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katreader's review
5.0
BARNABAS TEW AND THE CASE OF THE ENLIGHTENED COW
By Columbkill Noonan
The Fourth Book in the Barnabas Tew Mystery Series
After a challenging investigation with the Mayan gods, Barnabas Tew and his assistant, Wilfred, are ready for a break. While Barnabas intends for them to return to Egypt, Wilfred thinks of going to Midgard first, consequently, despite both of their wishes, the detectives wind up in India. Meeting the various Hindu gods is disconcerting to say the least, green skin, too many arms, talking fish…and what those people were depicted doing in that tapestry!!! Although suspicious, the pair agree to help Kamadeva and his consort save their friend Rama. As the detective duo navigate the world of Hindu gods they discover that things aren’t always what they seem and motivations are shadowy. Will their willingness to help prove disastrous?
This fourth adventure of Barnabas Tew is a bit different from the other books in the series and that just may be the point. The hilarious bantering still exists as do the various gods and how Barnabas and Wilfred cope with them. There's less of a mystery here though. True, our detectives have a mission, which evolves, but the story isn't so much about saving Rama as the journey they take.
Barnabas Tew is growing spiritually, while still maintaining his blustery Victorian gentlemanness. Ganesha got to the heart of the matter as he cleared the duos auras, describing their essences perfectly. While there is a lot of heart in this story, there's a lot of laugh out loud humor that one expects in a Barnabas Tew novel as well. A fish out of water story here becomes a fish IN water story too! I love the part with the water dragon, indeed, I enjoyed the dealings with all the new friends they made here.
BARNABAS TEW AND THE CASE OF THE ENLIGHTENED COW is a delightfully funny journey with the Hindu gods looking at dharma while showing the inner spirit of our intrepid detectives.
By Columbkill Noonan
The Fourth Book in the Barnabas Tew Mystery Series
After a challenging investigation with the Mayan gods, Barnabas Tew and his assistant, Wilfred, are ready for a break. While Barnabas intends for them to return to Egypt, Wilfred thinks of going to Midgard first, consequently, despite both of their wishes, the detectives wind up in India. Meeting the various Hindu gods is disconcerting to say the least, green skin, too many arms, talking fish…and what those people were depicted doing in that tapestry!!! Although suspicious, the pair agree to help Kamadeva and his consort save their friend Rama. As the detective duo navigate the world of Hindu gods they discover that things aren’t always what they seem and motivations are shadowy. Will their willingness to help prove disastrous?
This fourth adventure of Barnabas Tew is a bit different from the other books in the series and that just may be the point. The hilarious bantering still exists as do the various gods and how Barnabas and Wilfred cope with them. There's less of a mystery here though. True, our detectives have a mission, which evolves, but the story isn't so much about saving Rama as the journey they take.
Barnabas Tew is growing spiritually, while still maintaining his blustery Victorian gentlemanness. Ganesha got to the heart of the matter as he cleared the duos auras, describing their essences perfectly. While there is a lot of heart in this story, there's a lot of laugh out loud humor that one expects in a Barnabas Tew novel as well. A fish out of water story here becomes a fish IN water story too! I love the part with the water dragon, indeed, I enjoyed the dealings with all the new friends they made here.
BARNABAS TEW AND THE CASE OF THE ENLIGHTENED COW is a delightfully funny journey with the Hindu gods looking at dharma while showing the inner spirit of our intrepid detectives.
mad_about_books's review
4.0
Somehow, starting with the third book, I have come to hear David Suchet, in his role as Poirot, speaking the lines of Barnabas Tew. It's probably due to Tew's fancying himself following in the footsteps of Sherlock Holmes but looking rather like the fussy, Belgian detective. That, and the fact that I have been watching the BBC series once again. I would also note that Wilfred Colby compares to Captain Hastings in the same series.
This seems a little less the nonsense tale although the circuitous humor remains. Along with another mythology, this time Hindu, our detectives are faced with a moral dilemma on which they don't agree. Eastern philosophy thinks of death as an integral part of the circle of life. The arguments on both sides are actually quite cogent.
Whether or not Barnabas and Wilfred's cases qualify as true mysteries, it is a sure thing that they will enchant you and make you laugh.
In the time of coronavirus, we all need diversions that make us laugh, and make us think about the esoteric things that have fallen by the wayside. These books fill that need.
This seems a little less the nonsense tale although the circuitous humor remains. Along with another mythology, this time Hindu, our detectives are faced with a moral dilemma on which they don't agree. Eastern philosophy thinks of death as an integral part of the circle of life. The arguments on both sides are actually quite cogent.
