Scotland Yard Sgt. Jack Gibbons is suffering from a breakup with a woman he'd expected to marry and he's drinking a little too much. He needs a good case to absorb his interest. One appears when his best friend, wealthy Philip Bethacourt goes, with his model girlfriend, into the country for a fashion shoot. Charlie Bingham, a neighbor of his host, dies under suspecious circumstances. Philip can never resist "assisting" Gibbons with his investigations. It is an intriguing case. Charlie lived simply but was really a wealthy inventor. He has one daughter he seldom sees, and a mysterious woman friend no one knows anything about. There are assorted interesting villagers - a vicar madly in love with his beautiful wife, a handsome artist known for his suductions, and other local characters.
It's a lovely modern day classic detective story with moving and intriguing portrayals of the characters. For example, Charlie, the first victim, never appears as a live character in the book, but I felt such sadness as I read about his funeral.
I also enjoyed the previous book, "The Young Widow," that featured these detectives and I'm anxious to get the next one.

Share/Like this Review?