When I started reading, it was a solid three star reasonable but not all that compelling beginning. Then, as the mystery picked up, I was happily in a four star zone. By the end it read like a five star book. I'm really glad that I stuck with it. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series, but not right away. My reading stack needs a major reduction first. I don't think waiting is a sign that I'm not that into the book series. On the contrary, I feel like I'm saving the next book for dessert after I read my list down. Highly recommended.