If you’re in need of a refresher for your TBR, then you’ve come to the right place! We’re reviewing Susan Juby’s Contemplation of a Crime, the third book in the Helen Thorpe mystery series.
Imagine a five-day retreat with a group of people who do not align in any political, ideological, or personal way. Everyone barely has anything in common, yet they must work together to solve a kidnapping mystery before it becomes deadly.
Contemplation of a Crime took us for a spin, and it’s not like your conventional mystery. Here are three things we enjoyed about Susan Juby’s new novel!
Book Overview: Contemplation Of A Crime
Content warnings: kidnapping, violence, slight gore, guns, weapons
Summary: Butler Helen Thorpe is not one to judge, but the participants in Close Encounters for Global Healing are astonishingly unpleasant.
The five-day program brings together people from across the political spectrum with the goal of helping them bridge their ideological and personal differences. Helen and her employer, Mr. Levine, have come to Side Island to assist David, his youngest son, who is facilitating the course. The motley assortment of participants includes a burned-out environmental activist, an internet troll, a clueless consumerist, an alleged white nationalist and a man who was arrested at the Freedom Convoy in Ottawa. No one seems interested in a civil conversation, much less global healing, and each person has shown up with their own secret agenda.
No rapprochement between the warring, or at least endlessly bickering, parties seems possible. But when something deadly happens, they must learn to work together. First, they have to figure out who among them can be trusted.
It Feels Like Playing Clue
The good thing about Contemplation of a Crime is that we got to know each character before the kidnapping happens. Every character has a different background and reason for going into this retreat. And we kept tabs on little details to rule out their involvement in the crime. Even though our initial suspicions turned out to be faulty, we’re still proud of ourselves for collecting and remembering the clues as we read.
The Early Reveal
Contemplation of a Crime doesn’t wait until the end for the big reveal, and we kind of love that. Having the reader know who’s behind the kidnapping makes the investigation that much more exciting. While the characters try to figure out the suspects, we know how much closer they’re getting. And the hostages even play their part in giving coded messages for Helen to dissect.
Impromptu Rescue Mission
The first few days of the retreat seem to be ineffective for such a polarizing group. But once Helen decides to trust the participants with a task as important as finding the kidnappers and rescuing David and Mr. Levine, everyone sets aside their differences. They lock in and play their roles surprisingly well. Pain proves his expertise with online security, while Wayne’s connection gets them an extra, much-needed mode of transportation.
Susan Juby’s Contemplation of a Crime is not a normal mystery, and we’re a fan. Get ready for an early reveal, a motley crew, and multiple entertaining perspectives.
Contemplation of a Crime by Susan Juby goes on sale May 20th, and you can order a copy of it here!
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