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Thomas Lynch #3
Idyll Hands
In the small, sleepy town of Idyll, Connecticut, Police Chief Thomas Lynch assists police officer Michael Finnegan to uncover clues to his sister's disappearance two decades ago.
Charleston, Massachusetts, 1972: Rookie cop Michael Finnegan gets a call from his mother. His youngest sister, Susan, has disappeared, the same sister who ran away two years earlier. Anxious not to waste police resources, Finnegan advises his family to wait and search on their own. But a week turns into two decades, and Susan is never found.
Idyll, Connecticut, 1999: In the woods outside of town, a young woman's corpse is discovered, and Detective Finnegan seems unusually disturbed by the case. When Police Chief Thomas Lynch learns about Finnegan's past, he makes a bargain with his officer: He will allow Finnegan to investigate the body found in the woods--if Finnegan lets the bored Lynch secretly look into the disappearance of his sister.
Both cases reveal old secrets--about the murder, and about the men inside the Idyll Police Station and what they've been hiding from each other their whole careers.
Charleston, Massachusetts, 1972: Rookie cop Michael Finnegan gets a call from his mother. His youngest sister, Susan, has disappeared, the same sister who ran away two years earlier. Anxious not to waste police resources, Finnegan advises his family to wait and search on their own. But a week turns into two decades, and Susan is never found.
Idyll, Connecticut, 1999: In the woods outside of town, a young woman's corpse is discovered, and Detective Finnegan seems unusually disturbed by the case. When Police Chief Thomas Lynch learns about Finnegan's past, he makes a bargain with his officer: He will allow Finnegan to investigate the body found in the woods--if Finnegan lets the bored Lynch secretly look into the disappearance of his sister.
Both cases reveal old secrets--about the murder, and about the men inside the Idyll Police Station and what they've been hiding from each other their whole careers.
303 pages, Paperback
First published September 4, 2018
17 people are currently reading
1007 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Gayle
5 books136 followersStephanie Gayle is the author of Idyll Threats, Idyll Fears, and Idyll Hands (Seventh Street Books) and My Summer of Southern Discomfort (William Morrow.) She's been twice nominated for a Pushcart prize for her short fiction, which has appeared in Kenyon Review Online, Potomac Review, and Minnetonka Review. She created the popular reading series, Craft on Draft, in Boston.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
August 10, 2018
In the third book of her Thomas Lynch Mysteries -- after Idyll Threats and Idyll Fears -- Gayle changed the story structure a little. Instead of having only his main hero, Chief Thomas Lynch, to be the narrator, we also have Detective Michael Finnegan.
Finnegan, who has three ex-wives and child support in his belt, apparently has his younger sister missing for the past twenty-seven years. When human bones appeared in the woods, Finnegan at first thinks that they might be his sister's. Since Finnegan is too close to the case -- if it is indeed hers -- Lynch decides that he will take over Finnegan's sister's case and let Finnegan and Lynch's other detective, Lewis, to work on the identity of the human bones and what have happened to it.
I loved reading about both cases -- Finnegan and Lewis are quite like dogs with bones with theirs, and I really liked how Lynch works his, applying his experience being a homicide detective, thinking 'outside' of what Finnegan might miss (because she's family).
While I might not be in love with this series during the first book, but I found that I had settle down with the rhythm, and being very much invested with Lynch and his department in this idle town. I thought both cases were good -- although I admit I had more investment with the case of Finnegan's missing sister, simply because it's related to Lynch's detective.
The progress on how the department trying to accept their (now) openly gay Chief is one of the most charming things about this series for me. It was the year of 1999, on the brink of new millenia, there was mentions of Y2K and how the computers would all died (OMG! Did you all remember THAT timeline?!); while Lynch's detectives might still feel reluctant to share things to him, still making fun of his initiatives (like the physical plan), and not including him in the softball game tournament against the firefighters, but I could see how they slowly respect him.
It's not just the department too. I enjoyed reading the reaction of the citizens with Lynch's sexuality as well, like Finnegan's own mother. Oh, Lynch still might get some cold shoulder, but I believe that the town will embrace their Chief and stand by him in the end, even if they don't fully agree or understand his lifestyle.
I loved how Gayle also incorporated new things for us to learn about the detectives in the department -- like the updates on Lewis' upcoming baby or well, the not so happy progress of Lynch's romantic relationship. All of this play an important factor on how I want this series to last a long time, seeing how Lynch and the department enter the new decades, with each significant event happening in the US. How will they react to 9/11 that happened in 2001? The new war against terrorism? The same sex marriage making history in Massachusetts in 2004? So many things!
If you like mystery series with strong 'character factors (equipped with both their strengths and flaws) that happen to set in small idle town, I do recommend this series.
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Edelweiss+ for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
Finnegan, who has three ex-wives and child support in his belt, apparently has his younger sister missing for the past twenty-seven years. When human bones appeared in the woods, Finnegan at first thinks that they might be his sister's. Since Finnegan is too close to the case -- if it is indeed hers -- Lynch decides that he will take over Finnegan's sister's case and let Finnegan and Lynch's other detective, Lewis, to work on the identity of the human bones and what have happened to it.
I loved reading about both cases -- Finnegan and Lewis are quite like dogs with bones with theirs, and I really liked how Lynch works his, applying his experience being a homicide detective, thinking 'outside' of what Finnegan might miss (because she's family).
While I might not be in love with this series during the first book, but I found that I had settle down with the rhythm, and being very much invested with Lynch and his department in this idle town. I thought both cases were good -- although I admit I had more investment with the case of Finnegan's missing sister, simply because it's related to Lynch's detective.
The progress on how the department trying to accept their (now) openly gay Chief is one of the most charming things about this series for me. It was the year of 1999, on the brink of new millenia, there was mentions of Y2K and how the computers would all died (OMG! Did you all remember THAT timeline?!); while Lynch's detectives might still feel reluctant to share things to him, still making fun of his initiatives (like the physical plan), and not including him in the softball game tournament against the firefighters, but I could see how they slowly respect him.
It's not just the department too. I enjoyed reading the reaction of the citizens with Lynch's sexuality as well, like Finnegan's own mother. Oh, Lynch still might get some cold shoulder, but I believe that the town will embrace their Chief and stand by him in the end, even if they don't fully agree or understand his lifestyle.
I loved how Gayle also incorporated new things for us to learn about the detectives in the department -- like the updates on Lewis' upcoming baby or well, the not so happy progress of Lynch's romantic relationship. All of this play an important factor on how I want this series to last a long time, seeing how Lynch and the department enter the new decades, with each significant event happening in the US. How will they react to 9/11 that happened in 2001? The new war against terrorism? The same sex marriage making history in Massachusetts in 2004? So many things!
If you like mystery series with strong 'character factors (equipped with both their strengths and flaws) that happen to set in small idle town, I do recommend this series.
