Rating: 5/5
Review:
A real pleasure
I absolutely loved Lonelyheart 4122. It is the fourth of Watson's Flaxborough
mysteries and for me is the best so far.
The redoubtable Inspector Purbright is concerned about the
apparent disappearance of two local women, both of whom have used a local
lonely hearts agency. As investigations
continue we also meet Miss Lucy Teatime, a wonderful character of uncertain
past and infinite resource who arrives in Flaxborough and also registers with
the agency.
What follows is a small masterpiece of witty, inventive
storytelling. Watson writes superbly and
it feels as though he's hit his stride by this stage; his style is still dryly
funny and very acute in its observations and characterisation but slightly more
fluid and relaxed than in the first three books, so that I was carried along
without effort and with huge enjoyment.
At about 150 pages, the book is also gratifyingly concise and feels like
a perfectly crafted little gem.
If you haven't discovered Colin Watson yet, do try him. He's been a truly joyous discovery for me and
I can wholeheartedly recommend Lonelyheart 4122.
(My thanks to Farrago for an ARC via NetGalley.)
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