Whether or not Barnabas and Wilfred's cases qualify as true mysteries, it is a sure thing that they will enchant you and make you laugh.
In the time of coronavirus, we all need diversions that make us laugh, and make us think about the esoteric things that have fallen by the wayside. These books fill that need.
booksteacupnreviews's review
5.0
You can read all my review on Blog - Books Teacup and Reviews
Barnabas Tew and the Case of the Enlightened Cow, fourth in Barnabas Tew series, was entertaining, humorous cozy mystery that revolved around two bumbling Victorian detectives plunged into Indian mythology with another mystery to solve for Indian God. It was about enlightenment on Karma, Dharma, eternal life and death cycle that of course, these two detectives had hard time to understand.
Characters–
What do I tell you about characters that I haven’t said before in review of first 3 book?! Once again they were fun to read. They were lovable and cutest detectives I ever read.
Barnabas was his usual bumbling, over-reactive, he might call himself ‘master of diversion and subterfuge’ but actually is ‘master of blunders’. However, at heart he was pure and courageous and his conscience was on right side. And he loved his assistant whom he gave credit time to time and even gave promotion in this book.
Wilfred was wise, clever, and perceptive one who could understand situation better, always knew how to correct his master’s blunder, knew Barnabas better than himself and yet so very humble. He loved Barnabas enough to follow him anywhere.
What I liked-
Writing was great, I loved British Victorian style in dialogues, expression of characters, situations and third person voice. All were described vividly. I said this before and I’m saying again, I want to see these books in movie. I loved setting and mythical part. As it was Indian mythology I knew about the God and their appearance and stories but the way author blended it with the current story was mind-blowing.
Book started with confusion and arguments between Barnabas and Wilfred over which world they have landed after plunging into cenote (that argument was almost 2-3 pages long! I tell you only these two can perform such lengthy arguments. They are quite expert in it and making you laugh over it). After solving a case for Mayan Goddess, they were shown how to travel between worlds by plunging into cenote focusing on the place they want to go. First time they were given a choice, but ended up in totally different world than they thought, India.
And to make situation even more hilarious that turned Barnabas redder than tomato, they were landed in home of Kamadeva. This time the case was to sop the death of Prince Rama. It looked quite simple, go to Rama’s abode, stop people from bringing any harm to him but well no case is as simple as that when it is in hands of Barnabas and Wilfred.
On the journey of solving the case, they got tangled into series of unfortunate events. They were turned into fish, forced to solve another case, made unlikely friends and ally, faced the sea monster, and met an enlightening cow, Ganesha, and Shiva-the Destroyer.
Enlightening cow and crabby enlightened our two detectives about Karma, Dharma, incarnations, cycle of birth and rebirth, importance of death and personal and spiritual growth. But of course, it all was indecipherable for Barnabas and so any such enlightening topics were followed by long discussions, arguments, tantrums, emotional outburst, and his signature style ‘Good day’, more than often.
There were many laugh out loud moments, howlers, funny situations and characters’ funny questions and dialogues. Most of the time imagining Barnabas’ expressions, temper, and his obstinacy itself was hilarious. I so enjoyed their diversion tactics. Best hysterical moment was Barnabas’ reaction to Ganesha’s story and the way he perceive ‘Dal’ (it was spelled ‘Dhal’ in book) as doll.
Coming to the mystery, it was most unusual than previous three books. They were given the task but on their way of solving the case, they got to know about surprising facts which were shocking for our detectives and ended up into doing exactly different, and messing it as well. They learned many things and the most important lesson for them was, results are not important it’s the journey you should enjoy.
Climax was fun and entertaining. I laughed so much at double j’accuse moments. End was blunderful and messy, but enlightening. Now I can say this series ended here because they are not going anywhere this time or are they? It was great installment of the series.
Overall, it was fun, comical, cozy, fast paced mystery with amusing dialogues and characters. I definitely recommend this book.
*** Note: I received e-copy from the author, as a part of Blog tour, in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to Rachel and author. ***
Barnabas Tew and the Case of the Enlightened Cow, fourth in Barnabas Tew series, was entertaining, humorous cozy mystery that revolved around two bumbling Victorian detectives plunged into Indian mythology with another mystery to solve for Indian God. It was about enlightenment on Karma, Dharma, eternal life and death cycle that of course, these two detectives had hard time to understand.