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Edelweiss+ for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
August 6, 2018
I obtained the ARC paperback of this book from Amazon Vine same as the first two books in this series that I reviewed previously.
Book is available September 9.
Dear Stephanie Gayle,
Thomas Lynch the title character of these series charmed me from the very first book in the series. I really liked the guy, his flaws and all, and wanted him to be happy in his personal and professional life. More importantly, I really liked his voice, sprinkled with occasional sarcasm and this book did not disappoint in this regard.
I love how Thomas slowly, very slowly feeling more comfortable as a police chef in the tiny town of Idyll, how he is slowly getting respect of his detectives, even if initially they were not eager to work under police Chef who happens to be gay.
Both mysteries in this book are cold cases and both are missing person cases. In fact initially I was not too excited about the resolutions for both cases. It is hard to explain, I think it is because especially in the case of Michael Finnigan's missing sister, I did not really expect anything surprising. I expected them to find out that his sister was dead because after so many years it was impossible to hope for the better outcome and it was hard for me to imagine that anybody who so far had been presented as an interesting and important character would be implicated in the murder.
As far as the second case was concerned ( and unless I majorly misunderstood the story, the second case was also a cold one - it was just much earlier cold case, the bones were found several years ago, not in 1999 contrary to what blurb states), I was more interested in the outcome and I am not sure I can explain why.
The narrative however quickly won me over. Neither of the two investigations were moving fast, in fact they were moving quite slowly for the most of the book, but the work detectives did felt real to me, even if calling people, visiting people, talking to people, talking to people did not feel very exciting, but I felt it was very necessary.
The main reason why the narrative won me over though was because of the human factor. The relationship between Thomas and his two main detectives Michael Finnigan and Lewis Wright grows by leaps and bounds by the time the book ends and it was not always hearts and flowers.
Even at the beginning of the book Lewis and several other men are not too eager to invite their Chef to play in the annual baseball competition and Lewis still does not show too much eagerness to investigate the case with Thomas, but we do hear him admitting closer to the end that Thomas is many times better than their previous Chef. Hey maybe one day Lewis will get in his thick head that homophobic comments are not okay to make to anybody, not just to Chef whom you now appear to like and respect.
Since the older case is about Michael Finnigan's sister, we do learn a lot about him, but the blurb talks about his secrets in such ominous way that I thought it would be something terrible. I was not sure what terrible things we were supposed to discover, because I have not noticed one.
In this book Michael Finnigan also narrates some chapters and I was glad that the chapters are marked accordingly because I honestly did not notice that much difference between Michael and Thomas' voice and I thought I should have noticed that.
We also get to observe Thomas' attempts to have a romantic life and I felt for the guy so very much. I have faith in him eventually finding someone :).
Grade B.
Book is available September 9.
Dear Stephanie Gayle,
Thomas Lynch the title character of these series charmed me from the very first book in the series. I really liked the guy, his flaws and all, and wanted him to be happy in his personal and professional life. More importantly, I really liked his voice, sprinkled with occasional sarcasm and this book did not disappoint in this regard.
I love how Thomas slowly, very slowly feeling more comfortable as a police chef in the tiny town of Idyll, how he is slowly getting respect of his detectives, even if initially they were not eager to work under police Chef who happens to be gay.
Both mysteries in this book are cold cases and both are missing person cases. In fact initially I was not too excited about the resolutions for both cases. It is hard to explain, I think it is because especially in the case of Michael Finnigan's missing sister, I did not really expect anything surprising. I expected them to find out that his sister was dead because after so many years it was impossible to hope for the better outcome and it was hard for me to imagine that anybody who so far had been presented as an interesting and important character would be implicated in the murder.
As far as the second case was concerned ( and unless I majorly misunderstood the story, the second case was also a cold one - it was just much earlier cold case, the bones were found several years ago, not in 1999 contrary to what blurb states), I was more interested in the outcome and I am not sure I can explain why.
The narrative however quickly won me over. Neither of the two investigations were moving fast, in fact they were moving quite slowly for the most of the book, but the work detectives did felt real to me, even if calling people, visiting people, talking to people, talking to people did not feel very exciting, but I felt it was very necessary.
The main reason why the narrative won me over though was because of the human factor. The relationship between Thomas and his two main detectives Michael Finnigan and Lewis Wright grows by leaps and bounds by the time the book ends and it was not always hearts and flowers.
Even at the beginning of the book Lewis and several other men are not too eager to invite their Chef to play in the annual baseball competition and Lewis still does not show too much eagerness to investigate the case with Thomas, but we do hear him admitting closer to the end that Thomas is many times better than their previous Chef. Hey maybe one day Lewis will get in his thick head that homophobic comments are not okay to make to anybody, not just to Chef whom you now appear to like and respect.
Since the older case is about Michael Finnigan's sister, we do learn a lot about him, but the blurb talks about his secrets in such ominous way that I thought it would be something terrible. I was not sure what terrible things we were supposed to discover, because I have not noticed one.
In this book Michael Finnigan also narrates some chapters and I was glad that the chapters are marked accordingly because I honestly did not notice that much difference between Michael and Thomas' voice and I thought I should have noticed that.
We also get to observe Thomas' attempts to have a romantic life and I felt for the guy so very much. I have faith in him eventually finding someone :).
Grade B.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2019
Oh my - finished and this was awesome. Yes, I know I already said that about book #1 but honestly, this was the best series of books I've read in a long time! They were funny, kept me guessing for the longest time in every book, the characters were great and believable and even the fact that this all took place in the late 1990 - something I normally don't like reading, for me it feels as if it was just a few years ago, but then when reading I realize, yes it's long ago and a lot of stuff has changed since then.
I especially liked the fact that we learned more about the lives of the MCs and the fact that yes Thomas Lynch is a gay police chief, but that it was just a part of him, normal. And that he had his share of boyfriend trouble.
I really would love to read more books like this and hope this author is already busy writing the next book in this series.
I especially liked the fact that we learned more about the lives of the MCs and the fact that yes Thomas Lynch is a gay police chief, but that it was just a part of him, normal. And that he had his share of boyfriend trouble.
I really would love to read more books like this and hope this author is already busy writing the next book in this series.
January 2, 2021
This is a great series but I didn't enjoy this quite as much as the other two, wasn't invested as much in the case but nevertheless it's a great series
August 21, 2018
A good procedural series needs to mix it up, change the kinds of plots, change the pacing, and give the characters more to do. In the third Thomas Lynch novel, Gayle does just that. Adding a second narrator (part-time detective and thrice-divorced Michael Finnegan) opens up the series and gives us a new set of eyes on the Idyll police department. But Gayle still keeps the variety of small subplots that keep a good series chugging--the upcoming police vs. fire softball game, the search for someone who keeps throwing stinky clam shells down the same street--this time mixed with two cold cases.
