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Lindenshaw Mysteries #1
The Best Corpse for the Job
A Lindenshaw Mysteries Novel
Tea and sympathy have never been so deadly.
Schoolteacher Adam Matthews just wants to help select a new headteacher and go home. The governors at Lindenshaw St Crispin’s have already failed miserably at finding the right candidate, so it’s make or break this second time round. But when one of the applicants is found strangled in the school, what should have been a straightforward decision turns tempestuous as a flash flood in their small English village.
Inspector Robin Bright isn’t thrilled to be back at St. Crispin’s. Memories of his days there are foul enough without tossing in a complicated murder case. And that handsome young teacher has him reminding himself not to fraternize with a witness. But it’s not long before Robin is relying on Adam for more than just his testimony.
As secrets amongst the governors emerge and a second person turns up dead, Robin needs to focus less on Adam and more on his investigation. But there are too many suspects, too many lies, and too many loose ends. Before they know it, Robin and Adam are fighting for their lives and their hearts.
* * * * * * *
Word count: 81,000; page count: 309
Tea and sympathy have never been so deadly.
Schoolteacher Adam Matthews just wants to help select a new headteacher and go home. The governors at Lindenshaw St Crispin’s have already failed miserably at finding the right candidate, so it’s make or break this second time round. But when one of the applicants is found strangled in the school, what should have been a straightforward decision turns tempestuous as a flash flood in their small English village.
Inspector Robin Bright isn’t thrilled to be back at St. Crispin’s. Memories of his days there are foul enough without tossing in a complicated murder case. And that handsome young teacher has him reminding himself not to fraternize with a witness. But it’s not long before Robin is relying on Adam for more than just his testimony.
As secrets amongst the governors emerge and a second person turns up dead, Robin needs to focus less on Adam and more on his investigation. But there are too many suspects, too many lies, and too many loose ends. Before they know it, Robin and Adam are fighting for their lives and their hearts.
* * * * * * *
Word count: 81,000; page count: 309
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 24, 2014
118 people are currently reading
650 people want to read
About the author
Charlie Cochrane
86 books373 followersBecause Charlie Cochrane couldn't be trusted to do any of her jobs of choice—like managing a rugby team—she writes. Her mystery novels include the Edwardian era Cambridge Fellows series, series, and the contemporary Best Corpse for the Job. Multi-published, she has titles with Carina, Samhain, Riptide and Bold Strokes, among others.
A member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, Mystery People and International Thriller Writers Inc, Charlie regularly appears at literary festivals and at reader and author conferences with The Deadly Dames.
A member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, Mystery People and International Thriller Writers Inc, Charlie regularly appears at literary festivals and at reader and author conferences with The Deadly Dames.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews
May 1, 2015
I enjoy cozy mysteries, teachers and cops, and this was a fun one. The two MCs are a young teacher doing his best for his pupils in a small school, and a local cop called in to solve a murder at the school where he was badly bullied as a child. Both characters are easy to relate to, imperfect but well meaning, and fun to watch slowly coming together while aware of the ethical limits on their relationship, in the middle of an open murder case.
The relationship progression is slow, and just barely beginning at the end of the book. Although I'd love to have seen more, I thought it fit well with the characters and their situation, and I got some warm fuzzies from imagining where they go from here.
Where the book lost a star from me was in the action climax, where the reader can see it coming from a mile, and the cop MC felt like he failed to act promptly. But perhaps, I'm judging this British cop by American standards, in expecting him to move a bit more ruthlessly professionally. There was a bit of exposition of "this was what happened" that was convenient. Over all, a nice, sweet, smoothly-written cozy mystery that was a good way to pass an evening.
The relationship progression is slow, and just barely beginning at the end of the book. Although I'd love to have seen more, I thought it fit well with the characters and their situation, and I got some warm fuzzies from imagining where they go from here.
Where the book lost a star from me was in the action climax, where the reader can see it coming from a mile, and the cop MC felt like he failed to act promptly. But perhaps, I'm judging this British cop by American standards, in expecting him to move a bit more ruthlessly professionally. There was a bit of exposition of "this was what happened" that was convenient. Over all, a nice, sweet, smoothly-written cozy mystery that was a good way to pass an evening.
June 30, 2016
2.5*
Oh how I struggled with this one. This was work. And we all know nothing we read that feels like work is enjoyable. But I held on to a little bit of hope.
My hopes:
-Surely the MC's would have more time together.
-Surely there was some romance coming.
-Surely Adam would get more affection from Robin then he gave Adam's dog, Campbell.
No such luck folks.
So true! Ugh!
This was a purely mystery driven story, which is fine, if that is what you knew you were getting when you started it. I must have overlooked that part...
I like my mystery books with a good dose of romance mixed in with them.
