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Full Dark House
Full Dark House: A Peculiar Crimes Unit Mystery | Christopher Fowler
33 posts | 40 read | 40 to read
Edgy, suspenseful, and darkly comic, here is the first novel in a riveting mystery series starring two cranky but brilliant old detectives whose lifelong friendship was forged solving crimes for the London Police Department's Peculiar Crimes Unit. In Full Dark House, Christopher Fowler tells the story of both their first and last caseand how along the way the unlikely pair of crime fighters changed the face of detection. A present-day bombing rips through London and claims the life of eighty-year-old detective Arthur Bryant. For his partner John May, it means the end of a partnership that lasted over half-a-century and an eerie echo back to the Blitz of World War II when they first met. Desperately searching for clues to the killer's identity, May finds his old friend's notes of their very first case and becomes convinced that the past has returned...with a killing vengeance. It begins when a dancer in a risque new production of Orpheus in Hell is found without her feet. Suddenly, the young detectives are plunged in a bizarre gothic mystery that will push them to their limitsand beyond. For in a city shaken by war, a faceless killer is stalking London's theaters, creating his own kind of sinister drama. And it will take Arthur Bryant's unorthodox techniques and John May's dogged police work to catch a criminal whose ability to escape detection seems almost supernatural--a murderer who even decades later seems to have claimed the life of one of them...and is ready to claim the other. Filled with startling twists, unforgettable characters, and a mystery that will keep you guessing, Full Dark House is a witty, heartbreaking, and all-too-human thriller about the hunt for an inhuman killer. From the Hardcover edition.
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Centique
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Pickpick

Very much enjoyed this mystery set in WW2 London. Its probably a common trope to have a pair of detectives, one sensible and one eccentric and misunderstood but the setting made it more interesting. There was a little sexism, some of which was due to the setting, but hopefully thats handled better in the rest of the series because I‘m keen to try more.

Jeg I‘ve read them all and enjoyed them. I loved all the interesting information about London he weaves into the stories. I‘ve always thought they would make a good tv series. His memoir/ biography is very good. He died recently. He wasn‘t that old. Sad. (edited) 4mo
Centique @Jeg that is so sad to hear! I will have to look up his memoir. Merry christmas for tomorrow Joy! 4mo
61 likes2 comments
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Lucy_Anywhere
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Mehso-so

So I liked this book, but didn‘t love it. I liked the London Blitz setting, the bizarre series of crimes, and the dark humour, and the characters grew on me. However, there was so much going on that the main story got a bit lost and the pacing was uneven. Saying that... this series has got potential and I‘m intrigued enough to read the next. #bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
25 likes1 comment
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Lucy_Anywhere
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My #bookspinbingo for March @TheAromaofBooks 📖 The tagged book is my #bookspin (luckily enough that‘s the one I had already started!) and The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep is my #doublespin

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Looks fantastic!! 3y
21 likes1 comment
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lahousewyfe
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Pickpick

An engaging detective duo emerged from this tale, delighting me with their absurd and charming ways. This murder mystery voices back and forth between the first and last cases of Bryant and May. I finished with a smile on my face, ready to plunge into another!

32 likes3 stack adds
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Ksvz
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Mehso-so

Jan 2021 - crime drama. The first in a series and I‘m not sure I would seek out additional works. Enjoyed the characters and writing, but might not have been in the mood. It was going well until the end where The Who done it was very WTH.

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LiteraryLona
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Pickpick

So far, this one is quirky and interesting! I love it.

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dodgygothbint
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Pickpick

A mystery set in wartime London, with further action set 60 years later, when the events of the case catch up with the investigators. This is the first of a series featuring Arthur Bryant and John May of the Peculiar Crimes Unit. It centres on a series of murders in a theatre, and while it has some hints of supernatural elements the resolution is firmly human, which is a good combination. It's atmospheric and funny with likable characters ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Smarkies
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Pickpick

I initially thought that this book was going to be a Bail as it was one of those that I had started reading but had put aside.
However, it may just be the place that I picked it up again... I got dragged into the mystery- some peculiar murders committed at a theatre in London and in another timeline, the murder of one of the detectives. The setting is during the Blitz and I loved how the author weaved in bits of history about the city into this.⬇️

Smarkies What threw me off was the switching between the 2 mysteries - in one during WW2 and the one "now". After reading the first paragraph of each chapter I kept on trying to figure out which timeline it was in. I read this book as part of #bookspin. Glad I picked it up again @TheAromaofBooks ? 4y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Love it when an almost-bail turns into a pick!!! 4y
23 likes2 comments
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Mollyanna
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So I managed 10.5 hours for this past weekend‘s #24b4monday. Not the 12 hours I hoped for, but I finished one book and made progress in two others.

