Bleeding Heart Yard audiobook

I used my ear holes for half and my eyeballs for half Writing: 4/5 | Plot: 4/5 | Ending: a lil cray cray/5 SYNOPSIS A 21-year class reunion at an esteemed high school ends in murder. And another murder shortly afterward points to an old secret coming to light. MY OPINION Yes, this is my first Elly Griffiths book and yes, I started with #3 in a series. Did you expect anything more? Since I read half of this with the good ole peepers, I'm writing a full review. I was actually vibulating with the audio so much, I wanted to read it with my eyes. The narrator did a fabulous job playing all the different roles. Even her Italian accent was pretty legit. I highly recommend this one to audio lovers. I really liked Griffiths writing style. Her dry wit is right up my alley and reminded me of my faves: Jo Spain, Cara Hunter, Angela Marsons, Sharon Bolton, etc. I don't know what goes on in the U.K, but the police procedural ladies can WRITE write. Yeetage of disbelief required; especially for the ending. It's so hard write a satisfying ending. I feel that authors want to go for the shock value to leave you reeling thinking 5 stars!!! But I'm always silently praying to a non-denominational God for a bland ending. Just answer the pertinent questions and avoid the "catching up with a friend" epilogue. Don't throw in razzle dazzle when I'm already dazzled; now I'm just over-stimulated and freaking LOL. I just finished The Stranger Diaries before writing this, and I've noticed a trend. While the mystery is certainly juicy and I like the complexities of the kills, I find that there's no explanation for WHY the killer is so fancy. The motive is pretty regular degular, so why go to such extremes with all the literature references etc? Why is this type of "showboating" for lack of better word, necessary to the killer? Anywayzzz. I did like the distinct characters, but for their level of fame, they seemed to lack some basic security. I can't imagine MPs and world-famous movie stars and singers just trotting about on their own unprotected. I'm not a celebrity (shocker!) but it seems like in this modern day and age, you'd have at least one bodyguard accompanying you are town. If you like dark academia and police procedurals, I highly recommend this one. A satisfying read/listen that had me add the entire series to my TBR. And yes, I started from the beginning after this one 😂 PROS AND CONS Pros: narration on point, juicy j case, pace was pacing, dry wit Cons: the killer's motive just wasn't doing it for me, no breadcrumbs really, ending was doing a LOT