Unfortunately I got next to none of it in this book therefore killing any kind of enjoyment I could have had.
Oh how I struggled with this one. This was work. And we all know nothing we read that feels like work is enjoyable. But I held on to a little bit of hope.
My hopes:
-Surely the MC's would have more time together.
-Surely there was some romance coming.
-Surely Adam would get more affection from Robin then he gave Adam's dog, Campbell.
No such luck folks.
So true! Ugh!
This was a purely mystery driven story, which is fine, if that is what you knew you were getting when you started it. I must have overlooked that part...
I like my mystery books with a good dose of romance mixed in with them.
Unfortunately I got next to none of it in this book therefore killing any kind of enjoyment I could have had.
December 11, 2014
3.5 stars
I have never read Charlie Cochrane before. However, I was in the mood for a good ol’ mystery so when I saw this on Netgalley I decided that I wanted to give it a try. I mean, murder on a school in a small English village? Sounds intriguing...
Dead body count: 2
Number of suspects: few
Number of detectives: 2
Number of love interest: 1
Number of internal thoughts not related to the murder: quite a few
Number of smart dog: 1
Turns out this is quite an enjoyable mystery!! Ms. Cochrane presented a classic whodunit mystery by having multiple characters that could be suspects and they all had their little secrets related to the victims. Due to all the lies, the mystery-solving moved a bit slowly – it was like the police had one step forward (when they discovered the lies) but then two steps back when they confronted the suspects.
Having said that, it was quite believable too. I mean, not everything could be solved within hours like in crime procedural TV shows, right? I had quite fun myself trying to figure out who the murderer was!! By the way, I did guess it right, probably few pages before Inspector Robin did ... so not too shabby, huh?
The story itself was written from both Robin and Adam’s perspectives. I did feel that Robin was the more fleshed-out character than Adam, though. Being a victim of school bullying back when he was a student at Lindenshaw St Crispin’s, it brought uneasiness to him when he returned to ‘scene of the crime’. I found that an interesting back story. In addition, I thought Robin’s internal thoughts regarding Adam and how he tried to remind himself not to fraternize with the witness as amusing. Not always successful but fun to read nonetheless.
Meanwhile Adam, for me, was a bit too … bland. He didn’t stood out compared to Robin and his background. Adam was nice love interest – but heck, even his dog, Campbell, ended up stealing the show, especially on an important moment.
To be perfectly honest, I found myself enjoying Robin’s younger detective sergeant, Anderson, more than I did Adam. Anderson was fun and had a great sense of humor and he seemed to enjoy doing banters with his boss. Robin and Anderson’s scenes were able to make me smile a lot. Cheeky little bugger that Anderson! *laugh*.
All in all, it is quite recommended for mystery fans and those who don’t mind that the romance is not on the spotlight – because The Best Corpse for the Job is a mystery first and romance second, despite the back and forth flirting from Robin and Adam.
personal note; meant for ME only
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
I have never read Charlie Cochrane before. However, I was in the mood for a good ol’ mystery so when I saw this on Netgalley I decided that I wanted to give it a try. I mean, murder on a school in a small English village? Sounds intriguing...
Dead body count: 2
Number of suspects: few
Number of detectives: 2
Number of love interest: 1
Number of internal thoughts not related to the murder: quite a few
Number of smart dog: 1
Turns out this is quite an enjoyable mystery!! Ms. Cochrane presented a classic whodunit mystery by having multiple characters that could be suspects and they all had their little secrets related to the victims. Due to all the lies, the mystery-solving moved a bit slowly – it was like the police had one step forward (when they discovered the lies) but then two steps back when they confronted the suspects.
Having said that, it was quite believable too. I mean, not everything could be solved within hours like in crime procedural TV shows, right? I had quite fun myself trying to figure out who the murderer was!! By the way, I did guess it right, probably few pages before Inspector Robin did ... so not too shabby, huh?
The story itself was written from both Robin and Adam’s perspectives. I did feel that Robin was the more fleshed-out character than Adam, though. Being a victim of school bullying back when he was a student at Lindenshaw St Crispin’s, it brought uneasiness to him when he returned to ‘scene of the crime’. I found that an interesting back story. In addition, I thought Robin’s internal thoughts regarding Adam and how he tried to remind himself not to fraternize with the witness as amusing. Not always successful but fun to read nonetheless.
Meanwhile Adam, for me, was a bit too … bland. He didn’t stood out compared to Robin and his background. Adam was nice love interest – but heck, even his dog, Campbell, ended up stealing the show, especially on an important moment.
To be perfectly honest, I found myself enjoying Robin’s younger detective sergeant, Anderson, more than I did Adam. Anderson was fun and had a great sense of humor and he seemed to enjoy doing banters with his boss. Robin and Anderson’s scenes were able to make me smile a lot. Cheeky little bugger that Anderson! *laugh*.
