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Duncan Kincaid & Gemma James #2
All Shall Be Well
Scotland Yard Superintendent Duncan Kincaid and his able sergeant, Gemma James, investigate the mysterious death of Kincaid's neighbor, Jasmine Dent, who received a lethal dose of morphine.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1994
About the author
Deborah Crombie
61 books2,548 followersDeborah Crombie is the author of 17 novels featuring Scotland Yard Detective Superintendent Duncan Kincaid and Detective Inspector Gemma James. The 18th Kincaid/James novel, A BITTER FEAST, will be released by William Morrow in October, 2019.
Crombie lives in McKinney, Texas with her husband, two German Shepherd Dogs, and two cats. She travels to Britain frequently to research her books.
Crombie lives in McKinney, Texas with her husband, two German Shepherd Dogs, and two cats. She travels to Britain frequently to research her books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 767 reviews
July 7, 2017
All Shall be Well by Deborah Crombie is a 2004 Avon/Harper Collins publication.
This is the second book in the Kincaid /James series, and was originally published in 1995.
When Duncan’s neighbor, Jasmine, who is terminally ill, passes away, it shouldn’t have been all that much of a shock, but something doesn’t seem to add up. So, Duncan employs Gemma to help him sort through his neighbor’s past, interviewing nurses, other neighbors and relatives, some of whom claim Jasmine was suicidal.
Was Jasmine’s death natural, suicide or could someone have murdered her?
I am attempting to read through this entire series, in order, which means going back over a decade to catch up with Duncan and Gemma.
This second outing was not as solid as the first, but I did enjoy gaining insight into the lives of the recurring characters, which is one of the main reasons I decided to go back and read the series from the beginning.
The mystery was a little weak, but I was struck by how little use the author made of various forms of technology, which made the book seem rather ageless. If I had not known this book was published in the mid-nineties, I never would have guessed. It is very proper, and very British, and characters adhere to that atmosphere, flawlessly.
I have been encouraged by comments from other fans of this series, who have ensured me it keeps getting better, the further along you go.
So, hopefully, I can squeeze more these into my immediate TBR list soon. So far, I have found the books to be short, character driven, and easy to follow, and I may already have a slight crush on Kincaid!
LOL!
On to book three…
This is the second book in the Kincaid /James series, and was originally published in 1995.
When Duncan’s neighbor, Jasmine, who is terminally ill, passes away, it shouldn’t have been all that much of a shock, but something doesn’t seem to add up. So, Duncan employs Gemma to help him sort through his neighbor’s past, interviewing nurses, other neighbors and relatives, some of whom claim Jasmine was suicidal.
Was Jasmine’s death natural, suicide or could someone have murdered her?
I am attempting to read through this entire series, in order, which means going back over a decade to catch up with Duncan and Gemma.
This second outing was not as solid as the first, but I did enjoy gaining insight into the lives of the recurring characters, which is one of the main reasons I decided to go back and read the series from the beginning.
The mystery was a little weak, but I was struck by how little use the author made of various forms of technology, which made the book seem rather ageless. If I had not known this book was published in the mid-nineties, I never would have guessed. It is very proper, and very British, and characters adhere to that atmosphere, flawlessly.
I have been encouraged by comments from other fans of this series, who have ensured me it keeps getting better, the further along you go.
So, hopefully, I can squeeze more these into my immediate TBR list soon. So far, I have found the books to be short, character driven, and easy to follow, and I may already have a slight crush on Kincaid!
LOL!
On to book three…
December 6, 2023
Wow, wow, WOOOOW.
Alright, so… maybe the first book from the series was kinda meh, but this one? Gosh did it turn out good.
Not only was the plot very entertaining, intriguing and kept me guessing so so so much. I was for real making hypothesis on every single character, and I wanted to jump myself for not realizing things that were… there from this whole time. I gotta say, that I was indeed, blind. And I am super glad it was that way because who doesn’t enjoy a thriller that actually makes you gasp?
The story starts with Jasmine Dent, a woman with terminal cancer who has been staying at home and receiving visits from her personal nurse and other acquaintances she’s made in her apartment. It is known that she had desired to put and end to her own life… but then… she changes her mind but guess what? One day she ends up dead. And of course, everyone assumes it’s suicide at first, but loooord there’s more lore to it. And of course, our beloved Duncan & Gemma have to figure this all out.
So, just as I said the plot was really good in my opinion, and it actually kept me entertained, I literally binged like more than half of the book in less than 2 hours, and that’s a lot considering that I’m a slow reader tbh! Keep that in mind please ☝️
The characters were great compared to the first ones, mainly because there was way more interaction and way more research between literally EVERYONE, and the way the stories of some of the characters were intertwined made everything much more investing.