Now for me, just me personally, I don't love a cold case. And this particular kind of cold case, where a young woman goes missing, is my least favorite kind of cold case. This book being at 3-stars instead of the 4 I've given the rest of the series is very much about me and what I personally prefer in a procedural, especially when it comes to plot and pacing. Objectively, I think it's a smart decision to change up the series and not turn this sleepy small town into a sudden hot bed of crime. I'm still a fan of the series, enough that I'm happy to speed through this one, declare it not my favorite, and still anxiously await #4.
Lynch is still holding everyone at arm's length, still acting like he's closeted most of the time even though his sexual orientation is public knowledge, and trying to figure out things with his first maybe-boyfriend (nice to see returning federal agent Hot Matt). We even have the beginnings of a love triangle. And getting to see Lynch from the outside reinforces a lot of what we know of him while also giving the series a nice jolt of change. The period piece-ness of it can sometimes feel a little heavy handed, but I really appreciate having a book about a gay character that isn't set during the AIDS crisis and isn't set during the present day.
Now for me, just me personally, I don't love a cold case. And this particular kind of cold case, where a young woman goes missing, is my least favorite kind of cold case. This book being at 3-stars instead of the 4 I've given the rest of the series is very much about me and what I personally prefer in a procedural, especially when it comes to plot and pacing. Objectively, I think it's a smart decision to change up the series and not turn this sleepy small town into a sudden hot bed of crime. I'm still a fan of the series, enough that I'm happy to speed through this one, declare it not my favorite, and still anxiously await #4.
Lynch is still holding everyone at arm's length, still acting like he's closeted most of the time even though his sexual orientation is public knowledge, and trying to figure out things with his first maybe-boyfriend (nice to see returning federal agent Hot Matt). We even have the beginnings of a love triangle. And getting to see Lynch from the outside reinforces a lot of what we know of him while also giving the series a nice jolt of change. The period piece-ness of it can sometimes feel a little heavy handed, but I really appreciate having a book about a gay character that isn't set during the AIDS crisis and isn't set during the present day.
June 10, 2024
Easily the best book of the series to date - with two concurrent investigations into missing women. I relished the ongoing working tensions between police chief Tom and his entire crew ... the gradual coming down of hostile prejudicial barriers was realistically played out. Tom's connections to two gay men was equally engaging and did not detract from the overall procedural side of things. My heart-felt desire is for the author to self-publish #4 of this series sometime soon! 4.5 worthy stars.
September 6, 2018
This was a bit of a Roman fleuve crime novel. Who knew such a thing existed? I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read it straight after the first two.
I have marked the book down because chapters are written from the points of view of two different guys - and I couldn’t usually tell which one it was except by checking back to the chapter heading.
If you want driving pounding suspense, this book is not for you. If you want a serviceable police procedural, set in an established universe, chronicalling various peoples’ lives, including a gay police chief in 1999, you will probably enjoy this.
I’ll be reading the next one, but with lowered expectations.
I have marked the book down because chapters are written from the points of view of two different guys - and I couldn’t usually tell which one it was except by checking back to the chapter heading.
If you want driving pounding suspense, this book is not for you. If you want a serviceable police procedural, set in an established universe, chronicalling various peoples’ lives, including a gay police chief in 1999, you will probably enjoy this.
I’ll be reading the next one, but with lowered expectations.
September 28, 2018
This one checked off a bunch of boxes for me: small-town mystery; dual mysteries being solved; equal focus on solving the mysteries, the characters’ personal lives, and police department politics. The novel switches between Police Chief Thomas Lynch and Detective Michael Finnegan. Lynch is doing his best to settle into small-town life, navigate around the town and his department’s reaction to his being gay, figure out the whole dating in a small-town, and keep his men in line while solving a murder case. Finnegan was a rookie cop in the ’70s when his younger sister disappeared, and he’s never stopped blaming himself for waiting too long to file a missing person’s report. Now, 1999, with a woman’s body found in the woods, he’s determined to find out what happened to his sister. Lots of great characters, interactions, and two solid mysteries had me really invested in this read. I look forward to more, especially Lynch. (Reads as a standalone in that you’re never lost or feel like you’re thrown into an already started story.)
--from Book Riot's Unusual Suspects newsletter: https://link.bookriot.com/view/56a820...
--from Book Riot's Unusual Suspects newsletter: https://link.bookriot.com/view/56a820...
October 26, 2018
I really like Stephanie Gayle's series about a small Connecticut town's gay police chief who misses the intensity of the Big Apple investigations that he used to do. But I have a couple complaints about this one. The phrase "at the outset" is used twice when the author means "at the outside" and there are other copyediting oversights like that.
But the slip that was most distracting (unless I completely misunderstood what was indicted) was that .
In this episode, the narration switches between the protagonist, Chief Thomas Lynch, and one of his detectives, Finnegan. On his own time, Finnegan has been searching for a sister who left home in Charlestown, MA, decades ago. Lynch is so bored in the quiet town of Idyll -- where the fireman-police softball game generates the only excitement -- that he elbows in on what has long been Finnegan's private project.
In the meantime, another detective, who is searching for the owner of a human bone found in the woods, also wants to help Finnegan. This detective's fraught relationship with the chief improves immeasurably as they work together without the touchy Finnegan realizing that he now has another helper besides the chief.
The chief's relationships are pretty much all fraught, both at the police station and in his personal life, where a boyfriend resents Lynch's timidity about finally being "out." Nevertheless, although not everything in his life gets worked out, enough gets worked out to satisfy this reader, who likes interesting characters and endings that are mostly positive.
But the slip that was most distracting (unless I completely misunderstood what was indicted) was that .
In this episode, the narration switches between the protagonist, Chief Thomas Lynch, and one of his detectives, Finnegan. On his own time, Finnegan has been searching for a sister who left home in Charlestown, MA, decades ago. Lynch is so bored in the quiet town of Idyll -- where the fireman-police softball game generates the only excitement -- that he elbows in on what has long been Finnegan's private project.
In the meantime, another detective, who is searching for the owner of a human bone found in the woods, also wants to help Finnegan. This detective's fraught relationship with the chief improves immeasurably as they work together without the touchy Finnegan realizing that he now has another helper besides the chief.
The chief's relationships are pretty much all fraught, both at the police station and in his personal life, where a boyfriend resents Lynch's timidity about finally being "out." Nevertheless, although not everything in his life gets worked out, enough gets worked out to satisfy this reader, who likes interesting characters and endings that are mostly positive.
