If you gaze up at that window facing the Shoreham Beach, you would have noticed that elderly woman. She'd be decked out with her binoculars and a handy pen and notebook nearby. Nothing got past ol' Peggy when she sat in that lookout chair.

Now most people would think that a ninety year old did her daily routine for entertainment and to pass away the hours. But for Peggy it was more than that. The time finally came when Peggy sat facing the shore with sightless eyes. Her caregiver, Natalka, came upon her that day. Peggy never got the chance to share what she saw moving along in the sand and the wind. And then, no one felt differently while attending the funeral. Old age and all that..........

But Natalka felt unsettled. She knew that familiar feeling easing itself in at the pit of her stomach while growing up in the Ukraine. That's why she contacted DS Harbinder Kaur of the West Sussex CID. They were to meet at The Coffee Shack down the street from Peggy. As witnesses and observers were interviewed by Harbinder, Natalka began to rally around Benedict who owned the shop and Edwin who was Peggy's neighbor.

Soon the trio begins sharing notes and ideas with Harbinder. At first, Harbinder blows them off with their outlandish imaginations. But now she's taking them deadly serious when the group is threatened by a masked intruder with a gun. Someone doesn't want them sticking their noses where they don't belong.

Elly Griffiths is a renowned author of the Ruth Galloway Mysteries and other offerings. This is the second book in the Harbinder Kaur Series. She's wrapped this one up with plenty of twisties and dead bodies. It doesn't circle around as a cosy mystery and it's not lined with blood and guts either. There's a distinct Agatha Christie flavor with the corners folded in at the end. Griffiths has a clear cut sense of humor and it shows up well in her dialogue and in the sometimes quirky actions of her characters. She's especially creative in The Postscript Murders with the mystery surrounding some unpredictable authors familiar with Peggy and Peggy with quite the backstory herself. You'll find yourself in the center of a moving stage with players who tend to shift gears fast and furious.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Quercus Books and to the talented Elly Griffiths for the opportunity.

Oh but I do love an Elly Griffiths novel! Whether it's these Harbinder Kaur books, the Magic Men series, or her stand-alones, I (generally) just enjoy her writing style and her quirky characters. She spends a lot of effort in creating a cast of characters that don't feel like the cookie-cutter protagonists and villains that populate other mysteries, and that effort pays off. The result is a set of characters that are endearing, original, and wholly engaging. Add to that a deft hand at plotting out unusual mysteries, with more than a passing nod to the worlds of books and writing, and you wind up with an extremely delightful series!

In this second installment, we see Harbinder coming into her own. I really enjoyed seeing more about her family in this one. I am enjoying watching her work out her interpersonal issues - she feels very real and resonant, even though our lives don't relate in many ways, and I find her to be a delightful protagonist. She's just the right mix of focused and awkward to be endearing and relatable.

Honestly, I didn't even realize the series was focused on her. The first book seemed nearly entirely Clare-focused to me, but the whole series is referenced on Amazon as the "Harbinder Kaur" books, so there you go. Clare has a cameo in here and it was nice to see her again, although it had been a while since I read the first book (The Stranger Diaries) and I didn't remember very many details beyond liking it a great deal. Griffiths doesn't make much reference to the first book here, which was fine with me. While I realize I may have missed some things, it meant I could read this book without needing to go back and reread the first, which was good because time is in short supply these days. Which is a long way of saying, if you haven't read The Stranger Diaries, you could still read this one and enjoy it perfectly fine (although I never recommend reading out of order, sometimes it's not a problem if you do).

The plot here is intricate and involved and clever. The interplay between the characters really helped build the tension throughout the course of the unraveling. The revelations, red herrings, and secrets were presented with just the right amount of drama. The whole thing came together beautifully and was a wild rumpus of a tale!

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I adore the Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths so I was delighted to learn that she is writing a series surrounding Harbinder Kaur. I enjoyed "The Stranger Diaries," and particularly liked DS Kaur's Indian-British family. Revisiting her world was a treat for me as a reader.

Like "The Stranger Diaries", this was a book about murder based on books about murder. Writers and fans of crime fiction die at an alarming rate in this book. Kaur is there for the professional investigation but there is also a quirky band of misfits who live the not-so-secret dream every fan of crime fiction has: to solve the crime themselves. Natalka, Benedict, and Edwin are a delightful trio and I hope they come back in future books.

This story was a fun peek behind the curtain of the publishing industry. When an author dies, editors, publicists, and other authors are all suspects. I enjoyed all the explanations of what it takes to make a book a bestseller.

If this book has a weakness, it's that Kaur tells us about the crimes after she has figured them out. I would have preferred that Griffiths show us the crime-solving with more detail instead of just giving us a look into Kaur's thought process. But perhaps that was the whole point: where crime fiction makes everything exciting, it all really happens inside an author's head.

