Bingo 2: Part 2
I’m going a tad bit literal here as The Sinister Booksellers of Bath is a sequel. Once again, it’s in 1980s London, Bath, and nearby areas, with some excursions into locations/times folkloric or supernatural. Susan, Merlin, Vivien, and the rest of the booksellers and associates are all back as well. There are essentially two mysteries on hand, both involving Susan: there’s the disappearances and murders in a realm out of time and sort of space, and then there’s Susan’s growing sense of her supernatural heritage and an impending decision. First though, she and Vivien have to rescue Merline from the map he got sucked into, then figure out who/what the malevolent entity is, what it’s planning, and then how to stop it (and maybe run into Fimbulwinter and the Wild Hunt as well). And of course get back to Susan’s mom in time for Christmas puddings.
There is not as much development of the booksellers world, but there are more booksellers and their liasons of sorts. I still think 1980s UK could get a bit more attention since there’ so much promise there, even if it’s a fictional version. But no such luck on that. The main mythical mystery could also have a used a little development; the alphabet connection is a start, but the whole thing feels a little underdeveloped too.
It’s a good sequel in a lot of ways, in that it continues to build on the first one, keeps the entertaining mix of magic, inter/personal stuff, decent action, and some suspense. Characters don’t really develop much either but the general mix of personalities set up is varied enough that it still pretty much works out. Merlin does seem a little more toned down, but that’s maybe also because he’s gotten more serious with Susan.
I’m not sure if there’s going to be more of the series; the end leaves open the possibility but there’s nothing that’s directly suggesting a thread that’s going to need picking back up. I’d rather like to see more adventures, but I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.