Who Would Like This Book:
This book is perfect for fans of Kerry Greenwood's writing style and devotees of her Phryne Fisher mysteries. If you love true crime with a deeply personal touch, this one's for you - Greenwood weaves her own Australian upbringing, memoir elements, and even a Phryne Fisher short story into the narrative. It's easy to read, captures the quirky mysteries of postwar Australia, and offers unique insights and humor along the way. Anyone fascinated by unsolved mysteries, mid-century history, and the blending of fact and reflection will find something to enjoy in these pages.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Readers hoping for a focused, strictly factual deep dive into the Somerton Man case may walk away disappointed. Some found the book rambly, with tangential musings, personal anecdotes, and unverified theories overtaking hard research. If you want a detailed timeline with rigorous investigative work or comprehensive coverage of the case, you might feel let down. True crime purists or those wanting a definitive account may find it short on substance and heavy on speculation and memoir.
About:
Tamam Shud: The Somerton Man Mystery by Kerry Greenwood delves into the enigmatic case of the Somerton Man, a mysterious corpse found in Adelaide in 1948. The book is structured as both a true crime account and a personal memoir, blending Greenwood's reflections on her childhood in Australia with her examination of the unresolved investigation. While some readers found this dual narrative engaging, others criticized it for including irrelevant anecdotes and speculation, believing it strayed too far from the core mystery.
The writing style of the book has received mixed reviews. Some appreciated Greenwood's approachable prose and the human touch in her storytelling, making it an easy read. However, critics expressed disappointment over the rambling nature of the chapters and the lack of in-depth factual content, suggesting that the narrative often felt scattered and unfocused. Despite these criticisms, there are moments of insight and humor that resonate with readers, particularly those familiar with Greenwood's previous fictional works.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings may include themes of death, unsolved mystery, and speculation on murder.
From The Publisher:
In 1948, a man was found dead on an Adelaide, Australia, beach. Well-dressed and unmarked, he had a half-smoked cigarette by his side, but no identity documents. Six decades later, the Somerton Man's identity and murder are still a mystery. From the missing labels from all his clothing to the tiny piece of paper with the words "Tamam Shud" found sewn into the lining of the dead man's coat, this cold case is brimming with facts that are stranger than fiction. Written by one of Australia's best-known and most loved crime writers, this book uses pieces of the author's own past in an attempt to solve this crime, uncovering a new way of writing about true crime and about herself in the process.
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Tamam Shud: The Somerton Man Mystery?
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