🔶️ Sister Monica is the warden of the local children's home. Though everyone praises her very highly - almost like a saint - the Ferens see her as a cruel authoritarian woman with huge influence among the people. But they wisely keep their knowledge to themselves, and not interfere with the children's home affair.
🔶️ Then one day Sister Monica's body was found floating near the mill, with bruises on the back of her head. Neither suicide nor accident were considered possible, and therefore... murder it was. But, who's done it? And why?
🔶️ The local Sergeant finds it difficult at first to deal with the village people, in finding clues or motive. Unanimously they shut their mouths as tightly as clamps; no one seems to know anything, and everyone seems to protect the others. But Chief Inspector MacDonald is undeterred by this show off of "village loyalty". He's an outsider, and he wisely but determinedly uses his authority to dig for facts.
🔶️ The further Inspector MacDonald digs, the more it is revealed that Sister Monica wasn't saintly at all. Dark secrets were enveloping her person, that somebody's honour was threatened.
🔶️ This was my first Lorac's, and I instantly loved her style. She reminds me a little of Agatha Christie's small-village-mystery. Inspector MacDonald becomes my new favorite detective now; his deduction and understanding of psychological aspect of human beings is marvellous, and his way of handling people is uncanny. He has Hercule Poirot's confidence as well as intelligence, but without the latter's (cough) vanity.
🔶️ I always love simplistic mystery in small villages, where everybody knows everything about everyone - there's bound to be hatred, gossips, and jealousy underneath the supposedly peaceful atmosphere. This one is all that. A simple but satisfying read!
Rating: 4,5 / 5
This book counts for British Crime Classics Challenge 2023
For Bingo Card: Death by Drowning
For Monthly Theme: Authors New to Me
It's rare to find a blog that's both informative and genuinely enjoyable to read. This one manages to strike that balance perfectly. Thank you for consistently delivering content that feeds our minds and sparks our curiosity.
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This blog has rekindled my love for learning in ways I couldn't have imagined. The journey through your well-crafted articles is a constant reminder that knowledge is a lifelong pursuit, and you've made it an exciting one.
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I thought this one was truly excellent! Lorac was a superb writer.
ReplyDeleteShe was, indeed! She reminded me of Agatha Christie too. I think I'm going to read a lot more from her in the future!
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