So, if you’re looking to read a fast-paced thriller that can keep you very much entertained, I’d suggest this one!
I didn’t give it 5 stars cause I saw it coming but at the same time I didn’t… it’s hard to explain… man was I rotting for that character to be innocent. I’m absolutely no detective material.
Alright, so… maybe the first book from the series was kinda meh, but this one? Gosh did it turn out good.
Not only was the plot very entertaining, intriguing and kept me guessing so so so much. I was for real making hypothesis on every single character, and I wanted to jump myself for not realizing things that were… there from this whole time. I gotta say, that I was indeed, blind. And I am super glad it was that way because who doesn’t enjoy a thriller that actually makes you gasp?
The story starts with Jasmine Dent, a woman with terminal cancer who has been staying at home and receiving visits from her personal nurse and other acquaintances she’s made in her apartment. It is known that she had desired to put and end to her own life… but then… she changes her mind but guess what? One day she ends up dead. And of course, everyone assumes it’s suicide at first, but loooord there’s more lore to it. And of course, our beloved Duncan & Gemma have to figure this all out.
So, just as I said the plot was really good in my opinion, and it actually kept me entertained, I literally binged like more than half of the book in less than 2 hours, and that’s a lot considering that I’m a slow reader tbh! Keep that in mind please ☝️
The characters were great compared to the first ones, mainly because there was way more interaction and way more research between literally EVERYONE, and the way the stories of some of the characters were intertwined made everything much more investing.
So, if you’re looking to read a fast-paced thriller that can keep you very much entertained, I’d suggest this one!
I didn’t give it 5 stars cause I saw it coming but at the same time I didn’t… it’s hard to explain… man was I rotting for that character to be innocent. I’m absolutely no detective material.
July 5, 2017
I discovered this series by chance and I am so happy to have found yet another British mystery/thriller/police procedural series - yes, I have spent the last month or two totally immersed in this genre.
All Shall be Well, the 2nd book in Deborah Crombie's Duncan Kincaid & Gemma James Series is even better than the 1st, All Shall Be Well.
Something about Scotland Yard Supt. Duncan Kincaid's friend and neighbour's apparent suicide makes him feel uneasy and when a post-mortem reveals an overdose of morphine, he and his sergeant, Gemma James begin an investigation into the possibility that someone may have a motive to murder Jasmine Dent.
There are a lot of suspects - Jasmine's weak and useless brother, Theo, her downstairs neighbour, Major Keith, who served in the army in India where she had lived. The home nurse, Felicity Howarth, her friend Meg and her horrible boyfriend, Roger Leveson-Gower - all seem to have some ulterior motive for Jasmine's untimely death.
Following clues and the entries in Jasmine's journal, Kincaid and Gemma uncover a reason for the murder that they never expected.
The more I get to know the two main characters, the more I like them. I am beginning to get a feel for the characters - who they are and what makes them "tick."
I just have this "feel" that I am going to love this series the more I get into it.
All Shall be Well, the 2nd book in Deborah Crombie's Duncan Kincaid & Gemma James Series is even better than the 1st, All Shall Be Well.
Something about Scotland Yard Supt. Duncan Kincaid's friend and neighbour's apparent suicide makes him feel uneasy and when a post-mortem reveals an overdose of morphine, he and his sergeant, Gemma James begin an investigation into the possibility that someone may have a motive to murder Jasmine Dent.
There are a lot of suspects - Jasmine's weak and useless brother, Theo, her downstairs neighbour, Major Keith, who served in the army in India where she had lived. The home nurse, Felicity Howarth, her friend Meg and her horrible boyfriend, Roger Leveson-Gower - all seem to have some ulterior motive for Jasmine's untimely death.
Following clues and the entries in Jasmine's journal, Kincaid and Gemma uncover a reason for the murder that they never expected.
The more I get to know the two main characters, the more I like them. I am beginning to get a feel for the characters - who they are and what makes them "tick."
I just have this "feel" that I am going to love this series the more I get into it.
December 20, 2020
Some things are best left alone.
Jasmine Dent, Superintendent Kincaid's terminally ill neighbor dies in her sleep. Soon it becomes clear her death is anything but natural. She may have committed suicide by self-injecting an overdose of Morphine. But if so, where are the empty vials? Why didn't she leave a suicide note? And why did she make an appointment to see her brother if she never intended to keep it?
October 1, 2017
This is just an excellent series, Duncan and Gemma are fleshed out a little more in book 2, and the whodunit part was well done. I like this series almost as much as M.C. Beaton's Hamish Macbeth!