Harbinder Kaur #3 and I think possibly my favourite so far! Harbinder is now serving in the Met as a DI in the Homicide and Serious Crimes Unit and jolly happy she is too with her promotion. One of her team DS Cassie Fitzgerald has a big secret, so big she’s tried to wipe it from her memory bank. However, fate or something more sinister has a habit of resurrecting the past. The storyline centres around Manor Park School, a posh Chelsea State School with several well-known former pupils all contemporaries and former classmates of Cassie. At the 21st anniversary celebration of this golden gang leaving school, one of their number Conservative MP Garfield Rice is found dead, a suspected drugs overdose but Cassie suspects this links to the past. Is she right? The story is told via Harbinder, Cassie and Anna another school friend of Cassie’s. This is done so well as each voice is unique and adds to the growing intrigue. First of all first of all, let’s reflect on Harbinder! I think Elly Griffiths has created one of the best female detectives around at the moment. I love hearing her “voice“, she’s such a character with her wry, droll comments which make me laugh and her thoughts often directed at one member in particular of her team! I can picture them too, Jake with his wide leg stance and much more likeable Kim. An excellent part of the plot is having one of their number, Cassie, at the centre of the investigation which could make things very difficult for Harbinder as the newcomer to the team. The plot is excellent, there’s a lot going on with several subplots and the golden gang are good characters adding plenty of colour as we have two MPs, a famous actress and a well-known musician which means there’s never a dull moment. The fast paced plot builds well, there’s plenty of tension and your suspicion antennae twitches in several directions. The ending is one of those never saw it coming scenarios and I do so like a finale like that! I love how Harbinder becomes ‘Susie’ to her team at the end - you’ve arrived girl!! I really enjoy the use of London that the author utilises so effectively and creatively including legends and stories which add an extra frisson of atmosphere. I think London gives way more scope as a setting much as I love Sussex!! Looking forward to number 4 with eager anticipation! With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Quercus for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Bleeding Heart Yard was a solid, intriguing, steadily-paced 4.5 for much of the book, but then the phenomenal conclusion to the mystery saw me bumping it up to 5.It’s the 21st year school reunion for Manor Park School – a Chelsea based, London Elite Comprehensive, catering to the super rich and powerful. And the night has ended on a devastating note – a class of ’98 pupil, Garfield Rice, now a Conservative MP, has been found dead in the men’s bathroom. I’m sorry, but if someone’s ever introduced to me with the unfortunate name of “Garfield” I’m going to struggle to contain my laughter. Thankfully he’s referred to as “Gary” for the most part. At first glance it appears to be a straightforward case of a drug overdose, but the absence of cocaine in his bloodstream, and the presence of increased levels of insulin, leads the pathologist to conclude that he was deliberately injected with a lethal dose.Notable Manor Park school reunion guests/witnesses/potential suspects, nearly all of whom graduated the same year as Garfield Rice – 1998. Chris Foster – a famous pop star. Stage name Kris Foster. A member of the popular crowd at school (known as “The Group”) which also included Garfield (Gary), Henry, Anna, Izzy, Cassie, and Sonoma.Henry Steep – a Labour MP. Member of “The Group”.Isabelle “Izzy” Istar – a well known actress. Member of “The Group”.Anna Vance – Lives in Florence where she teaches English to foreign students, but is currently visiting, and staying with, her terminally-ill mother. Member of “The Group”.Sonoma Davies – Headteacher at Manor Park. Planned the reunion, and was meant to attend, but cancelled at the last minute. Member of “The Group”.Aisha Mitri – a doctor. Unsuccessfully tried to revive Garfield at the scene.Pete Fitzherbert – Cassie’s husband. Two years above “The Group” in school.Cassie Fitzherbert (Note: it’s Fitzgerald in the official book blurb so may be changed upon publication) – Member of “The Group”. A police officer, and one of newly-appointed DI Harbinder Kaur’s DS’s. Cassie has a massive secret in her past that she’s kept hidden for twenty-one years – in 1998 she killed a fellow pupil.As well as the “school reunion” connection, Garfield Rice has been receiving threatening letters of a political nature, signed Bleeding Heart. Garfield attended several prominent dinners regarding climate-change near the London landmark of Bleeding Heart Yard.Bleeding Heart Yard marks the third book in the series featuring Harbinder Kaur, and it was a definite improvement on the previous instalment – The Postscript Murders – which was a little two cosy and fun for my tastes. It’s not quite as good as the first book – The Stranger Diaries – but it was a close contender, and I loved that both had an academic tie. Harbinder Kaur has received a promotion from DS to DI, and ditched her old life, living at home with her parents in Shoreham, West Sussex (setting of the first two books), and moved to the bright lights of London. I thought it was a bold move uprooting the main character in a series to a new location, but it really paid off, as I preferred Harbinder’s police team over her partner Neil, and also enjoyed the fact that she had a secretive traitor in her midst in DS Cassie Fitzherbert, even though Cassie was on paid leave, and not part of the active investigation. Have to say though, I was surprised by Harbinder’s promotion, as in my review for The Postscript Murders I remember mentioning how unprofessional she was at times, which thankfully she wasn’t in this one, and the crimes depicted in Bleeding Heart Yard were a lot more serious than it’s predecessor. You are probably thinking that a murder at a school reunion, with flashbacks to student days has been done to death, but Bleeding Heart Yard did contain plenty of originality, and I really liked the idea that one of the suspects in the current murder was not only part of the police team, but was also hiding the fact that she had killed in the past. Not a spoiler by the way, as the confession occurred in the prologue. The mystery was twisty and plausible, with scattered clues throughout, that all came together in the end in an explosive and unexpected way. There were drama and romantic subplots that really added to my emotional investment, made me care about the characters, and had me not wanting one, or more of them, to turn out to be a killer. Also, a lot of the thrillers this year have been overly long, but this one wasn’t – every scene was crucial to the overall plot.Due to the new London setting, and since Harbinder is the only character in this (apart from a brief appearance by her parents) who featured in this one, Bleeding Heart Yard could easily be read as a standalone. It was a pleasure to read this thrilling novel, and has me so excited for the next in the series.I’d like to thank Netgalley UK, Quercus Books, and Elly Griffiths for the e-ARC.Publication Date: 29th September, 2022.

