❉ A delicate and compulsive whodunnit that rejoices in all the best aspects of the genre.
“This is a beautifully plotted and elegantly written book, full of depth and detail with a balance of humour and pathos.“
Writing a successful murder mystery would, on the face of it, be a simple thing to do. You kill someone and then have some other people work out what happened. But there is a huge gap between those basic bones and a compelling narrative that gives the reader enough to form theories, doesn’t give things away too easily and ultimately delivers a believable and exciting reveal that leaves the reader surprised but so surprised that they feel frustrated that it was a mad solution plucked from the sky. To say that this book ticks all the necessary boxes is a massive understatement. From the very start, you are drawn into the narrative, the delightfully quirky characters and a delicate and compulsive whodunnit that rejoices in all the best aspects of the genre.
The unlikely detectives in this tale are a couple of TV actors in the greatest tradition of British TV. As recognisable and loveable as they are flawed and frustrating, they are employed beautifully to frame and flow the underlying story. During the filming of their sitcom Floggit and Leggit, they discover the body of a young woman which is the first pull of a thread that unwinds into a complex and engaging story that stretches back to link to other deaths in wartime Britain. A beautifully rendered group of supporting characters build a very strong tale with a rewarding and thrilling conclusion. Happy to admit that this reviewer didn’t guess it right but was very happy with the ultimate denouement. You can’t ask for more than that, can you?
It would be easy to look at the cover of this book and assume it is simply some cheap pastiche riding the coattails of that other guy. That would be doing the author and the book a monumental disservice as, although the cover gives a clue to the broad genre, this is a beautifully plotted and elegantly written book, full of depth and detail with a balance of humour and pathos. The writing is consistently excellent, every character and detail is meticulously constructed. This the work of a real wordsmith and Douglas has clearly employed all his skills in crafting and writing Sherlock Holmes into this blistering series debut.
There is nothing more fun than solving a puzzle. When a puzzle is as wonderfully constructed as it is in this book, each page and corner turned is a delightful surprise, and anyone who loves a mystery will love this mystery. With such beautifully conceived protagonists, it is only right that this book is the first in hopefully a long series. Already looking forward to seeing what Messrs Lowe and Le Breton get up to next.
❉ Death at the Dress Rehearsal: Lowe and Le Breton Mysteries by Stuart Douglas: Publisher: Titan Books Ltd. Published: 4th June 2024. £9.99.
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