A Key, an Egg, an Unfortunate Remark

A Key, an Egg, an Unfortunate Remark (2014) Harry Connolly

I saw a post/comment by the author, talking about the lack of older women in supernatural fantasy, and how since he couldn’t find any such books, he’d have to write one himself.

I immediately snatched it up and tweeted about it, because regardless as to whether it was any good or not, I wanted to give my money to anyone who’d write that.

The book opens with Aloysius Pierce going to one of his aunt Marley Jacobs’ parties, which he hates, but feels bound to attend, since he wants to ask her a favor.

This book is about him, only in the way that any mystery is about the murdered victim. The main characters are Marley Jacobs (and don’t think I didn’t catch that name) and her other nephew, Albert Smalls.

There is a LOT left unsaid about Albert and Aloysius’ mother, who is also Marely’s sister, which was frustrating. Hints were repeatedly dropped about her, but never followed through. I would have preferred no hints and allusions, honestly.

So the book is told in third person omniscient point of view, which I found incredibly frustrating, since it switched from paragraph to paragraph sometimes, and frequently only to keep us from learning vital information.

I do not love that tactic.

Marley’s hand still clutched the door handle behind her. She released it, offering a silent prayer of gratitude to the great powers of the universe. They’d come here. Well, it could certainly have been worse. Much worse.

Here. Just here. Marley knows where she is, and we’re in her mind, but we’re not told where she is.

And the point of view switches just became frustrating after awhile. For example:

“They look like beehives,” Albert said without considering how it would sound.

Evelyn didn’t take offense.

If Evelyn didn’t take offense, why do we care that Albert didn’t think before she spoke?

This is not to say this is a bad story. It isn’t. It’s an interesting story. I just had issues with some of the telling.

But despite that, I encourage you to read it, solely because she’s the only older female main character in urban fantasy, and that’s something that should be encourage.
Rating: 6/10

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