Good book. The peripheral characters are getting to be too many, which is a bit annoying but Crombie doesn't try to explain who all these people are and why they keep popping up which is refreshing ( )

Duncan returning to work after taking leave to care for Charlotte finds he has a new office location, and new staff. Doesn't know why. Investigating a complicated, horrific bombing and murder at St. Pancras Int'l Station keeps them focused on working in unison, allowing them to get to know each other quickly, without time for petty feelings to fester.

Gemma and her team are working on a 'simpler' but challenging case. They know who the bad guy is but need definitive proof.

To Dwell in Darkness introduces new characters, continues to feature familiar characters, always keeping the plots, dialogues fresh and exciting.

This novel introduces a dynamic element of intrigue and conspiracy into the series, making it more frightening, and edgy. Not sure if I welcome that. Will have to see where it leads.

I can say series improves book by book so folks who enjoy good myteries should put these novels on their 'must read' list.

While going to St. Pancras train station to watch Andy's group perform, Melody witnesses a protester engulfed in flames by a smoke bomb that somehow contained a harmful poison. Her police instincts kick in, and she rushes toward the victim and begins to clear the station. Andy's manager Tam was injured by the flames. Melody was aided by a mysterious man who suddenly disappeared. She felt sure he was a policeman. Duncan, recently reassigned to the station nearest St. Pancras, comes to the scene with his new team to investigate. Until widespread terrorist activities are ruled out, MI5 is involved the investigation. The deceased's identity must be determined. At first, they suspect group member Ryan who was supposed to detonate the bomb is the deceased man, but when Paul Cole a younger member is reported missing, the investigation shifts focus. Gemma and Melody have their own investigation into a man employed by an electronics store they feel certain killed a teenage girl. Will they be able to find enough evidence for a conviction? I identified the person responsible early in the investigation. Things are not "neatly wrapped up" in this installment. Some threads will be continued in the next installment, but others we may never know the outcome. I feel Crombie is borrowing elements from Louise Penny's novels in "demoting" and "transferring" her characters. This is not enjoyable. I listened to the audio version and enjoyed this. ( )

TO DWELL IN DARKNESS is Book #16 of Deborah Crombie’s Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James mystery series.
I happened upon this series after reading a recommendation by the author Louise Penny. The series does not disappoint.
In Book #16, Melody is at St Pancras Station and witnesses a deadly bombing.
This might be the major case, but Duncan is worried about and questioning his sudden transfer to Holborn Station. Gemma is also transferred along with Doug Cullen and Melody Talbot.
The many ‘back stories’ are somewhat explained, but we are left more mystified than ever.
The maps, the historical notes on the St. Pancras area are excellent. But I am wanting a bit more closure to the many unexplained mystery threads. ( )

The publisher hype suggests that this book is in the style of Louise Penny. I can see the resemblence. The author has adopted the more insipid elements of Louise Penny's style.

Other than that the book has promise, but I won't be reading anything else by this author. Fortunately I got the book from my local library.

I've read my last Penny novel.

3- ( )