Changes

|title=Except the Dying: Murdoch Mysteries

|author=Maureen Jennings

|borrow=Yes

|isbn=9780857689870

|pages=336

|publisher=Titan Books

|date=February 2012

|website=www.maureenjennings.com

|summary=Toronto, 1895. The body of a young maidservant is found, naked and frozen in the snow. William Murdoch is determined to find her killer despite pressure from influential people for a speedy resolution to the case.

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This review is about the book, not the extremely popular television series which has sprung from Maureen Jennings' characters, but a brief word comparing the two is in order here. Most people will know Murdoch from the television before they encounter the books, and this is reinforced by the cover of the book, which shows photos of the actors. It is a little misleading however: the ebullient and enthusiastic Crabtree is a more sober individual with family responsibilities in the book, and Murdoch's TV love interest, Dr Julia Ogden, does not appear at all. This in no way detracts from the story, however (and the cover was probably a marketing decision rather than something the author wanted), so if you want a good, cosy read with interesting characters, an admirable hero and an unusual setting, then you will certainly enjoy this book. And the good news is that several more of the books are being re-released in fairly quick succession, so you will not have to wait too long for the next one!

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