Book Review: The Mangle Street Murders

The Mangle Street Murders by M.R.C. Kasasian

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I found this book via Audible.com’s Plus Catalog.

I would never classify this as a ‘cozy’ mystery as neither the characters nor the plot fits into that category. Both March & Grice are complicated characters and each has their own collections of secrets that might eventually be revealed during the course of the series. Grice is particularly antagonistic and off-putting.

While I have been through the book several times, it is frustrating to find a through-thread to deal with the mystery(ies). That Grice’s reaction and response to the twists and turns are predominantly negative and potential fodder for red herrings only adds to the frustration. March comes across as both knowledgeable and a twit. Her “I don’t understand!” quickly got old.

As for the comparison to Holmes and Watson, Holmes was rarely mean-spirited and Watson was never both clueless and wise.

All that being said, it is an interesting work if only to find some sort of resolution to the plot. Will I continue with the series? No idea.



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