I have never read a series where I felt more like the whole series could have been read all through as one (huge, though it would be) book. The chemistry didn't falter and the characters didn't lose ANY of their appeal in this sequel, which so often happens in series.The mysteries are good--sometimes the broader parts of the crimes aren't terribly hard to guess, but there are always smaller intrigues mixed in, and I don't think it would be possible to solve each and every one of them, so I think everyone can reach the end surprised in some fashion, and therefore satisfied.So many things that usually annoy me to no end barely bother me at all because I love the stories so much. Clunky foreshadowing of the "Little did I know what was lurking just around the corner..." variety is in practically every chapter, and that is usually a major deal breaker for me. With these though I just kinda smile, like I have some sort of an agreement with the author that says "you can make some mistakes as long as the stories stay captivating!" or something.