Where It Might be King Arthur

Grave Goods by Ariana Franklin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed reading this and found lots to like, and though I have some issues, I have to give it a 4 star rating. 4 with an asterisk.

This is the second book I've read in this series--out of order--and since I only kinda liked the other one I put off starting this one for a long time. I liked the mystery and pacing of this one better, though I still don't really like the main character. I keep trying to figure out why; she's just the kind of investigator I usually love.

There are several mysteries layered here, and they're all interesting to me. One is to identify a pair of bodies found after an earthquake in Glastonbury that locals think are actually Arthur and Guinevere. Another mystery is to determine who started the fire that destroyed the abbey, as some poor men (who claim had nothing to do with it) are being blamed. Additionally, Adelia's friend has gone missing on the road and may be dead. And lastly, some other remains and artifacts are discovered which may actually touch on the Arthur legends.

Lots to do.

Adelia works with an Arab man who pretends to be the doctor that she actually is, and she travels with her daughter and a servant. She's independent and educated and driven to solve questions surrounding murders and deaths by accident. That's awesome. I find her hard to take, though, and (this is the asterisk part I mentioned above) it seems like she's grouchy and rude and difficult when there's no reason for it. I like that attitude fine when she's dealing with rotten people, but even when the people are reasonable, friendly, and decent, and she wants help or information from them, she is abrasive and short and demanding. (I can't figure out if the author means for us to read her this way, perhaps to make her more complex and real, or if this is just how the author is?) It gives me second-hand embarrassment the whole way through. She seldom shows gratitude when she gets help or says thank you; she's just as likely to expect further assistance, and demand it, but still not in a nice way.

I dunno. I like her role and biographical details some of the things she represents, but I don't like her, and it makes it harder to like the stories she's in. Even though the book was pretty entertaining, with a good plot, a good mystery, and making great use of historical details, Adelia is off-putting to me--like the Eastern European woman my wife and I pass on the sidewalk almost every morning while we're walking the dog, who only frowns at us when we say good morning to her, even after years of bumping into her over and over and over. (It's a campaign now. I won't be deterred.) : ) A little kindness, a little friendliness goes a long way....

Anyway, I liked the book. Others would probably like it, too. I have a third title from the series already on hand, and I'm debating whether I'll read it or trade it in. I have other series where I can cheer on the MC with greater pleasure. I just keep hoping I'll figure her out.

We'll see.

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