1994 mystery, sixth of Granger's novels of Chief Inspector Alan Markby
and non-detective Meredith Mitchell. A young woman's body is dumped
near a playing field, and it appears she may have been up to something
dodgy. Meanwhile there are goings-on at the local stately home…
This is that rare thing, a cosy mystery that managed to startle
me. Mysteries are of course innately conservative, and one way in
which they express that is in not killing off characters who've been
given a bit of page time and started to build relationships with the
principals. And yet…
I'm also surprised by other deviations from the standard mystery
template; I've enjoyed Granger's writinng, I wouldn't still be reading
it otherwise, but particularly in this series she's generally gone for
the safe options as far as plotting choices are concerned. Not so much
here.
(It's worth bearing in mind while reading that this is 1994, before
the widespread availability of mobile phones, which would destroy
several parts of the plot.)
The personal side is rather more fun than the previous book (Where
Old Bones Lie) in that, while Markby still wants to get married and
Mitchell still doesn't and there's no actual progress on that front,
they at least spend a bit less time going round and round the same
argument, and even sometimes show some sign of liking each other
(though Markby is still prone to come the heavy paternal type when
admonishing Mitchell not to get involved in investigations, even
though he ought to know by now that it always puts her back up whether
or not she was intending to obey). There's also a new police character
whom I hope will turn up in future stories.
There are still sour notes, particularly a PA (whom everyone assumes
must be having it off with the businessman husband of the lady of the
manor) who's always described in terms that make her sound like a
scarlet woman whether or not she's doing anything to justify it, but
overall this feels like Granger moving a bit outside what has before
now been her comfort zone, mostly with success.