If there’s one thing I love more than a good mystery, it’s a love story that makes my heart melt-and Grasmere Cottage Mystery series delivers both in spades. Dahlia Donovan masterfully crafts a series that keeps you flipping pages late into the night, not just for the whodunit aspect, but for the sheer joy of experiencing the love between Valor and Bishan.
The Love Story: Valor and Bishan
Their relationship is everything I could ask for in a romance-steady, caring, and filled with the kind of quiet understanding that speaks louder than grand gestures. While Valor’s family struggles (read: utterly fails) to accept him, Bishan’s family is a warm, loving contrast, proving that support makes all the difference. And speaking of Bishan-what an incredible character. As an autistic adult with extraordinary musical talent but high anxiety, his needs and struggles are portrayed with such thoughtfulness and authenticity. Dahlia Donovan doesn’t just write about autism; she writes into it, weaving Bishan’s tendencies and challenges seamlessly into the narrative. It’s beautiful to see how Valor and Bishan navigate their world together, showing patience, kindness, and, most importantly, deep respect for each other’s needs.
Family Dynamics
The contrast between Valor’s unsupportive family and Bishan’s loving one adds depth to the narrative. Valor’s family struggles with accepting his sexuality, creating tension and drama throughout the series. Meanwhile, Bishan’s family offers a warm and welcoming environment, highlighting the importance of acceptance and love.
Bishan’s Autism Representation
Donovan handles Bishan’s autism with sensitivity, showcasing his unique perspective and needs. His high anxiety and need for routine are well-integrated into the story, making him a relatable and endearing character. The way Valor accommodates Bishan’s differences, offering space when needed, demonstrates a beautiful understanding of autistic needs.
The Mystery: A Frustrating yet Engaging Puzzle
While the mystery itself is engaging, with cryptic puzzles and a series of murders that keep you guessing, it’s also frustratingly slow to unravel. Given the abundance of CCTV cameras and modern investigative tools, it feels implausible that it takes three books to identify the killer. Frustrating, yes, but I suppose that slow-burn mystery is part of the charm-if only I weren’t practically yelling at my book by the end. However, the suspense and twists keep you hooked, making it hard to put the books down.
I will say that Detective Reginald was fabulous and in some cases a lot of the investigation was out of his hands due to politics. So I don’t want to poo poo all of the fictional police in the book.
Character Development and Strength
Throughout the series, the character development is impressive. Valor and Bishan grow stronger together, facing challenges with courage and love. The supporting cast adds depth to the story, with quirky characters like the “frog lady” providing comic relief amidst the danger.
The Frog Lady Neighbor
One of the most colorful characters in the series is the eccentric neighbor known as the “frog lady.” Her ongoing feud with Valor and Bishan adds a comedic element to the narrative, providing moments of levity in an otherwise tense mystery. The resolution of their escalating tensions is particularly amusing, showcasing the author’s ability to weave humor into the story seamlessly. Despite her quirky nature, the frog lady becomes an integral part of the community, adding to the charm of Grasmere and its inhabitants.
Not anagrams, word puzzles!
Now, about the mystery itself-while I loved the intricate puzzles (seriously, word puzzles in a mystery? Genius!), I desperately wished they were actually shown on the page. I kept picturing them in my head and wanted to solve them alongside the characters. I enjoyed the moments when we could feel how frustrating the puzzles were to the police and to Bishan. But Bish persevered, taking breaks and crumpling up papers as necessary.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Grasmere Cottage Mystery series is a delightful read, despite some frustrations with the pacing of the mystery. The love story between Valor and Bishan is its strongest aspect, offering a beautiful portrayal of acceptance and support. The character development is superb, and the puzzles, though visually absent, add a fun element to the narrative. If you enjoy cozy mysteries with a strong focus on character relationships, this series is definitely worth your time. Just be prepared to yell at the police a little.
Let’s add a whodunit tune, shall we?
