Fans of P.D. James, Peter Robinson, and Elizabeth George will enjoy this long-running mystery series featuring Scotland Yard detectives Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James. Water Like a Stone is the 11th entry in the series, which Crombie began in 1993 with A Share In Death.
One of the most enjoyable things about this series is the character development. The relationship between Duncan and Gemma anchors the series, having progressed over time from professional and straightforward to personal and complicated. Each has a child from a previous marriage, which poses even more complications for their partnership. It’s not necessary to have started at the beginning of the series to enjoy the mystery presented in Water Like a Stone, but I encourage readers to do so. I think you will more fully appreciate how the relationship between Duncan and Gemma has developed over the years and better understand some of the background which is referred to in Water Like a Stone.
Water Like a Stone opens with Duncan and Gemma, and their children, on their way to the English countryside to celebrate Christmas with Duncan’s parents. The visit marks a major milestone in the couple’s relationship, as Gemma has never met Duncan’s family. Adding to the tension of the situation, the couple arrive at Duncan’s parents’ Cheshire farm to discover that
Duncan’s sister has discovered the remains of an infant in a nearby building which she is renovating. Naturally, both Duncan and Gemma become involved in the case, which is complicated by another murder soon after.
Crombie alternates points of view between Duncan, Gemma, Duncan’s son Kit, the lead detective on the case, the perpetrator, and others. This allows the reader to identify and empathize with the characters. P.D. James and Elizabeth George employ this tactic as well in their mysteries. I think this is why their series, and Crombie’s, are so successful. Quite simply, the reader really cares about the characters and what happens to them.
Note: I listened to Water Like a Stone on Audio CD, narrated by Michael Deehy.
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