This is my third time reading this series, and this time I'm listening to the audio (for the first time). Steve West does a great job.
I loved this series because I love the characters: Jury, Wiggins, Plant, Trueblood, Macalvie, Praed, White Ellie...although I must admit I'm a little baffled at why Grimes decided to do most of her female characters such a disservice. They are either boring, simpering, harping, or insufferable on numerous levels. And it's sad to me that I was so accustomed to these stereotypes when I first read and reread the series in my late teens/early 20s, that I didn't even notice. Even Polly Praed, who is one of my favorite characters, becomes a stuttering mess around Jury. All women either preen or blush in his presence. By book 6 it's getting tedious. And not to mention how the queer characters are handled. shudder
So now, upon re-re-reading at age 45, I must say that I like this series, not love. I still love Jury, Plant, Wiggins, et al...but the treatment and portrayal of women and young (teen) girls (ugh) is a disappointment. I keep hoping for better as the series goes on, but so far no dice.
As for this particular book...normally I enjoy the mysteries in these books, but this time I was really disappointed in how we were left hanging at the end. One of the major mysteries wasn't resolved at all, and it left me feeling unsatisfied! I don't mind when every single detail isn't explained...in fact, if done well, I like that. Hints instead of long explanations go a long way in keeping things interesting. But in this instance, I had to back up and listen to the last chapter again because I thought I missed something vital. But no, we are totally left hanging. What a bummer!