The latest addition to the Aisling Grimlock Mystery series was twisty, funny, mysterious and entertaining.
The leading lady, Aisling, is as snarky and quick-witted as ever. She pretty quickly realises the storms raging over her town are magically conjured with the intent to harm. The mystery is who has conjured them and why? There are several pieces of this puzzle laid across the book. We're given some of the whos and bit of the why... but it all finally comes together in the end.
An interesting theme comes up, especially for a Cozy Mystery, domestic violence. We see the main characters examine their viewpoints on this issue. The storms bring out the violence in people, men and women alike. The characters discuss how they feel about men and women being on the receiving end of violence and if the gender of the victim changes their opinion.
Does this instalment work as a stand alone? I'm not sure it is plotted as a stand alone, to be honest. The list of suspects is vague as the focus is on collecting information about the storms rather than on people. When individuals are named, their motives aren't clear. I think this particular story relies more on the characters and their development to appeal to the series reader.
This series is all about relationships and interactions, as much as it is about the mysteries.
Aisling and Angelina are fighting as usual. However, we see a slightly different side to them both as Angelina deals with her terminally ill mother. I like how the series has shown different aspects of this conflicted relationship. Perhaps at some point we may even see Aisling and Angelina working together? Perhaps not...
Aisling and Griffin are wedding planning and continue to find new ways to support each other. I like that Aisling has tried to become more responsible in her sleuthing. Griffin hasn't asked her to change who she is, but he has asked that she think about how he'd be affected if something were to happen to her. She still runs headlong into danger if she feels a deep motivation to do so. However, it's nice to see a protagonist who doesn't stupidly find herself in danger in an effort to prove that her significant other 'can't tell her what to do'. She's also the one who saves Griffin in this case.
Aisling and her family: The Grimlock clan once again bring laughs and moments of 'awws' with their arguing, teasing and loyalty. It's an interesting dynamic to watch how the lines are drawn over the issue of their mother's mysterious return. It's also funny at times to see a group of grown men (and a woman) revert to childhood antics when cooped up together for too long.
The bigger series mystery about Aisling's mother continues. I do wish each story would push that aspect further some more. We're at book 8 already and still don't know exactly how Lily is surviving and why she's back. At some points she seems to be up to no good yet, at others, there's a sense that she is genuinely trying to protect her family.
Overall, another comical and intriguing instalment in the Aisling Grimlock series.