All in all, it is quite recommended for mystery fans and those who don’t mind that the romance is not on the spotlight – because The Best Corpse for the Job is a mystery first and romance second, despite the back and forth flirting from Robin and Adam.
personal note; meant for ME only
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
July 5, 2015
After one of the applicants for the new Headteacher post ends up dead in the school kitchen, it becomes clear that nothing at Lindenshaw St. Crispin's School is as it appears at first.
The two protagonists are local inspector Robin Bright, who is a former pupil of the school, and Adam Matthews, a young teacher who just wanted the interviews for the job to be over.
The Best Corpse for the Job is not a romance. It is a well written cozy mystery with two very likeable protagonists and a great dog. Bright's younger detective sergeant Anderson is never boring either.
Inspector Bright was bullied at school (by some teachers and pupils both) and it is very hard for him to be back at St. Crispin's.
I could easily relate to Adam and his issues with the educational dinosaurs around him; you know the in-my-days-we-used-to types. I have colleagues like that.
Unfortunately for Adam, he doesn't get enough space later in the book to make him something more than Robin's love interest and a witness. We are more in Robin's head than Adam's.
Adam and Robin have this 'instant chemistry' when they first meet, but nothing could happen between them until the case is solved. Not surprising since this is a cozy mystery after all. It isn't frustrating to read because there is a bit of humour regarding that problem.
As for the mystery, it is really good with a couple of decent suspects, some twists and a good resolution. I didn't quite like the way the explanation was given (or by whom), but it doesn't take away much from the story.
I would recommend this to cozy mystery lovers.
The two protagonists are local inspector Robin Bright, who is a former pupil of the school, and Adam Matthews, a young teacher who just wanted the interviews for the job to be over.
The Best Corpse for the Job is not a romance. It is a well written cozy mystery with two very likeable protagonists and a great dog. Bright's younger detective sergeant Anderson is never boring either.
Inspector Bright was bullied at school (by some teachers and pupils both) and it is very hard for him to be back at St. Crispin's.
I could easily relate to Adam and his issues with the educational dinosaurs around him; you know the in-my-days-we-used-to types. I have colleagues like that.
Unfortunately for Adam, he doesn't get enough space later in the book to make him something more than Robin's love interest and a witness. We are more in Robin's head than Adam's.
Adam and Robin have this 'instant chemistry' when they first meet, but nothing could happen between them until the case is solved. Not surprising since this is a cozy mystery after all. It isn't frustrating to read because there is a bit of humour regarding that problem.
As for the mystery, it is really good with a couple of decent suspects, some twists and a good resolution. I didn't quite like the way the explanation was given (or by whom), but it doesn't take away much from the story.
I would recommend this to cozy mystery lovers.
March 7, 2016
Not to sound like a tremendous geek, but there’s this Star Trek: TNG episode, “Darmok”, where the crew struggles to comprehend an alien race who communicate in representational allegories rather than a familiar structured language. It’s kind of a fascinating episode linguistically speaking, but I didn't expect to feel like Captain Picard meeting an alien race while I was reading a cozy murder mystery.
It's when I see words I know, but the meaning totally escapes me, that I begin to have these exchanges in my head:
Book: He’d put down a three-line whip that nobody was allowed to go near that kitchen, not even up to the window.
Me: Darmok and Jilad at Tanagra
Book: Come on, time for a shufti.
Me: The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain!
Book: Robin straightened up, rubbing the small of his back. “Nothing?” ”Not a sausage”.
Me: ... *at a loss*
Aside from the language tourism, the story is just okay. It's a pretty standard village mystery with a romantic subplot starring a nice teacher and an unnecessarily high-strung and somewhat emo police detective.
It's when I see words I know, but the meaning totally escapes me, that I begin to have these exchanges in my head:
Book: He’d put down a three-line whip that nobody was allowed to go near that kitchen, not even up to the window.
Me: Darmok and Jilad at Tanagra
Book: Come on, time for a shufti.
Me: The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain!
Book: Robin straightened up, rubbing the small of his back. “Nothing?” ”Not a sausage”.
Me: ... *at a loss*
Aside from the language tourism, the story is just okay. It's a pretty standard village mystery with a romantic subplot starring a nice teacher and an unnecessarily high-strung and somewhat emo police detective.
May 16, 2020
We need to talk about value instant mashed potato, no wait, go with me here. Value instant mashed potato is the beige of the culinary world, without a taste or flavour and dull when consumed by itself without anything else added (not even a little salt and pepper). "But Paul...", I hear you cry "why are you starting this review talking about a flavourless potato pap?" well dear reader, it’s not that I have a passion for this sort of cost effective side dish, but something else...(could this be a foreshadowing of what's to come? You will have to wait and see).
