Detectives Daughter #8

Stella Darnell is in Tewkesbury having some time away from her company Clean Slate and detecting with Jack Harmon. However, a murder in the Abbey draws her into s complex investigation which links back to the murder in December 1940 of Maple Greenhill and of Dr Aleck Northcote in 1963 who was the police pathologist involved in her case. The storyline alternates between 1940 and 2019.

Well, this one sure starts with you sitting in the edge of your seat in eager anticipation! This is a good series and I like it’s originality, I’ve read all except number 7 and I’m not sure how I missed that one! What I like is the quirkiness of them, they are just a little bit different. The characters are really good, they’re a bit unusual, very colourful and just a bit dissimilar from what you might encounter elsewhere. By now they feel like old friends! I especially like Jack who is very complex, his boyhood experiences frame his life, he feels things deeply and he is head over heels in love with Stella. The funniest character is ‘old hack’ Lucie (sorry Lucie but let’s face it old girl you must be in your seventies!) who is hilarious but also incredibly sharp and clever. Let’s not forget Stanley the dog who is such a character in his own right. This addition to the series is especially atmospheric as we have wartime London and Tewkesbury in the present day with the Abbey lending itself to some spookiness and some chilling scenes. There are some good descriptions capturing place, mood and emotion. I think the tone of this one feels like that of a 1930’s cozy mystery which is fitting as Ngaio Marsh is mentioned twice and she’s regarded as one of the Queens of Crime. It has that same sort of over the top feel in the eccentricity of the characters, strange gatherings at a tea room, a host of suspects and rather a lot of people getting bumped off, a least one in a very creative fashion. A lot of it is very lively and engaging, there’s some great dialogue to amuse. I think in places it’s a bit long especially when the characters discuss what they know so the pace becomes a bit ponderous. However, overall it’s a fun, enjoyable and entertaining read and a good homage to the Queens of Crime.

With thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for the arc in return for an honest review.