This is the third book in a police procedural series featuring detective Harbinder Kaur. Although you can definitely read this as a standalone, I recommend you go back and start from the beginning in order to get the full development of this character. I feel like the books have improved as the series has progressed, this one was taut and complete and my favorite so far.Harbinder has been promoted to DI in London, and her first big case involves a murder that occurs at a class reunion. One of the Met's own, DS Cassie Fitzgerald, was a member of the class, a part of "The Group" which included the deceased. She was present at the reunion, so this one hits close to home. As the team begins to investigate the crime, they find that many of the classmates have deep secrets and there are echoes back to 21 years before, when another classmate died in a violent way.I adore the character of Harbinder. She's smart, tough, but also trying to forge her way in the law enforcement world where she is "other"--she's a lesbian person of color. She's not exactly sure of herself in the new setting, but I saw the growth of her confidence as the investigation progressed. Props to Griffiths for not being content to leave a character in a familiar place and allowing her to grow. In this book she finds love--and the ending epilogue left me with a huge smile on my face. The interaction between the members of the team is excellent as well, I always dread books where there's a ton of office politics and this book doesn't really have that. The team works together and plays off of each other incredibly well. I definitely recommend this series and anxiously await book four! I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

3.5 rounded up.Twenty-one years ago Cassie killed a man, David Moore. She lured him to one of London’s mothballed underground stations promising him he can get drugs there. Her friends are all lurking nearby. The plan is kill to him or, at the very least, scare the living daylights out of him. You see David r@ped Cassie and had tried it on with two of her other friends. It didn’t seem like he would ever stop this behaviour. Cassie and David struggle and there’s a loud noise as a train approaches and David Moore falls in front of the speeding train.In the present Harbinder Kaur has been promoted to DI in the CID of the MET and is in charge of the MIT at West Kensington. Apologies for all the acronyms but I’m sure they are pretty self explanatory. Cassie is now DS Cassie Fitzherbert. She has a husband and two children. Cassie attends a reunion at her alma mater, Manor Park school. Everyone in her friendship group will be thereGarfield Rice - now Tory MPKris (formerly Chris) Foster - lead singer for The CubesIsabelle Istar -actressHenry Steep - now Labour MPAnna Vance - now lives in ItalyAnd Cassie of course, the only friend who doesn’t turn up is Sonoma who is now the school principal. Before the night is out Garfield Rice is murdered. Cassie cannot be on the case as she present at the reunion.Suspects are batted backwards and forwards faster then a tennis final. Red herrings appear and enquiries and interviews yield nothing. Then, a couple of days later Henry Steep is found dead in Bleeding Hear Yard - a strangely named courtyard outside an old pub. Harbinder marshalls her troops very effectively. It is wonderful to see her flourish in the new environment. She is ably assisted by DS Kim Manning. Manning is an older woman who has a real skill in calming people down and getting them to talk. It was interesting to read about some of the more hidden parts of London too.I did not enjoy this book quite as much as the previous two. It didn’t quite have the same sense of drama, in fact the case itself seemed to go around in circles a lot. The ending was, however, a very surprising twist. I enjoyed reading this one but I didn’t love it. Many thanks to Netgalley and Quercus books for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.Thank you for the buddy read Jayme. Be sure to check Jayme’s fantastic review as well.

My what a tangled web the former students of Manor Park weave. Is it possible to forget that you've committed a murder twenty one years ago? Harbinder Kaur's team is called in to investigate when Garfield Rice, one of the former students is found murdered at their school reunion. Supposedly from a drug overdose? Or was Garfield killed by one of his political cronies? Then we find out that twenty one years earlier David Moore, another student was murdered. Was it an accident or something more sinister? Now yet another former student, Henry Steep is also found murdered. Are all the murders connected? Could one of Harbinder's own team be involved? The only minus with this book, and it's a small one is the number of character's involved. It became a bit hard to keep track of them all. But still highly recommend the book. Elly Griffiths is a new author for me but found the book very enjoyable as a mystery lover and plan to go back and read the rest of Elly Griffith's books. A huge Thank You to Elly Griffiths and Mariner books for a free copy in exchange for a review. Publication date November 15 2022.

