The Fox's Curse: Crow Investigations, Book 3

Slow and repetitive is the best thing I can say. Dull until the last 2 chapters. Then the final few pages just didn't make sense to the point where I finished reading and announced 'I don't get it'Won't be reading book 4

I really don’t know why this series is so good!The female lead (Lydia) is super annoying, her powers are useless, she relies on her coin too much, the crimes in each book are sooooo predictable, One moment she is useless in a fight the next she’s awesome, the books aren’t very long, the books are always going on about her ex and how she always goes weak at the knees around the Fox’s, she won’t commit to her fantastic cop boyfriend (who’s the most patient man alive) it’s a really infuriating series!But.... for some reason whenever I read a book in the series it’s over in one sitting! I can’t put them down.The idea of the 4 families is really clever and Charlie is scary/caring/awesome. I can’t put my finger on it - I love this series and can’t wait for more to come out (but I don’t know why) Jason is a mystery, Angel is funny, Fleet is a great strong male lead and The Fork is a really original idea for a office.The biggest compliment I can think of for this series is if you loved Stephanie Plum you’ll love these.I look forward to more books (I think)

Not quite 5 stars - yet. This 3rd book in the series is like the previous two, in so far the tale trots along quite pedestrianly until half way then as before it kicks up a gear and promises to take you where you hope to go. However it never quite gets there, at the very end you are left on the edge of edge of the cliff teetering nearly falling over but no you have to wait for the next instalment. The series shows so much promise on the world of the old talented families and their rivalry. Hopefully book 4 will provide some overdue answers as to where the story is going along with the history of families gifts - so much more to come please please let book 4 provide the way to the questions! Given the right treatment the series could be a corker, my fears is that as a series it may just fizzle along.

Another enjoyable installment of Lydia Crow, an unusual private eye with unusual family connections set in London. If you've read the first two, you'll know what to expect. If you haven't, I suggest you do. The series is clearly set to continue for a fourth book, so don't expect a tidy ending.My only negative comment is that there is a bit of obvious pinching of material from the RIvers of London series. No book is written in a vacuum, and having an urban fantasy set in London is bound to overlap a bit, but having a main character who is a policeman with a mother from Sierra Leone seems particularly cheeky. It also invites direct comparison with Aaronovich's books, against which I'm afraid Crow Investigations comes a distinct second in terms of imaginative breadth and quality of writing.

This book takes the story of Lydia Crow further so the reader at first feels they are on familiar ground. As the story progresses the people Lydia encounters turn out to be nothing like what was expected. A re-think of all assumptions is needed and second-guessing what comes next is not as easy as it might have seemed.I will certainly be reading on ...

I bought the first book of the Crow Investigations series as a recommendation following on from the Rivers of London books. I thought that it would be a fun read and not too taxing. I was right in this but I have to confess that I am now a fan and I don't want to have to wait for the next instalment. Ms Painter has created a believable fantasy that merges seamlessly with the London of today. Lydia Crow is an attractive protagonist surrounded by artfully sketched characters in tightly written storylines. The relationships between characters are nuanced and soaked in feeling. There is magic and there are mysteries but these are never overblown but seek to draw you further in to the world being created. My only regret is that the books have to end.

First, I really like this series. A likeable protagonist, a fine supporting cast, an intriguing premise with a backstory / history being gradually revealed.But. I am beginning to slightly sympathise with those readers who criticise the books as more chapters than self contained, related stories.This latest instalment did not really take us anywhere new and there are only so many times that can happen...I hate to compare, but the Rivers of London series is an object lesson in getting this aspect right.

This is a trilogy, so far, with the hope of more to come. London Gangland families starting turf wars and a physic detective who is a blood relative. Add a ghost assistant who's marred marriage day promises to increase the intrigue, ( Randall and Hopkirk (deceased) ). Got the idea? Ok so now add a Love interest in the form of a DCI at the local police station. It sounds complicated, not really. Buy all three of the Crow books and keep your eyes peeled for the hinted at fourth one. I loved them and getting very frustrated that No 4 is not yet available. Buy, read, enjoy then spread the word!