Too Much of Water

Lambert and Hook #18

by J.M. Gregson

Lambert and Hook must find the crocodile amongst these tearful suspects In the midst of a heatwave in Gloucestershire, unseen hands slide the body of a young woman quietly into the waters of one of England's great rivers under cover of darkness. It is some days before the corpse is discovered, and the police have first to identify the victim as Clare Mills and then try to build up a picture of her puzzling lifestyle.

Genres: Mystery

216 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2005

About the author

James Michael Gregson taught for twenty-seven years in schools, colleges and universities before concentrating on full-time writing. He has written books on subjects as diverse as golf and Shakespeare.

Reviews

[Damaskcat · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young woman's body is found in the River Severn and Lambert and Hook must try and work out who of her family, friends and acquaintances needed her out of the way. They are puzzled by Clare's mother who seems not at all affected by her death. She seems to be reading from a script almost - as though she has been told what she needs to say to the police.

Clare's friends at the university where she was studying as a mature student seem to think highly of her only her ex husband seems to hate her. But then there's her mother's strange behaviour and her stepfather who lied to them.

This is a difficult case for Lambert and Hook and for a long time they seem to be drowning under a great deal of extraneous information and almost too many suspects. Gradually they manage to eliminate some people and are left with a handful, all of whom could have done the deed.

I enjoyed this well written crime story but I didn't think it was quite as good as some of the books in this series. This is number eighteen in the series though the books can all be read as standalone novels.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably the best of this series that I've read, but not good enough to keep me reading the series.

Only character with any real personality is Sgt Bert Hook. Supt Lambert is bland, and, again, cannot form any sort of attachment to the other characters.

Worth reading if you've nothing else to read.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The body of a young woman is found in the water during some hot days. After identifying the girl as Clare Mills, Lambert & Hook and team have to unwind her complicated story to figure out who would have done it.

Good police procedural. Well-written and good mystery.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second Lambert and Hook mystery I've read. kind of by-the-numbers writing. I think I'll stop at this one.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A detective story set in Gloucestershire, where a young woman's body turns up in the Severn River. Not top notch, but definitely readable.