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v99venneman's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
missyjohnson's review
2.0
Bit of a bore for a mystery. The same three or four situations were recycled over and over seemingly to add content. The pushing the instruments on a cart to the gig, having to walk, getting a cab, comments about Barty’s landlady, Mrs. C. Describing others as posh, every employee of the gentleman’s club called Cuthbert, how terrible the guys were at dancing,
Too many attempts to have witty banter. Ellie joking with Barty, Skins and Barty’s tired comedy routines, nosy neighbors commenting about anything.
Hard to believe that a police department would really ask civilians to do an investigation for them. The lack of personnel excuse was beyond lame. The superintendent taking the information gathered by the band, that was completely superficial and noting it as if it were difficult to obtain. Still trying to figure out why Flo and Lady H were necessary.
Too many attempts to have witty banter. Ellie joking with Barty, Skins and Barty’s tired comedy routines, nosy neighbors commenting about anything.
Hard to believe that a police department would really ask civilians to do an investigation for them. The lack of personnel excuse was beyond lame. The superintendent taking the information gathered by the band, that was completely superficial and noting it as if it were difficult to obtain. Still trying to figure out why Flo and Lady H were necessary.
lynnuwatson's review
3.0
An ok mystery - 1920's... An eclectic assembly of interesting characters and much humor in the dialogue.
That said, the book was almost all dialogue with "he said" or "she said" or "whoever said" added to 75% of the characters' lines. The author tried hard to incorporate the 1920's cultural jargon. The story is set in Britain. So, British slang of the day along with one American character (also throwing in trending American idioms). I found these overused and distracting from the enjoyment of the book.
I loved the name of their Jazz band -- The Dizzy Heights!
That said, the book was almost all dialogue with "he said" or "she said" or "whoever said" added to 75% of the characters' lines. The author tried hard to incorporate the 1920's cultural jargon. The story is set in Britain. So, British slang of the day along with one American character (also throwing in trending American idioms). I found these overused and distracting from the enjoyment of the book.
I loved the name of their Jazz band -- The Dizzy Heights!
estelleidekreads's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
lynguy1's review
3.0
The Deadly Mystery of the Missing Diamonds by T. E. Kinsey brings to life 1925 London. The country is recovering from the war and escapism from the devastation comes with jazz music, dancing, and excellent company. This is the first book in the Dizzy Heights Mystery series and is a spin-off series from the Lady Hardcastle Mystery series.
Dizzy Heights is a jazz band featuring Ivor ‘Dizzy’ Maloney (drummer) and Bartholomew ‘Barty’ Dunn (double bass) along with the brass section, banjo player, and speaking trumpet. It is believed that a deserter stole a fortune in diamonds while in France during the war. He is now believed to be a member of the Aristippus Club where the band plays. When Superintendent Sunderland of Scotland Yard asks for their help, Dizzy and Barty agree. They also enlist the help of Dizzy’s wife Ellie and the other band members. Will it really be that easy for amateurs to find the deserter and prevent more crimes? Who is the cunning criminal?
The main characters of Dizzy, Barty, and Ellie were likeable and unusual. Their repartee elevated the level of the book and gave this reader a fun laugh-out-loud moments, but there were a few too many puns. This supporting cast had varying degrees of depth, but provided balance and contrast to the main characters. Additionally, protagonists from this author’s other series, Lady Hardcastle and Flo Armstrong, make a short cameo appearance.
The author brings a strong sense of time and place and easily transported this reader to post-war London. Adding to that, the cultural aspects made reading this book an immersive experience and felt authentic. I easily pictured the club, the band, and saw the Charleston being danced. Friendship is at the heart of this novel and Kinsey brings it to life. Besides the diamond theft, other themes included murder, desertion, conscientious objection, how women were treated and what was starting to change. My one quibble is that the pace was a little slow in places.
Overall, this was a light, fun, and entertaining historical cozy mystery. Jazz band members as amateur sleuths was a unique and enjoyable approach. Reading this novel made me want to read the Lady Hardcastle mystery series as well as the next novel featuring the Dizzy Heights. The author’s note has several interesting tidbits of information that are worth reading. Those that like historical cozy mysteries will likely enjoy this spin-off series.
