The Zig Zag Girl - Elly Griffiths

The Zig Zag Girl by Elly Griffiths
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed the setting of this historical mystery. It's set in the British seaside town of Brighton in post World War II, and the main characters are a policeman and his wartime friend, a performing magician. We get a fascinating glimpse of the variety show world in the times when TV was just about to take over entertainment. That's what really helped to set this apart from other historical mysteries.

I did have my suspicions about the murderer quite early on, but there was plenty of doubt to keep me questioning, so the mystery was satisfying enough.

I always find that it's being able to invest in the characters that really makes a mystery for me, and that was definitely the case here. I found myself growing quite attached to the policeman and his magician friend. Ultimately, I cared what was going to happen to them, and that's what will bring me back to the series again in the future.

Murder for Greenhorns - Robert Kresge

Murder for Greenhorns by Robert Kresge
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I loved the idea of a historical mystery in the old West, but it's clumsily executed, and boring to boot. A lot of detailed descriptions could be trimmed. I really don't need to know the exact steps a character takes to get dressed.

I'm also just not buying the premise, and the characters don't appeal, or even ring true to me. I don't think I have the gumption to finish this one. It's not one-star bad, but I'm just not interested enough.