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Deborah Crombie
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Garden of Lamentations: A Novel (Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James Novels, 17) Paperback – November 14, 2017

by Deborah Crombie (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 2,910 ratings
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Scotland Yard detectives Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James are drawn into separate investigations that hold disturbing—and deadly—complications for their own lives in this powerful mystery in the bestselling series.

On a beautiful morning in mid-May, the body of a young woman is found in one of Notting Hill’s private gardens. To passersby, the pretty girl in the white dress looks as if she’s sleeping. But Reagan Keating has been murdered, and the lead detective, DI Kerry Boatman, turns to Gemma James for help. She and Gemma worked together on a previous investigation, and Gemma has a personal connection to the case: Reagan was the nanny of a child who attends the same dance studio as Toby, Gemma and Kincaid’s son.

Gemma soon discovers that Reagan’s death is the second tragedy in this exclusive London park; a few months before, a young boy died in a tragic accident. But when still another of the garden residents meets a violent end, it becomes clear that there are more sinister forces at play. Boatman and Gemma must stop the killer before another innocent life is taken.

While his wife is consumed with her new case, Kincaid finds himself plagued by disturbing questions about several previous—and seemingly unrelated—cases involving members of the force. If his suspicions are correct and the crimes are linked, are his family and friends in mortal danger as well? Kincaid’s hunch turns to certainty when a Metropolitan Police officer close to him is brutally attacked. There’s a traitor in the ranks, and now Kincaid wonders if he can trust anyone.

As Gemma begins to see a solution to her case, she realizes she holds a child’s fate in her hands. Can she do the right thing? And can Kincaid rely on his friends, both inside and outside the Scotland Yard force, to stand beside him as he faces the deadliest challenge of his career?

Previous page
  1. Book 17 of 19
    Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James
  2. Print length
    448 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    William Morrow Paperbacks
  5. Publication date
    November 14, 2017
  6. Dimensions
    1.3 x 5.3 x 7.8 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0062271644
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0062271648
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Deborah Crombie: “The strength of this series is in its characterizations, particularly those of James and Kincaid, as they balance the demanding work that they love and their family life. Another winner in a series that goes from one high point to another.” — Booklist (starred review)

“Densely plotted and with a balanced interplay between the domestic sphere and the intrigue of police internal affairs. Contemporary and propulsive.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Through several points of view, this multifaceted novel provides a sobering cautionary tale about the exploitation of idealism and the abuse of power.” — Publishers Weekly

“The novel’s title suggests sorrow, deep and debilitating, the kind of grief that chokes. It also alludes to Gethsemane and all that garden implies - betrayal, sacrifice and forgiveness. It’s all here.” — Minneapolis Star Tribune

“Garden of Lamentations moves at a brisk pace with acute attention to the details of both cases [...] a strong addition to an excellent series.” — SouthFlorida.com

“‘Garden of Lamentations’ is a strong addition to an excellent series.” — Miami Herald

“This is one of the best crime mystery novels of the season.” — Washington Book Review

“[Crombie’s] Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James characters are rich, emotionally textured, fully human. They are the remarkable creations of a remarkable writer.” — Louise Penny

From the Back Cover

New York Times bestselling author Deborah Crombie’s Scotland Yard detectives Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James are drawn into separate investigations that hold disturbing—and deadly—complications for their own lives. 

On a beautiful morning in mid-May, the body of a young woman is found in one of Notting Hill’s private gardens. To the surrounding residents, the pretty girl in the white dress looks as if she’s sleeping. But Reagan Keating has been murdered, and the lead detective, DI Kerry Boatman, turns to Gemma James for help. She and Gemma worked together on a previous investigation, and Gemma has a personal connection to the case: Reagan was the nanny of a child who attends the same dance studio as Toby, Gemma and Kincaid’s son.

Gemma soon discovers that Reagan’s death is the second tragedy in this exclusive London park; a few months before, another victim died in an accident. And when still another of the garden residents meets a violent end, it becomes clear that there are sinister forces at play within the intimate walls of this private square. Boatman and Gemma must stop the killer as Gemma realizes she holds a child’s fate in her hands.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ William Morrow Paperbacks; Reprint edition (November 14, 2017)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 448 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0062271644
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0062271648
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.1 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 1.3 x 5.3 x 7.8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 2,910 ratings

About the author

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Deborah Crombie

Deborah Crombie

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Deborah Crombie grew up near Dallas, Texas, but from a child always had the inexplicable feeling that she belonged in England. After earning a Bachelor's degree in Biology from Austin College in Sherman, Texas, she made her first trip to Britain and felt she'd come home. She later lived in both Chester, England, and Edinburgh, Scotland, where she failed to make as good a use of being cold and poor as JK Rowling.

It was not until almost a decade later that, living once more in Texas and raising her small daughter, she had the idea for her first novel, a mystery set in Yorkshire. She had no credentials other than a desire to write and a severe case of homesickness for Britain. A Share in Death, published in 1993, was short-listed for both Agatha and Macavity awards for Best First Novel and was awarded the Macavity.