This is my honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and are not biased in any way. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
Dizzy Heights is a jazz band featuring Ivor ‘Dizzy’ Maloney (drummer) and Bartholomew ‘Barty’ Dunn (double bass) along with the brass section, banjo player, and speaking trumpet. It is believed that a deserter stole a fortune in diamonds while in France during the war. He is now believed to be a member of the Aristippus Club where the band plays. When Superintendent Sunderland of Scotland Yard asks for their help, Dizzy and Barty agree. They also enlist the help of Dizzy’s wife Ellie and the other band members. Will it really be that easy for amateurs to find the deserter and prevent more crimes? Who is the cunning criminal?
The main characters of Dizzy, Barty, and Ellie were likeable and unusual. Their repartee elevated the level of the book and gave this reader a fun laugh-out-loud moments, but there were a few too many puns. This supporting cast had varying degrees of depth, but provided balance and contrast to the main characters. Additionally, protagonists from this author’s other series, Lady Hardcastle and Flo Armstrong, make a short cameo appearance.
The author brings a strong sense of time and place and easily transported this reader to post-war London. Adding to that, the cultural aspects made reading this book an immersive experience and felt authentic. I easily pictured the club, the band, and saw the Charleston being danced. Friendship is at the heart of this novel and Kinsey brings it to life. Besides the diamond theft, other themes included murder, desertion, conscientious objection, how women were treated and what was starting to change. My one quibble is that the pace was a little slow in places.
Overall, this was a light, fun, and entertaining historical cozy mystery. Jazz band members as amateur sleuths was a unique and enjoyable approach. Reading this novel made me want to read the Lady Hardcastle mystery series as well as the next novel featuring the Dizzy Heights. The author’s note has several interesting tidbits of information that are worth reading. Those that like historical cozy mysteries will likely enjoy this spin-off series.
This is my honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and are not biased in any way. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
enticingtitles's review
3.0
Now, I haven't read any of T.E. Kinsey's other series with Lady Hardcastle, but his new mystery series following the Dizzy Heights Band includes some crossover characters that will make the transition to a new series even easier for his return readers.
Set in the Jazzy age of the 1920's, the Dizzy Heights musicians get pulled into a mystery that spans decades and centuries... a member of the Aristippus Members only club is thought to be a war deserter who stole a cache of diamonds and is trying to add to his pot by finding the rumored lost treasure hidden in some secret vault at the club. The band has been recruited to play during dance lessons for a new group of club recruits that call themselves the Alphabet Gang, and whose ranks include this deserter/diamond thief who has been on the lam since his disappearance.
I thought this was a great beginning to a series and was well written. Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC!
Set in the Jazzy age of the 1920's, the Dizzy Heights musicians get pulled into a mystery that spans decades and centuries... a member of the Aristippus Members only club is thought to be a war deserter who stole a cache of diamonds and is trying to add to his pot by finding the rumored lost treasure hidden in some secret vault at the club. The band has been recruited to play during dance lessons for a new group of club recruits that call themselves the Alphabet Gang, and whose ranks include this deserter/diamond thief who has been on the lam since his disappearance.
I thought this was a great beginning to a series and was well written. Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC!
courtneys_reading's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Took a while to get through this one because life got in the way.
Still, this was a cute mystery! I liked all the characters and the vibes. Will have to see about checking out the sequel soon!
Still, this was a cute mystery! I liked all the characters and the vibes. Will have to see about checking out the sequel soon!
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
Minor: Murder and Injury/Injury detail
txa1265's review against another edition
4.0
Fun story but not too much mystery
Overall a solid and enjoyable read - interesting and well formed characters with growth, well done setting and story. As for the mystery, it was more of a plot device than a full intrigue to sort out. Didn't stop me from enjoying the story, and will check out others in this series.
Overall a solid and enjoyable read - interesting and well formed characters with growth, well done setting and story. As for the mystery, it was more of a plot device than a full intrigue to sort out. Didn't stop me from enjoying the story, and will check out others in this series.
thebi_brarian's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75