Deborah Crombie has written another cozy mystery, A Bitter Feast (William Morrow, $25.99). This one begins with Duncan and Gemma, higher-ups in the metropolitan police in London, going to the Cotswolds’ for a pleasant weekend with their detective sergeants, Melody and Doug, along with their children. Melody’s parents are wealthy owners of a major newspaper chain and the manor house will comfortably fit everyone.
Unfortunately, Duncan traveling alone is involved in a fatality car wreck on the way to the home. He has clearly suffered a serious concussion but foolishly wards off everyone’s attempt to get him to a hospital. The passenger in the other car apparently was murdered before the wreck and his death is the subject of the mystery.
The most interesting character is Viv, who once was a chef at a fancy Michelin-starred restaurant in London owned by the murder victim. It’s a thin plot because although there are many characters (so many I had to do a cheat sheet) nobody really has any motive to kill the man except for the obvious suspect.
With pretty descriptions of the landscapes and lots of deep character development, the book plods along. The exciting subplot is the dispute between Melody and her boyfriend, with the question lingering—how far Melody will go to get even with him? Her revenge is the best scene in the entire book.
If you like mysteries slow and pretty this is ideal, but if you want things to move along and a surprise ending avoids this book. I would give this a C+.
Steve E Clark as seen in the New York Times is Author of Justice Is for the Lonely and Justice Is for the Deserving, Kristen Kerry Novels Of Suspense. Steve is a 2017 NY Big Book Award winner and a 2018 Independent Book Award recipient. You can purchase his books via https://steveclarkauthor.com/buy-the-book/ or request it at your local book store. Want to know more about Steve Clark, read more reviews or speak directly with Steve? Learn more about Steve at SteveClarkAuthor.com
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