December 16, 2020
4 solid stars
Some time back, I read the first in this series and was not wowed enough or disappointed enough to decide whether to continue.
When I finally got around to this one, my expectations were modest but fully exceeded. The characters and relationships come to life. The plot is pleasingly unusual. And the next book in the series is at hand to start soon.
Some time back, I read the first in this series and was not wowed enough or disappointed enough to decide whether to continue.
When I finally got around to this one, my expectations were modest but fully exceeded. The characters and relationships come to life. The plot is pleasingly unusual. And the next book in the series is at hand to start soon.
January 11, 2016
Excellent narration and I enjoyed the Britishness of it. It's the perfect thing to listen to while I'm working -- it's there, but if I'm busy with other things I don't feel like I've missed a lot of plot. Not sure if that's a great recommendation though. *shrugs*
February 25, 2016
I've had mystery novels leave me with all sorts of emotions when I reach the end - satisfaction, anger, horror and more. This is one of the rare few I found heartbreaking and melancholy. However, that being said, I'm glad I read it because it's well-written.
In many novels, the victim is just that. The victim. However, in All Shall be Well, the book is at least as much about getting to know the late Jasmine Dent as it is about figuring out who or what did her in.
We learn at the beginning that Jasmine Dent is terminally ill. Her illness has shrunk her world to the confines of her flat and her closest acquaintances now are her visiting nurse, an old work friend, and her two neighbors, a man she refers to as The Major and Detective Superintendent Duncan Kincaid of Scotland Yard. When Jasmine's body is discovered under circumstances that appear suspicious even in light of her illness, Duncan feels called to investigate, if only to determine whether the case is suicide, assisted suicide or outright murder.
The investigation takes Duncan through the twists and turns of Jasmine's life. I found the mystery story itself interested and I appreciated seeing Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James developed more as characters than they were in A Share in Death. However, I also enjoyed getting to know Jasmine a bit, a twist that naturally will leave readers missing her more than the average fictional deceased in a mystery novel.
In many novels, the victim is just that. The victim. However, in All Shall be Well, the book is at least as much about getting to know the late Jasmine Dent as it is about figuring out who or what did her in.
We learn at the beginning that Jasmine Dent is terminally ill. Her illness has shrunk her world to the confines of her flat and her closest acquaintances now are her visiting nurse, an old work friend, and her two neighbors, a man she refers to as The Major and Detective Superintendent Duncan Kincaid of Scotland Yard. When Jasmine's body is discovered under circumstances that appear suspicious even in light of her illness, Duncan feels called to investigate, if only to determine whether the case is suicide, assisted suicide or outright murder.
The investigation takes Duncan through the twists and turns of Jasmine's life. I found the mystery story itself interested and I appreciated seeing Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James developed more as characters than they were in A Share in Death. However, I also enjoyed getting to know Jasmine a bit, a twist that naturally will leave readers missing her more than the average fictional deceased in a mystery novel.
March 25, 2018
This was really good.
Genre writers often get a bad rap as being somewhat inferior to so-called literary writers. There's a lack of depth in characterization and it's the novels' strength of concepts or plots that make them succesful. Thankfully I've always known this to be utterly false and have never fallen for it.
Not only was this a very good mystery, but Deborah Crombie is a very good writer. Her pacing of narrative is pretty much perfect, making this a very fast read for me (note the novel is less than 300 pages, but still). All of her characters are well defined, and of course the one thing that enriches a mystery are strong and complex characterization.
I was in a comfortably relaxed state reading this and letting all the aspects of the investigation seep into my head.
All Shall Be Well had me guessing throughout. Once the mystery was resolved, I had to stop and think about it...30 minutes later, I still am...
Excellent entertainment that will satisfy your mystery craving. This is the second in the series, and I enjoyed this novel much more than the first one. In fact, I'd recommend reading this without having read the first. I remember so little of it now, and there is nothing there that you'd miss going into this one.
I'm pretty excited about this series now. From most accounts the series improves as it goes.
This book was exactly what I needed at the time and I can guarantee I will be reading the third very soon!
4.5 stars but I'm rounding up because of the resolution still churning in my mind, and to reflect my enthusiasm for an early start to a new (to me) mystery series.
Genre writers often get a bad rap as being somewhat inferior to so-called literary writers. There's a lack of depth in characterization and it's the novels' strength of concepts or plots that make them succesful. Thankfully I've always known this to be utterly false and have never fallen for it.
