Justice Postponed

Chiltern Hills Mysteries #9

by Anthea Fraser

Biographer Rona Parish has a new project, contributing a series for the local glossy magazine, Chiltern Life, documenting life-changing experiences from those who have lived through them. When her father suggests she speaks to his friend Frank Hathaway, who was in Iraq during the invasion of Kuwait, Rona decides to pay him a visit.
But Frank was also badly injured in a failed rescue attempt following a car crash the previous year, and has been tormented by flashbacks ever since. As Frank s flashbacks start to yield more clues as to what happened on that fateful night, Rona finds herself drawn into another dark and compelling mystery."

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

192 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2014

About the author

aka Vanessa Graham

Reviews

[Phrynne]

This was a fairly unexciting cozy crime book. No attempt was made to solve the crime at all until the last few chapters and then everything fell so neatly into place it was very unrealistic. I was also amazed at how many characters the author introduced into the story and how many meals they all ate. Every second page seemed to be another social occasion where some of the cast would gather to have dinner, attend a wedding or meet in a coffee shop. Much too much domestic detail for me and not enough sleuthing! (I guess that is a real word as spellcheck let me have it!) I probably will not seek out any more of this series.

[Damaskcat]

Rona Parish is researching a series of articles about people who have had exciting lives or who have been involved in an historic occasion. Attending a fashion show at the invitation of her friend Magda who owns several boutiques in the area, she meets the designer Ross Mackenzie and he asks her to write a profile of him for the magazine Chiltern Life.

Her research leads to her being asked to try and find out what really happened in an accident in which a friend of her father's was severely injured and someone died. Reluctantly, Rona agrees to see what she can find out. She could not possibly have envisaged where her tentative enquiries will lead.

This is a well written novel with believable characters and a well plotted storyline with a tense ending. I enjoyed reading it and would recommend it to anyone who likes their crime stories without too much on the page violence and an interesting background. It is the latest book in the series at the time of writing (2015).

[Mary jackson]

Impressive!!

I truly appreciate an author who writes to an educated, adult audience. I have just finished reading all the "Bookish" novels and find Ms. Fraser's books easy to read and delightfully unpredictable. Although the basic plots may be what she keeps similar (ie: family happenings) the actual crimes and their solutions are a "bravo". I highly recommend them.

[Kacper Nedza]

Caveat emptor: while the Rona Parish novels are billed as mysteries, they - especially the last few - are really more novels about interpersonal relationships that have a crime subplot. Much more room here is given to the personal complications of Rona and her family and friends than to the mystery - which hinders on a number of staggering coincidences.

So these are not conventional mysteries, but I enjoy them a lot anyway. Fraser has a smooth, elegant style, and she develops her characters well. The various dramas of Rona, Max, Lindsey, their parents, and others, are gently diverting, and the mystery plot, though not as engaging as in the previous installments, is still enjoyable. This is a novel that moves at a leisurely pace, and is heavier on conversation and reflection than action, which isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I enjoyed it immensely.

[MS M ADAMS]

A brilliant series

As usual I felt that the story ended too abruptly but I hope that means it is leaving the door open for the next one. Rona has a knack for getting to the bottom of things, especially cold cases and somehow her friends or family seemed to be involved! As well as Rona getting to the bottom of things there is the ongoing Saga of her sister’s love life to deal with!

[Marie Winther]

love her writing

I’ve enjoyed each and every Bookish novel. I liked that “betrayal” was less gruesome, but wish it was less predictable. Nevertheless, I love your books, Anthea!

[Terri]

No only was Justice Postponed, they don't even start looking for it till over half the book is done...and the rambling, Oh My!!! Half the book could be eliminated and the story still completed...

Just really love the dialogue...not. There's one place where a son is talking to his father, and says, "Sorry, have I been taciturn?" Taciturn...yes I know what it means. How many times have I heard it used like this? NONE!!! Dialogue is not realistic, but is a bit pretentious.

