Catherine Aird is a master of the humorous, cozy mystery. The author herself is a fascinating person. She intended to be a physician (like her father) but ill health intervened. She is one of the most well-read authors around (meaning that she has forgotten more literature than most of us have read). She flings out lines from Shakespeare, the Bible, famous, and obscure poets with relish. She is also an extremely wry wit; we are blessed that she writes novels.
I knew we were going to have fun when Inspector Sloan asks for Crosby (no one asks for Crosby; he's the most obtuse constable in English history). When the Superintendent is horrified that Crosby is chosen, Sloan explains that that is the only way he can get to the funeral before the body is interred (a funeral is occurring at present). Crosby is notorious for having the heaviest foot in the county. In fact, his greatest wish is to join the Traffic Division, but Inspector Harpe has more sense than most. He ignores each of Crosby's requests to join his force.
The deceased sent a letter to her son (to be received on the day of her funeral), notifying him that she'd been murdered. Mrs. Powell's son rushed to the police officers and they interrupted the burial. The rest of the book, it seemed to me, to be dozens of red herrings flung about on the pages until the end. The author had a great time with all the oldsters at a retirement home; the eccentrics outnumber the keepers.
Sloan & Crosby Mysteries
-- skipped many --
13.The Body Politic (1990)
14. AGoing Concern (1993)
15.Injury Time (1994)
16. AfterEffects (1996)
** 17. StiffNews (1998)
18. LittleKnell (2000)
I knew we were going to have fun when Inspector Sloan asks for Crosby (no one asks for Crosby; he's the most obtuse constable in English history). When the Superintendent is horrified that Crosby is chosen, Sloan explains that that is the only way he can get to the funeral before the body is interred (a funeral is occurring at present). Crosby is notorious for having the heaviest foot in the county. In fact, his greatest wish is to join the Traffic Division, but Inspector Harpe has more sense than most. He ignores each of Crosby's requests to join his force.
The deceased sent a letter to her son (to be received on the day of her funeral), notifying him that she'd been murdered. Mrs. Powell's son rushed to the police officers and they interrupted the burial. The rest of the book, it seemed to me, to be dozens of red herrings flung about on the pages until the end. The author had a great time with all the oldsters at a retirement home; the eccentrics outnumber the keepers.
Sloan & Crosby Mysteries
-- skipped many --
13.The Body Politic (1990)
14. AGoing Concern (1993)
15.Injury Time (1994)
16. AfterEffects (1996)
** 17. StiffNews (1998)
18. LittleKnell (2000)
