Where Old Bones Lie

The nicely twisted plot is dragged out a bit in this traditional English village mystery, and the characters, while well-defined and complex, are only mildly appealing.

Reviewed by David on September 16, 2005

Genre: Mystery (Police Procedural, English Village)

Synopsis: The Chief Inspector Markby of the small English town Bamford is not particularly receptive to the vague feelings of unease from his lover Meredith and her friend, the archeologist Ursula Gretton. However, the dig where the two work attracts suspicious characters and even more suspicious crimes; and Markby and the police have to be deadly serious when very modern remains are discovered at the site.

Full Review: The plot appears straighforward, but the author throws in both uncertainty and surprises by the time the book is finished. The characters, investigators, witnesses and suspects alike are well described and show complexity and sometimes charm. Unfortunately, the main characters are so low-key that they invoke only mild emotional bond.

Copyright: 1994

Series Name: Mitchell and Markby mystery

Overall: 5.5; Plot: 5.5; Characters: 6; Style: 5.5; World-building: 6; Originality: 5.5;

W. F. Howes Ltd. (Clipper Audio), 2002, Compact Disc Audio Book, 8 CDs