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annieb123's review
4.0
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Farewell My Herring is a stylishly clever classic mystery and the 9th Herring Mystery by L.C. Tyler. Released 22nd April 2021 by Allison & Busby, it's 227 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This hitherto unfamiliar (to me) series is a genuinely funny and surprisingly nuanced homage to golden age mystery in general, and Christie specifically. The author uses the classic tropes: inaccessible mountain writers' retreat cut off by a winter snowstorm, a murder and disappearance, atmospheric (creepy) house with a mysterious major domo... but he manages to avoid the pitfall of just riffing endlessly on canonical Christie which becomes boring in short order.
The plot is well engineered and the characters were well written and (although snarky and silly in places) mostly believable. The returning characters, hapless author Ethelred, and his sarcastic and cynical literary agent, Elsie are by turns earnest and cynical. The story is told with alternating chapter point-of-views between Elsie and Ethelred which weren't any problem to keep straight since their voices were so distinct from one another (and the chapter headers are labeled).
This is a neatly stylish, entertaining, and self-contained mystery. The character backstories are provided by the author and it wasn't obviously a series book. I had no trouble following along and the denouement and resolution were complete and satisfying. It was good enough that I fully intend to chase down the earlier books in the series.
Four stars. Entertaining and well crafted.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Farewell My Herring is a stylishly clever classic mystery and the 9th Herring Mystery by L.C. Tyler. Released 22nd April 2021 by Allison & Busby, it's 227 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This hitherto unfamiliar (to me) series is a genuinely funny and surprisingly nuanced homage to golden age mystery in general, and Christie specifically. The author uses the classic tropes: inaccessible mountain writers' retreat cut off by a winter snowstorm, a murder and disappearance, atmospheric (creepy) house with a mysterious major domo... but he manages to avoid the pitfall of just riffing endlessly on canonical Christie which becomes boring in short order.
The plot is well engineered and the characters were well written and (although snarky and silly in places) mostly believable. The returning characters, hapless author Ethelred, and his sarcastic and cynical literary agent, Elsie are by turns earnest and cynical. The story is told with alternating chapter point-of-views between Elsie and Ethelred which weren't any problem to keep straight since their voices were so distinct from one another (and the chapter headers are labeled).
This is a neatly stylish, entertaining, and self-contained mystery. The character backstories are provided by the author and it wasn't obviously a series book. I had no trouble following along and the denouement and resolution were complete and satisfying. It was good enough that I fully intend to chase down the earlier books in the series.
Four stars. Entertaining and well crafted.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
hunterkst's review
3.0
The latest addition to the Herring Mysteries, L.C. Tyler’s FAREWELL MY HERRING is a fluffy whodunnit with a fun plot but few surprises.
This is the third book I’ve read this year alone that is set in a snowed-in hotel with the guests forced to face the fact that the murderer is one of their own, so I guess that’s my niche now! The two protagonists, crime writer Ethelred and his publisher Elsie, appoint themselves the police of the scene and attempt to find all of the clues before the killer strikes again.
This is definitely a fast read and easy to get through, but I wouldn’t say that i was actually invested in anything. None of the characters seemed very panicked that there was a murder and murderer in their midst, so it was hard for me to care either. There was a lot of bouncing around between suspects, and it never stuck with one suspect long enough for me to actually be convinced that they did it. Therefore, the ending, while certainly interesting, wasn’t necessarily shocking. It had a lot of interesting plot lines and ideas, it just didn’t follow them far enough for me to become wholly engrossed in anything.
I’m sure fans of the series will love this new addition to the canon (and it is certainly easy to follow as a standalone as well!), but I just thought it was a fluffy read with not a whole lot else going on.
This is the third book I’ve read this year alone that is set in a snowed-in hotel with the guests forced to face the fact that the murderer is one of their own, so I guess that’s my niche now! The two protagonists, crime writer Ethelred and his publisher Elsie, appoint themselves the police of the scene and attempt to find all of the clues before the killer strikes again.
