Rating: 5/5
Review:
Another gem from Watson
The discovery of Colin Watson's Flaxborough novels has been
a joy. They are compact gems of wit,
acute observation and plotting and every one so far has been an absolute
pleasure.
The Flaxborough Crab is the sixth in the series, in which
women of the town are subjected to thoroughly inept attempted sexual assaults
(which they are often amusingly well able to deal with), apparently by an
elderly perpetrator. Things, naturally,
become more complex and Purbright and Love find themselves widening their
investigation as the magnificent Miss Lucy Teatime also becomes involved.
It's typical Watson – and I mean that as the highest
compliment. His portraits of the
characters of the town are as shrewd and acerbic as ever and the writing is a
masterclass in beautifully crafted prose and dry wit. This, as a "Treat" is being
inflicted on the elderly by some of the town's worthies, will give a flavour:
"The chief organiser of the treat bustled into the room,
rubbing his hands and saying "Fine! Fine!" over and over again. He hosed the Darbys and Joans with his smile
and inflicted a vigorous handshake upon as many as lacked the presence of mind
to feign earnest search for something on the floor." ("Hosed". Brilliant!)
Flaxborough Crab is a hugely enjoyable instalment in a
wonderful series. Very warmly
recommended.
(My thanks to Farrago Books for an ARC via NetGalley.)
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