So glad that i got to read this early. Always happy for the next book in this series. Now I want to know what happens next. ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

Balancing plot and character development in a long-standing series such as this one is always a challenge. Although author Crombie sometimes falls short in one or the other area, in A Killing of Innocents she is one the mark in both, Add to that her meticulous on-scene research in London and its environs, which helps her bring the place alive as a special character, and her formula is on track. Although her writing is at times a bit too simplistic for my taste, I'll eagerly sign up to read any of Deborah Crombie's new books. Her fans will flock to this title.

The nineteenth installment in the Lynley-James series is meticulously plotted with Deborah Crombie’s usual delving into the characters’ thoughts, lives, and motivations. As always, the characters grow, not always easily. There is plenty of tension in the plot, enough to keep you on the edge of your seat. The series is special because the detectives have a family. Crombie includes all the stresses, ups, and downs of juggling jobs and family life. As a reader of multiple books at once, this was the book I returned to the most - compelled to find out whodunnit but also to find out what will happen next in the characters’ lives. I’m already anxiously awaiting the next installment. Please let it be soon.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

BOOK REPORT
Received a complimentary ARC of A Killing Of Innocents by Deborah Crombie from William Morrow/NetGalley. Scroll past the BOOK REPORT section for a cut-and-paste of the DESCRIPTION of it if you want to read my thoughts on the book in the context of a summary.

BOOK REPORT
My single-most-favorite thing about this, the latest in the Duncan Kincaid & Gemma James series by Deborah Crombie, was the big ol’ shout-out to Ben Aaronovitch and his Rivers of London series on pp135/136. Kudos to you, Ms Crombie, for recognizing a fellow talent!

"Having given up on the latest television crime drama, he picked up a novel about magic police in London that Kit had left on the coffee table. To his surprise, he found the actual policing portrayed in the book to be more accurate than anything he’d seen on the telly.”

Now, as to my reaction to this book en toto? Well, take it for what it is, the surmised thought of A Loyal Reader. I mean, y’all. I’ve read 19 of these.

The mystery itself was too convoluted-y for my taste. Gemma is getting on My Last Nerve with her purposeful obtuseness and bizarre patterns of relating/communicating.

If I could give this book 3.5 stars I would, but, alas…..gonna have to round down because I’ve still got my jaw set so sideways about the Gemma stuff.

Already ready for the next one! And the one after that…..and the one after that…..

DESCRIPTION
New York Times bestseller Deborah Crombie returns with a new novel featuring Scotland Yard detectives Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James as they race to solve the shocking murder of a young woman before panic spreads across London.

On a rainy November evening, trainee doctor Sasha Johnson hurries through the evening crowd in London's historic Russell Square. Out of the darkness, someone jostles her as they brush past. A moment later, Sasha stumbles, then collapses. When Detective Superintendent Duncan Kincaid and his sergeant, Doug Cullen, are called to the scene, they discover that she's been stabbed.

Kincaid immediately calls in his detective wife, Gemma James, who has recently been assigned to a task force on knife crimes which are on the rise. Along with her partner, detective sergeant Melody Talbot, Gemma aids the investigation. But Sasha Johnson doesn’t fit the profile of the task force’s typical knife crime victim. Single, successful, career-driven, she has no history of abusive relationships or any connection to gangs. Sasha had her secrets, though, and some of them lead the detectives uncomfortably close to home.

As the team unravels the victim's tangled connections, another murder raises the stakes. Kincaid, Gemma, and their colleagues must put even friendships on the line to find the killer stalking the dark streets of Bloomsbury.

Keeping a long running series fresh for almost two dozen books is a challenge for any author, but works like A Killing of Innocents—the nineteenth Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James mystery—by Deborah Crombie make it look easy. The release of this new entry in this beloved series was delayed by the global pandemic, but both Crombie’s loyal fans and those who are just discovering the series will be more than satisfied by the final result.

A Killing of Innocents begins with Duncan Kincaid and his sergeant Doug Cullen grabbing a pint at a local pub. When they are called to the scene of what appears to be a random stabbing, they realize it was the same woman they had seen leaving the pub shortly before. Was this just bad timing or was Sasha Johnson targeted?

