“Murder in Venice” - L . B. Hathaway

 (Posie Parker book 6)

🎭 It’s not my favorite Posie Parker, but it is a mostly interesting mystery with red herrings galore, some atmospheric descriptions of Venice, and a spicy (if simplified) political climate for our backdrop. Alaric was never tremendously likable, but falls to new lows in the early chapters. We meet 2 new characters in Venice that are drawn in an awfully cartoonish manner (e.g. why is it necessary to harp upon the physical size of one incessantly?). Beware.

🎭 The pacing of MIV was odd. The bulk of the novel takes place over 2 days but for some reason, the epilogue breezes through a number of years and major developments in Posie’s personal life. Granted, this series is plot driven, and Posie’s personal life generally seems like an afterthought.

Alaric and Posie’s relationship had bumped along over several books. At the start of MIV she was in Venice to be married to Alaric. At the end of MIV, Hathaway yada yada yadas chunks of her life. Author’s prerogative, but still, it is confusing since this isn’t the series finale.

Next: “A Christmas Case” book 6.5

“The Saltwater Murder” book 7