Crombie's fifth novel, Dreaming of the Bones, was a New York Times Notable Book in 1997, was named by the Independent Mystery Booksellers as one of the 100 Best Crime Novels of the Century, was an Edgar nominee for Best Novel, and won the Macavity award for Best Novel.

Subsequent novels have been published to critical acclaim and in a dozen languages. Crombie's 18th novel featuring Metropolitan Police detectives Superintendent Duncan Kincaid and Inspector Gemma James, A BITTER FEAST will be published by Harper Collins in October, 2019.

The author still lives in Texas but spends several months out of the year in Britain, maintaining a precarious balance between the two, and occasionally confusing her cultural references.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
2,910 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

martísima
5.0 out of 5 stars A superbly spun web
Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2017
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Detective Superintendent Duncan Kincaid and his wife, Detective Inspector Gemma James, have different cases to solve in this book, the 17th in the series, but we follow them with no problem within the structure of the novel. It is a dance skillfully choreographed by Deborah Crombie – a symphony of two voices, alternating between Gemma and Duncan. Linking them are sections that have both characters in their personal environment, their home. Interspersed with these are some “narrow” sections in italics, a sort of intermission, a time of reflection. This time “in between” also helps to take us back to the past, giving voice to yet another major character who can’t tell his story here. We need it, as it sheds light on the mysterious behavior of Duncan’s former boss, Detective Chief Superintendent Denis Childs. And it is what happened to Denis that draws Duncan into further investigation of his case.

Gemma’s case takes her often to Cornwall Gardens in the London neighborhood of Notting Hill, and there to a lovely communal garden, a place that we associate with beauty. But if this garden could speak, it would tell us its tale of lamentations -- as now it has become polluted by the murder of a young woman, whose white dress disturbs the green grass. It is up to Gemma to solve this case, as she has been especially “recruited” to help. But she has also found betrayal and sacrifice in this beautiful communal garden. As almost an antithesis, the colors in this section are dazzling, as are the scents of many flowers. Deborah Crombie’s words have lyrical and descriptive power, as in this example: “The smell of the wisteria eddied around her as a breeze blew through the garden, and pale purple petals drifted down from the canopy like confetti.”

The suspense is developed from the very beginning in both investigations, and it keeps up unwaveringly. Both cases are very fragile, and they challenge the detectives – like in a dance, in which the characters can fall if they are not too careful about their steps. In Duncan’s case, it is not only he who is in danger. The distressing series of events include their friends Doug and Melody, who are also caught in the web superbly spun by Deborah Crombie.

As in any serious novel, especially one dealing with murders, we need some comic relief. It is provided here by the couple’s three children, as well as by the addition of two kittens to the two-dog household.

We reach the story's conclusion with most questions answered for both cases, and we hope this is not the end of the dance. The orchestra must continue performing under Deborah Crombie’s skillful baton.
9 people found this helpful
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COH
4.0 out of 5 stars Quality has not flagged in 17th entry
Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2017
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I have to give Deborah Crombie credit. I remember reading the first Duncan Kincaid book and the delight that came from discovering a literate, intelligent, descriptive mystery. I almost said "police procedural," and while technically it could be in that category, in reality the series is in sync with the best British mystery series with a cast of sympathetic but flawed characters, in descriptive settings, with a plot that juxtaposes good and evil.
Although at times I found it hard to follow these last three books which share a single story arc (wishing I had reread the previous entries), Crombie's clear writing moves the reader along. And in this day what a delight to read an error free, grammatically correct, typo free Kindle book. This is not a stand alone, nor are the previous two, but it is a tribute to Crombie that the quality of her books has not flagged. Those of us who are invested in Duncan & Gemma, Melody & Doug, Kit, Toby & Charlotte, not to mention the dogs, would probably still read these books even if, as is teased at the end of this book, Duncan & Gemma bought Duncan's family's bookshop!
24 people found this helpful
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Ann in Rochester
5.0 out of 5 stars Another TGR* (*thumping good read")
Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2017
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Once again Deborah Crombie has hit it out of the park. It was a long wait since the last book, but it was well worthwhile. I have no idea how she can keep a story of this complexity moving along for the reader. I read it is two sittings, taking only time out for sleep. And I dreamed about it during the night! What a fine talent for story telling, puzzle construction and reader entertainment. Her ability to capture the locale makes me feel that I am right there with Gemma and Duncan. And in this book, Denis.

Deb gives us a perfect mix of mystery, social dynamics, and issues of "the job." There is just enough sex and mayhem to make it intriguing without the 59 shades of gratuitous garbage we see too much in every medium. Her plotting is faultless, her editing leaves the reader involved only in the story, with none of the "I wonder why this got left in" interruptions. Then, with the skill of the conductor of a great symphony, she brings it all to a crashing climax.

And leaves me wanting more. Always.

Isn't that the point?
3 people found this helpful
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J. A. Mine
5.0 out of 5 stars A difficult case for Gemma James and some problems solved for Duncan Kincaid
Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2019
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This novel was difficult to put down. It was extremely readable. On the one hand I am hoping the wrap-up of the paranoia, nagging self-doubts, disappointments and unresolved anger issues experienced by Duncan Kincaid in the past two or three books have finally come to an end with this book. They were becoming a distraction for this reader from the otherwise extremely readable plots and characterizations that have been a hallmark of this mystery series.

