Simon Brett has written a wonderful group of whodunnits. He takes the reader on a tour
of the lovely English countryside and the life of England, as we all want to see it. He
has thrown in a bit of wry humor to make the reader stop, look, and think about whence we
came (most of us do have at least a bit of that good old stalwart English blood running
in our veins). As for the murder mystery, it is a captivating and subtle trip through
the old and the new of England.
Brett has a bit of fun with the political system, the aristocracy of the Brits, and the
people most of us worship in one way or another: the aging pop stars who take the place
of royalty in this country and the forever updated reality TV stars. If you are a fan
of Sunday night PBS TV, and the Upstairs /Downstairs show and To the Manor
Born, you will like this book immensely.
The Hanging in the Hotel brings together the Pillars (an English businessmen's
society) and a historic hotel and some rather wayward spirits who just won't be stilled,
or rather won't be lured out into daylight and would more preferably be restless in the
darkness. Some think the death is a suicide, but from the very start, Jude doesn't think
so. She has to go about proving what she is thinking.
Carole, Jude's friend and reluctant partner in this escapade, rustles up a flirtation
with one of the Pillars in order to find out what is really happening. They both get more
than they bargained for and the suicide turns into murder. All in all, a very charming,
entertaining read, that will not put a person into la-la land. Enjoyable and easy, but
with lots of subtle depth.
Brett has a way of writing that makes one want to read more, so
grab the next one or the one before this (there are quite a few
to chose from), and you will have something good to read well into
the end of the year and all the while you will feel a sort of coziness
and a very real longing to visit the places he writes about.
Reviews
of other titles in this series
The
Hanging in the Hotel #5
The
Witness at the Wedding #6
The
Stabbing in the Stables #7
Death
Under the Dryer #8
Blood
at the Bookies #9
The
Poisoning in the Pub # 10
The
Shooting in the Shop #
11
Bones
Under the Beach Hut #
12
Liar
in the Library #18