The investigation leads Kincaid and his team to Sasha’s workplace, a nearby hospital, where workplace friction seems unusually high. Meanwhile, Sasha’s roommate—a sculptor—can’t imagine anyone wanting to hurt her friend. When evidence turns up that points in the direction of a popular nightclub, Duncan recruits his wife to go undercover with another of his officers, Jasmine Sidana. Readers know the Kincaid/James duo is unbeatable, so once they are both on the case, this killer has no chance of escape.

Unfortunately, a second death throws a curveball into their investigation—leading everyone involved to draw new conclusions. It’s much too coincidental to have two random stabbings where the victims know each other.

What Deborah Crombie does about as well as anyone in the crime fiction community is juggle multiple points of view without ever losing the reader’s interest. Because this is such a long running series, there are many characters to which readers feel loyalty and allowing them each to have their moment in the spotlight without distracting from the central mystery is no easy feat. And yet, that is exactly what Deborah Crombie achieves in A Killing of Innocents.

Another success here is Crombie’s ability to disprove that old adage that once an author introduces children into the mix, the police work becomes unrealistic. We have all heard people question: who would put themselves at risk like that when they have family at home, and yet, the fact remains that this happens in real life every day in every city around the world. Deborah Crombie proves that it can work on the written page as well. In many ways, it is comforting to witness how Gemma and Duncan juggle the demands of parenthood with a desire to excel in their careers. Sure, it’s not easy, but it can be done and these two prove it—and the ending of this novel only alludes to further complications.

Reading a Deborah Crombie novel is like slipping into a familiar world, visiting with old friends. Readers are invested in these characters—both the leads and the supporting cast—in a way that elevates them off the written page. So much of this is a direct result of their relatability. Each of the characters has a life beyond their jobs, and in A Killing of Innocents, Deborah Crombie continues to complicate things for some long-time favorites. Of course, fans are willing to follow along as they conduct their well-constructed investigations, but when their lives are in danger, the reader is glued to the page hoping that things will turn out for the best.

Let’s hope that it’s not quite so long until our next visit with this delightful cadre of characters. That book will be the twentieth in the series, so it sure to be an occasion to celebrate. For now, dive into Deborah Crombie’s A Killing of Innocents and find comfort from a stalwart of the traditional mystery.

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

4.5 hearts

I've enjoyed every book in the Duncan Kincaid & Gemma James series. I've read all 19 books and love the development of the characters including their families, friends and co-workers. The mysteries, usually murder, are also a bit complex. It's just such a pleasure and comfort I feel as I read.

The Kincaid family is a busy and loving one. Kit is getting older. He often cooks for the family and also works at a friend's cafe. He helps to care for his younger "siblings." Toby is 7 and showing talent in ballet. Charlotte is just 4 and adjusting to her new family after her family's deaths last year. Gemma is working at more of a desk job so she can be more available for the family as Duncan's cases have him out all hours, all days.

We see Melody who had a breakup with Andy recently. She works with Gemma. There's also Doug who works with Duncan. Duncan has a new DI, Jasmine, and he isn't sure about her. We see bits of their work and personal lives.

Duncan and Doug meet at a bar to discuss some things. There is a woman who is waiting, as Duncan waits for Doug. She leaves after she appears to give up waiting for someone. Shortly afterward, they get the call and the woman is the dead body. She turns out to have been a junior doctor at a nearby hospital.

The case gets more complex as they find more dead bodies. The first woman is a close friend of one of their friends. Her brother has disappeared and the family is worried he is in trouble. It is fascinating to watch as different people follow various odd pieces of information to get to the truths.

I loved the investigations running along with the backdrop of their personal lives and issues. The case was solved along with some other police matters, very satisfactorily. There were, however, some personal storylines which were just open, as the book ended shortly after the end of the case. I wouldn't have minded a bit more on those, particularly since it was Christmas holidays, a few additional pages of personal activities wouldn't have been amiss.

Deborah Crombie’s best book yet, I have read every book in this series and was excited to get to read this newest one. It is absolutely my favorite. I enjoyed catching up with the main characters’ lives, but the mystery was even more captivating. I am telling everyone I know to add this book to a “must read” list.

This is the 19th book in the series and I have not lost interest. Many times in a series that goes on this long the characters get stale but this is not the case for Duncan and Gemma. As their family has grown they have to deal with child care and rides to activities same as most parents.