On the other hand these unresolved issues were, for me, the primary focus of the novel. As engaging as Gemma James' case was, it was not unlike some former murder mysteries in the series.

I was pleased to learn that there is a new Kincaid/James novel arriving in the fall. I am eager to find out what is next for Kincaid and James, and their family. Garden of Lamentations would have been a decent finale for the series, but as a fervent reader of Ms Crombie and her writing skill, I did not want the series to end. I've grown accustomed to Kit, Doug, Melody, and the rest of the extended family we have read about from book to book. Most of all I would have missed the wonderfully plotted cases and the interplay between characters, including the role of the victims.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Kathyo
5.0 out of 5 stars Used book in excellent condition
Reviewed in Canada on August 12, 2023
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Love this James/Kincaid series by Deborah Crombie. Can't get enough of them - great mysteries along with fantastic character development. Lots of human interest that might not appeal to some but I love them! They aren't always easy to get and it's great to find a good source of used books in great condition.
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Miss R. A. Connor
5.0 out of 5 stars A confusing but good case.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 6, 2023
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Why am I confused? Maybe it's my lateral way of thinking and I'll get poo poohed for it, but in 1994 according to Deborah Crombie she has Denis Childs at two different ages and two stories, years apart. Originally in 1994, Duncan Kincaid was working at the Yard under Childs. Now apparently he's a younger man, working undercover and it's 1994? The logic doesn't compute with me. Apart from that this book ties up (hopefully) all the crooked cops thing going on.
To clear up what other people have put. Kit is Duncan's son from his first marriage to Victoria. He didn't find out about Jim,until after his wife died, when Rosemary Kincaid recognised him as being the spitting image of Duncan. Toby is around 7 years of age in this book, he is the son of Gemma and her first husband. Charlotte is not related by blood. Her parents were both murdered and they took her in, as the person responsible for her parents estate, didn't want Charlotte to go to her mother's family as they were "a bad lot".
They also have two dogs Tess and Geordie. Three cats. Sid, Captain Jack and the other one lol.
They have friends from the police force Melody Talbot who is Gemma's DS. Doug Cullen who is Duncan's DS.
Wesley Howard and his friends on the Portobello Road etc.
Interesting that Wesley Howard is quite young as at University but helps out by looking after kids, and cooking at Otto's cafe. We first meet him when the case near the Portobello Road opens, but he's now in the past with Denis in 1994 ( well the alternate tineline). I'm even more confused.
I think Deborah is making us all think....
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R. Miller
5.0 out of 5 stars Well done
Reviewed in France on December 8, 2020
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the book arrived when stated and in good condition.
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aly
5.0 out of 5 stars Good as always
Reviewed in India on May 27, 2019
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An engaging book
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sigrunT
5.0 out of 5 stars Teils ungewöhnlich, teils typisch Deborah Crombie
Reviewed in Germany on February 23, 2017
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Dieses Buch ist genau so, wie ein Buch von Deborah Crombie sein soll: Interessante Kriminalgeschichten mit zwei sympathischen Ermittlern, an deren Leben man teilnimmt wie dem ihrer Kinder, ihrer Freunde, ihrer Hunde und Katzen und sonstigen Familienmitglieder. Spannende, aber nicht reißerische Geschichten werden gut und sehr flüssig erzählt, sodass man das Buch sehr schnell durch hat.
Eine Einschränkung musste ich nur beim letzten Buch machen, dessen Ende mir nicht gefiel, weil es sehr abrupt kam und viel mehr Fragen aufwarf als beantwortet wurden, und es außerdem viele dunkle Andeutungen enthielt, was ich gar nicht leiden kann.
Ich habe daher dieses Buch mit erheblicher Skepsis begonnen, aber feststellen müssen, dass bis zum Ende dieses Buches eine vollständige Aufklärung aller offenen Fragen erfolgt und der Autorin ein sehr guter Buch gelungen ist. Oder vielleicht sollte man besser sagen, eine sehr gute 2. Hälfte zu dem vorausgegangenen Buch. Daraus ergibt sich auch, dass man nicht empfehlen kann, dieses Buch allein zu lesen; es ist möglicherweise nicht einmal verständlich, wenn man das davor nicht kennt; das ist ganz untypisch, denn vorher standen die Bücher immer für sich allein.
Ein Problem habe ich allerdings mit diesem Buch gehabt, das wahrscheinlich schon immer da war, mir aber noch nie so bewusst geworden ist: Ich altere deutlich schneller als die Figuren von Deborah Crombie! Seit dem vorigen Buch sind die nur wenige Wochen älter geworden, ich aber zwei Jahre. Und Toby, der Sohn von Gemma, ist jetzt 9 Jahre alt und war vor gut 20 Jahren etwa drei. Bevor er mit der Schule fertig ist, werde ich wohl hundert sein.
Das stört das Lesevergnügen aber nicht und rechtfertig keinen Punktabzug
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