All in all, this is a mystery that's a touch beyond cozy but not too grim or gory. It's fun and smart with characters you'll miss when it's over.

The character of Harbinder was quite interesting. I liked her and thought her skills were diminished by the other three main eccentric characters . There was just too much happening in this book with Russian spies, mystery writers , publishers , tenants of a seniors complex and Harbinder work and home families. The mystery component became too tangled. The author does manage to create interesting characters and the landscape descriptions are picturesque .

I read the first book in this new series over the summer and loved it! I was anxiously awaiting the second when I received a copy for review.

I was not disappointed! I love that we got to see more development of Harbinger's character. It was also nice to see her friend Clara from the first book mentioned.

This book warmed my cozy mystery living heart. The trio of amateurs detectives was an interesting spin on the usual trope. I appreciated that they were fully developed characters with interesting back stories.

Now I have to wait for book 3 to find out if Harbinder gets that promotion or finds a new girlfriend!

Thank you to Netgalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for an ARC in exchange for an honest review of the book.

I was so excited to get this book--I'm a huge Elly Griffiths fan and I absolutely loved The Stranger Diaries. As usual, Griffiths does not disappoint with this one. While I was a little surprised to see the focus completely leave the protagonist of the first novel and, instead, follow the detective from that book (Harbinder), I see why Griffiths went this route. Following Harbinder will allow us a continued look into mysteries and crime.

One of Griffiths' strengths across all of her novels is her character building. In this novel, we are introduced to another fantastic set of characters. They seem real, they are likable, and you want to see more of them. I hope some or all of these characters will populate future books in this series! The plot here focuses around books again--this time, Griffiths takes us into the world of the mystery writer as we chase down the killer of popular mystery novelists. There is much humor, too. I especially like Griffiths' tongue-in-cheek comments about writers and readers of these kinds of books.

My only complaint would be that the end was just a little too-tightly woven with coincidences. I know: that's very often the case for mystery novels, especially cosy writers, but as I've said in other reviews, I normally categorize Griffiths in a more literary genre than a cosy one. This book seems to play to the cosy genre--intentionally--a little more heavily than most.

At any rate, read this book. You don't have to read the first to jump in here, but as always, I suggest you do just because the books are so much fun.

I would like to thank the author, publisher and Net Galley for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for my review.

I was offered Griffiths' previous book, The Stranger Diaries, as an ARC before it came out, and was so swept up in the story I couldn't put it down. I'd never read the author before, , but was so excited to get approved for this one. This book did not disappoint! I know it is listed as book 2 in the series, but I think it could work well as a stand alone book, and though I've seen some refer to it as a cozy mystery, I didn't really get that feeling from the book. IT was a bit more gritty than a traditional cozy mystery, but still not bloody and gross.

Multiple POV's added to this book and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a really good mystery, a page turner, can't put it down style book.

Oh this was GOOD!!! Loved the multiple narrators who all offered unique perspectives. It helped shape the story. Love how it can totally work as a stand-alone. Loved the 90 year ole character! This was quite the journey.

Elly Griffiths second Harbinder Kaur mystery is a wonderful, Christie style, who done it, that gently takes you on an adventure into sleuthing. A mix of endearing characters, including a Murder Consultant, and its clever twists highlight this wonderful read.

The Postscript Murders by Elly Griffiths is a wonderful read. I'd read The Stranger Diaries so I was aware of her detective DS Harbinder Kaur, a quirky character who lives with her parents but navigates a totally different world outside. I admire the way Griffiths has created this interesting detective who has a home life that's as intriguing as the mystery plot.
When Peggy Smith, an elderly resident of an apartment building for seniors, dies, one of her "carers" is suspicious. Was this a natural death? Enter DS Harbinder Kaur, and those suspicions become real. Peggy was acknowledged in the postscripts of various mystery writers who appear to be published by the same publisher, and each received a dark threat.
The funniest part of the plot is an odd group of characters who come together to do some amateur sleuthing. Their part of the story takes them to a literary festival in Edinburgh where a murder takes place that might be connected to Smith's death. I enjoyed this intrepid set of sleuths.
Twists and turns abound throughout the story, but especially in the ending. The settings in both Shoreham and Edinburgh are marvelous, the characters quirky and memorable, and the multiple points of view done with expertise. I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery. Thank you, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, NetGalley, and Elly Griffiths for allowing me to read this prior to publication. #ThePostscriptMurders #NetGalley

Very entangled book with lots of twists and turns and a unusual ending. Postscript murders kept me on my toes with all the different directions it sent my. A book not to be put down easily.

A great book in the lovely Elly Griffiths style. You get to know the characters well and there is a sense of humour there too. Can’t wait for the next one!

