Although Burke's core cast is still here, doing their thing, there's a reluctance on his part, or perhaps an inability, to turn the screws on them to the degree that he previously has, and which gives much of the texture to his earlier triumphs. There's some inclination to try to imply a greater, cosmic force to the mysteries of the novel, but this doesn't ever really land given how personal everyone is with each other and how much has been resolved "offscreen" (in reality, in earlier books).  Perhaps this is an example of a bit of rot in a great series. I feel like this review is too negative; it's still a Burke mystery with all our favorite folks doing the things we love them for, including suffering. It just doesn't reach the heights of our favorite stories because, well, we've already been there.