The JOY of Murder Reviews
★★★★★ out of 5
I love this story!
Daiya Wu, Jacques and Prince are back, along with family, Dr. Campbell, Truman Pierce, and more. Truman comes to Daiya for help in getting his mother out of a dicey legal predicament. It’s a difficult situation and the investigation takes some very unexpected turns. Another fascinating investigation! Daiyu has a very observant mind undistracted by visual input, has deductive reasoning down to a science, and an impeccable memory. The plot basics are well done in the publisher’s blurb, so there is no need to repeat or do the spoiler thing. I loved this story!
I requested and received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
★★★★★ out of 5
Looking forward to more adventures!
Daiyu Wu was fortunate to have been born to loving parents. In the Chinese culture, girl babies are not looked upon fondly, and blind girl babies are considered evil omens and should be put to death. But her parents hid her from the authorities and ultimately came to Dallas, Texas, where they raised her. At one point, she came upon the orphan, Jacques, and convinced her family to help raise him, keeping him as her confidant, friend and helper. In this second book of the series, her new friend, Truman Pierce (or as Jacques likes to think of him, the popinjay) asks her to help prove his mother’s innocence of murder…a crime for which she was recently arrested and held without bail. But can Dai and Jacques investigate this without Dai’s family finding out what she has been doing. This series takes place in the 1930’s. Dai is a very strong female character, who refuses to allow her blindness become a disability, instead relying on the strengths of her other senses. I really enjoy the relationship between Dai and Jacques, as well as the developing characters of Truman and even Dr. Aiden Campbell. And of course, who could resist the antics of Prince, the Scottish terrier/Pomeranian mix pet. Looking forward to more adventures with this group.
Disclosure: I am voluntarily reviewing this book and all opinions are strictly my own.
★★★★★ out of 5
Evocative historic details!
A very strong sequel to the first in the series but the story can be read as a standalone.
The central character is a Chinese blind girl daughter of successful migrants to the Dallas area in the early 19th century. Her family have allowed her to have a companion who is her protector/driver/friend – Jacques.
The murder is intriguing and the thought process as to why the suspect is not guilty is truly and great path to follow.
The historical facts about Dallas, the casual racism and discrimination are all well depicted.
The author is truly gifted in both the story telling and the evocative historic details.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
★★★★★ out of 5
A really well done mystery!
This was a strong sequel to the Daiyu Wu Mysteries series. I had enjoyed the first book a lot and was looking forward to this book. It was a really well done mystery and the characters that I enjoyed were back.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
★★★★ out of 5
This is a unique immersive cozy historical series!
Book Sirens eARC.
Blind from birth Dai is on her way to becoming a Golden Age style sleuth by compensating and development of her other senses. She also aided by her companion Jacques who serves as her guide and eyes. When her friend Truman’s mother is wrongly arrested for the murder of a prominent resident of Little Mexico they are on the case. I was given the opportunity to read and review the first entry in the series and was pleased to revisit these engaging characters. The author includes interesting historical detail of 1930s Dallas and the social climate of the time period. This sequel highlights the culture and challenges of the early Hispanic immigrants as well as Dai’s own Chinese heritage. Unfortunately the plot did not require much input from Dr. Aiden the female pathologist encountered in the first book. Hopefully next outing. This is a unique immersive cozy historical series that I hope has many entries.
★★★★★ out of 5
Looking forward to more adventures with this group!
Daiyu Wu was fortunate to have been born to loving parents. In the Chinese culture, girl babies are not looked upon fondly, and blind girl babies are considered evil omens and should be put to death. But her parents hid her from the authorities and ultimately came to Dallas, Texas, where they raised her. At one point, she came upon the orphan, Jacques, and convinced her family to help raise him, keeping him as her confidant, friend and helper.
In this second book of the series, her new friend, Truman Pierce (or as Jacques likes to think of him, the popinjay) asks her to help prove his mother’s innocence of murder…a crime for which she was recently arrested and held without bail. But can Dai and Jacques investigate this without Dai’s family finding out what she has been doing.
This series takes place in the 1930’s. Dai is a very strong female character, who refuses to allow her blindness become a disability, instead relying on the strengths of her other senses. I really enjoy the relationship between Dai and Jacques, as well as the developing characters of Truman and even Dr. Aiden Campbell. And of course, who could resist the antics of Prince, the Scottish terrier/Pomeranian mix pet. Looking forward to more adventures with this group.
Disclosure: I am voluntarily reviewing this book and all opinions are strictly my own.