Not only was this a very good mystery, but Deborah Crombie is a very good writer. Her pacing of narrative is pretty much perfect, making this a very fast read for me (note the novel is less than 300 pages, but still). All of her characters are well defined, and of course the one thing that enriches a mystery are strong and complex characterization.
I was in a comfortably relaxed state reading this and letting all the aspects of the investigation seep into my head.
All Shall Be Well had me guessing throughout. Once the mystery was resolved, I had to stop and think about it...30 minutes later, I still am...
Excellent entertainment that will satisfy your mystery craving. This is the second in the series, and I enjoyed this novel much more than the first one. In fact, I'd recommend reading this without having read the first. I remember so little of it now, and there is nothing there that you'd miss going into this one.
I'm pretty excited about this series now. From most accounts the series improves as it goes.
This book was exactly what I needed at the time and I can guarantee I will be reading the third very soon!
4.5 stars but I'm rounding up because of the resolution still churning in my mind, and to reflect my enthusiasm for an early start to a new (to me) mystery series.
September 10, 2007
ALL SHELL BE WELL – G+
Deborah Crombie – 2nd in series
Supr. Duncan Kincaid’s neighbor, Jasmine Dent, is found dead. She was terminally ill and had talked about suicide—but was it?
I hate to admit this is the first time I’ve read Crombie, but it won’t be the last. I very much enjoyed this British police procedural which focuses on solving the crime. This was neither dark nor gritty, which is my usual fare, but well-plotted, excellent characters and thoroughly enjoyable.
Deborah Crombie – 2nd in series
Supr. Duncan Kincaid’s neighbor, Jasmine Dent, is found dead. She was terminally ill and had talked about suicide—but was it?
I hate to admit this is the first time I’ve read Crombie, but it won’t be the last. I very much enjoyed this British police procedural which focuses on solving the crime. This was neither dark nor gritty, which is my usual fare, but well-plotted, excellent characters and thoroughly enjoyable.
February 15, 2021
I enjoyed this thoughtfully written mystery. The pacing is on the slower side and lots of time is devoted to unravelling 'whodunnit.' The character development is good also. Michael Deehy's voice was very pleasant to listen to as the narrator of this audiobook.
June 23, 2026
Kincaid heard something in her voice, a shade of worry or aggravation, and remembered how she’d sounded on the phone that morning. Probably some bloke, he thought, and realized how little he knew about Gemma’s life.
Just what had been his relationship with Jasmine Dent? Were they lovers, with Jasmine so ill with cancer? Stealing a glance at Kincaid’s abstracted face, Gemma was shocked to realize how little she knew of his personal life.
For me the main attraction of this series is exploring the beginnings of the strong marriage and family life that I've learned Duncan Kincaid and Gemma Jones forge later in the series. Also, I like mysteries. On it’s own merits the book was enjoyable but underwhelming on the personal front and the mystery front. The writing is a little too simplistic and straightforward. But it was well paced kept me turning the pages: when one step of progress in the (possible) murder investigation or the character’s personal lives was tackled there was always another to look forward to. First there are the meetings with each of the “suspects” in turn (although it is not positively established there is really a murder), Gemma and Duncan investigate separately and then consult together, Duncan reads the victim Jasmine’s journal, He travels to where she was brought up, the suspects are re-interviewed in light of new information, the contents of the will, and so forth.
Does Deborah Crombie play fair with the reader as far as laying out the clues to solve the mystery? I don’t think so. Maybe they will appear in a later book? Apparently this reappearance of some characters does happen in the series which is one of the reasons I am still attracted to continuing it at some point. I did enjoy google earthing the real streets and buildings that are characters travel on and go to.
https://rebekahsreadingsandwatchings....
April 2, 2025
This is not a fast paced thrill ride. It isn’t a nail biter. It IS an amazing book about people. People are described in all of their loneliness, their alienation, their mistakes, and also their forgiveness and grace. This book left a soul searching sadness behind. I felt sad for so very many of the characters but I also felt compassion and hope for them. This is a very human novel and I feel better for having read it.
September 9, 2019
As I began this book, I went back to read my review of the previous book in the series. For me, that is one of the pluses of making few comments about the books I read. Well, I was right in my assessment of the relationship between Superintendent Duncan Kincaid and his assistant Sergeant Gemma James. They do work well together. Both of their characters are developed more. I’ve already requested the next book in the series since I enjoyed this one so much.
May 23, 2014
This series improves a lot later. Great sense of character and place in this one, but the plot is weak. Gets resolved out of the blue in the last chapter.
July 25, 2018
All Shall Be Well (Duncan Kincaid & Gemma James, #2) by Deborah Crombie.