This is definitely a fast read and easy to get through, but I wouldn’t say that i was actually invested in anything. None of the characters seemed very panicked that there was a murder and murderer in their midst, so it was hard for me to care either. There was a lot of bouncing around between suspects, and it never stuck with one suspect long enough for me to actually be convinced that they did it. Therefore, the ending, while certainly interesting, wasn’t necessarily shocking. It had a lot of interesting plot lines and ideas, it just didn’t follow them far enough for me to become wholly engrossed in anything.
I’m sure fans of the series will love this new addition to the canon (and it is certainly easy to follow as a standalone as well!), but I just thought it was a fluffy read with not a whole lot else going on.
ccatears's review
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I’m unsure how to rate this book. I love how the plot worked, it’s a trope I really like in books/games/tv shows. Foreshadowing and very early references to the ending.
However, I can’t decide how I’d rate it? The book and story isn’t bad, I don’t believe, but I’m not a huge fan of it. The narrative is told through 2 characters and their journey to finding out who the killer is. I really liked Ethelred’s point of view, but I really disliked Elsie’s. She had an obsession with chocolate that just seemed weird. The way she ‘interviews’ felt obnoxious, but in another way worked well for the character. It was annoying to read, but fitted her personality well.
My favourite characters were Ethelred and Jenny. They felt the most human and down to earth, compared to the more irritating personalities. Is this a bad point? Again, no not really as it works and fits with plot and gives a diversity to the who done it. (No cultural diversity, though. Perhaps to fit the small town vibe, but really not a good answer.)
There’s good points, but conflicting bad points that I really can’t decide how I feel. I like the conclusion pages, especially what happened after to ‘pin the nail in coffin’ so to speak. I enjoyed reading it, but once I put the book down I wasn’t on the edge of my seat waiting for the next time I could pick it up again. It wasn’t gripping enough, but I did like the pacing. It felt a little long to get to the murder, but after that it went quite quick which I liked.
I’d recommend reading, but not to put at the top of your pile.
However, I can’t decide how I’d rate it? The book and story isn’t bad, I don’t believe, but I’m not a huge fan of it. The narrative is told through 2 characters and their journey to finding out who the killer is. I really liked Ethelred’s point of view, but I really disliked Elsie’s. She had an obsession with chocolate that just seemed weird. The way she ‘interviews’ felt obnoxious, but in another way worked well for the character. It was annoying to read, but fitted her personality well.
My favourite characters were Ethelred and Jenny. They felt the most human and down to earth, compared to the more irritating personalities. Is this a bad point? Again, no not really as it works and fits with plot and gives a diversity to the who done it. (No cultural diversity, though. Perhaps to fit the small town vibe, but really not a good answer.)
There’s good points, but conflicting bad points that I really can’t decide how I feel. I like the conclusion pages, especially what happened after to ‘pin the nail in coffin’ so to speak. I enjoyed reading it, but once I put the book down I wasn’t on the edge of my seat waiting for the next time I could pick it up again. It wasn’t gripping enough, but I did like the pacing. It felt a little long to get to the murder, but after that it went quite quick which I liked.
I’d recommend reading, but not to put at the top of your pile.
ssejig's review against another edition
4.0
I had never read a book in this series before but I a) didn't feel like I was missing anything and b) am now very intrigued about the rest of the series. The ending was a little mushy and sort of left open like there might be more to the story in later books and there some plot points were sort of glossed over but generally I liked the well-built characters and the descriptive creation of setting.
