The Love Detective: Next Level

I loved the first book in this series by Angela Dyson and was wondering how the sequel would fair since so much of the first novel was about being inexperienced. This did not disappoint! Clarry is back and another case falls into her lap so she continues her side business. What is so great about this series is that Clarry doesn't do as so many fictional detectives seem to and have some magical skill that makes her the best woman for the job. She gets accidentally trapped places, she get caught and she comes to realizations slowly. However, it is Clarry's realness that makes her such a fun character to read about and the side characters along the way keep things fun. I mean, who doesn't love a chubby female detective whose best sidekicks are an elderly undertaker and a spunky elderly lady with a penchant for being nosy? These books have great mysteries and although you may be able to guess who the "bad guy" is, the trip to Clarry solving it and the events along the way make it so much fun!

I enjoyed reading this book by Angela Dyson. The main character, Clarry, is a waitress who also is an amateur sleuth on the side. She takes a case from a concerned mother whose daughter joined a group of witches. I plan to go back and read the first book by Angela and can't wait to read the next too!

Dyson's new Clarry Pennhaligan novel is a treasure to behold. I have to admit that I am a sucker for this kind of mystery thriller that is homespun with its unique cast of characters set in a domestic setting with exciting results. This a pure winner and I can't wait for another instalment. Saying that, I will be purchasing the first in the series due to my love of the content. The Love Detective: The Next Level is one of those novels that warms the heart, urges the reader to be fully invested while at the same time taking twists and turns as it makes its way to the climax. Using South London as the basis and setting is pure genius and roots the novel in reality. I love how Dyson is able to incorporate the small town mentality that lies within the many suburbs of a metropolis that is London itself. The characters are wonderfully put together and the main character Clarry is a treasure to behold. With her strong female stance, showing enough vulnerability and strength and never once over stepping this balance to make her fully flushed out. Flan is a simple work of genius and love her free spirited and her bohemian outlook on life. Her many loves flowing in an out of the story really keeps things fun and light. Dyson has a full understanding on what makes her characters tick. From the new characters introduced through the mystery itself, she really captures the class system within the UK without over egging the pudding. The group of women who form the nucleus of the mystery are very well drawn and makes you actually feel for them and their circumstances. This is a feather in the author's cap. The plot is outstanding and flows. Never does the author pigeon-hole plot points to try to make the story work. The story works organically and Dyson seems to be a master on how to put a mystery together with different twists and turns to keep it interesting. There is also a lot of empathy for some of the characters plot. There is a love interest that works well within the plot but doesn't over indulge itself and feels natural to the characters and plot. Overall, this is a winning combination and although I may be a bit prejudice as I love these sort of homespun mysteries, this is one of the best and a great way to start off the new year. Incredible characters, fantastic plot and so much readable that the only one down point is that you feel the loss of a friend after you read the final words written and can't wait to revisit them again. This is a total winner and one that every reader should rejoice in reading. A pure satisfied hit. Five stars.

Clarry Pennhaligan is a waitress, she's also an amateur sleuth. One of her colleagues, has a friend who needs help….and she will pay! So obviously Clarry takes the job. Vanessa's well to do mother, wants Clarry to snoop on a group of women, she feels are the ‘wrong' people for her daughter to associate with…..it might damage the 21 year olds marriage prospects!!!! So, Clarry finds a way to befriend Vanessa, and gets invited to a secret meeting …Blessed Be! A group of witches, raising money for a wellness centre …but is there something more sinister going on? This just fizzes along, it's beautifully light, descriptive writing really gives a sense of the events, while also dealing with the darker side of the story. I love Clarry and her sense of humour. She feels like a real person, with her inner thoughts, her healthy body image and appetite to match. Another great character is Flan, Clarry's friend, a 70 year old woman who exudes glamour, fun and sheer enjoyment of life. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series….

The Love Detective Next Level is the first book I have read by Angela Dyson. Clarry Pennhaligan is a waitress/sometimes amateur detective – depending on the state of her finances. When a friend of a friend's mother needs help finding out just why her daughter is being so secretive Clarry soon finds herself on a new case. What starts off as a simple matter of attending a few ‘women's' group meetings escalates into something more sinister and Clarry soon discovers some secrets are worth killing for. This time has she bitten off more than she can chew? When I started reading this book I was expecting a cosy, easy read, something along the lines of a young Miss Marple and ended up pleasantly surprised by a gripping mystery full of twists and turns and fantastic detail in the narrative that grabbed my attention from the start. The character of Clarry is well rounded and seems older than her years but then she'd do something without thinking it through and her impulsiveness would shine through. I loved the supporting cast of characters as well especially Flan and her relationship with Clarry. Their friendship is so beautiful to read and very believable despite the 50 year age gap and if this series is ever to made into a TV show Honor Blackman would be perfect in the role. She is who I pictured in my mind every time I read a scene involving Flan. Hopefully if this series continues we'll see Clarry's relationship with Ed develop further. He might just be what she needs to keep her feet on the ground and out of trouble. My one complaint about this book is an unanswered question that technically isn't part of the plot. Who's body was it in the basement? I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys M.C. Beaton's Agatha Raisin series