Jasmine Dent has been dying of an incurable disease when she dies. Apparently during her sleep, but Kincaid has arrived at another conclusion-murder. Since Jasmine had in the past spoken about the possibility of ending her suffering, what reason would someone have to kill her.
Gemma James reaches conclusions of her own pertaining to her life. These decisions may bring about major changes in her and Kincaid's lives.
I enjoyed the easy balance of relationships and the unraveling of this mystery. A good read.
Jasmine Dent has been dying of an incurable disease when she dies. Apparently during her sleep, but Kincaid has arrived at another conclusion-murder. Since Jasmine had in the past spoken about the possibility of ending her suffering, what reason would someone have to kill her.
Gemma James reaches conclusions of her own pertaining to her life. These decisions may bring about major changes in her and Kincaid's lives.
I enjoyed the easy balance of relationships and the unraveling of this mystery. A good read.
October 16, 2019
This 2nd Kincaid and James mystery is even better than the 1st one! It is a quietly twisty psychological mystery. Superintendent Kincaid displays his very human side and you almost don’t want him to solve this mystery. I love the interaction between Duncan Kincaid and Sergeant Gemma James. They play off each other’s strengths. I highly recommend this series.
January 18, 2017
An OK mystery. An odd author obsession with the physical characteristics of women.
November 19, 2012
After giving A Share In Death a shot based on my Amazon recommendations (although for the life if me, I can't figure out what happened to my review!!!) I became a near instant fan of the Kinkaid/James novels. All Shall Be Well leaves me confident that A Share In Death wasn't just a happy accident that turned into a fun and entertaining whodunnit.
In All Shall Be Well, a reclusive yet friendly neighbor of Duncan's suddenly dies in her sleep one night. Jasmine had been diagnosed with cancer and her health was steadily deteriorating so while her death was expected it still seemed sudden to Duncan and those whose lives intersected with hers. Duncan, being the good copper that he is refuses to see the scene as anybody else would however. What someone would just think of a person in declining health just having their body go out on them, Duncan has to dig. Was it suicide or murder? Duncan's involvement nearly turns to obsession. Over the course of his impromptu investigation he gets to know Jasmine's caretakers, another neighbor they had in common who was equally reclusive as Jasmine as well as Jasmine herself. Kincaid realizes that he never truly knew her but she touched his life in a positive way all the same.
The Kincaid/James novels don't really rely on a lot of action, but that doesn't make them dull. They're great character driven mysteries. Don't mistake lack of action with inactivity. Much DOES happen in this book and its predecessor.
Crombie also has a great sense of place. She finely balances descriptive language talking about time and place, landmarks and scenes without being so overly descriptive that you feel it's just too much. In addition she never leaves the character exposition on the back burner. As Duncan and Gemma interact and investigate crimes, we learn more about them, and they also learn about themselves and each other.
So consider me a fan from here on out as I look forward to seeing what these two coppers get into next and where relationship takes them next.
In All Shall Be Well, a reclusive yet friendly neighbor of Duncan's suddenly dies in her sleep one night. Jasmine had been diagnosed with cancer and her health was steadily deteriorating so while her death was expected it still seemed sudden to Duncan and those whose lives intersected with hers. Duncan, being the good copper that he is refuses to see the scene as anybody else would however. What someone would just think of a person in declining health just having their body go out on them, Duncan has to dig. Was it suicide or murder? Duncan's involvement nearly turns to obsession. Over the course of his impromptu investigation he gets to know Jasmine's caretakers, another neighbor they had in common who was equally reclusive as Jasmine as well as Jasmine herself. Kincaid realizes that he never truly knew her but she touched his life in a positive way all the same.
The Kincaid/James novels don't really rely on a lot of action, but that doesn't make them dull. They're great character driven mysteries. Don't mistake lack of action with inactivity. Much DOES happen in this book and its predecessor.
Crombie also has a great sense of place. She finely balances descriptive language talking about time and place, landmarks and scenes without being so overly descriptive that you feel it's just too much. In addition she never leaves the character exposition on the back burner. As Duncan and Gemma interact and investigate crimes, we learn more about them, and they also learn about themselves and each other.
So consider me a fan from here on out as I look forward to seeing what these two coppers get into next and where relationship takes them next.
October 13, 2023
Segundo libro en el que estos policías investigan un crimen. Se lleva las mismas estrellas que el anterior pero hay mucho que matizar.
De entrada a nivel literario este es un mejor libro, más complejo, con más enjundia y con mayor desarrollo de personajes. Es más, es casi todo personajes, y siendo algo que en teoría a mi me encanta tiene el problema de la trama.
