A Death in the Parish - Richard Coles *****
By Brian Clegg
In reviewing the first of Richard Coles’ murder mysteries, Murder before Evensong, I remarked ‘I just hope that with practice Coles can make the detective aspect more engaging’. He doesn’t. In fact, although a murder is a thread running through this book, it’s almost incidental – yet I didn’t care because the murder mystery aspect is not really the point.
I don’t know if this was Coles’ conscious intent, but the ‘cosy murder’ part feels like little more than a way to get more readers, because there is far less of a market for a novel about the realities of village life and the Church of England. And as my personal fictional matter is largely limited to police procedurals, science fiction and fantasy, I would be unlikely to pick up such a book. But I’m so glad I did.
I’ve lived in a village off and on through my life, and Coles really gets into the spirit of such a place with both its petty playing off of characters against each other and its unmatched sense of community and continuity, however faded it might be. I’m also very familiar with the Church of England (Anglican/Episcopalian for those who haven’t come across it), an institution that may be dying, but that is so central to the English cultural heritage.
As a retired vicar, Coles is ideally placed to understand the niceties of church politics – particularly when he pits his traditionalist, Anglo-catholic central character against a colleague whose ideas are far too evangelical and Bible-literalist for his liking.
You don’t expect cosy murder mysteries to be un-put-downable, but I rushed through this book, soaking up the atmosphere and revelling in Coles’ understanding of the sense of place and the impact on institutions of culture change. The cover quote saying ‘Best of the new cosy crime writers’ totally misses the point. It’s very average crime writing, but it’s an excellent novel.
See all of Brian's online articles or subscribe to a weekly digest for free here
Now Appearing is the blog of science writer Brian Clegg (www.brianclegg.net), author of Inflight Science, Before the Big Bang and The God Effect.
Source: http://brianclegg.blogspot.com/2024/04/a-death-in-parish-richard-coles.html
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Please Help Support BeforeitsNews by trying our Natural Health Products below!
Order by Phone at 888-809-8385 or online at https://mitocopper.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomic.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomics.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Humic & Fulvic Trace Minerals Complex - Nature's most important supplement! Vivid Dreams again!
HNEX HydroNano EXtracellular Water - Improve immune system health and reduce inflammation.
Ultimate Clinical Potency Curcumin - Natural pain relief, reduce inflammation and so much more.
MitoCopper - Bioavailable Copper destroys pathogens and gives you more energy. (See Blood Video)
Oxy Powder - Natural Colon Cleanser! Cleans out toxic buildup with oxygen!
Nascent Iodine - Promotes detoxification, mental focus and thyroid health.
Smart Meter Cover - Reduces Smart Meter radiation by 96%! (See Video).