September 4, 2018
I don’t generally gravitate towards mysteries or police procedurals as my first choice in reading, but Stephanie Gayle’s Thomas Lynch series never disappoints me. Idyll Hands is her third saga featuring the ex-big city, now small-town (Idyll, CT) chief of police, who, as a gay man in the 1990s, must navigate the close knit and sometimes judgemental culture in which he resides and works. Even without the intricate plot where old secrets and crimes are uncovered, I am riveted by this man and his strong presence, flaws and all. Further, Gayle has created a lively bunch of three dimensional supporting characters in the police department. Their personalities, interactions, and antics are as captivating as the crimes they are investigating. In Idyll Hands, a second voice, that of detective Michael Finnegan, whose sister’s disappearance several decades ago was never solved, alternates with that of the chief’s. Once the two mysteries that make up the overall plot are resolved, Gayle gives her leading man a personal opportunity to triumph over the small-mindedness and grudges of some of those around him.
September 2, 2018
This is such a great series! If you haven't seen my earlier reviews of book one and book two, check them out. This is definitely a series that builds, and I think it would be tough to jump into it via this third book. That said it's more than worth the back-reading. The books are easy to read - which is not at ALL to say that they are simplistic, just that the writing and pacing are so well managed that they are easy to fall into and burn through. I keep thinking the series can't possibly get more engaging, and then with each new book I find myself grinning and calling out a mental "well done!" to the talented Stephanie Gayle...
In this latest installment, Chief of Police Thomas Lynch finds himself caught up in the backstory of Idyll's police department. The resultant tale is a back-and-forth between Lynch and his part-time detective Michael Finnegan. Finny's at the heart of this one, and it was fascinating to see him fully develop as a character. He's played a relatively minor role in the previous books - present and part of the gang, but not a fully-fleshed out character in his own right. The insight into his character and personality were very interesting and I'm curious to see if he'll remain a larger player or if it's Gayle's intent to flesh out the entire department in this way. If so, I hope she picks Mrs. Dunsmore for her next focus - the woman appears to underpin nearly everything in Idyll with a quiet, behind-the-scenes, grace that I just KNOW belies an inner core of steel... The other members of the department are also slowly but surely rounding themselves out into major players in the life of the town. Lewis Wright is another fascinating supporting player who is becoming more human with each book and his family drama promises an unsuspected slant in the coming books.
The mix of mystery and history in this one was a fun spin and gave the series a fresh direction. Not that it needed one, but it was a pleasant switch-up all the same. Gayle is doing a really great job managing expectations with this series, keeping things interesting and coming at her characters and mysteries from unexpected directions. It's a nice way to keep things interesting and also a smart plan for what will hopefully prove to be a long-term series. For a small town, Idyll has more than its share of secrets and I for one cannot wait to see which are divulged next!
Thank you to Seventh Street Books for my review copy.
In this latest installment, Chief of Police Thomas Lynch finds himself caught up in the backstory of Idyll's police department. The resultant tale is a back-and-forth between Lynch and his part-time detective Michael Finnegan. Finny's at the heart of this one, and it was fascinating to see him fully develop as a character. He's played a relatively minor role in the previous books - present and part of the gang, but not a fully-fleshed out character in his own right. The insight into his character and personality were very interesting and I'm curious to see if he'll remain a larger player or if it's Gayle's intent to flesh out the entire department in this way. If so, I hope she picks Mrs. Dunsmore for her next focus - the woman appears to underpin nearly everything in Idyll with a quiet, behind-the-scenes, grace that I just KNOW belies an inner core of steel... The other members of the department are also slowly but surely rounding themselves out into major players in the life of the town. Lewis Wright is another fascinating supporting player who is becoming more human with each book and his family drama promises an unsuspected slant in the coming books.
The mix of mystery and history in this one was a fun spin and gave the series a fresh direction. Not that it needed one, but it was a pleasant switch-up all the same. Gayle is doing a really great job managing expectations with this series, keeping things interesting and coming at her characters and mysteries from unexpected directions. It's a nice way to keep things interesting and also a smart plan for what will hopefully prove to be a long-term series. For a small town, Idyll has more than its share of secrets and I for one cannot wait to see which are divulged next!
Thank you to Seventh Street Books for my review copy.
August 9, 2018
This book is the first detective novel I've ever read and I've got to say I am happy I did! The format of switching perspectives between characters was very refreshing and provided a depth that would otherwise be missing. The characters were interesting and made me want to know more. I would definitely be interested in reading the remainder of the series. The ending left me excited for more, and I hope the story continues.
#GoodreadsGiveaway
#GoodreadsGiveaway
February 26, 2019
Thomas Lynch, the gay chief of police in the small town of Idyll, returns for the third book in the fabulous Idyll mystery series and this one might just be my favorite. Idyll Hands has the signature humor of this fiercely funny series and introduces a new point of view character, Detective Michael Finnegan (aka Finny), who likes to read, has 3 ex-wives, and is keeping a big secret about his past. I'm a huge fan of the taciturn Chief Lynch but now Finny has my heart too.
The banter between Lynch, Finny, and the other officers at the station reminds me a bit of The Office (only with police) but they also have work to do. In addition to figuring out who dumped some stinky clam shells on a neighborhood street, they have to solve not one but two dark and disturbing cold cases involving a missing girl, murder, and a mysterious bone. Author Stephanie Gayle deftly balances details about the highs and lows of small town life with the unraveling of these dark mysteries. Idyll Hands is a compelling police procedural with richly developed characters that will keep you turning the pages and leave you excited to read more of this series. Highly recommended!
The banter between Lynch, Finny, and the other officers at the station reminds me a bit of The Office (only with police) but they also have work to do. In addition to figuring out who dumped some stinky clam shells on a neighborhood street, they have to solve not one but two dark and disturbing cold cases involving a missing girl, murder, and a mysterious bone. Author Stephanie Gayle deftly balances details about the highs and lows of small town life with the unraveling of these dark mysteries. Idyll Hands is a compelling police procedural with richly developed characters that will keep you turning the pages and leave you excited to read more of this series. Highly recommended!
December 14, 2020
I really enjoyed the first two books of the series but I found this book to be a little slow and the characters flat. The book did get better in the last third of the book.
February 16, 2019
In Idyll Hands, police investigate two unrelated cold cases involving missing girls. Set in 1999, a body is found in the woods of Idyll, Connecticut. The murder is thought to be connected to a cold case from years earlier. Idyll Chief of Police Thomas Lynch agrees to put part-time cop Michael Finnegan on the case– if he allows the bored Lynch to look into the disappearance of Finnegan’s sister, missing since 1972.
The book is something of a slow burn. Stephanie Gayle really makes the reader appreciate the work that goes into solving a crime with little information- especially in a 1999 police station where typewriters are still used. Tracking down witnesses who haven’t thought about these crimes in decades and suspects who may no longer be recognizable makes for some engaging long-form police work.
The first person narration switches between Lynch’s and Finnegan’s perspectives which gives a fresh angle for each case. The more personal feelings of Finnegan who is working on the new case and thinking of his missing sister is in contrast to Lynch’s slightly more hard-cop-on-the-job voice (although both have that old-school movie cop quality).