En esta novela no hay espacio al humor, al toque irónico, es bastante “intensito”, es demasiado dramático todo. Pero dramático en el sentido de dramón, de telenovela. Pierde la frescura, la diversión, es otra cosa más ambiciosa, con más ínfulas y el cambio con respecto al primero no sé si me acaba compensando.
Igual es cosa de las expectativas pero pensaba ponerme con algo ligero y me llega un dramoncio (ojo, que la prosa sigue siendo sencilla y en dos días ¡fium!).
El tiempo dirá lo que acabo pensando a la larga de cada uno de ellos pero por ahora el primero más olvidable y este arraigará más en la mente. Sin embrago mientras los leía el primero resultaba más ameno.
De entrada a nivel literario este es un mejor libro, más complejo, con más enjundia y con mayor desarrollo de personajes. Es más, es casi todo personajes, y siendo algo que en teoría a mi me encanta tiene el problema de la trama.
En esta novela no hay espacio al humor, al toque irónico, es bastante “intensito”, es demasiado dramático todo. Pero dramático en el sentido de dramón, de telenovela. Pierde la frescura, la diversión, es otra cosa más ambiciosa, con más ínfulas y el cambio con respecto al primero no sé si me acaba compensando.
Igual es cosa de las expectativas pero pensaba ponerme con algo ligero y me llega un dramoncio (ojo, que la prosa sigue siendo sencilla y en dos días ¡fium!).
El tiempo dirá lo que acabo pensando a la larga de cada uno de ellos pero por ahora el primero más olvidable y este arraigará más en la mente. Sin embrago mientras los leía el primero resultaba más ameno.
November 4, 2015
Thought her first book was better, found this somewhat boring. Also found Kincaid's 'grief' at the death of his neighbour perplexing ... Why so affected? Didn't ring true. In the end I didn't really care who murdered Jasmine ... the ending seemed abrupt as though the author was bored with her characters.
February 24, 2018
Enjoyable read. I enjoy the two main characters and will likely continue this series.
January 3, 2021
Comfort reading no.2
November 6, 2019
All shall be well
I have to admit this book was a bit of a slow starter, it definitely took me a while to become engrossed in the story.
Jasmine Dent is dying from cancer so why did Kincaid believe there was more to the story than a suicide.
I enjoyed the partnership between Kincaid and Gemma James in this book. I look forward to seeing where that leads to in future books.
The solution to the mystery connected to a tragedy from the past. I found myself feeling compassion for both the victim and the killer.
My favorite supporting characters are Theo, Jasmine's brother, and Margaret. It was great to see Margaret find her strength in the end and I believe she will help Theo enormously.
I have to admit this book was a bit of a slow starter, it definitely took me a while to become engrossed in the story.
Jasmine Dent is dying from cancer so why did Kincaid believe there was more to the story than a suicide.
I enjoyed the partnership between Kincaid and Gemma James in this book. I look forward to seeing where that leads to in future books.
The solution to the mystery connected to a tragedy from the past. I found myself feeling compassion for both the victim and the killer.
My favorite supporting characters are Theo, Jasmine's brother, and Margaret. It was great to see Margaret find her strength in the end and I believe she will help Theo enormously.
August 30, 2012
The second book in Deborah Crombie's series about Scotland Yard's Detective Superintendent Duncan Kincaid and Sergeant Gemma James is even better than the first book!
This book is better to me than the first because we learn even more about what makes both Duncan and Gemma tick.
It begins when Duncan's 49 year old neighbor, lung cancer victim, Jasmine Dent, is found dead by Duncan and a visiting nurse he helps pick the lock for when Jasmine fails to open the door. At first, it might be easily written off as a cancer death. Jasmine was, in fact, dying and the surgeries and chemos had not worked for her. She had put off seeing about her nagging cough and the cancer had been caught late. But it was not the cancer that killed her.
On the other hand, a former co-worker, Meg Bellamy shows up while Duncan and the nurse Felicity Howarth are still there, having been on her way for a visit to Jasmine and carrying a sack of food when she saw an ambulance drive away with the body. Meg explains that Jasmine has asked her to be there with her while she took an overdose of all of the morphine she had in the house so she wouldn't die alone so suddenly it looks like a suicide. Only it was not a suicide. Jasmine told Meg just the day before that she had changed her mind.
If not for Duncan's intervention, this murder would have slipped by unnoticed but Duncan was a good friend and not willing to let it slide so he forces an investigation and begins working with Gemma to see it through.
There are quite a few suspects:
(1) Meg, who lives in a tiny bedsitter apartment stands to inherit almost everything from Jasmine. Did she do it to get free of her sad little life of poverty?
