The village of Medmelton seems idyllic but there are things going on under the surface that an outsider can’t even guess at. Gus Maltravers, an author and playwright, is invited to stay for a few days with his friends Stephen and Veronica to try and find out what their daughter Michelle has got herself involved in.
A year ago a poet, Patrick Gabriel, was murdered at the foot of the Sweet Chestnut tree in the churchyard and now people have started leaving flowers and little dolls there which make apparent references to the dead man. The murder remains unsolved but the villagers don’t want to discuss the case with anyone – especially an outsider.
This is well written crime story with some very spooky undertones. Gus senses the atmosphere and feels that Stephen is being less than open with him about what he wants him to investigate. Gus soon finds that the villagers have decided he is from Special Branch or MI5 and has appeared in order to investigate the murder. I found the passages in which the villagers weave all the rumours about him marvellously well done.
I thought the ending was good. I had started to work out what had happened but I did enjoy the way the murderer is finally unmasked and the way Gus and his girlfriend, Tess, with a little help manage to work out what Stephen’s step-daughter is doing. This is an enjoyable read with something of the supernatural in it as well as crime. I think I shall be reading more by this author. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review.
I enjoyed this series very much when I read it back in the 90s. Lovely to see it’s being reissued.