Whatever Doesn't Kill You: An Emma Howe and Billie August Mystery

Couldn't put this book down! Very good and keeps one wondering about the outcome. Highly recommend this book.

Emma Howe and Billie August are back and on not one, but two new cases, both which are interesting and cleverly presented. Like most of Gillian Roberts' mysteries, there is a very human element to all of her stories, and "Whatever Doesn't Kill You" is certainly no exception. Billie and Emma are great characters, and their vitality keeps the story moving even in times when it moves away from the particulars of the mystery. The ending is interesting and surprising, and replete with fun and suspense. This is a great new series and I can't wait for the next one!

I like the two ladies, Emma and Billie, even better than I did Amanda Pepper, whom I enjoyed thoroughly. Maybe it's west coast bias. This second book in the series is stronger and tougher than the first. Roberts practically writes off the expectable mystery in the first pages, turning us in a less familiar direction. She has also captured completely an interesting aspect of Marin County very few, if any, others have -- the off-handed disdain and judgementalism of its residents for those who do not cleave to their own standards -- the way both Emma and Billie look at people who don't connect with them as "one-dimensional," or "stupid" or "doomed." (This attitude may not be restricted to Marin, but the style is unique.) They even look at each other that way on occasion. But under the superficial arrogance is a humanity which combines with the superciliousness to make complex interesting characters who struggle through the fog with intensity and some considerable charm. They're unpleasant in the same way Seinfeld's characters were unpleasant. You wouldn't necessarily want to know any of them, but they fascinate and teach and bring us a fair amount of laughter. And you come to like them and pull for them, despite everything, which speaks quite highly of the author's skill. Good book -- new direction for Ms Roberts, tougher, darker, grittier. Maybe some of her long-term fans might not like the direction, but this one does.

I love watching Billie and Emma learn to work together! They're such terrific examples of different ways to be strong and independent. The cases in this book give them the chance to uncover interesting parts of Marin County, not your usual hot tub stuff. Great insights into how this society deals w. some difficult issues, and a terrific mystery to boot make Gillian Roberts one of my favorite authors.

I don't usually write reviews here, but Gillian Roberts is one of my very favorite mystery writers and I particularly loved this book. These are terrifically engaging characters. I loved the feeling that the author really knows the setting and I thought the plot was terrific. I recommend all of her books highly, and especially this one!