(2) Theo is Jasmine's younger brother. their mother died at his birth and from age 5 on, Jasmine has cared for her brother. He is a quiet man who loves old movies and has never been able to succeed at anything involving business sense. Did he kill her hoping to inherit enough to save his shop?
(3) The Major served in India when Jasmine's father was a civil servant there, the very civil servant whose incompetence led to his wife and child dying in a riot. He has been quietly friendly with Jasmine but never got over the loss of wife and child. Are the sins of the father being taken out on the daughter? And was the major REALLY sick when he left choir rehearsal early the night Jasmine died?
(4) Roger- why did this good looking but completely vile young man take up with plain little Meg at the pub instead of her gorgeous co-worker? Why is he leaching off Meg and telling his mates he is going to come into money? Why was he angry and storm off when Meg told him Jasmine had changed her mind about suicide?
(5) Felicity is a private duty nurse who specializes in cancer patients and the dying. Just why did she choose Jasmine as a patient and just why is it that instead of comforting her, she has harshly scared the woman with stories of how the cancer will make her suffer.
There are also people locked away in creepy mental hospitals, little old ladies, and a victim of an act of long ago child abuse who hold keys to the mystery. It couldn't be suicide- all of the morphine given to Jasmine is still accounted for in the fridge and there were no empty bottles left anywhere. Jasmine could not manage to even walk the steps to go out let alone get rid of the bottles. It is murder and Duncan will search out the guilty party.
I like how we got to see and learn a lot more about Gemma James. I like this woman. She is a young rising cop who is the single mom of a toddler son named Toby and in this book, her ex (who ran off on her and Toby after the baby's birth) has really disappeared now- quit his job and left where he lived- so she is getting no child support but is stuck paying for the high mortgage on the house he saddled her with along with day care costs for Toby. I liked seeing how Duncan was so sympathetic to her plight. That, along with his compassion for Jasmine and others, and his actions with Jasmine's cat Sidhi, show what a kind, loving man he is. I am a little in love with both him and Gemma!
For those of you, like myself, who love and rescue animals, you will probably feel some anxiety when Jasmine dies and her black cat Sidhi is left behind. The cat was a love of her life and wonderful companion but in books, the cat is often tossed out on its own or taken to animal control where they are killed. Though at first no one wants the cat- don't like cats, are allergic to cats,not allowed to have a cat where they live, going to prison for murder (!!!), I must report that Duncan Kincaid made sure to feed the cat, change the litter box, give water, and even leave the lights on for the kitty daily. And in the end, I am delighted at the very good home Sid goes to. Bravo to Deborah Crombie (who has 3 cats and a German shepherd of her own) for including Sidhi's care and fate in this book in a highly responsible and satisfying way. I love people who are good to animals!!!
This book is better to me than the first because we learn even more about what makes both Duncan and Gemma tick.
It begins when Duncan's 49 year old neighbor, lung cancer victim, Jasmine Dent, is found dead by Duncan and a visiting nurse he helps pick the lock for when Jasmine fails to open the door. At first, it might be easily written off as a cancer death. Jasmine was, in fact, dying and the surgeries and chemos had not worked for her. She had put off seeing about her nagging cough and the cancer had been caught late. But it was not the cancer that killed her.
On the other hand, a former co-worker, Meg Bellamy shows up while Duncan and the nurse Felicity Howarth are still there, having been on her way for a visit to Jasmine and carrying a sack of food when she saw an ambulance drive away with the body. Meg explains that Jasmine has asked her to be there with her while she took an overdose of all of the morphine she had in the house so she wouldn't die alone so suddenly it looks like a suicide. Only it was not a suicide. Jasmine told Meg just the day before that she had changed her mind.
If not for Duncan's intervention, this murder would have slipped by unnoticed but Duncan was a good friend and not willing to let it slide so he forces an investigation and begins working with Gemma to see it through.
There are quite a few suspects:
(1) Meg, who lives in a tiny bedsitter apartment stands to inherit almost everything from Jasmine. Did she do it to get free of her sad little life of poverty?
(2) Theo is Jasmine's younger brother. their mother died at his birth and from age 5 on, Jasmine has cared for her brother. He is a quiet man who loves old movies and has never been able to succeed at anything involving business sense. Did he kill her hoping to inherit enough to save his shop?
(3) The Major served in India when Jasmine's father was a civil servant there, the very civil servant whose incompetence led to his wife and child dying in a riot. He has been quietly friendly with Jasmine but never got over the loss of wife and child. Are the sins of the father being taken out on the daughter? And was the major REALLY sick when he left choir rehearsal early the night Jasmine died?
