A Ghost in the Machine

A Ghost in the Machine (2004) Caroline Graham

Ghost in the Machine may be my least favorite Inspector Barnaby mystery so far, because it takes us forever to actually get to Inspector Barnaby, and even once he becomes involved, we still spend a great deal of time with the characters involved in the murders.

What Caroline Graham is very good at, is creating realistic characters with realistic foibles and true to life reactions to the events around them. The relationships between Kate, Mallory, and Polly Lawson was complex and realistic, from the parent-child relationships, to the reactions they have to the events that unfold around them. This relationship was probably the most fascinating part of the book.

The other characters I particularly liked were Karen and Roy, their very complex relationship, and the solution to the problems that evolve around them.

SPOILER (rot 13)
Orpnhfr V ernq n ybg bs snagnfl, V jnf arvgure fubpxrq abe fhecevfrq ol gur snpg gung Xnera fnj tubfgf. Vg frrzrq dhvgr hafhecevfvat, nygubhtu V’z abg fher ubj rnfvyl bgure ernqref jvyy npprcg guvf vqrn.
END SPOILER

There were also many unsavory characters, that were not particularly pleasant to read about, which tended to make this a rather difficult story to read in some ways. Both Andrew and Gilda were rather nasty, and having no sympathy for them, I found it difficult to read about them, wanting instead to skip onto a less horrific character. I realize that I earlier praised Caroline Grahams complex characters, but it is difficult to read about individuals that are so unremittingly unpleasant and deserving of each other.

I don’t think I’ll run right out and pick up the rest of the Inspector Barnaby series just yet–for one thing I’ll see what my grandmother thinks of the books I have. I may want to spend my money on something she’s a little more likely to enjoy, and I am simply not sure how she is going to feel about this series.
Rating: 7/10

• Browse the archives:
  
• Jack of Fables Vol 2: Jack of Hearts » »
• « « The Killings at Badger’s Drift