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• I have now remembered why it seems so long between Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James books. Ms. Crombie takes great care in crafting the best novel possible and that takes some time. Yes, these books are mystery novels, but they really are so much more than that. The characterizations are excellently done, the plot is always intricate and the mystery is always complex. This results in a small masterpiece every time and with each new book in this wonderful series. This one delves into the world of championship rowing, and many interesting tidbits come out about this competitive sport. And I truly like Duncan Kincaid. He's a smart, intelligent copper who is not afraid to show his human side to his nearest and dearest. And Gemma is a treasure. Gemma and Duncan are now married and they are trying to maintain their high pressure jobs while trying to raise a truly blended family. All the challenges in this monumental undertaking are covered in this book. Both are trying to find the proof to convict a truly reprehensible and evil man, and both put everything on the line to do so, which in turn puts them in danger again and again. The secondary characters in this book are extremely appealing. There is first the ex-husband of the murdered rower, there are the male and female members of the search and rescue team that found the body of the victim, and there is Chief Superintendent Childs, Duncan's superior officer. Ms. Crombie is a wonderful writer, and these books are truly classics in the British police procedural genre.

  5.00 out of 5

  Romonko

• This is one of my favorite series and No Mark Upon Her is every bit as deloightful as I had hoped. I have yet to be disappointed in any of the Deborah Crombie novels. I love following the personal lives of Duncan and Gemma, and find their stories to be a perfect counter-point to the police procedural which Ms. Crombie does so well. I was a bit hesitant about this one as I know nothing about rowing. No matter. This aspect of the novel was written with enough info to be exceptionally interesting, but never so much as to lose me. Highly recommended.

  5.00 out of 5

  KayeBarley

• "No Mark Upon Her" is number fourteen in Deborah Crombie's Gemma James/Duncan Kincaid series. The very fact that the British duo created by the Texas author has reached fourteen novels is evidence of its success and popularity. And it's here that I must admit that this is my fourteenth Crombie read.Crombie's novels are a mix of police procedural and James/Kincaid interactions. In this episode the pair have joined their households, are fostering a small girl whose parents were victims in earlier novel, and are now married. So as a backdrop to the mystery element, Gemma and Duncan are trying to cope with parenthood times three and their careers at the Met.The drowned body of a former Olympic rower is discovered by a search and rescue team. Is it an accident or murder? The case is complicated by the rower's identity. She was a high ranking Met detective who was considering a full-time return to Olympic training.It is usually difficult to begin any series at number fourteen. And "No Mark Upon Her" is no exception. The book is a stand alone read, but it's as much a chronicle of the Kincaid menage as a mystery story.That said, Crombie has written a well-paced intriguing mystery.(publisher's review copy)

  5.00 out of 5

  dianaleez

• I haven't read any of the other Kincaid/James novels by Crombie, but happily, this book can stand on its own. I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery/thriller set in England. There are many things that I really loved about this book. The descriptions just pulled me into the story. I was fascinated with the world of rowing described so well by Crombie. I'm not very familiar with this sport, but it was very interesting to read about. I think my favorite part besides the actual storyline, was the vivid description of how the search and rescue teams worked with the dogs and their amazing sense of smell. I have a new perspective when my dog is sniffing around the yard now. I loved that I was never sure exactly who in the story could be believed or trusted and who was concealing things. I did not figure out the villain and that is a big change for me. I was happily surprised at the reveal. I thought the misdirection in the story was well done. I was captivated by the descriptions of the London, the surrounding areas, the pubs, the locals, everything. This was such an enjoyable book! I'm sure I missed out on some of the characters' history and didn't get some of the references from previous books, but I didn't feel lost at all. I love it when I can pick up a book in the middle of a series and still feel that I get it. I will have to read some more of Crombie's books. I would highly recommend No Mark Upon Her.

  5.00 out of 5

  ABookGeek

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