[Claudia Smith]

I have enjoyed the first seven books in this series although I'm disappointed with the limited inclusion of Gus. The description intimated that he was an integral part of the story. Poor guy ends up relegated to his bed in the kitchen and seemingly ignored other than the necessary walks that Rona and Max seem to resent having to take him on. Overall, Ms. Fraser is a good writer. That is my overall impression of the series.

My impression of this particular book, A Bookish Betrayal (#9), is NOT AGAIN!!! TWO DUDS IN A ROW? YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING! I'm not going to give the plot away so everyone can form their own opinions. This particular plot is BEYOND silly and has descended to the depths of just plain ridiculous. It's not really a plot, more of a splotch, pulling in voluminous numbers of family and friends (even the police are not exempt!) for mostly obtuse reasons. You really need a program to keep up with all the players. The plot is quickly moved forward, from non-existent to fait accompli, in the matter of a few pages by the thinnest tissues of reveals and speculations through which one could easily read a newspaper without straining the eyes. There is no noticeable 'sleuthing' and the plot is even more simplistic than the Our Gang children's series of the 1920s-1930s. Google them and you will see what I mean. Of course, Lindsey Parish would play Darla.

I have, again, spent quite a number of hours, not so patiently this time, plowing through the pages of this book hoping to find any hidden twists or turns that provides the AHA!!! moments that render me the satisfaction of finishing a good book and makes the time I spent reading it well worth the effort. Sadly, I had neither of these feelings after having read this book.

[Mel]

This is undeniably the worst book I have ever read. Half the book is fluff about things that aren’t relevant and lead nowhere. There are so many characters you spend time on that don’t matter (who honestly cares about THAT many of Rona’s friends and family), yet they spend such little time on what ends up being some of the most relevant characters - to the point where you don’t even care at the end because there was no emotion etc set for them ??? The dialogue is pretentious, the whole book is about next to nothing until the last few chapters where they decide to make it something, and use a hell of a lot of “wow what a coincidence” to tie it together. I am actually mind-blown that this book has such good reviews…

[Janet]

Another good one, maybe too many different stories involved but it worked out.

[Daniel Killian]

Enjoyment

I am enjoying the mystery content and characters including the clear presentation, with the linear review and the continuing family drama.

[Mikki Young]

I meant to start with book 1 but read this one by mistake. An enjoyable read with some interesting characters. Will happily go back to the beginning of the series!

[Pam Hill]

Great read.

Lots of twists and turns in this story. Characters are well written. Good details. Very interesting mystery. I recommend this book.

[Katherine]

Love this series

[Jacqueline Whitington]

Another incredible episode

Again Anthea Fraser didn't let me down with book 9. Hope there is more to follow
I can't wait for next addition

[Robert Polhill]

full of twists

Great story and well put together, all comes to a conclusion and Rona has done it again. love this series and looking forward to the next book

[Carolyn Johnson]

Loved reading all 9 of these books in this series. Anthea Fraser is one of my favorite authors. Plan to read all others she has written. So glad I found this author.

[Snowy]

Slow in places, but an interesting story within a story emerged. Like the main characters and would love to live in Shell Cottage.

[Jeannie]

Interesting and Very Entertaining!

Book 10 was another delightful read in this series. Rona is involved in two separate mysteries. She is in the process of wrapping up her articles for the magazine Chiltren Life on the success of single mothers, when she is asked to take on another biography. Thus one is quite different as she will not be starting from scratch but completing one started by another author who has been tragically killed in a car accident. What follows is a very twisty thriller with shocking revelations regarding not only both assignments but in her own personal life as well as those of her friends.

