Carole J. (PianoLady357) reviewed on 1/11/2020 + 157 more book reviews

For anyone who enjoys British mysteries, the Penny Brannigan series by Elizabeth J. Duncan is a winner. And a Welsh setting is simply the icing on the cake! I discovered this series many years ago when searching for murder mysteries set in the UK and have greatly enjoyed each story. Remembering the Dead easily stands alone, but reading through the series gives a familiarity with the characters and setting.

Remembering the Dead is one of my favorites from the series, probably because of its historical detail and theme of honoring those who served and died in the first World War. I learned that Wales is a country that honors poets, the historical chair symbolizing that âthe poet has a place at the table of princes.â The Black Chair itself was a national treasure, considered to be the masterpiece of a Belgian refugee. That it was bestowed upon a national poet was something that every person in the country would have known about â not exactly easy for a thief to hide.

Remembering the Dead has all the elements of a cozy mystery â murder committed off stage, amateur detective, idyllic setting â but is more serious and complex than what is typical for this genre. That's a compliment, something that I loved about this story. The author vividly conveys the North Wales setting of Llanelen, with its natural beauty and interesting residents. When asked to organize a dinner party at Emyr's estate, Ty Brith Hall, to celebrate Remembrance Day and mark the end of World War I, Penny Brannigan involves a few friends and business connections to help. The Black Chair, with its connection to the war, will also be there for one night, for the chair ârepresents all the empty chairs in front of the hearth that the lads and men of World War I never came home to.â

The mystery is well crafted, with beautiful prose, and one clue seemingly leading to another. I loved that there was a self-contained group of suspects, for the thief/murderer almost had to be a guest, staff, or someone with intimate knowledge of Emyr's estate. Penny Brannigan makes a great protagonist with her skill, logic, intelligence and insight. She is methodic in her investigation and doesn't rush headlong into danger. I loved reconnecting with some of the recurring characters who play important parts, such as the gossipy Mrs. Lloyd, ex-thief Jimmy, and eccentric herbalist Dilys. Remembering the Dead is an excellent mystery, one that I never wanted to put down.

Highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book through Great Escapes Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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