Satisfying and frustrating... my initial thoughts. I love that all those myths told about Aelin's alter ego are being brought into the story. Mentions of people and places from previous books are coming to life, adding truth and dimension to Aelin's life prior to the beginning of the series. Keeping all those characters straight, however, is becoming a bit of an issue. I have to try and remember who is from where and how they are tied to the main story line. Maybe a glossary would help?

That was the frustrating. Now for the satisfying! All those intricate story lines, all that murky history that subtly (or not so subtly) affect Aelin and her battles, they are all merging into a cohesive plot. Strands of fiber being woven into a rope. People have come from across the world to meet, alliances have been forged and broken. Couples forming and trust being broken. And that ending! How long do I have to wait to find out what happens?? Way too long... But I'll be happy to wait, knowing I won't be disappointed.

Home sweet home.  Except for the prickly sisters, annoying cousin, sick father and the dead body. Actually, the dead body is the one thing that makes Flavia feel at home.  Getting her detective juices flowing, tooling around on Gladys, matching wits with Inspector Hewitt, it all brings her back to herself. Flavia's character has evolved in this series from a rather selfish, precocious child, to a secretly sentimental, precocious young lady. She is still lonely, still very much in her own head, but she has gained allies in her life.  She has people she can depend on.  Bradley has done an admirable job of not keeping his character frozen, making sure there are still surprises awaiting the reader, aside from the aforementioned dead bodies!  Although these are mystery novels, and the reveal at the end is what we all eagerly wait for,  I love finding out more about the supporting cast of characters and am dying to find out what Flavia will get up to next.

This book was engrossing, perplexing, creepy and fun.  At certain points, I wasn't sure what the heck was going to happen, how all these people and story lines were all tied together.  What details were important?  Who was the narrator?  How did these people even know each other?  Why was Stella always left out?  Poor choices, weak character and youthful indiscretions all pile up to create a mystery.  Is it a murder?  A purposeful disappearance?

Right up to the end of the book, I thought I had figured out what had happened on that fateful day, when the desperate, sad, disgraced teacher vanished.  Needless to say, I was very wrong.  Koch is an expert at presenting moral ambiguity,  Are these people truly "bad" or have they been twisted by fate and fear?  Is it one situation, one event, that defines them, or is it the culmination of a lifetime of poor choices?  Either way, Dear Mr. M is a fantastic read, added to my list of favorites!