I loved this book, in my opinion it’s a great read!
DS harbinder Kaur is the detective in this story , I like her genuine character she is quirky and I love her sarcasm too. A 90year old lady , Peggy Smith is found dead by her carer. It is believed to be natural causes , but Natalka Peggy’s carer doesn’t believe this.
Natalka approaches DS Kaur and this is where the fun begins! Natalka , an ex monk Benedict and Peggy’s neighbour Edwin begin their amateur sleuthing journey and it makes for an enjoyable read.

Peggy is far from a shy retiring OAP she is a “ murder consultant “ helping best selling authors plot the murders in their novels .
I found the characters a quirky bunch but all very pleasant and affable. The characters complimented one another nicely and the writing made this book a fantastic cozy read. Highly recommended!

Thanks to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Netgalley for the ARC copy.

Although billed as the second in the series, this book could easily be viewed as a stand alone novel or even the first in a series. You really do not need to have read the first book, The Stranger Diaries, before reading this one as they are completely different. This book is much more of a cozy mystery that just happens to have a character from the not at all cozy first book. If you’re a fan of the author’s Ruth Galloway series (and everyone really should be!), you will probably find this book to be in the same style, but not quite as satisfying. Although the characters felt underdeveloped, the setting was lovely and the writing was strong; it was the actual plot that was a bit weak, especially when compared to The Stranger Diaries. Hopefully, the next book will feature the same characters interacting with Harbinder in a more coherent plot. There is a good deal of potential here for an interesting series from an author who usually delivers better.

My copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to the the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review it.

A fun old fashioned murder mystery, gothic suspense, with enjoyable characters that was a fun fast read.

I had been searching for a new mystery series to read that evoked the classic mysteries. I was also tired of the anti-hero detective who had issues and alcohol or drug problems. I was pleased to find the Harbinder Kaur series.

I enjoy the characters and their stories. I did feel the solution to the mysteries were a little convenient, but I prefer the journey to the reveal. I look forward to more books in the series and hope Harbinder finds a little more happiness.

Peggy Smith, a denizen of Seaview Court, a senior residence described as “a posh halfway house on the road to death,” is found dead. Could she have been murdered? Her carer, Natalka, thinks so, and goes to DS Harbinder Kaur with her suspicions. Peggy was an avid mystery reader, and provided ideas to several of her favorite authors, who dedicated books to her. But when two of these authors are murdered, the police start to look more closely at Peggy’s death. Elly Griffiths is one of my favorite authors, and this newest series, with a gay female Sikh police officer protagonist, is just as compelling as her others-- I just could not put this book down. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.

Detective Sergeant Harbinder Kaur is back on the case in this new book from mystery maven Elly Griffiths. This time DS Kaur is confronted by a caretaker who believes her 90-year-old charge Peggy Smith was murdered. But Peggy had a heart condition and the coroner has no suspicions. That is until a famed mystery writer is murdered in another part of town and DS Kaur finds out that Peggy helped him brainstorm ways to murder his characters. Suddenly her death doesn't look so innocent. Will DS Kaur, Natalka the caretaker, a former monk, and a retired BBC producer be able to solve the case before the killer strikes again?

This mystery is told through the alternating perspectives of the main characters, each of whom has different priorities and motivations. I enjoyed the idea of Peggy Smith as a "murder consultant" to crime novelists and the cast of characters surrounding her (including a retired "schoolgirl assassin" and a couple of other tough old women). And much of the mystery was enjoyable to read. But I'm not sure the multiple perspectives were necessary and didn't quite connect with several of the main characters. And when it comes to the resolution, I thought it was much too complicated and therefore not as satisfying as it could have been.

All in all, The Postscript Murders was an okay follow-up to The Stranger Diaries. I really enjoy Griffith's work (especially the latter title and the Ruth Galloway series), so I'll be back for more!

Loved both of the Harbinder Kaur books! Especially pleased with how much research was done on the cultural front. Have already recommended that friends buy.

I liked this book- The Postscript Murders by Elly Griffiths. I REALLY loved The Stranger Diaries and recommend that you read it if you are looking for gothic suspense. The Postscript Murders was good too and Elly is super talented writer and I especially love her humor which sneaks into her words.

Check it out:

The death of a ninety-year-old woman with a heart condition should not be suspicious. Detective Sergeant Harbinder Kaur certainly sees nothing out of the ordinary when Peggy’s caretaker, Natalka, begins to recount Peggy Smith’s passing.

But Natalka had a reason to be at the police station: while clearing out Peggy’s flat, she noticed an unusual number of crime novels, all dedicated to Peggy. And each psychological thriller included a mysterious postscript: PS: for PS. When a gunman breaks into the flat to steal a book and its author is found dead shortly thereafter—Detective Kaur begins to think that perhaps there is no such thing as an unsuspicious death after all.

And then things escalate: from an Aberdeen literary festival to the streets of Edinburgh, writers are being targeted. DS Kaur embarks on a road trip across Europe and reckons with how exactly authors can think up such realistic crimes . . .

This will be out in March, get it here!