The Royal Baths Murder (A Yorkshire Murder Mystery Book 4)

I have been enjoying this series so much that I pre-ordered this book, something I have not done in years! What makes it special? First, good, believable characters with genuine human problems but not so unrelievedly dysfunctional I get turned off; I am interested in them and care about them. Second, a classic mystery where there are clues laid along the way that I mostly missed (although that was my fault. The author goes out of his way to be fair to the reader and to tease them at the same time. When Oldryd gets an insight, Evans tells us so, but we have to figure out for ourselves just what that insight is and what it means. ). Third, a very vivid evocation of the Yorkshire area, with some particular feature being highlighted in each book, in this case the Harrogate Turkish Baths and the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival. Best of all a great story, in this case the murder of a mystery writer beloved by his readers but hated by just about everyone who knows him at a crime writing festival.Royal Baths Murder lived up to the previous books in all respects. The crime was cleverly planned, but Oldryd’s deductions were, of course, even cleverer. Oldryd himself is an unusually human mystery protagonist, in addition to his deductive talents, and the events in his personal life added to the story. A subtheme of sexual harassment that emerged early in the book at first annoyed me, because I feared it was just an attempt to be au courant, but ultimately I enjoyed that as well. If I want to quibble there was a small but in one respect weighty aspect of the denouement that seemed a bit strained, but some might disagree.If you have not read the earlier books, you will have no problem picking the series up at this point, but if you want to avoid minor spoilers involving the characters’ lives, I would recommend beginning with The Body in the Dales (also called The Body in Jingling Pot). If you read one, you will want to read them all, so why not begin at the beginning!

What I disliked the most:this book checks off every woke issue from global warming to vegan ism to the me too movement and the required LGBT themes Can we not have a good mystery without all the other stuff?! The real plot gets lost. This is the last book by this author that I will read

Jim Oldroyd does it again! I liked how Steph stepped up and completed her own sleuthing... Well done and on tonu.her 5!

Ellis has once again created a mystery that seemed impossible to solve! I love the cast of characters who become real as the story unfolds.I would recommend this book to readers who fancy themselves as sleuths capable of solving the most unique murders. Ellis doesn't make it easy!

I've read the first 3 books of the series which were good. But this one turned out to be a real page turner with multiple levels of mise-en-abîme between fiction and reality. Whoever thinks that a detective story cannot be a literary experience should read this book. Furthermore, the rising and organizing of women police officers against a sexually harassing detective as a background plot was an enjoyable plus.

The author continues this series with engaging characters and settings. He seems to be "tightening up" on the whole, which I find pleasing. I will continue with the next book.

I love the Oldroyd mysteries. I usually can figure out whodunnit, but not these. The plots are intricate and well though out, and the characters are down to earth. Totally recommend these books.

I enjoyed this book, and the unfolding of the plot was at the right pace. The introduction of an intimate relationship into the main character’s life humanized him more. It is a pleasant and interesting addition to the series. Character development takes a light hand and the additional conversations and emotional responses adds to the depth of the novel. The mystery and intrigue were fascinating...asking oneself is it it real or imagination. The play on current awareness of the “me too” movement was very appreciative as a reader and a women. I can’t say how much this is part of a woman’s everyday life. I reported a college professor who gave me a bad grade for not sleeping him the an employer who manipulated me. Good job including this part of the theme in both the crime writers scenario and the police as well. Very sensitive approach. I am looking forward to next book in the series.

A bit too syrupy for me. Not much action and a lot of unnecessary dialogue. The story stumbles around seemingly to stretch out the length of the book. Then suddenly it is solved. Not as good as his previous stuff.

Enjoyed this novel immensely and will be reading some more from this author.

Really easy read.

After the inexplicable failure to examine the viola case for a hidden compartment in THE QUARTET MURDERS, police incompetence strikes again when they fail to examine the wicker basket properly for a false bottom, even on the second go. The mind boggles. Andy feels "gormless, " and he bloody well should.One also wonders if the pattern of virtue-signalling is going to plague every book in the series. Veganism and liberal/progressive moralizing are sneaking their way into the narrative in their insidious way. What's next - Black Lives Matter?Ellis, keep your political agenda to yourself!

really bad