Rating: 4/5
Review:Very entertaining
Blue Murder is the tenth of Colin Watson's Flaxborough
novels and it's another thoroughly enjoyable read.
This time, a celebrity journalist from a Fleet Street
scandal-sheet and his small retinue arrive in Flaxborough intent, it seems, on
exposing immoral goings-on in the town.
An almost farcical situation arises involving absurdities including a
vindictive police constable, a duel and a dodgy kidnapping; eventually a death
brings Inspector Purbright and his redoubtable team onto the scene and darker
secrets begin to emerge.
As always, this is a decent mystery but it is Watson's dry,
witty style and amusing but penetrating characterisation which provides the
real enjoyment. Just as a small example,
as a young woman is trying to charm the editor of the local paper: "Mr
Kebble found a chair for her. She
spiralled into it as if sitting down was a notable sensual
accomplishment." If you like that,
you'll like the book.
The absence of Miss Lucilla Teatime meant that a little of
the real zing of some other Flaxborough books wasn't there, but Blue Murder is
still very entertaining and, like all Colin Watson's books, I can warmly
recommend it.
(My thanks to Farrago for an ARC via NetGalley.)
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