Skylark

Lark Dodge #2

by Sheila Simonson

In London for a booksellers’ conference, Lark shares a small flat with Ann Veryan, an English teacher from Georgia. While Lark pursues collectible books, Ann explores London for the first time. They’ve struck up a friendship with Milos Vlacek, a Czech refugee waiter from the conference hotel. On their way home from a matinee of Macbeth at the Barbicon, Milos is stabbed on the Underground. Minutes earlier he had given Ann a manuscript to carry for him in her huge needlepoint purse.

What do you do if you’re a foreigner trapped in a British police investigation? Lark sends for husband Jay, who was coming over for a police conference. She also mails a copy of the Czech-language manuscript to her father, who has a colleague capable of translating it. Milos is not dead, but his injuries are grave. When Lark’s landlady is murdered, police suspicion of Lark and Ann intensifies. Jay may arrive to find his wife in the Old Bailey. Clearly Lark has to Do Something.

Questions abound. Who is Milos? Why was he stabbed? What’s in the manuscript? Who would kill an inoffensive elderly Englishwoman in her own hallway? When Milos, still very ill, goes missing, Lark and Ann venture out into the English countryside to find him--with explosive consequences.

Genres: Mystery

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Ms. Simonson writes mysteries and romantic fiction, and lives in the Pacific Northwest.

Reviews

[Denise Spicer · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this, book two of the series, Lark goes to London and witnesses an abduction. The book is a combination spy novel, mystery, and travelogue with great description of London and Yorkshire.

[Marjorie Brewer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written, as with her other books. But I just didn’t enjoy the story as well as others. And book jumps right in with a character not in other books and not explained well. Who is Ann, why are they in London? Not important to the story, but it bothered me. Interesting to hear about the British countryside and life a bit, and European politics too. Also enjoyed hearing about how the Brits view Americans. Overall, worth the read.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, but sometimes it seemed that some things about being in England seemed forced as if were in there just so the reader would know Simonson had really done her research or been there. I caught a few inaccuracies. I plan to read more of her books. I don't recall having such a critical reaction to the first two books that I have read.
I was reading this in my husband's hospital room, and perhaps had too much time to notice things. Or maybe I was not in a very good frame of mind to begin with. He has been there for over three weeks now.

[Camille Alexa]

Enjoyed the depth of the characters and the world built of small everyday details--makes the story and people genuine and believable.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of the giveaway books from our library that I took on vacation. I enjoyed it.