Each detective brings something to the table as the cases become more concrete, Lynch was once a homicide detective and can investigate Finnegan’s sister’s case in a way a family member can’t. And though he’s not exactly on great terms with his own people (three ex-wives kids he doesn’t see, and parents and siblings he sees only on holidays) Finnegan has some idea of what the family of this newly murdered girl are going through. The detectives work their cases like they’re on the hunt and the pace picks up as they close in on answers.
It isn’t necessary to have read previous Thomas Lynch books, it’s easy to follow and background is given. Gayle brings the quaint town of Idyll to life, where prior to the body, the current big crime is smelly oyster shells being left along a neighborhood street, against the backdrop of these two grim cases. Idyll Hands is also peppered with Lynch’s romantic foibles with his boyfriend as well as his family relationships, and worries over the station softball game. These things make the book an almost light (it’s still about murdered girls and grieving families, emotional scenes which Gayle writes touchingly) read compared to grittier or bloodier crime novels.
The background characters provide some humor and local color as do the station’s worries over impending Y2K doom (it’s 1999). Lynch’s subordinates working to respect if not understand their openly gay boss give this book the personal touches every procedural needs. Fans of the crime genre should save this book for a rainy day.
Originally posted at https://thefuriousgazelle.com/2018/11...
The book is something of a slow burn. Stephanie Gayle really makes the reader appreciate the work that goes into solving a crime with little information- especially in a 1999 police station where typewriters are still used. Tracking down witnesses who haven’t thought about these crimes in decades and suspects who may no longer be recognizable makes for some engaging long-form police work.
The first person narration switches between Lynch’s and Finnegan’s perspectives which gives a fresh angle for each case. The more personal feelings of Finnegan who is working on the new case and thinking of his missing sister is in contrast to Lynch’s slightly more hard-cop-on-the-job voice (although both have that old-school movie cop quality).
Each detective brings something to the table as the cases become more concrete, Lynch was once a homicide detective and can investigate Finnegan’s sister’s case in a way a family member can’t. And though he’s not exactly on great terms with his own people (three ex-wives kids he doesn’t see, and parents and siblings he sees only on holidays) Finnegan has some idea of what the family of this newly murdered girl are going through. The detectives work their cases like they’re on the hunt and the pace picks up as they close in on answers.
It isn’t necessary to have read previous Thomas Lynch books, it’s easy to follow and background is given. Gayle brings the quaint town of Idyll to life, where prior to the body, the current big crime is smelly oyster shells being left along a neighborhood street, against the backdrop of these two grim cases. Idyll Hands is also peppered with Lynch’s romantic foibles with his boyfriend as well as his family relationships, and worries over the station softball game. These things make the book an almost light (it’s still about murdered girls and grieving families, emotional scenes which Gayle writes touchingly) read compared to grittier or bloodier crime novels.
The background characters provide some humor and local color as do the station’s worries over impending Y2K doom (it’s 1999). Lynch’s subordinates working to respect if not understand their openly gay boss give this book the personal touches every procedural needs. Fans of the crime genre should save this book for a rainy day.
Originally posted at https://thefuriousgazelle.com/2018/11...
December 29, 2019
Not to mince words, this is an excellent novel. The story travels between 1972 in Charleston, Massachusetts, and 1999 in Idyll, Connecticut. In its emotional beginning, Susan, the sixteen-year-old sister of a new policeman, Michael Finnegan, is running away from home, at least for a few days. Why, we don’t know for sure.
Twenty-six years later, in a town not far from Charleston, the new chief of police in Idyll, Connecticut, named Thomas Lynch, is confronted with allergies and the preserved bone of an unknown woman or girl, the cops in that town have named Colleen. The bone is from a body unknown and unnamed found years earlier.
And so the story begins. As it unfolds, Michael Finnegan, now an experienced detective and his boss, Chief Lynch, working together and separately, among the small force of law enforcement people, confront questions of other missing young women. And throughout the novel, the hard loss of Finnegan’s still missing sister is always present.
In carefully measured chapters, the search for the woman found in the grave in Idyll is laid out and the detectives draw ever closer to the murderer. At the same time, detective Finnegan continues to pick away at random small clues to the enduring mystery of his sister’s disappearance.
Scenes are carefully and sometimes elaborately described; the pace of the novel is intense, and readers will be treated to a small cadre of police individuals whose emotional investments in their careers are carefully laid out, along with the civilian sides of life. Readers will also be treated to an interesting look at the process of crime detection in this town where the authorities are anything but idle.
In carefully measured chapters, the search for the woman found in the grave in Idyll is laid out and the detectives draw ever closer to the murderer. At the same time, detective Finnegan continues to pick away at random small clues to the enduring mystery of his sister��s disappearance.
Scenes are carefully and sometimes elaborately described; the pace of the novel is intense, and readers will be treated to a small cadre of police individuals whose emotional investments in their careers are carefully laid out, along with the civilian sides of life. Readers will also be treated to an interesting look at the process of crime detection in this town where the authorities are anything but idle.
Twenty-six years later, in a town not far from Charleston, the new chief of police in Idyll, Connecticut, named Thomas Lynch, is confronted with allergies and the preserved bone of an unknown woman or girl, the cops in that town have named Colleen. The bone is from a body unknown and unnamed found years earlier.
And so the story begins. As it unfolds, Michael Finnegan, now an experienced detective and his boss, Chief Lynch, working together and separately, among the small force of law enforcement people, confront questions of other missing young women. And throughout the novel, the hard loss of Finnegan’s still missing sister is always present.
In carefully measured chapters, the search for the woman found in the grave in Idyll is laid out and the detectives draw ever closer to the murderer. At the same time, detective Finnegan continues to pick away at random small clues to the enduring mystery of his sister’s disappearance.
Scenes are carefully and sometimes elaborately described; the pace of the novel is intense, and readers will be treated to a small cadre of police individuals whose emotional investments in their careers are carefully laid out, along with the civilian sides of life. Readers will also be treated to an interesting look at the process of crime detection in this town where the authorities are anything but idle.
In carefully measured chapters, the search for the woman found in the grave in Idyll is laid out and the detectives draw ever closer to the murderer. At the same time, detective Finnegan continues to pick away at random small clues to the enduring mystery of his sister��s disappearance.
Scenes are carefully and sometimes elaborately described; the pace of the novel is intense, and readers will be treated to a small cadre of police individuals whose emotional investments in their careers are carefully laid out, along with the civilian sides of life. Readers will also be treated to an interesting look at the process of crime detection in this town where the authorities are anything but idle.
December 1, 2021
Rounded up from 3.75
TL;DR
It was okay, but I was a little underwhelmed by this being the finale
Things I liked:
-The dual POVs. It was definitely unexpected, but the gamble paid off.
