Cheryl R. (Spuddie) -
Helpful Score: 2
This is #5 in the Bryant & May "Peculiar Crimes Unit" mystery series set in London. In this episode, acting director Raymond Land closes the unit for a week while the computers and electronics are updated, so Bryant convinces May to accompany him to a spiritualist convention out in the rural west country. The two elderly detectives set off and run into a horrendous snowstorm that leaves them stuck in a ditch and stranded along with dozens of other travelers--one of whom is a murderer, as they discover when they find the body of a truck driver with his throat slashed.
Meanwhile, back in London, the unit's pathologist Oswald Finch dies while beginning an autopsy on a young girl, a drug addict who is more than what she seems. His death comes just days before his impending retirement, and the remaining staff must figure out if it was murder (only they have keys and the door was locked!), suicide or a bizarre accident. Communicating with their senior colleagues by mobile phone, DS Janice Longbright must finally begin to put all the teachings of her mentors to work to solve the crime--before a royal visit scheduled last minute by their nemesis, Oscar Kasavian, could derail the unit once and for all.
Wonderful read as always with crazy characters, well-plotted mysteries, red herrings galore, and plenty of laughs. Though I was sad at the death of crotchety old Finch, his demise was an interesting puzzle for the Unit to solve. This series will be enjoyable for those who like quirky characters and a little "meat" on the bones of the mystery. Lots of historical and literary references throughout keep things interesting, but more than anything, the characters become beloved friends after only a couple of books in the series.
Meanwhile, back in London, the unit's pathologist Oswald Finch dies while beginning an autopsy on a young girl, a drug addict who is more than what she seems. His death comes just days before his impending retirement, and the remaining staff must figure out if it was murder (only they have keys and the door was locked!), suicide or a bizarre accident. Communicating with their senior colleagues by mobile phone, DS Janice Longbright must finally begin to put all the teachings of her mentors to work to solve the crime--before a royal visit scheduled last minute by their nemesis, Oscar Kasavian, could derail the unit once and for all.
Wonderful read as always with crazy characters, well-plotted mysteries, red herrings galore, and plenty of laughs. Though I was sad at the death of crotchety old Finch, his demise was an interesting puzzle for the Unit to solve. This series will be enjoyable for those who like quirky characters and a little "meat" on the bones of the mystery. Lots of historical and literary references throughout keep things interesting, but more than anything, the characters become beloved friends after only a couple of books in the series.
Ron K. (WhidbeyIslander) -
Helpful Score: 1
Another satisfying tale of the PCU, although once again the parallel story was a bit boring at times (the storylines converge in the last 100 of 330+ pages). And although it's billed as a "Locked Room Mystery," I think that's a stretch since it also states that four members of the PCU had keys to the scene of the crime, so how sealed was it?