Thanks for hosting @Andrew65 @jb72 @SumisBooks

Andrew65 That‘s still a fantastic achievement 👏👏👏🙌😊 (edited) 4y
Mollyanna @Andrew65 Thanks. 😊 4y
27 likes2 comments
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Mollyanna
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Pickpick

My first (and probably only) finish for #24B4Monday. This is a first in a series and this has the traditional growing pains of getting to know the characters, but I loved the writing. There were issues, but overall it was well written and thoughtful. I will continue in the series.

Book 2 for #15Books15Weeks
#doublespin for #bookspinbonanza

TheHeartlandBookFairy Way to go 👍 4y
Andrew65 Well done 👏👏👏 4y
TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Great work!!! 4y
26 likes5 comments
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Texreader
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KathyWheeler Someone suggested your mom should have a book review blog. I agree! 4y
Tamra Love the post it reviews! 4y
KathyWheeler @Tamra Me too! She could call her blog momspostitnotebookreviews. 4y
See All 10 Comments
MallenNC I love your mom‘s reviews too! 4y
Bette Yep, add me to the crew who love your moms post-its. 4y
Reggie Your mom is awesome!! “Pizzazz” 4y
Texreader @KathyWheeler @tamra @MallenNC @bette @reggie Thanks! She reads the reviews here on Litsy but she‘s old school. Still gives me her reviews on the post-its. Always fun to read when I find them again in my library. I agree though, her blogs would be a hoot! 4y
Texreader @Reggie I kept rereading that post it. Hadn‘t seen the word “pizzazz” in years. Great word for a book review! 😄 4y
Bette Having those attached to all your books will be like finding little gifts over and over. So much fun. 😊👍 4y
Texreader @Bette You are right! 🥰 4y
66 likes10 comments
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umbrellagirl
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Christmas hols, day 3, beginning book 5.
I won an ARC of the latest installment, which was a lot of fun, so I‘m going back to the start of the series. #bryantandmay

36 likes1 stack add
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Texreader
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Listening and reading. I haven‘t figured out the mystery yet even though I‘m close to the end. It‘s so good!

Prairiegirl_reading I have this on my tbr. I love when I see good reviews of books I already have. 😄 5y
40 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Texreader
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Look what arrived today! So I now have books 1-3 and 10-11. A few gaps to fill in. I‘ve almost finished listening to the 1st book on audio. Now I can read it too.

BeththeBookDragon This sounds so good! 5y
Texreader @BeththeBookDragon I‘m really enjoying this author. His style is a lot of fun (and I love these covers too)! 5y
DGRachel I‘ve read and really enjoyed the first two. 😊 5y
54 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Texreader
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I just ordered the first three books in my new fave series by one of my new fave authors. I love these covers too.

Tamra This sounds like a fun series! 5y
GingerAntics Those covers do look fun. I think I‘m going to have to look into this series. I sounds like a good time. 5y
Texreader @Tamra @GingerAntics I love the mix of dark mystery and humor. I absolutely love his style. 5y
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GingerAntics Oh that does sound fun! 5y
Texreader @GingerAntics It May be an acquired taste but it will be in the middle of some very serious or gruesome situation and something totally quirky happens or is said and you just stop and chuckle. The character descriptions are priceless. 5y
GingerAntics That sounds right up my alley. 5y
37 likes2 stack adds6 comments
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Texreader
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Traveling for work again tomorrow so I went on an Audible shopping spree. I got these four!

mom2bugnbee Have you never read the Inspector Gamache series? I recently discovered them & am loving them, though I'm reading print rather than audio. 5y
Bookzombie I hope you enjoy them all, but especially the Louise Penny. 🙂 5y
44 likes2 comments
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Smarkies
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While waiting for lunch.

15 likes1 stack add
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Read66
Pickpick

Really enjoyed this first book in this series - fun to read. Snippets of info about life during the London blitz interspersed throughout their investigation. Loved both of the lead detectives. Looking forward to reading more.

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ChristyM
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Pickpick

Well, that was fun. I know I‘m late to the party with this series. Loved the characters and all the London details. Great for fans of Peter Grant and Rivers of London.

