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rants_n_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
3.0
kathydavie's review against another edition
4.0
The first in the mystery series, Constable Evans, Evans Above feels like a cross between the village life of Agatha Christie with the camaraderie between Inspector Jury and Divisional Commander Brian Macalvie in Martha Grimes' Richard Jury series. Evans has left big-city crime behind for the peace and tranquility of village life in Wales and has no desire to become entangled with any woman. Ahh, to dream for so little...and not get it. Evans soon becomes entangled. With a series of unexplained murders, a village full of matchmakers, and the need to play country politics.
Bowen provides a nice sense of the atmosphere and give-and-take of village life with a vague sense of whatever time period in which Llanfair exists. It has a feel of the 1950s but there's a reference to a train robbery of the Royal Mail so I'm guessing that the year is round about 1969 which would make sense for the atmosphere depicted for a small village in the country.
A soft, easy read with engaging characters and realistic dialog. I'm looking forward to reading Evan Help Us.
Bowen provides a nice sense of the atmosphere and give-and-take of village life with a vague sense of whatever time period in which Llanfair exists. It has a feel of the 1950s but there's a reference to a train robbery of the Royal Mail so I'm guessing that the year is round about 1969 which would make sense for the atmosphere depicted for a small village in the country.
A soft, easy read with engaging characters and realistic dialog. I'm looking forward to reading Evan Help Us.
sarahrheawerner's review against another edition
2.0
An unremarkable if enjoyable-ish mystery, set in the sleepy Welsh countryside. Old ladies bake pies which are stolen from windowsills, everyone goes to church, and the protagonist, a handsome young constable, doesn't quite "get" how the "young folks" can enjoy all that loud rock music.
book_concierge's review
3.0
Book # 1 in the Constable Evans mystery series. I can’t really call it a cozy because our lead character is a policeman, after all, and NOT an amateur sleuth, but it has many of the hallmarks of cozies: a small quaint village setting, a supporting cast of eccentric characters, a nascent romantic interest (or two), and the murders happen off the page.
There’s clearly a backstory of how PC Evan Evans came to the Welsh village of Llanfair, especially since he seemed on track to become a full-fledged investigator in the big city. But we don’t learn many details here.
I enjoyed the book, though it was a bit slow-moving. PC Evans is a capable man and he has a way of dealing with the village residents that engenders their cooperation and admiration. I liked Major Armstrong, though he had little to do in this book, and I would hope that he appears again in the series. And, of course, I’m interested to see how PC Evans’ love life works out.
There’s clearly a backstory of how PC Evan Evans came to the Welsh village of Llanfair, especially since he seemed on track to become a full-fledged investigator in the big city. But we don’t learn many details here.
I enjoyed the book, though it was a bit slow-moving. PC Evans is a capable man and he has a way of dealing with the village residents that engenders their cooperation and admiration. I liked Major Armstrong, though he had little to do in this book, and I would hope that he appears again in the series. And, of course, I’m interested to see how PC Evans’ love life works out.
alidottie's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first Constable Evan Evans mystery. I had read #7 (or something) a while ago and decided I wanted to start at the beginning. I really liked this starter. Now I have to get my hands on #2! I especially enjoy the Welsh manner of speaking, what? It's so different from how I speak, isn't it? It makes me start thinking that way, doesn't it?!
romanici's review against another edition
4.0
Audiobook was great. Book 1 in Constable Evans series. Welsh police procedural with heart. Enjoyed this book and will read the next one.
kellian901's review against another edition
3.0
This was cute. A little too cute to be suspenseful, but still enjoyable if you’re in the mood for a light mystery with somewhat stereotypical characters. The handsome policeman all the girls in the village fancy… the beautiful but aloof schoolteacher… the sassy voluptuous barmaid who won’t take no for an answer… the bossy minister’s wife who can barely see past the end of her nose…
The setting was what had me hooked. I’ve not been to the mountains of northern Wales, alas, but it is now on my lengthy list of places to visit.
The setting was what had me hooked. I’ve not been to the mountains of northern Wales, alas, but it is now on my lengthy list of places to visit.
nuthatch's review against another edition
4.0
This is a good cozy mystery set in a Welsh village. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
woomom's review against another edition
3.0
2.5? I was looking for a good mystery, and while this was a mystery and I didn't know who did it until the end, it was still lacking something. Pretty clean. Probably won't continue reading this series.