I am left wondering if this is perhaps the last book in the series as several factors involving Rona's family have satisfactory outcomes, which is not always the case especially regarding her twin sister. And more than one surprise at the end that made me smile. I have read all of the books in this series and enjoyed them all. Kudos to the author! 🎉🎉👏👏🌟🌟

[Darcy Palmer]

Love all of this series! This one is just as suspenseful as the others. I love how the author keeps following the lives of Rona, Lindsey, their parents and their friends and neighbors. New developments for all the characters in this book. Lots of mysteries appear as Rona writes an obituary and starts researching a new biography she's writing.

[Reggie Billingsworth]

Once again I am met with the SAD [Series Assumption Disease] problem in America where "cosies" mean "Soap Opera". After 10 minutes slogging through only 13 pages, I put this randomly chosen title very firmly down. That's a record. Anthea Fraser beats the clock for throw down, held so far by the equally mind gelling efforts of Mary Daheim.

I guess I'm getting smart about the signals sent when a cast of thousands once more is rapidly and inexplicably introduced through a convenient but pointless social occasion.

By the first 12 pages I stopped and counted over 26 characters (and one dog) introduced, mentioned or vaguely referred to as if we should be taking notes. At one point Fraser writes "Tom stretched his memory" while yet another complicated connection is forced into the narrative and I thought: "Nope. Tom you poor sod, as the puppet of this perverse writer you have to do what she says. I don't. Bye." And think about it...jeeese, if even the characters in this debacle struggle to keep track of each other, what hope does the reader have?

Other reviews now tell me that the plot truly was tertiary so I'm glad I didn't waste any more time.

Maybe this is par for the course in these longer running series so popular with readers who don't like the mystery or 'bad language' to intrude on the melodrama. These fans fixate on the gossip of relationship struggles as if their lives depended upon it. No thanks.

And, by the way Ms Fraser, men do NOT discuss their family issues at a coffee shop, in such candid, lengthy, plot-developing ways over a "spontaneous" yet cliched, manly meat-and-potatoes lunch. Especially vets. Ever.

However, if you cling to Days of Our Lives for your reality check, this author is for you.

[Charline Romine]

RM

Quite the exciting mystery. Rona does it again! She puts together several scenarios from different people and comes out with a conviction! Well done!

[Susan]

Biographer Rona Parish wants to do a series on people who have had unusual experiences. Her father's friend Frank certainly qualifies, but he's more interested in puzzling out the strange car accident where he almost saved a driver's life at the expense of his own. Frank's son asks her if she can investigate the accident, which Frank now thinks was a deliberate crime. Heavily aided by coincidence, Rona tries to do just that, despite husband Max's disapproval. Meanwhile, as usual, Rona's twin sister watches her love-life grow more and more tangled.

[Polly Clarke]

I had read the previous book in the series and though it was ok but this book in the series was underwhelming. A lot of food and life planning but nothing much more. Best read in one or two sessions (if you can keep your eyes open) as there are quite a few characters and you may forget who is who. If I had read the series from the beginning (this us book 9) then I'm sure I would have been more vested in the characters. As it us, this us a lazy creation. I won't be reading any more in this series.

[Marilyn]

I read this to the end which is the main compliment I can give this rather lackluster mystery. I found it somewhat contrived, but it did keep my attention. The solution was so obvious for most of the book that it was a ho hum ending. The main characters were well drawn but such a cliche that I could have been reading several other authors. It was formulaic -- but I did keep reading. I guess that says something about the interest level. I won't seek out the rest of the series.

[Phyllis McHale]

The Rona Parish series never fails to entertain

For those who enjoy continuity in their mysteries, Fraser's tales of the Parish twins and their extended family and group of friends have depth. These mysteries take place in modern day England. They offer several sub plots as well. Well written and keep you riveted.

[Mary]

I like everything about this series, except for when they solve the actual mystery. Then it all just seems a little too pat and easy and always comes together so quickly.

[Joelle Gilbert]

A nice safe read. No bad language or sex. It did keep me interested throughout.

[Susan Ward]

Was slow the first half. As others have mentioned, a lot of eating in this book. Don't know that I will read any more of this author's works.

[Marie]

Not the most exciting cosy I've read