I agree with your assessment 100% ChainsawAsh. My problem with the book it spent such a long time erasing the ending of the last book that once the main plot started it seemed to stop just before it got really interesting. It has the right style, but at times the references do feel rather forced. I'd read it again, which is more than I can say for 4 and 5. I only own 1 and 2, and bought the first arc of the radio drama from iTunes, which I love more than the books.

My Review from back when I read it.