Though it is hard to believe, there are still places in the world where people cannot get wi-fi or cell service. I live near one of them so there was no suspension of disbelief for me when this mystery was set in a remote old house, Fell Hall. Ethelred and his agent Elsie have been invited to a conference where they will discuss writing mysteries and how to get your book noticed, respectively. There are only supposed to be the three authors (Elsie and Ethelred have had interactions with both of the other writers but I'm not sure if it was in other books or not.) They are there to confer with the woman, Wendy, who runs the writing seminars with one other person, Jenny who helps with the cleaning and cooking, in the building. However, two of the participants have shown up early. It is that evening that the snow begins to fall. This very much annoys Wendy who is the type of regimented person who wants things to not only run smoothly but to run her way. Even worse, one of the two participants seems to be causing consternation among the authors.
Added to the mix another participant shows up the next day, even with the deep snow, and he seems to have some sort of information about Wendy. Then one of their number dies. And one disappears. Elsie and Ethelred take it upon themselves to investigate the murder.
It was really interesting being in the head of both of these characters, especially since I didn't actually like either one all that much. But they are both fully formed, this being the 9th book in the series, and Tyler certainly has them so down pat that one book really gives the reader a full idea of who they each are.
Though it is hard to believe, there are still places in the world where people cannot get wi-fi or cell service. I live near one of them so there was no suspension of disbelief for me when this mystery was set in a remote old house, Fell Hall. Ethelred and his agent Elsie have been invited to a conference where they will discuss writing mysteries and how to get your book noticed, respectively. There are only supposed to be the three authors (Elsie and Ethelred have had interactions with both of the other writers but I'm not sure if it was in other books or not.) They are there to confer with the woman, Wendy, who runs the writing seminars with one other person, Jenny who helps with the cleaning and cooking, in the building. However, two of the participants have shown up early. It is that evening that the snow begins to fall. This very much annoys Wendy who is the type of regimented person who wants things to not only run smoothly but to run her way. Even worse, one of the two participants seems to be causing consternation among the authors.
Added to the mix another participant shows up the next day, even with the deep snow, and he seems to have some sort of information about Wendy. Then one of their number dies. And one disappears. Elsie and Ethelred take it upon themselves to investigate the murder.
It was really interesting being in the head of both of these characters, especially since I didn't actually like either one all that much. But they are both fully formed, this being the 9th book in the series, and Tyler certainly has them so down pat that one book really gives the reader a full idea of who they each are.
annarella's review
5.0
I just discovered a new great series and bought the previous books as I had a lot of fun in reading this one.
Ethelred and Elsie are two quirky and well thought characters, the claustrophobic atmosphere is very Golden Age and I found this story gripping and entertaining.
Excellent plot and character development, a solid mystery that kept me guessing.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Ethelred and Elsie are two quirky and well thought characters, the claustrophobic atmosphere is very Golden Age and I found this story gripping and entertaining.
Excellent plot and character development, a solid mystery that kept me guessing.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
frosta_wings_it's review
4.0
4.33 stars
In Farewell My Herring, our protagonists are Ethelred Tressider, an author, and Elsie Thirkettle, his agent. They are invited to Fell Hall, a manor in the middle of nowhere that offers an exclusive and immersive creative writing course. All the lecturers arrive the day before the course begins, as do a couple of attendees who decided to ignore the rules and show up a day early. During dinner, tension starts to build as it seems that one of the guests has a hidden agenda of her own.
A heavy snowfall traps the characters in the manor, and then one of them goes missing. Without any ways to communicate with the outside world until the snow stops, Tressider and Thirkettle take it upon themselves to lead the investigation.
Tyler did a really good job creating an atmosphere that evoked both the classic isolated mystery tension and a satirical take on popular mystery tropes. Farewell My Herring is a book that delivers a great whodunnit without taking itself too seriously. Tressider and Thirkettle banter is reminiscent of Carr’s detectives and reminded me a lot of Sir Henry Merrivale tongue in cheek demeanor. It reads delightfully satirical and witty.
Although I enjoyed the overall tone of Farewell My Herring, it took me a while to get into the book because too many characters were introduced at the same time. I felt like I only knew the protagonists and Claire until about 1/3 of the way in. I think it is just a matter of preference, as I do like backstories. I also feel that the book lost me a little bit with the espionage subplot. These are just minute reader preferences that didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book!
