#not that it mattered since none of the ironic comeuppances meant legal consequences

[kanyniablue]

haha i used too many tags on that last post

#tropes #anyways as i wrote out: #you know the classic mystery plotline chapter by chapter #set up unusual crime. introduce detective(s) including their gimmick. the true culprit has to be among the first wave of characters. #establish semi obvious explanation. threaten detective. plot twist--different explanation. #shocking reveal. obvious villain was red herring; true culprit is nearby & reveals their motive. detective lays out info. #villain gets ironic comeuppance. denouement. fin #this series went the 'gimmicky amateur detective + hardnose cop with actual legal authority' route #offbrand phryne & jack #not that it mattered since none of the ironic comeuppances meant legal consequences #which really just emphasizes the 'police beating confessions out of people is ok if its for a good reason (:' thinking #the historical setting in the first book took a little bit of care about establishing historic norms and what life was like #the rest were basically 'horses and gaslamps. did you know the cops used to beat people? crazy! CONFESS.' #teddy roosevelt showed up at a few points as one of the MCs' friends #you're supposed to think the MCs are really cool and special but they just...aren't #you know when an author WANTS you to feel a certain way but shows you the puppet strings too much? #this was constant #it dawned on me that it wasnt going to get better & sometimes a series makes money bc it comes out every year. #yeah no like literally teddy roosevelt