I'm not much for cozy mysteries. The vaguely acerbic nosy middle aged men and women that populate them tend to annoy me. As do the comedy of errors that people being secretive cause. I get it, the very human petty selfishness that makes one try to keep hidden personal peccadilloes even in the face of serious matters and even possible danger to loved ones. Doesn't mean I enjoy reading about it, or stop me from wishing to strangle the character even if I'm enjoying it.
With all those caveats, where this one wins is in the humour department. People are ridiculous and inconsistent, and the amount of bits I saved where Ray observes it plainly (and when in her, somewhat obliquely) are legion, and made me laugh quite a bit.
I still think the Innes family took a trip down blanket stupidity where useful communication was concerned.
(show spoiler)The casual oh-so-benevolent racism also made me cringe so hard.
I own another of Rinehart's novels, so I might revisit. This not being my genre at all, the tone was fun.
And there goes my 4th Bingo. Now for black-out.
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