1** » 19 Nov 2019, 18:09

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Dead Before Morning #1 Rafferty & Llewellyn Mystery Series" by Geraldine Evans.]

4 out of 4 stars

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In this classic British crime novel, the first in an 18-book series by Geraldine Evans, Detective Inspector Joseph Rafferty and his new partner, Sergeant Llewellyn, who recently left Wales to join the Essex police force, confront a mutilated corpse that nobody can identify. Despite his greater experience, Rafferty feels inferior to his well-spoken subordinate, while Llewellyn wants his ideas to be taken more seriously. Both detectives must conquer their prejudices as they struggle to solve the crime.

Found on the grounds of a private psychiatric hospital, the body is soon identified through her fingerprints. Suspects abound, and the two police officers must interview hospital staff, some patients, and anyone else who had the slightest connection to the murdered woman. Alas, every person they question has a solid alibi. Then several witnesses from the local pub mention seeing a woman who greatly resembled the victim. Who was it? Might the victim have been killed because she was mistaken for someone else? More complications, surprises, discoveries, and plot twists ensue.

Dead Before Morning is not a dark and serious novel; rather, it is a traditional whodunit in the style of Agatha Christie. Written with a light and slightly humorous touch, it also resembles the works of more modern authors such as Nancy Atherton, Rhys Bowen, and G. M. Malliet.

The author's adept plotting is one of the best features of this book. Each new revelation leads the investigators to a different view of the murder and different ideas about who might be responsible. The reader follows along, as though threading a maze, second-guessing the detectives, hoping to solve the mystery and emerge triumphant at the end.

The pacing is equally superb. Discoveries come fast enough to keep the reader's interest but not so fast as to be confusing. The multitudinous characters are also introduced at a reasonable speed, so there is no difficulty in remembering names, personalities, and relationships.

The only slight weakness of this crime novel is in its portrayal of the two policemen. Painted with a broad brush, they are somewhat stereotyped. A member of a large Irish family, Rafferty left school at 16; he wears cheap suits, loud ties, and worn-out boots. The only son of a clergyman, Llewellyn is a university graduate; he wears conservative dark suits and likes to quote Dylan Thomas. However, both characters do become more nuanced as the story moves along.

Dead Before Morning has earned 4 out of 4 stars for its delightfully twisty plot, wonderful writing, and interesting characters. Readers who appreciate cozy mysteries, whodunits, or police procedurals will be certain to enjoy this book. Its editing is impeccable, and, aside from one reference to a character possibly engaging in prostitution, none of the content would offend the most sensitive reader.

******
Dead Before Morning #1 Rafferty & Llewellyn Mystery Series
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La Cabra · Post by **La Cabra** » 25 Nov 2019, 01:57

Ah, I love a humorous mystery novel. The main characters might be stereotypical but their conflicting personalities seem like they make for very engaging protagonists. Thanks for your brilliant review.

Kanda_theGreat · Post by **Kanda_theGreat** » 25 Nov 2019, 06:21

I love works by Nancy Atherton amd your review has just prompted me to read the book

Kristinachase2019 · Post by **Kristinachase2019** » 25 Nov 2019, 07:45

This was a great book! Loved everything about it . The reviews also make me like the book even more !

AvidBibliophile · Post by **AvidBibliophile** » 25 Nov 2019, 13:40

You had me at “mutilated corpses” and well-spoken subordinates! First in an 18 book series, wow. This actually sounds like a type of genre and plot line I’d love to investigate further. Thanks for the thorough review!

AntonelaMaria · Post by **AntonelaMaria** » 25 Nov 2019, 16:20

Oh, I love a good murder mystery and if it is similar to Agatha Christie, then I am sold. Great review.

InStoree · Post by **InStoree** » 25 Nov 2019, 18:56

You got me from "complications, surprises, discoveries, and plot twists." Thank you for this amazing recommendation!

Juliet+1 · Post by **Juliet+1** » 27 Nov 2019, 16:41

Kanda_theGreat wrote: ↑25 Nov 2019, 06:21 I love works by Nancy Atherton amd your review has just prompted me to read the book

Thanks for stopping by to leave a comment. It's nice to meet a fellow "Atherton" fan.

Snowflake · Post by **Snowflake** » 28 Nov 2019, 11:17

Nice review! This sounds like an interesting mystery. It's too bad that the two detectives are so stereotypical, but I am glad they gain a bit of individuality as the book goes on.

Areej Tahir · Post by **Areej Tahir** » 28 Nov 2019, 11:28

Wow this books seems wonderful and the review tremendous! Very well put, and properly thought out. Good Job!

tristenb · Post by **tristenb** » 29 Nov 2019, 15:58

I love Agatha Christie, so I think I could appreciate this book as well. Thank you for your review!

Skinner30 · Post by **Skinner30** » 29 Nov 2019, 16:33

This book was filled with mysterious that was definitely interesting to me.

swims1215 · Post by **swims1215** » 29 Nov 2019, 22:56

Seems like a great book. Can't wait to read it. I love mysteries. Thank you!

Dentarthurdent · Post by **Dentarthurdent** » 30 Nov 2019, 08:57

Too bad the protagonists were initially stereotypical, but I'm glad they were given more dimension as the text progressed. Thanks for such a thorough and convincing review!

Post by **kandscreeley** » 01 Dec 2019, 06:24

I love that this is more of a traditional whodunnit with a side of humor. Novels that are too dark just depress me. With such a glowing review, I'll have to check this out. Thanks.