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Poppy Redfern and the Midnight Murders Analysis and Review 

What was it trying to do? 

This novel is a murder mystery set in a little British village during World War II. It follows the titular Poppy Redfern, a young woman who grew up in the village and now serves as their ARP (Air Raid Precautions) Warden. Shortly after an American Air Base is established near the village, two residents are found murdered. Poppy goes on to investigate the murders herself. 

The novel sets out to tell a standard and competent mystery, providing clues to both the characters and the readers without making the answers obvious or too discreet. I had the sense that it attempted to be around the average solvability for the genre, though I will admit I need to read quite a bit more books before making that claim confidently. 

Poppy Redfern herself seems constructed to be a relatable character for young women. There are multiple mentions and examples in the text that make it clear that she is not an expert detective nor a commanding force of charisma. While she is described to be decently clever, she is not made out to be a genius. 

The book works to create a very clear picture of the town it takes place in. A large amount of text is devoted to describing the physical and social characteristics of the village. Other locations are also brought up as a point of contrast to make the image of the town more vivid. 

How did it succeed or fail? 

As a mystery I feel it works well enough. While I did not confidently solve the case myself before the final reveal, I did not feel cheated either. I had suspected the correct culprit a few times during the book, but never settled on them. The novel did not cheat as clues had also all been present throughout the pages. They were not hidden or secret until the end. The primary tool to keep the reader guessing was placing clues in the details of events. Poppy herself rarely took note of the important facts, focusing on other things instead. Her existence as a flawed protagonist serves not only to make her relatable but also give the reader more of a challenge. 

Speaking of her relatability, I think it is at this point that I clarify that I am a cisgender heterosexual biracial male, not a Caucasian woman. Therefore, the elements of Poppy’s character that I did not relate to could have nothing to do with the quality of the writing but rather a difference in experience. I would have to defer to other readers to determine which is the case. That said, I think her quirks and struggles with confidence do make her a little relatable to people in and out of her own demographic. There are a few scenes that are read as a bit juvenile for an adult fiction novel. Poppy occasionally dealt with situations or displayed behavior that seemed cartoonish. I will acknowledge that feeling could be the result of what I have read and experienced previously rather than a true comparison between this novel and others with similar goals. The question of how successful the novel was in making Poppy a relatable character is one I think I need to leave rather open, hearing what women have to say about it rather than making any definite statements myself. 

Descriptions of the setting, particularly the social characteristics, might be the strongest aspect of the book. Because of the inclusion of the American pilots and Poppy’s training in London, there are two settings that characters can naturally compare the town with. Comparisons then lead to definition. From the way the people in the town respond to emergency, to how they conduct themselves when courting each other, to what games they play with cards, the novel is rich with details to make the setting feel like a real town while avoiding out of place exposition. There are also frequent references to how close or far different locations are to each other, helping create a decent map of the town. The setting itself might not be for everyone, but I believe every reader will be able to create a crystal-clear picture of it. 

Who should read it? 

In terms of the main character, I think the target of the book is likely young women, though cannot confidently say they will love it since their perspective is distinct from mine. Outside of attempts to have a relatable protagonist, the book provides a fair mystery if a bit standard. Anyone looking for an intense challenge or subversive writing won’t find it here. If you want a more relaxed puzzle that does not hold your hand the whole time, I think there is a fair amount to enjoy here. Especially if the setting interests you. However, I do not find myself calling it a must read for most people. 

This is my first ever blog post, so I'd like to thank you very much for reading all the way to here. I hope to continue reading and writing over time and am excited to see how this blog might change.