Duncan is investigating the stabbing of a junior doctor in the park. There are a lot of twists and turns and with some help from Gemma and the other characters which I have grown to like it comes to a satisfying conclusion but still a surprise.

I hope to read more in this series as the family grows and the cases are just as interesting.

Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow for providing me with a digital copy.

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Reading a new Deborah Crombie is always a treat. I love slipping into the world of Duncan Kincaid, his wife and fellow police inspector Gemma, and their cobbled together family, friends and co-workers. I’m only sad when I finish and know I have to wait for the next book!

When a young doctor is fatally stabbed in a public square, Duncan and Doug (his sergeant) are called to the scene. The victim was close to family friends of Duncan’s and Gemma’s. Gemma and her sergeant Melody are in new desk jobs and are missing being in the field. When she has the opportunity to go undercover for Duncan’s, Gemma realizes just how much she misses being on a case.

The story is compelling, but it’s the characters and writing that make Crombie’s series a must read.

This is book 19 in the series. You can read it as a standalone. This is a well written, intriguing mystery and police work with the rich character development of their family life. Duncan and his team are working on the stabbing deaths of two hospital workers. Gemma is on a taskforce looking into knifing crimes. Not only do they have to figure out if the stabbings are connected, but what and who connects the victims. And they have to figure out how to keep their busy family taken care of.

Although A Killing of Innocents is part of a series, it can be enjoyed as a stand alone because of the strong character development and an interesting storyline. The writing is exceptional as well. The description alludes to “tangled connections” and the untangling of those connections led to a satisfying, yet surprising, ending. I’m eager to read other books in the series.

A Killing of Innocents is the nineteenth installment in Deborah Crombie's Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James series. And, it is a worthy addition to this wonderful series.

When junior doctor Sasha Johnson realizes that she has been stood up, she heads through London's Russell Square. After someone in the crowd jostles her while passing, she collapses. Detective Superintendent Duncan Kincaid receives the call, and he and Detective Sergeant Doug Cullen find that Sasha had been stabbed. Who would want to kill this young doctor? Why? As we follow Duncan's usual investigation into Sasha's family, her roommate, her coworkers, what seems like a straightforward, albeit puzzling, case develops complications and becomes multifaceted. We witness how Duncan and his team find the who and the why.

Although A Killing of Innocents gives us the complex plot development that we have come to expect from Crombie, this book seems to lack a lot of the "extra-plot development" to which we are accustomed; in other words, Duncan's wife, Detective Inspector Gemma James, is largely sidelined in this book. Gemma and her sergeant, Melody Talbot, have been assigned to a task force involving the tracking and identifying of knife crimes. And, although both detectives contribute to the investigation, their participation is minimal; there is no real role for them in this book. However, Crombie has done a nice job capturing the frustration that Gemma experiences with balancing the primary care of their three children with her desire to be solving cases, work at which she excels. And, even though the plot may be more narrow - in the sense of which characters are given an active role - Crombie skillfully works in some continued development to characters who are sidelined in this plot.

I was very excited to have the opportunity to read and review an advanced readers copy of this book. Nonetheless, when I came to the end of A Killing of Innocents, I was very sad. It is a great addition to the Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James series - and I highly recommend the book and the entire series - but at the end, I realized that my return to Duncan's and Gemma's world was over. Crombie, as always, is masterful, and I anxiously await the next installment in the series.

The latest entry in the Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James series--a must-read series for me--is fast-paced and smoothly written. Following the characters through several novels definitely enhances the reading experience, but there is enough summarizing of the backstory to make it readable as a standalone. The relationships amongst Duncan, Gemma, and their brood of children (one his, one hers, and one adopted) continue to change and develop throughout the novel. The sometimes strained friendship between their co-workers Melody and Doug hits some roadblocks and adds to the tension, too. The mystery--the slaying of an ambitious young doctor--has some twists and turns, with the requisite red herrings as the different threads of the story come together at the end. The structure of the novel alternates points of view of the same action seen through the eyes of different characters, adding suspense to the plot, particularly at the story's climax.

Many thanks to both William Morrow & Company and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of A Killing of Innocents!

