Rue Morgue Press Trade pb 5/07 ISBN: 978-1-60187-006-3
The Dean of Melchester Cathedral is deeply distressed at the flurry of hate materials directed against elderly senior verger Appledown. He is sufficiently upset to break the customary isolationistic tranquility of the religious setting to invite his nephew to take time off from his usual job at Scotland Yard to pay a visit and take an unofficial look at what is happening.
Just as young Sergeant Pollock settles in and, with the aid of a map of the Close, helpfully reprinted for the reader, identifies the residents of the locale, the unthinkable happens. Old Appledown is murdered. With customary diplomatic tiptoeing around the local constabulary to avoid stepping on – well – toes, Pollock is joined by his superior, Chief Inspector Hazlerigg, who leads an insightful and skillful investigation. As is typical in such a small community, everyone knows everything about everyone else (or at least they think that they do) and no one can twitch a curtain without several witnesses spotting the action from behind their own hiding spots. Motives appear sparse, and opportunity even more so. By careful reconstruction of the events of the night of the murder, suspects get eliminated and the hunt narrows down to a select few.
Watching the pair of hardworking coppers track down the killer is greatly entertaining and, despite the absence of deeply depicted characterizations, they are a likable and admirable pair. This classic reprint is the first novel by Michael Gilbert, a prolific British author who won numerous prestigious awards during his lengthy career. Set in the Close of a Cathedral that is marvelously similar to that of Salisbury Cathedral, this is a cozy police procedural with classic red herrings, classic literary references, and charmingly biting, tongue-in-cheek humor. There’s even a crossword puzzle that plays a crucial role. An utterly delightful blast from the past.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. - Carol Howell from http://www.iloveamysterynewsletter.com/classic_corner.htm
Comments (0)
You don't have permission to comment on this page.