When vicar’s
wife Monica Noble is asked to judge in a flower show at the
village fete, she is less than keen but bravely steps up to
help. There is much rivalry between growers and judges, and
not only regarding the flowers. From a disgruntled ex-military
man and his gardener to a local chemical manufacturer and
his estranged wife, everybody has something to hide, or is
out to get something. But it is something of a surprise when
the murder victim is a local vicar, and particularly when
he is killed in such a very bizarre way?
Following on from An Unholy Mess (also reviewed on
this site), this is perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and
“The Midsomer Murders.” Monica turns sleuth once
again and comes up against handsome single detective Jason
Dury, while juggling the twin responsibilities of being an
irreproachable vicar’s wife and mother to teenage siren/wannabe
model Carole Anne. Set a short while after the first book,
the summer is still baking hot, and the author is excellent
at describing this and getting under the skin of the various
characters. From the blusters of Sir Hugh to the teenage silliness
of Carole Anne, the people might veer towards being stock
characters, but they still seem to have a life of their own.
This is not a long book and it has a linear storyline with
no sub plots, but it doesn’t really need them. Instead
there is a first-rate claustrophobic study of tempers at boiling
point as the sun beats down and suspects are boxed into a
stifling tent. I guessed whodunit but still enjoyed the ride;
I look forward to the third book.
Reviews of other titles in this series
An
Unholy Mess #1
An Unholy Whiff
of Death #2
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