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DGRachel
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Bryant and a May are my favorite #seniorcitizens and the lead detectives of the Peculiar Crimes Unit. If you're in the mood for good detective fiction with a twist, give these guys a chance. #recommendationsday (and yes, I'm way behind on this series)

#anditsaugust #backtoreading

Laura317 I second that! I've only read the first book, but I look forward to the series! 7y
ChasingOm I love unconventional mystery series! 7y
DGRachel @Laura317 I have only read the first two. 😱 7y
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erzascarletbookgasm I've been meaning to read these. Saw this series at a previous charity sales but didn't get them. 7y
Jinjer I love the font on the spines! 7y
ReadingMeagan I love this series! 7y
72 likes8 stack adds6 comments
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Laura317
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Pickpick

What a great mystery this was! I didn't realize that I was in the middle of the series, but since this book goes back to how Bryant and May met, it works. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I will be looking for the rest of this series for certain.

rabbitprincess I totally thought Full Dark House was the first one! Glad you enjoyed it. I wish Bryant and May could be my extra grandpas 😄 7y
DGRachel @Laura317 @rabbitprincess FDH is the first one. That list isn't in order. I had when publishers do that! If you go to Goodreads, you can find the list in order. 7y
Laura317 @DGRachel @rabbitprincess I'm glad it IS the first one! I really wanted to read them in order. Bryant and May are quite the duo. 7y
35 likes3 comments
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Laura317
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"I suppose I'll miss him." Ya reckon?! ??? I am loving this book.

LauraBeth 😂😂 7y
DGRachel I enjoy this series. 😊 7y
38 likes2 comments
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Laura317
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This entire paragraph makes me so sad. 😞

Libby1 But it's not! It's still so vibrant. 7y
33 likes1 comment
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Laura317
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I am loving this book! Plus, it mentioned a book I recently read. Many thanks to @Lizpixie for bringing this book to my attention.

50 likes1 stack add
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Laura317
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On to the next book. I can't remember who brought this to my attention. I'm thinking @Lizpixie ?

DGRachel I really like this series. Quirky characters. 😊 Enjoy! 7y
JanuarieTimewalker13 Great bookmark!!! 7y
charissharpe Ohhh this looks fab! 7y
Laura317 @conversationswithcharis It is!! I am almost half way into it. It goes back and forth from war torn London to present day. This is a series I will continue. 7y
charissharpe Added it to my #tbr 7y
53 likes3 stack adds5 comments
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rabbitprincess
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Saw this book in a used bookstore and thought, "Hey, this IS the kind of thing Bryant-and-May Bryant would write." ?

19 likes1 comment
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erincb82
Pickpick

Really liked this! The history major in me loved the setting in the Blitz, so interesting to juxtapose life in WW2 vs. modern day.

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Laura317
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I have @Lizpixie to thank for bringing my attention to Raven Black. Then, when I was ordering it, this crawled into my cart. Anyone read Full House Dark?

Rachbb3 No, but it sounds like something I would like. 7y
emtobiasz I have! I really enjoyed it, but it was much more traditional mystery than I thought it would be. 7y
Imagineannie Is Raven Black a Vera mystery? 7y
See All 7 Comments
rabbitprincess I love Bryant and May! 😄 7y
Eyelit I think I need that mousepad! 7y
tpixie Lol it crept into your cart!! 🛒 7y
Lizpixie @Imagineannie no, it's the first book in the Shetland series. @Laura317 I hope you love it as much as I did!❤️ 7y
48 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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MargaretPinardAuthor
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Pickpick

This is an excellent....mystery? Crime novel? World War Two drama? All of the above, and I'm happy to see there are many more of Fowler's books!
Oh and the candlelight? Power's been out for an hour, but I HAD to finish it!
#readinglife #hardcore #committed #ohdarkthirty

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MargaretPinardAuthor
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'Anyway, he was a bleedin' awful Polonius. I could shit a better lecture to Laertes than that.'
😂 #hamlet #theatre #murder #london

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Tonton
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Okay, love Christopher Fowler, just all of his writing! Full Dark House is part of his Bryant and May series and their Peculiar Crime Unit. English eccentricity, wit, strong plotting, a touch of tenderness rooting for the aging detectives, thrills, and eternal love for the city of London makes the series addicting.

4 likes1 stack add
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AiBBot
Pickpick

If you do not like quirky British characters solving crime in London. do not read this book. If you like to laugh out loud at the witty dialogue and preposterous situations (therefore scaring those sitting around you as you read) with some peculiar crimes, you may like this book.

2 likes1 stack add