Judith L. (jlautner) reviewed on 1/5/2022 + 105 more book reviews

This is a bit of a departure for Inspector Wexford. Because of a health scare, he has taken time off work and is staying at his nephew's house in London for a while. His wife Dora and nephew Howard's wife Denise are delighting in preparing him healthy meals, while Wexford is delighting in hating the food. This part of the story is familiar; Wexford always resists healthy foods and Rendell always presents foods that do not sound appetizing (a bit of a sore spot for me, because I know that healthy foods can be delicious). What is different here is Wexford's cautious, worrying approach to police work.

His doctor had said do not get involved in work. Do not follow Howard to Scotland Yard, where Howard has a prestigious position. Bucking doctor's orders is not unusual for Wexford, but feeling out of sorts and lacking confidence is quite different. We are used to seeing the confident Wexford, confident to a fault even. But here, when he manages to insert himself into a case with Howard's blessing (reluctant blessing because of doctor's orders), he worries about putting a foot wrong. He frets that he will be seen as a country bumpkin and fears making mistakes.

Nevertheless, Wexford cannot help getting involved and obsessing over the case. In the process he finds himself in a pub now and again, joyfully having a drink and eating something not so nutritious. Both the food and the mental stimulation don't seem to be the worst things for him.

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