Expected publication February 7, 2023

Trainee doctor Sasha Johnson hurries through the evening crowd in London's historic Russell Square. Out of the darkness, someone jostles her as they brush past. A moment later, Sasha stumbles, then collapses...

I loved reading how Duncan and Gemma are working their way through the challenges of life!  Balancing their important careers with raising children isn't easy.  I wish I had read the previous books in the series before jumping in at book #19.  There was a slew of characters to keep track of, and I think I failed with a couple of them.  I don't think I would recommend reading A Killing of Innocents as a stand-alone.  However!  Even with not understanding who ALL of the characters were, I found this to be a twisty mystery that also had a lot of heart.  (I think my favorite part of the book was when Gemma and Jasmine went undercover!)  

Now to find some of the older books in the Duncan and Gemma series, so I can be ready when #20 is written and released.  :)

Duncan Kinkaid's team investigates a very puzzling death. It is fascinating how the team members wiggle out bits of information, relevant or not, and eventually sort and fit them all together. Personal issues still come into play and it will be interesting to see how they are resolved in future books. The characters continue to grow and evolve which adds more dimension to the mysteries. I am eagerly waiting for the next book!

I haven't read any of the prior books, but this can be read as a standalone novel. I enjoyed the setting, and the mystery is solid. It kept me guessing with a few unexpected turns. It was fun to sleuth along with the characters, who are well developed and realistic. I liked the fact that the story unfolds in multiple POVs. The writing style makes the reader feel a part of the story and location.

This 19th book of a series delivers a satisfying read filled with wonderful elements of the very best of police procedurals set in London current time. Kincaid and team are presented with a puzzler of a murder witnessed by a young boy with his mother. A young woman is walking home when someone bumps into her with a sharp object killing her instantly. There are several individuals investigated and interesting events on the domestic side of things in Kincaid's home as well. I have enjoyed this series for many years now.
This will be on many "Best Books of 2023" lists including mine.

William Morrow Books through NetGalley granted me advance copy. February 7 is publication date.

We were delighted to feature this title in our live Spring Book Preview event on January 10, 2023, recommending this book in the long-running and much-loved Duncan Kincaid and Gemma Kincaid series to both longtime fans and new readers eager for a mystery in the vain of Louise Penny. This is a worthy installment and well worth the wait! We've linked to our event PDF for reference.

On a rainy November evening, a young woman hurries through the crowd in London’s historic Russell Square. Out of the darkness, someone jostles her, then brushes past. A moment later, she stumbles, collapsing against a tree. When a young mother finds her body and alerts the police, Detective Superintendent Duncan Kincaid and his sergeant, Doug Cullen, are called to the scene. The victim, Sasha Johnson, is a trainee doctor at a nearby hospital, and she’s been stabbed.

Kincaid immediately calls his detective wife, Gemma James, who has recently been assigned to a task force on knife crime. Along with her partner, detective sergeant Melody Talbot, Gemma joins the investigation. But Sasha Johnson doesn’t fit the profile of the typical knife crime victim. Single, successful, daughter of a black professional family, she has no history of abusive relationships or any connection to gangs. She had her secrets, though, and Kincaid uncovers an awkward connection to his Notting Hill friends Wesley and Betty Howard.

As the detectives unravel Sasha’s tangled relationships, another stabbing takes London closer to panic, and Kincaid’s team needs all their resources to find the killer stalking the dark streets of Bloomsbury.

The nineteenth book in a series that grows and changes, but still keeps its heart. Duncan and Gemma are my favorite husband and wife team in modern British police procedurals. Their lives are full of believable challenges. Not only does Crombie write a really good mystery, she also knows how to write about everything that goes with modern life and her descriptions of London make me feel like I've been there.
Recommended to fans of the series, although, as usual, start with the first book. You will not regret it.

3.75 stars
I really like the Kincaid and James series. I feel like this series is comfort food- you know what you are getting and while it might not be earth shattering or something brand new and different- that is OK. Because I am getting exactly what I want. This story moves between Kincaid, James, Melody, Doug, and the other usual characters in the series. One of the things I like about this series is we get to know many of the characters professionally and personally. I think it makes the books more interesting. The mystery this time is who killed a young doctor, Sasha Johnson, and why. I didn't get quite as invested in this mystery as some of the others, but still enjoyed it. If you are a fan of this series, read #19!