-The plot. I always like cold cases because it usually revolves around more social conflict and that appeals to me more than shooting guns at each other and fast paced action of that sort
Things I'm on the fence about:
-The 90s references really jump at you. They feel more link A WINK IN ALL CAPS THIS HAPPENED IN '99 than just being features of the time period, but that's also I suppose the charm
-Louis' kid with Down syndrome. Not the fact the child will have it or anything like that. Again, it just feels like a rehashing of social issues from that time that have been beaten to death. Still, perks for at least showing it was a commonplace problems which keeps me from hating it
-The lack of sexual content. It's just weird this book didn't really have any compared to the last two books
Things I didn't like:
-The whole threat with the North case blackmail that went nowhere.
- The drama with Matthew and Damian. Oh, boy. In my opinion, Matthew was completely in the wrong the entire time it wasn't even funny. Thomas was out; there was no way he could keep quiet after the news people broadcasted it all over the country. His complaint that Thomas didn't want to show PDA around Idyll was completely at odds with the policy at the FBI that Matthew couldn't really either. Besides, Thomas was open with his family in New York. To top it all off unless memory is failing me Thomas didn't sleep with another man in the entire time. True, he did have a thing with Damian, but the whole thing about him showing up was completely unfounded because Matthew wasn't available and him getting jealous about that-- I could go on, but that was just obnoxious. I appreciate the author showing what a gay relationship would have been lack around the turn of the century, but ending with Thomas single and such just seems falling back into tropes of the time with no growth. A little disappointed with that aspect with a good series like this
TL;DR
It was okay, but I was a little underwhelmed by this being the finale
Things I liked:
-The dual POVs. It was definitely unexpected, but the gamble paid off.
-The plot. I always like cold cases because it usually revolves around more social conflict and that appeals to me more than shooting guns at each other and fast paced action of that sort
Things I'm on the fence about:
-The 90s references really jump at you. They feel more link A WINK IN ALL CAPS THIS HAPPENED IN '99 than just being features of the time period, but that's also I suppose the charm
-Louis' kid with Down syndrome. Not the fact the child will have it or anything like that. Again, it just feels like a rehashing of social issues from that time that have been beaten to death. Still, perks for at least showing it was a commonplace problems which keeps me from hating it
-The lack of sexual content. It's just weird this book didn't really have any compared to the last two books
Things I didn't like:
-The whole threat with the North case blackmail that went nowhere.
- The drama with Matthew and Damian. Oh, boy. In my opinion, Matthew was completely in the wrong the entire time it wasn't even funny. Thomas was out; there was no way he could keep quiet after the news people broadcasted it all over the country. His complaint that Thomas didn't want to show PDA around Idyll was completely at odds with the policy at the FBI that Matthew couldn't really either. Besides, Thomas was open with his family in New York. To top it all off unless memory is failing me Thomas didn't sleep with another man in the entire time. True, he did have a thing with Damian, but the whole thing about him showing up was completely unfounded because Matthew wasn't available and him getting jealous about that-- I could go on, but that was just obnoxious. I appreciate the author showing what a gay relationship would have been lack around the turn of the century, but ending with Thomas single and such just seems falling back into tropes of the time with no growth. A little disappointed with that aspect with a good series like this
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2018
Michael Finnegan is a rookie cop who puts up with a lot of newbie banter in his job on the Charleston, Massachusetts police force. One matter, however, consumes his life in many ways. In 1972 his sister Susan disappeared. At first no one even called the police as she had run away two years previously. Now, Michael is riddled with guilt wishing he had initially taken her absence more seriously and his attempts to find her are fierce.
Twenty plus years later, an arm and then the entire body of a murdered woman is found in the woods. It turns out it’s not Susan but a different woman named Elizabeth. Police Chief Thomas Lynch is a gay cop who is ultra-sensitive about his life style but has “come out,” albeit shyly and quietly. However, he is a sensitive guy internally, albeit gruff externally, who agrees to help Finnegan with his search for his sister if Finnegan agrees to help with the investigation into the murdered woman’s killer.
The story is told from two points of view of the past and present which enables the reader to think he or she is also doing the investigation into these two mysteries. It works well even though the course of the searches seems to progress quite slowly, more like the real world and not a TV 60-minute crime story.
Small towns have large secrets and there are plenty in Idyll, Massachusetts. No spoilers here! Obviously, the mysteries will be solved as the police pick through the facts and fiction of the town where everyone knows everyone else but are careful about what they reveal. This is a satisfying mystery because the pace is perfect and the revelations about the families, friends, neighbors and acquaintances are clearly clues as to the loves and hates of seemingly innocent, quiet residents. New relationships are forged in the process.
Idyll Hands… is a cleverly crafted novel that will truly satisfy mystery fans and even contemporary fiction fans. Nicely fashioned fiction, Stephanie Gayle!
Twenty plus years later, an arm and then the entire body of a murdered woman is found in the woods. It turns out it’s not Susan but a different woman named Elizabeth. Police Chief Thomas Lynch is a gay cop who is ultra-sensitive about his life style but has “come out,” albeit shyly and quietly. However, he is a sensitive guy internally, albeit gruff externally, who agrees to help Finnegan with his search for his sister if Finnegan agrees to help with the investigation into the murdered woman’s killer.
The story is told from two points of view of the past and present which enables the reader to think he or she is also doing the investigation into these two mysteries. It works well even though the course of the searches seems to progress quite slowly, more like the real world and not a TV 60-minute crime story.
Small towns have large secrets and there are plenty in Idyll, Massachusetts. No spoilers here! Obviously, the mysteries will be solved as the police pick through the facts and fiction of the town where everyone knows everyone else but are careful about what they reveal. This is a satisfying mystery because the pace is perfect and the revelations about the families, friends, neighbors and acquaintances are clearly clues as to the loves and hates of seemingly innocent, quiet residents. New relationships are forged in the process.
Idyll Hands… is a cleverly crafted novel that will truly satisfy mystery fans and even contemporary fiction fans. Nicely fashioned fiction, Stephanie Gayle!
March 27, 2020
Background: This is a small town police protocol. Thomas Lynch is the newish police chief of this town. The twist in this series is that he is gay and some of the small town residents are either having a hard time accepting this or finding this a novel experience without prejudice. In this book, we do see some of Lynch's experiences with other people and his romantic adventures.
Spoilers/Plot: There are two mysteries in one. In the first mystery, some old bones are found and the detectives follow up clues no matter how remote to look for the killer. In the second mystery, one of the detectives' sister has been missing for 27 years and a chance discovery causes Chief Lynch to look into it. Both mysteries are very good examples of how a police procedural should be written, it's painstaking, methodical and routine but the reader gets to skip the monotony and boring parts. The book is written in alternating POV style: from that of the Chief of Police and from one of the detectives. I'm not a big fan of such writing styles because the reader has to reset every chapter but I grudging found it to be ok because the story flowed quickly without boring parts and ended satisfactorily.
