Methods of Dyeing

Ismyre #4

by B. Mure

In Ismyre, on the eve of his lecture, the renowned botanist and master dyer Professor Detlef is found dead in the university gardens. As the local constabulary begin their search for the culprit, a strange detective arrives from outside the city to help solve the crime. In a place where things are never as they seem, will Mary the university custodian be able to help the mysterious investigator uncover the truth?

A new book in the Ismyre series that sees B. Mure continue to expand that quiet, fantastical world with a story of deception and intrigue.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Mystery, Comics, Crime, Graphic Novels Manga

92 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 2021

Reviews

[Mairi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Methods of Dyeing was a delightfully charming book. But what can I say? I'm a sucker for sweet little frogs solving crime.

Whilst it slightly ambitious for the author to take on a murder mystery theme with so few pages, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's wholesome (as wholesome as a murder story can be) and the characters were curiously engaging.

I can't wait to see what else the author publishes in the future!

[Afnan Dridi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this comic. Like the rest of the series, it has beautiful drawings, makes me chuckle, and I walk away feeling calm and immersed. It's clear B.Mure has put a lot of thought into Ismyre, and I love looking at the tiny moments of world-building that make the comic that much more believable. This particular comic like others have mentioned was ambitious for a murder mystery to be the plot-line with relatively few pages, but B.Mure does it easily and beautifully.

[Wendle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Put simply this books is a gorgeous, quiet, and funny murder mystery.

The gorgeous part cannot be understated. I love the artwork so much. It’s both casual and precise, detailed but not overwhelming. The line work seems deceptively simple and expresses so much, while the colours are simple with a limited palette, but used so perfectly. It all comes together to make such peaceful pieces that make me feel calm. I get lost in the art.

A slightly longer review can be read on my book blog: Marvel at Words.

[Jaclyn Hillis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t expecting the characters to be animals — anthropomorphism — but I loved the character designs. Also, the art had a bright and beautiful color palette. The mystery was solved rather quickly (it is a short book; just under 100 pages), but I enjoyed how it all came together in the end.

[Grayson · Rating 5 out of 5]

B. Mure does it again! A beautiful addition to the stunning Ismyre series. I really enjoyed the murder mystery flavour of this one, blended with the cosy atmosphere created by Mure's art style, it makes for a warming afternoon read.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really pretty graphic novel, I love the watercolor art style and how the world looks so fantastical and whimsical. Though plot-wise, it's an okay mystery murder story and the ending feels flat. I wish it's a longer story. But it's still a good, relaxing read to have in the morning.

[Diana Meraz Carnevale · Rating 4 out of 5]

B. Mure's beautiful watercolour style makes this a joy to read. We are seeing more and more of their fantastical world and the characters introduced in this sequel are full of life and intrigue.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

one of the most visually beautiful graphic novels I've ever read. the colours on each page... I could just look at the pictures for hours

[India (IndiaReadsALot) · Rating 2 out of 5]

More of a 2.75 for me.

The artwork and the world as a whole was beautiful. I loved the colour palette, the character designs and the background designs. It is a visually stunning book.

My main issue is the plot. I am an avid murder mystery reader and I just felt that the plot was sadly lacking detail. There was no real investigation and no set up for the reveals at the end so it all just fell flat for me which was disappointing.