Review by Booklist Review
*Starred Review* Brett, long accomplished in weaving social comedy into his mysteries, injects some stinging investigative reporting this time on the current corporate takeover and transformation of traditional English pubs from homegrown establishments into tourist traps. In the tenth Fethering mystery (named after the West Sussex village where the action is set), the two leads, repressed Carole and New Agey Jude neighbors and sometime sleuths are at the local Crown and Anchor pub when there's a run for the loos. Various people, including Carole, are dropping like flies, probably due to food poisoning. Even in their weakened state, it strikes them as odd that the press arrives on the scene almost immediately. Did someone know the scallops would be sabotaged ahead of time? Disaster upon disaster befalls Ted Crisp, the Crown and Anchor landlord. First, the food goes off, then the pub is shuttered for health inspection, then a bunch of bikers move in, leaving one illegal kitchen worker stabbed in their wake. Carole and Jude, friends of Crisp's, have front-row seats to the mayhem and move in on their suspect, who is also found murdered. Brett has some fun with a stand-up comic who offers his services, at great cost, to Crisp. The world of down-at-heels showbiz hopefuls that Brett brought so brilliantly to life in his Charles Paris mysteries appears here again. Brett's Fethering mysteries have been classified as cozies, but this is a cozy with a biting social conscience. Don't miss it.--Fletcher, Connie Copyright 2009 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Business at the venerable Crown and Anchor pub is flagging-and with good reason-in Brett's droll 10th mystery set in the West Sussex town of Fethering (after 2008's Blood at the Bookies). An outbreak of food poisoning, with attendant bad press, temporarily shuts down the establishment. Then the grand reopening is spoiled by a rowdy biker gang and the brutal stabbing death of a beloved, mentally challenged kitchen helper. Before you can say "plowman's lunch," plucky Carole Seddon and her friend, Jude, are on the case. As "women of a certain age," Carole and Jude are often underestimated, a circumstance they use to good advantage, along with dogged persistence, feminine wiles and people skills. Those with counter-corporate leanings will enjoy the bashing meted out on a McPub chain bent on driving traditional public houses out of business. (Nov.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
After a number of Fethering locals get food poisoning at their favorite pub, amateur sleuths Jude and Carole launch an investigation to save the owner from ruin. Verdict This cozy series (Blood at the Bookies) is as popular as Brett's Charles Paris books and his Mrs. Pargeter novels. Recommend this to readers who love satisfying mysteries set in charming small English towns. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Fethering neighbors Jude and Carole come to the aid of a publican. Ted Crisp's Crown and Anchor is in trouble. A motorcycle gang has taken to vrooming in and out at all hours, disturbing shopkeepers and residents along Fethering's High Street. Recently served scallops have caused serious food poisoning. The local paper's headlines announce that the Health Department has ordered the Crown and Anchor closed. And Dan Poke, the comedian Ted engages to inaugurate the pub's comedy nights, is not only unfunny but insistent on reminding those present about the dodgy scallops. Could things get worse? Well, yes. When a brawl breaks out, Ray, the simple-minded lad Ted lets help out, is stabbed to death, and Ted's long-separated wife reappears to demand a divorce and major alimony. Perhaps inspired by the Chilean chardonnay they quaff, Jude and Carole decide to set matters right. Soon they're confronted by another death, a philandering civic-minded do-gooder, and a man with a scarred face and fewer than ten fingers. Not to worry, though. A few more nips of the chardonnay, and Jude and Carole have put Ted and his pub back in business while sparing a kind thought or two for poor Ray. The last few Fethering mysteries (Blood at the Bookies, 2008, etc.) have lacked the usual quota of wit, gleeful satire and clever if unmemorable plotting. Alas, matters are equally tired at the pub. Even Brett devotees might want to give this installment a miss. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