In addition, there were some larger than life characters which made the book a pleasure to read (secretary, witnesses, bartender, etc) and a few subplots such as Lewis' baby and the police vs firefighter's softball game.
I definitely will be checking out the last book in the series that I haven't read yet.
Spoilers/Plot: There are two mysteries in one. In the first mystery, some old bones are found and the detectives follow up clues no matter how remote to look for the killer. In the second mystery, one of the detectives' sister has been missing for 27 years and a chance discovery causes Chief Lynch to look into it. Both mysteries are very good examples of how a police procedural should be written, it's painstaking, methodical and routine but the reader gets to skip the monotony and boring parts. The book is written in alternating POV style: from that of the Chief of Police and from one of the detectives. I'm not a big fan of such writing styles because the reader has to reset every chapter but I grudging found it to be ok because the story flowed quickly without boring parts and ended satisfactorily.
In addition, there were some larger than life characters which made the book a pleasure to read (secretary, witnesses, bartender, etc) and a few subplots such as Lewis' baby and the police vs firefighter's softball game.
I definitely will be checking out the last book in the series that I haven't read yet.
October 1, 2018
3.5 stars!
It’s a credit to Stephanie Gayle’s writing chops that I was able to jump right into this story with her characters, not having read the previous two books in the series. She included a bit of backstory for context but it’s a stand-alone pleasure to read. The best way to describe the tone of it is “neo-noir” – there’s lots of amusing police-chat and razzing, paunchy guys with drinking problems and complicated love lives, dames with sass. It’s interesting that Gayle chooses to write mostly male characters, and that her female characters play only supporting/classic dead girl roles. They’re all three-dimensional and interesting, but as careful as she is to include people of various backgrounds (and not in a token way, either – it all felt genuine) I would have thought women would have moved and shaken the story a bit more. I didn’t really mind that she didn’t – people can write what and whom they want, IMO, as long as it’s done well – I just expected a modern police precinct to include a couple of female cops.
I’ve spent a fair amount of time in Boston and New York, and it was fun to have those two cities contrasting with the suburban quiet of Idyll, Connecticut. Settings are characters here, and characters are believable products of their settings, and the plot boiled along nicely. I lost a couple of hours of sleep to see how it all came together!
It’s a credit to Stephanie Gayle’s writing chops that I was able to jump right into this story with her characters, not having read the previous two books in the series. She included a bit of backstory for context but it’s a stand-alone pleasure to read. The best way to describe the tone of it is “neo-noir” – there’s lots of amusing police-chat and razzing, paunchy guys with drinking problems and complicated love lives, dames with sass. It’s interesting that Gayle chooses to write mostly male characters, and that her female characters play only supporting/classic dead girl roles. They’re all three-dimensional and interesting, but as careful as she is to include people of various backgrounds (and not in a token way, either – it all felt genuine) I would have thought women would have moved and shaken the story a bit more. I didn’t really mind that she didn’t – people can write what and whom they want, IMO, as long as it’s done well – I just expected a modern police precinct to include a couple of female cops.
I’ve spent a fair amount of time in Boston and New York, and it was fun to have those two cities contrasting with the suburban quiet of Idyll, Connecticut. Settings are characters here, and characters are believable products of their settings, and the plot boiled along nicely. I lost a couple of hours of sleep to see how it all came together!
April 11, 2021
I must say that, although I recognize that the double POV allows us to get to know Detective Michael Finnegan in greater depth, I still didn't like the change very much. But that's just a matter of personal preference and not a critic of the book.
Which was seriously great. The two cold cases that Thomas, Lewis and Finnegan are working on are both interesting (although I was more invested in the case regarding Finnegan's sister), and we get to see how doggedly and determined are these men when it comes to finding the truth and catch the culprit.
I couldn't help and laugh a bit at the whole 'he knows/he doesn't know/he doesn't know I know' shenanigans. And how Mrs D. knew everything.
And I truly enjoyed seeing how the department and the town are really trying to accept his gay captain. Some with more success than others, of course (Finn's mom!) But no matter what, all of them are curious about his love life and wanting his fashion advice *laughs*
We also get to see a bit more of Thomas personal life (which is not going so well, if I'm honest), and of his relationship with his family. Seeing him going to ask advice to his mom after he had a fight with Matt is kind of funny, but also heartwarming. But let me be absolutely clear: I don't like Matt.
So, in short... why aren't more books in this series?
Which was seriously great. The two cold cases that Thomas, Lewis and Finnegan are working on are both interesting (although I was more invested in the case regarding Finnegan's sister), and we get to see how doggedly and determined are these men when it comes to finding the truth and catch the culprit.
I couldn't help and laugh a bit at the whole 'he knows/he doesn't know/he doesn't know I know' shenanigans. And how Mrs D. knew everything.
And I truly enjoyed seeing how the department and the town are really trying to accept his gay captain. Some with more success than others, of course (Finn's mom!) But no matter what, all of them are curious about his love life and wanting his fashion advice *laughs*
We also get to see a bit more of Thomas personal life (which is not going so well, if I'm honest), and of his relationship with his family. Seeing him going to ask advice to his mom after he had a fight with Matt is kind of funny, but also heartwarming. But let me be absolutely clear: I don't like Matt.
So, in short... why aren't more books in this series?
September 11, 2018
Is it too early to start asking Stephanie Gayle if she is working on the next book in this series? I stayed in this morning to finish the book and I loved it.
The book centres on missing persons and is told from alternating points-of-view.
A human bone had been found and the unknown person to whom it belonged became known as Colleen. When more bones are found a number of years later an identity it established and an investigation starts.
At the same time Thomas Lynch starts to investigate the case of a Susan, the sister of Detective Michael Finnegan. Susan had walked out of her home over 20 years ago and had never been seen since.
I really like the way in which Stephanie writes. I also thoroughly enjoyed the storyline and Thomas Lynch has become a firm favourite of mine.
I want more and quickly.
Highly recommended.
The book centres on missing persons and is told from alternating points-of-view.
A human bone had been found and the unknown person to whom it belonged became known as Colleen. When more bones are found a number of years later an identity it established and an investigation starts.
At the same time Thomas Lynch starts to investigate the case of a Susan, the sister of Detective Michael Finnegan. Susan had walked out of her home over 20 years ago and had never been seen since.
I really like the way in which Stephanie writes. I also thoroughly enjoyed the storyline and Thomas Lynch has become a firm favourite of mine.
I want more and quickly.
Highly recommended.
November 4, 2018
3.5*
As soon as I read the synopsis, I knew I wanted to read Idyll Hands. I didn’t know this series so I hadn’t read the previous books, but I believe this can be read as a standalone and I had no issues following the characters and their backstory.
