3.5
Bryant & May: Oranges and Lemons
ByPublisher Description
“The most delightfully, wickedly entertaining duo in crime fiction.”—The Plain Dealer
When a prominent politician is crushed by a fruit van making a delivery, the singular team of Arthur Bryant and John May overcome insurmountable odds to reunite the PCU and solve the case in this brainy new mystery from acclaimed author Christopher Fowler.
On a spring morning in London’s Strand, the Speaker of the House of Commons is nearly killed by a van unloading oranges and lemons for the annual St. Clement Danes celebration. It’s an absurd near-death experience, but the government is more interested in investigating the Speaker’s state of mind just prior to his accident.
The task is given to the Peculiar Crimes Unit—the only problem being that the unit no longer exists. Its chief, Raymond Land, is tending his daffodils on the Isle of Wight and senior detectives Arthur Bryant and John May are out of commission—May has just undergone surgery for a bullet wound and Bryant has been missing for a month. What's more, their old office in King’s Cross is being turned into a vegetarian tapas bar.
Against impossible odds, the team is reassembled and once again what should be a simple case becomes a lunatic farrago involving arson, suicide, magicians, academics and a race to catch a killer with a master plan involving London churches. Joining their team this time is Sidney, a young woman with no previous experience, plenty of attitude—and a surprising secret.
When a prominent politician is crushed by a fruit van making a delivery, the singular team of Arthur Bryant and John May overcome insurmountable odds to reunite the PCU and solve the case in this brainy new mystery from acclaimed author Christopher Fowler.
On a spring morning in London’s Strand, the Speaker of the House of Commons is nearly killed by a van unloading oranges and lemons for the annual St. Clement Danes celebration. It’s an absurd near-death experience, but the government is more interested in investigating the Speaker’s state of mind just prior to his accident.
The task is given to the Peculiar Crimes Unit—the only problem being that the unit no longer exists. Its chief, Raymond Land, is tending his daffodils on the Isle of Wight and senior detectives Arthur Bryant and John May are out of commission—May has just undergone surgery for a bullet wound and Bryant has been missing for a month. What's more, their old office in King’s Cross is being turned into a vegetarian tapas bar.
Against impossible odds, the team is reassembled and once again what should be a simple case becomes a lunatic farrago involving arson, suicide, magicians, academics and a race to catch a killer with a master plan involving London churches. Joining their team this time is Sidney, a young woman with no previous experience, plenty of attitude—and a surprising secret.
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Meet readers like you in the Fable For You feed, designed to build bookish communitiesBryant & May: Oranges and Lemons Reviews
3.5
““Over time all facts become legend. Our memories lie as we seek to humanize the past and rearrange it into something meaningful.”
The book blends mystery with dark humor and quirky characters. In "Oranges and Lemons: Peculiar Crimes Unit Mystery," detectives Arthur Bryant and John May are called to investigate a peculiar series of crimes tied to London's church bells. The case begins when a seemingly unrelated murder occurs near a bell tower, leading the duo into a labyrinth of historical connections involving the city’s iconic landmarks.
As they delve deeper, they discover that the crimes may be linked to a dark and ancient secret intertwined with London’s past. With the clock ticking, Bryant and May navigate a world of eccentric characters, puzzles, and hidden messages while showcasing their unique investigative style.
The author’s prose is witty and engaging, effortlessly weaving historical anecdotes into the narrative. The setting of London, with its rich tapestry of stories, serves as an essential backdrop, bringing to life the city's peculiarities. The plot is intricately crafted, maintaining a brisk pace while allowing you to savor the eccentricities of the characters, particularly the elderly and unconventional detective duo.
The characters are well-developed, with Bryant and May's contrasting personalities providing both tension and warmth. Their interactions are infused with humor, making their partnership endearing. The mystery itself is cleverly constructed, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers guessing until the end.
Overall, the author’s ability to merge humor with serious themes of aging, friendship, and urban life makes this book a compelling read. Fans of cozy mysteries and those looking for a unique take on crime fiction will find this installment thoroughly enjoyable. However, I enjoyed the overall idea but felt like it could’ve been executed better. The reveal felt anticlimactic & rushed. Although, it is a solid read.”
About Christopher Fowler
Christopher Fowler was the acclaimed author of the award-winning Peculiar Crimes Unit mysteries: Full Dark House, The Water Room, Seventy-Seven Clocks, Ten Second Staircase, White Corridor, The Victoria Vanishes, Bryant & May on the Loose, Bryant & May off the Rails, The Memory of Blood, The Invisible Code, Bryant & May and the Bleeding Heart, Bryant & May and the Burning Man, Bryant & May: Strange Tide, Bryant & May: Wild Chamber, Bryant & May: Hall of Mirrors, Bryant & May: The Lonely Hour, Bryant & May: Oranges & Lemons, Bryant & May: London Bridge Is Falling Down, and Bryant & May: Peculiar London. In 2015 Fowler won the coveted Crime Writers’ Association Dagger in the Library Award in recognition for his body of work. Christopher Fowler died in 2023.
Other books by Christopher Fowler
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