Characters–
What do I tell you about characters that I haven’t said before in review of first 3 book?! Once again they were fun to read. They were lovable and cutest detectives I ever read.
Barnabas was his usual bumbling, over-reactive, he might call himself ‘master of diversion and subterfuge’ but actually is ‘master of blunders’. However, at heart he was pure and courageous and his conscience was on right side. And he loved his assistant whom he gave credit time to time and even gave promotion in this book.
Wilfred was wise, clever, and perceptive one who could understand situation better, always knew how to correct his master’s blunder, knew Barnabas better than himself and yet so very humble. He loved Barnabas enough to follow him anywhere.
What I liked-
Writing was great, I loved British Victorian style in dialogues, expression of characters, situations and third person voice. All were described vividly. I said this before and I’m saying again, I want to see these books in movie. I loved setting and mythical part. As it was Indian mythology I knew about the God and their appearance and stories but the way author blended it with the current story was mind-blowing.
Book started with confusion and arguments between Barnabas and Wilfred over which world they have landed after plunging into cenote (that argument was almost 2-3 pages long! I tell you only these two can perform such lengthy arguments. They are quite expert in it and making you laugh over it). After solving a case for Mayan Goddess, they were shown how to travel between worlds by plunging into cenote focusing on the place they want to go. First time they were given a choice, but ended up in totally different world than they thought, India.
And to make situation even more hilarious that turned Barnabas redder than tomato, they were landed in home of Kamadeva. This time the case was to sop the death of Prince Rama. It looked quite simple, go to Rama’s abode, stop people from bringing any harm to him but well no case is as simple as that when it is in hands of Barnabas and Wilfred.
On the journey of solving the case, they got tangled into series of unfortunate events. They were turned into fish, forced to solve another case, made unlikely friends and ally, faced the sea monster, and met an enlightening cow, Ganesha, and Shiva-the Destroyer.
Enlightening cow and crabby enlightened our two detectives about Karma, Dharma, incarnations, cycle of birth and rebirth, importance of death and personal and spiritual growth. But of course, it all was indecipherable for Barnabas and so any such enlightening topics were followed by long discussions, arguments, tantrums, emotional outburst, and his signature style ‘Good day’, more than often.
There were many laugh out loud moments, howlers, funny situations and characters’ funny questions and dialogues. Most of the time imagining Barnabas’ expressions, temper, and his obstinacy itself was hilarious. I so enjoyed their diversion tactics. Best hysterical moment was Barnabas’ reaction to Ganesha’s story and the way he perceive ‘Dal’ (it was spelled ‘Dhal’ in book) as doll.
Coming to the mystery, it was most unusual than previous three books. They were given the task but on their way of solving the case, they got to know about surprising facts which were shocking for our detectives and ended up into doing exactly different, and messing it as well. They learned many things and the most important lesson for them was, results are not important it’s the journey you should enjoy.
Climax was fun and entertaining. I laughed so much at double j’accuse moments. End was blunderful and messy, but enlightening. Now I can say this series ended here because they are not going anywhere this time or are they? It was great installment of the series.
Overall, it was fun, comical, cozy, fast paced mystery with amusing dialogues and characters. I definitely recommend this book.
*** Note: I received e-copy from the author, as a part of Blog tour, in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to Rachel and author. ***
heatherr's review
I loved the synopsis for this book. The idea of a pair of detectives for the gods is right up my alley. There have been several books in the series previous to this one but I didn't feel like I was missing anything by just reading this one.
They mistakenly end up with the Hindu gods after trying to use a portal in a cenote and failing miserably. They spend the first several pages of the book arguing about this instead of interacting with the beings that they have appeared in front of. That was one of my issues with this book. I understood these to be British detectives who spend a lot of time ignoring or disparaging their surroundings. When they are ignorantly mocking things like a group of people doing yoga with an attitude of their own superiority it gets a bit uncomfortable.
There isn't really much a plot here. They wander about interacting with some of the gods that they meet. They never really know what is going on. They discover things mostly by accident. I did enjoy the part where they were turned into fish and had to figure out how to get from a moat to an ocean. They were active participants in their own story for this - not just passive observers that events happened to.
Columbkill Noonan is the author of the bestselling "Barnabas Tew" series, which features the bumbling-yet-lovable Victorian detective Barnabas and his trusty sidekick, Wilfred. Columbkill combines her love of mythology and her affinity for period fiction to craft unique cozy mysteries that will leave you guessing (and chuckling!) till the very end.
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