Tyler stayed true to the Golden Age Mystery traditions and played fair with his plot. He also excelled at meshing vintage tropes and atmosphere with very modern references, characters, and dialogues. Farewell My Herring is the 9th book in the Herring Mysteries series, and I will be checking his other books!
Thank you, Allison & Busby, L. C. Tyler and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Farewell My Herring in exchange for an honest review.
#FarewellMyHerring #NetGalley
In Farewell My Herring, our protagonists are Ethelred Tressider, an author, and Elsie Thirkettle, his agent. They are invited to Fell Hall, a manor in the middle of nowhere that offers an exclusive and immersive creative writing course. All the lecturers arrive the day before the course begins, as do a couple of attendees who decided to ignore the rules and show up a day early. During dinner, tension starts to build as it seems that one of the guests has a hidden agenda of her own.
A heavy snowfall traps the characters in the manor, and then one of them goes missing. Without any ways to communicate with the outside world until the snow stops, Tressider and Thirkettle take it upon themselves to lead the investigation.
Tyler did a really good job creating an atmosphere that evoked both the classic isolated mystery tension and a satirical take on popular mystery tropes. Farewell My Herring is a book that delivers a great whodunnit without taking itself too seriously. Tressider and Thirkettle banter is reminiscent of Carr’s detectives and reminded me a lot of Sir Henry Merrivale tongue in cheek demeanor. It reads delightfully satirical and witty.
Although I enjoyed the overall tone of Farewell My Herring, it took me a while to get into the book because too many characters were introduced at the same time. I felt like I only knew the protagonists and Claire until about 1/3 of the way in. I think it is just a matter of preference, as I do like backstories. I also feel that the book lost me a little bit with the espionage subplot. These are just minute reader preferences that didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book!
Tyler stayed true to the Golden Age Mystery traditions and played fair with his plot. He also excelled at meshing vintage tropes and atmosphere with very modern references, characters, and dialogues. Farewell My Herring is the 9th book in the Herring Mysteries series, and I will be checking his other books!
Thank you, Allison & Busby, L. C. Tyler and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Farewell My Herring in exchange for an honest review.
#FarewellMyHerring #NetGalley
katymaryreads's review
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
A classic cosy murder mystery with semi-successful writer Ethelred Tressider and his ambitious agent Elsie Thirkettle trapped by the snow with other writers at a retreat in the wilds of Yorkshire. One of their number is murdered, and the pair set out to investigate.
This was an enjoyable, easy read with a nice side of banter between the two main characters. There were plenty of clues to help them (and the reader) solve the murder, and they got there in the end.
Where I felt this novel lacked was in characterisation and atmosphere. Even the two protagonists were fairly two-dimensional - Elsie a selfish chocolate addict Ethelred a bumbling author who was actually a lot more competent than he appeared - and the other characters even more so. While everyone had a possible motive for the murder, none of them felt very believable to me, nor did the characters seem very bothered that there was a murderer among them who could possibly strike again.
Still, this was a fun read, especially for those who love the cosy country house murder mystery genre.
With thanks to Netgalley and Allison & Busby for an advance review copy of this book.
This was an enjoyable, easy read with a nice side of banter between the two main characters. There were plenty of clues to help them (and the reader) solve the murder, and they got there in the end.
Where I felt this novel lacked was in characterisation and atmosphere. Even the two protagonists were fairly two-dimensional - Elsie a selfish chocolate addict Ethelred a bumbling author who was actually a lot more competent than he appeared - and the other characters even more so. While everyone had a possible motive for the murder, none of them felt very believable to me, nor did the characters seem very bothered that there was a murderer among them who could possibly strike again.
Still, this was a fun read, especially for those who love the cosy country house murder mystery genre.
With thanks to Netgalley and Allison & Busby for an advance review copy of this book.
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