The very beginning with the first victim tied down like Gulliver in Lilliput was a terrific opening. Unfortunately, the plot meandered after that opening.
Like other reviewers have noted, I find murder mysteries where the killer turns out to be mentally or emotionally challenged to be some of the least interesting stories. The only type worse, is serial killer mysteries. The reason is that motive becomes superfluous--they're crazy so they kill. Figuring out motives in this type of murder mystery is a fool's game.
When Christa reveals that she had sex with the first victim, just before he was murdered, why would Barnaby not at least entertain the possibility that the reason for the murder might be the "defiling" of the model village, and that Christa might be in danger, as well.
As it turns out, Christa was probably bound to die anyway, for reasons other than "defilement". But Barnaby could not have known that at the time.
Some of the characters were suitably eccentric, and interesting to watch, such as the murderer. But too many were the stock characters you see in too many murder mysteries.
Such as the elderly sisters. One was nice and helpful, while the other was nasty and pompous. You could win a lot of money betting on the nasty one meeting a grisly death by the end credits!
This was not as bad as some reviewers rate it, but it was disappointing.
Like other reviewers have noted, I find murder mysteries where the killer turns out to be mentally or emotionally challenged to be some of the least interesting stories. The only type worse, is serial killer mysteries. The reason is that motive becomes superfluous--they're crazy so they kill. Figuring out motives in this type of murder mystery is a fool's game.
When Christa reveals that she had sex with the first victim, just before he was murdered, why would Barnaby not at least entertain the possibility that the reason for the murder might be the "defiling" of the model village, and that Christa might be in danger, as well.
As it turns out, Christa was probably bound to die anyway, for reasons other than "defilement". But Barnaby could not have known that at the time.
Some of the characters were suitably eccentric, and interesting to watch, such as the murderer. But too many were the stock characters you see in too many murder mysteries.
Such as the elderly sisters. One was nice and helpful, while the other was nasty and pompous. You could win a lot of money betting on the nasty one meeting a grisly death by the end credits!
This was not as bad as some reviewers rate it, but it was disappointing.