This is a police procedural set in the 90s, and it features two different cold cases that must be solved many years later. Although the main character is chief Tommy Lynch, we also have Detective Finnegan narrate his side of the story, and the disappearance of his sister was my favorite case out of the two.
I really enjoyed this book, not only because of the mysteries, which were smart and well-written but because of the interaction between the characters. I loved reading about Lynch’s love life, and I found incredibly interesting that he was the gay chief of police, as I haven’t encountered many characters like him in mystery books. He was so likable!
As for the investigation, I did think that the first clue for the Finnegan’s sister case was a bit too coincidental (Seriously? No one thought of that? And are we supposed to believe that many years later someone just spills the truth after speaking to Tommy Lynch for the first time?), but that didn’t prevent me from enjoying the story at all.
This is a great cop procedural featuring a unique protagonist and a set of interesting secondary characters. Stephanie Gayle is an amazing writer and I loved reading all the references to 90s movies and culture.
As soon as I read the synopsis, I knew I wanted to read Idyll Hands. I didn’t know this series so I hadn’t read the previous books, but I believe this can be read as a standalone and I had no issues following the characters and their backstory.
This is a police procedural set in the 90s, and it features two different cold cases that must be solved many years later. Although the main character is chief Tommy Lynch, we also have Detective Finnegan narrate his side of the story, and the disappearance of his sister was my favorite case out of the two.
I really enjoyed this book, not only because of the mysteries, which were smart and well-written but because of the interaction between the characters. I loved reading about Lynch’s love life, and I found incredibly interesting that he was the gay chief of police, as I haven’t encountered many characters like him in mystery books. He was so likable!
As for the investigation, I did think that the first clue for the Finnegan’s sister case was a bit too coincidental (Seriously? No one thought of that? And are we supposed to believe that many years later someone just spills the truth after speaking to Tommy Lynch for the first time?), but that didn’t prevent me from enjoying the story at all.
This is a great cop procedural featuring a unique protagonist and a set of interesting secondary characters. Stephanie Gayle is an amazing writer and I loved reading all the references to 90s movies and culture.
March 5, 2019
Gayle shakes things up in this third volume in the series by following two parallel cold cases through the alternating voices of main character Lynch and one of his detectives.
The pacing was the stand-out feature of both of the previous books in this series so I'm pleased to report that that's still the case here. Unfortunately while I love the idea of the dual narrators, the character voices aren't terribly distinct on the page (I was regularly flipping back to the chapter headings to double-check who we were following). Still, it did allow us to see the town and its police department through a new set of eyes, and that was entertaining.
One tiny little time-period nitpick though: At one point a character comments that someone must not watch Masterpiece Mystery. That series was simply called Mystery (or "Mystery!") throughout the '90s. A small thing, but with so many other late-'90s references elsewhere in the text it seemed like a jarring thing to get wrong (especially in a mystery story).
The pacing was the stand-out feature of both of the previous books in this series so I'm pleased to report that that's still the case here. Unfortunately while I love the idea of the dual narrators, the character voices aren't terribly distinct on the page (I was regularly flipping back to the chapter headings to double-check who we were following). Still, it did allow us to see the town and its police department through a new set of eyes, and that was entertaining.
One tiny little time-period nitpick though: At one point a character comments that someone must not watch Masterpiece Mystery. That series was simply called Mystery (or "Mystery!") throughout the '90s. A small thing, but with so many other late-'90s references elsewhere in the text it seemed like a jarring thing to get wrong (especially in a mystery story).
September 21, 2018
I came on this series by chance and ended up Reading all 3 of the ‘Idyll’ books in the space of about 2 weeks and have really enjoyed them. The main character is 3 dimensional and has more than the usual problems integrating into small town life after a career in homicide, although he does seem to have brought some of the murder and may hem with him. The POV is split between Thomas and one of his detectives,which gives an interesting perspective on his approach to the team and tHe relationship between Thomas and his assistant ??? is hilarious. Good police procedural with enough emphasis on personal relationships to make you feel like you really know thes guys. Can’t wait for the next one.
May 21, 2021
OH, GOD!!! I want so much more. First of all, I must confess I wasn't really into the two narrators although I guess the story wouldn't work as well otherwise. I just don't care that much about Finny. Sorry (not sorry). I think I'd rather have Lewis prespective but the star of the ball is definitely Thomas. I'm so invested in Thomas!! I guess this is where it's appropriate to scream FU, MATT CISCO!!. I WAS ROOTING FOR YOU, EVERYONE WAS ROOTING FOR YOU. I had to get that out of my chest. It took me a while t finish it but it¡s just that I knew this is the last one published (hopefully not the last one) so I needed to savor it.
January 22, 2022
I started this series in the middle but this book works well as a stand-alone. Thomas Lynch, the gay police chief of Idyll, Connecticut, is an engaging protagonist - a little right of his prime, a little shy amid all the publicity about his sexual orientation, but strong in his detective skills, growing into his management skills and quick to recognize the jewels among his crew of misfits. Together they work to solve one of the worst crimes - the cold-case murder of the young sister of one of their own. Stephanie Gayle writes about loss, vulnerability, fear of exposure and courage while weaving a mystery that engages us to the end.
August 15, 2019
This is a seriously great book for Murder Myster up with the top authors in my opinion, out ordinary plot and situations of people, to match the BBC ones.
How close to home she was and yet so far no one could reach her, and it is a depth of emotion that created tears as just gave baby away and so lost as she chocked and ignorance of people, a child lost forever, and the other, clever a video that tells it all discarded as not important in the narcissistic mind of the killer.
How dark and deadly society can get how violent.
How close to home she was and yet so far no one could reach her, and it is a depth of emotion that created tears as just gave baby away and so lost as she chocked and ignorance of people, a child lost forever, and the other, clever a video that tells it all discarded as not important in the narcissistic mind of the killer.
How dark and deadly society can get how violent.
February 24, 2020
Overall I really liked this series. I liked the continuation of Thomas’s development in this last one, and the insight into Finnegan and Wright. The plot in this one was just as engaging as the first two. They’re all good, solid mysteries, with plenty of page-turning questions involved. This would make a good cop drama TV show. I think the setting of the late 90s makes it more interesting too. The ending to this one was kind of abrupt and left some loose ends, but overall I liked it, and I liked where Thomas ended up. This series surprised me and I’m glad I decided to finally read it.
September 14, 2018
3.7 I have not read the other two books in this series. Idyll is a small town in Connecticut. This story is set in 1999 and mostly about a couple of murders that happened in the 80’s are being revisited. Human bones were found . What could be the connection , if any, to a home for unwed girls? “Idyll is full of things trying to kill me.” This story wasn’t real suspenseful but more of a crime novel.
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