Wychwood

George Mann made a name for himself with his steampunk-y/pulp-y fantasy adventures set in Victorian England and Jazz Age New York. This new novel is a bit of a change: a mystery with supernatural overtones, set in contemporary Britain. While the story--despite the magical elements--may be more grounded than Mann's other series, the main characters are as likable and compelling as I've come to expect from him. I want to spend more time with them, learning more about them and seeing their lives develop. The murders also make for fascinating reading. While not actually based in ancient British mythology, they feel like they are. The stories that Mann creates behind the murders are fascinating, and the murders themselves are chilling and gruesome. Overall, this is a great start to a new series, and I look forward to the next book (which, according to interviews I've read, is already in the works).

I enjoyed this latest book by Mann. It isn't every day that you read one novel which has two stories in it (well yes I know there are other novels like that, but this was my first).The plot is engaging and the scenes are just right. Despite the fact that Elspeth's constant involvement in an investigation was not realistic, it still was acceptable the way it was presented, and it's a crime fiction, so why the heck not.The arcane wasn't explained at the end, but as with all mysterious things, people tend to sweep things like that under the rug. Still, Mann could have explained it a bit.I gave it 4 out of 5.

A decent mystery. Not a supernatural thriller although there are possibilities. Niether my wife or I guessed right on who-done-it, but the answer was a good one. A good read.

I absolutely adored this book. After doing a little bit of research on the author, George Mann, I realize that this was a fit made in wherever perfect fits are made. The guy worked on Dr. Who and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle comics! I have to admit, I am a wee bit in awe of him. I enjoyed George Mann's writing style. I couldn't put this book down and overslept because of that (but, that is neither here nor there). I didn't feel like it was a chore to get to the end and, to be honest, some novels feel that way because of a lack in plot or character development. But, in Wychwood, I felt mostly fulfilled at the end. I say mostly because I feel like I'm still going to close my eyes at night and see some of the images Wychwood delivers to readers. I imagine that's also a positive. Mystery readers will delight in the story telling abilities displayed on the pages. There is an eerie realness in the characters and the need to either like or dislike them is strong. 

When Elspeth (Ellie) broke up with her boyfriend and lost her job, she needed a plan. Having to move back with her mom in Wilsby-under-Wychwood, an idea is formed when the surrounding woods are cornered off. When a body is found with similarities to a local myth, she thinks she has found her big story.Elspeth was a likeable character, whilst she was upset with her break up, she did not mope around, and I did not have spend time reading about her constantly crying. Her fascination with myths and legends and her meeting up with her old school friend Peter, a DS in the police force, enabled her to assist the police with their enquiries. Whilst it is unusual for a civilian to go out investigations, it is not unheard off. As a journalist she needed good investigational skills, and this came across when she was digging for a connection between the victims. Some of the other characters were a bit stereotypical, the tortured actor and the doting agony aunt, but I loved this as you can imagine them living in a small village. As for Dorothy her mom, she was just like any mom whose daughter had been away for a few years, doting and feeding her up.With the local myth the Carrion King playing a big part in the story allowed the author to tell its story and add a fantasy element to the book. However, when Elspeth digs up some history on one of the victims, another mystery comes to light.Whilst not everything was explained and let’s face it, we can’t explain everything. This was a good read, the pace flowed steadily and before I knew I had finished the story. The twists through out kept me guessing and when the murderer was revealed, it all made sense.Whilst this is the first book I have read by this author I am off to read Hallowdene, the next book in the series.