(4) Roger- why did this good looking but completely vile young man take up with plain little Meg at the pub instead of her gorgeous co-worker? Why is he leaching off Meg and telling his mates he is going to come into money? Why was he angry and storm off when Meg told him Jasmine had changed her mind about suicide?
(5) Felicity is a private duty nurse who specializes in cancer patients and the dying. Just why did she choose Jasmine as a patient and just why is it that instead of comforting her, she has harshly scared the woman with stories of how the cancer will make her suffer.
There are also people locked away in creepy mental hospitals, little old ladies, and a victim of an act of long ago child abuse who hold keys to the mystery. It couldn't be suicide- all of the morphine given to Jasmine is still accounted for in the fridge and there were no empty bottles left anywhere. Jasmine could not manage to even walk the steps to go out let alone get rid of the bottles. It is murder and Duncan will search out the guilty party.
I like how we got to see and learn a lot more about Gemma James. I like this woman. She is a young rising cop who is the single mom of a toddler son named Toby and in this book, her ex (who ran off on her and Toby after the baby's birth) has really disappeared now- quit his job and left where he lived- so she is getting no child support but is stuck paying for the high mortgage on the house he saddled her with along with day care costs for Toby. I liked seeing how Duncan was so sympathetic to her plight. That, along with his compassion for Jasmine and others, and his actions with Jasmine's cat Sidhi, show what a kind, loving man he is. I am a little in love with both him and Gemma!
For those of you, like myself, who love and rescue animals, you will probably feel some anxiety when Jasmine dies and her black cat Sidhi is left behind. The cat was a love of her life and wonderful companion but in books, the cat is often tossed out on its own or taken to animal control where they are killed. Though at first no one wants the cat- don't like cats, are allergic to cats,not allowed to have a cat where they live, going to prison for murder (!!!), I must report that Duncan Kincaid made sure to feed the cat, change the litter box, give water, and even leave the lights on for the kitty daily. And in the end, I am delighted at the very good home Sid goes to. Bravo to Deborah Crombie (who has 3 cats and a German shepherd of her own) for including Sidhi's care and fate in this book in a highly responsible and satisfying way. I love people who are good to animals!!!
October 3, 2017
This is #2 in a favorite series. The lead characters are smart and likable, and their relationship is developing. It's an interesting puzzle, solved by figuring out the clues, rather than a lot of action, but it moves right along.
November 9, 2015
(Read my write-up of A Share in Death first, for closest approximation to sense.)
Duncan's being back in London did help quite a bit, and I continued to like Gemma and root for her to be able to manage juggling what has to be one of the harder jobs for a single mother of a young child. The melody that seemed to be increasingly turning into the theme song - "All the Ladies Love Duncan" - was at least a bit muted by the interesting murder victim, and the way it took a while for her death to be recognised as a murder. It was a good half-star better than the first, but I'd probably not have gone out of my way to read more in the series. Number three was right here though, so I immediately read on.
Duncan's being back in London did help quite a bit, and I continued to like Gemma and root for her to be able to manage juggling what has to be one of the harder jobs for a single mother of a young child. The melody that seemed to be increasingly turning into the theme song - "All the Ladies Love Duncan" - was at least a bit muted by the interesting murder victim, and the way it took a while for her death to be recognised as a murder. It was a good half-star better than the first, but I'd probably not have gone out of my way to read more in the series. Number three was right here though, so I immediately read on.
June 18, 2020
The good thing about this book is that the killer is hard to guess until the end.
The not so good part is that there is a lot a lot a lot of talk and dialogue and going around in circles. It is my second book in this series and by the end of the book i was just eager for it to be over. I didn't even care who the killer was anymore.
The not so good part is that there is a lot a lot a lot of talk and dialogue and going around in circles. It is my second book in this series and by the end of the book i was just eager for it to be over. I didn't even care who the killer was anymore.
May 23, 2021
All Shall Be Well is the second book in author Deborah Crombie's Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James series. I've found these to be enjoyable reads if not long on suspense and in the atmosphere of a cozy mystery.
I will no doubt continue reading titles in this series, not because I feel compelled to find out what happens to the characters so much as to take a break from more gritty fare.
I will no doubt continue reading titles in this series, not because I feel compelled to find out what happens to the characters so much as to take a break from more gritty fare.
May 28, 2021
It seems as though murders will find the superintendent wherever he is. In the first book he is on vacation and now it’s one of his neighbors. I guess he doesn’t get enough to do in his job at New Scotland Yard, lol. The 2nd installment in this series did not disappoint.
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