The third novel in this enjoyable series finds Harbinder Kaur, at the grand old age of 38, finally leaving her family home in Shoreham and now sharing a flat with two other women in London. She has been promoted to Detective Inspector and leads a small team in the Criminal Investigation Division of the Metropolitan Police. However, little does Harbinder know that one of her team is a possible murderer.21 years before, the woman now known as Detective Sergeant Cassie Fitzherbert believes she was at least partially responsible for the death of David Moore, a fellow pupil at Manor High School, a day before they were due to receive their A-Level results. Then, when Cassie attends a school reunion party, another of her former classmates, controversial right-wing MP Garfield Rice is also murdered.When Harbinder is assigned the new case, Cassie, although not actively involved as she is a “potential witness”, attempts to steer the investigation into thinking Rice was murdered for political reasons, rather than his death being linked to David Moore’s. Then another of her old friends, who was also at the reunion, is killed. Is it possible the same person killed all three victims?Yet another thrilling read with all the usual Elly Griffiths hallmarks: an unusual plot with plenty of twists, frequent splashes of wry humour and a cast full of memorable characters.

3,5 ⭐️Is it possible to forget you’ve committed a murder? That’s the interesting premise Bleeding Heart Yard parts from. This is the third installment in the DI Harbinder Kaur series. Newly promoted DI Harbinder Kaur is now living in London, still accommodating to her new live, when her first big case lands at her feet. During a school reunion in a posh school, one of the former students, now a MP, is murdered. He was a part of a group of friends that called themselves “The Group”, that now will be forced to face their shared past, as their friend’s death might be related to another death they were involved with 21 years ago.I’ve been loving this series so much! Harbinder Kaur is such a fantastic character. It’s been great seeing her out of the comfort of her hometown and her parent’s wings. She’s still caustic and has a dark sense of humour, but is much more mature this time around. Her move to London means she has new colleagues at work, and they were such a nice team. Her duo with DS Kim Manning was a really interesting one.While I’ve enjoyed all three books in the series, this time I had a harder time engaging with the cast of characters. While The Postcript Murders (2nd book in the series) was full of really charming characters that made for a fantastic read (they make a small appearance here), in Bleeding Heart Yard, they felt a bit cold and detached, and I could not connect with any of the characters in “The Group”. The back and forth between them felt a bit confusing at times. It also seemed to focus too much on the incident in the past and that was a bit repetitive.The first two books in the series had more of a unique and original feel, while this one read more like a traditional police procedural. Nice on its own, but lacking a bit when compared to the other two. At least the ending still delivered some surprises!Nice, easy to read mystery that, although not my favorite from the author, brings back a much beloved main character I can’t get enough of, so I’m really looking forward to reading more of this series.Thanks to NetGalley and Quercus for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Detective Inspector Harbinder Kaur is now living in London--and away from her family. She has a promotion and is leading her own team. Her first big case involves the murder of a MP, Garfield Rice. When Harbinder arrives at the scene, she discovers one of her own team already there: DS Cassie Fitzgerald. Cassie and Garfield were at their school reunion, joining back up with a group of friends with whom they share a close past friendship... and secrets. Now Harbinder must figure out if Garfield's death is tied to those friends, or his political leanings. I'm so glad Harbinder Kaur is in my life. Elly Griffiths tells all of her stories with such ease, and I love getting to know her characters. This is the third Harbinder book and while it certainly can stand-alone, I recommend reading the first two as well: both because they are excellent and because you can pick up on some nuances of her character. Plus, I just love Griffiths for writing a lesbian Sikh lead character. I will admit, I was a little slow to follow the beginning of YARD due to its early emphasis on English schooling and politics. That's just my own ignorance. Everything made sense in time. There are a lot of characters introduced quickly (all of Cassie's friends at the reunion), but you soon learn who's who. The story is told not just from Harbinder's POV but Cassie and others, which adds an extra level of intrigue. Griffiths gives us an interesting and timely tale filled with apt political aspects. I absolutely adore Harbinder (and her dry wit and sarcasm). Garfield's murder is a fascinating case that keeps you guessing. 4+ stars. I received a copy of this book from Netgalley / Scene of the Crime and Mariner Books in return for an unbiased review.