I have always had a bit of a soft spot for a cosy mystery; when done right you have a classic formula for building just the right amount of suspense and tension, with a setting or situation which is normally at odds of the violent murder filled with a tangled web of suspects who (nearly always) could have committed the vile act; while introducing you to an engaging protagonist (or two) who are sometimes flawed, sometimes the unlikely sleuth or even the obligatory 'little old lady'. But (so shoot me for starting a sentence with 'but') in order for all of these things to gel you need to inject some personality to allow for the reader to really engage with the story and, sadly, this is where this book really falls down.
The MC is Robin Bright a generic detective character with an instant mashed potato personality and even after reading this book I couldn't tell you a physical description of what he's supposed to look like; I also couldn't tell you how old he's meant to be (much more of this later). After being called to investigate the murder at a local primary school and also where the MC attended he meets our second (and secondary) MC, Adam Matthews, generic teacher who also happens to have an instant mashed potato personality and, again, even after reading this book I couldn't tell you a physical description of what he's supposed to look like or how old he's meant to be.
They start flirting but for the life of me I can't tell you why? This book is confusing as I am not sure what the addition of the romance adds to the story; the fact that Robin has a more affectionate relationship with Adam's dog, Campbell, than with Adam really doesn't help. The fact that the first peck on the cheek happened at about halfway through the book and then no other real 'romantic' action happens for the rest of the book. While this is more of a cosy mystery, I am not sure what the additional romance is adding to this story if NOTHING really happens with it.
So, let’s get on to my biggest bugbear of this story, the age of the MCs. I feel like they are supposed to be in the mid-30s to mid-40s, but they have been written in a way which feels like they are more in their late 60s to early 70s. Both Robin and Adam use words and phrases which NO ONE under the age of 50 would use there was a question Adam asked Robin about 'when did you come out of the closet' when no one would asked that question in that way - I am trying not to put it down to the author being a straight, mature woman, but...
There is also the question of when this book has been set as it could be at any point between the 1980s and 90s. However, this then leads to further questions over the openness of the MC about the fact that they are gay. I know that it could be seen to be asking too much of a simple cosy mystery, but I need to know.
I won't go into the mystery part of the book but there again the loose threads which litter this book are also present in the final big reveal and it raises more questions than it answers. After reading this book I have come to the decision that while I am a fan of a good cosy mystery, sadly this book isn’t one of them. If you are looking for a fantastic cosy mystery try any of the Fethering Mystery Series, Mrs Pargeter Series or Charles Paris Series by the wonderful Simon Brett or if you're looking for a gay themed cosy mystery try Big Bad Wolf Series by Charlie Adhara or The ABCs of Spellcraft Series by Jordan Castillo Price.
As for me I think I’ve had a little bit too much value instant mashed potato for the time being to consider going forward with this series.
I have always had a bit of a soft spot for a cosy mystery; when done right you have a classic formula for building just the right amount of suspense and tension, with a setting or situation which is normally at odds of the violent murder filled with a tangled web of suspects who (nearly always) could have committed the vile act; while introducing you to an engaging protagonist (or two) who are sometimes flawed, sometimes the unlikely sleuth or even the obligatory 'little old lady'. But (so shoot me for starting a sentence with 'but') in order for all of these things to gel you need to inject some personality to allow for the reader to really engage with the story and, sadly, this is where this book really falls down.
The MC is Robin Bright a generic detective character with an instant mashed potato personality and even after reading this book I couldn't tell you a physical description of what he's supposed to look like; I also couldn't tell you how old he's meant to be (much more of this later). After being called to investigate the murder at a local primary school and also where the MC attended he meets our second (and secondary) MC, Adam Matthews, generic teacher who also happens to have an instant mashed potato personality and, again, even after reading this book I couldn't tell you a physical description of what he's supposed to look like or how old he's meant to be.
They start flirting but for the life of me I can't tell you why? This book is confusing as I am not sure what the addition of the romance adds to the story; the fact that Robin has a more affectionate relationship with Adam's dog, Campbell, than with Adam really doesn't help. The fact that the first peck on the cheek happened at about halfway through the book and then no other real 'romantic' action happens for the rest of the book. While this is more of a cosy mystery, I am not sure what the additional romance is adding to this story if NOTHING really happens with it.
So, let’s get on to my biggest bugbear of this story, the age of the MCs. I feel like they are supposed to be in the mid-30s to mid-40s, but they have been written in a way which feels like they are more in their late 60s to early 70s. Both Robin and Adam use words and phrases which NO ONE under the age of 50 would use there was a question Adam asked Robin about 'when did you come out of the closet' when no one would asked that question in that way - I am trying not to put it down to the author being a straight, mature woman, but...
There is also the question of when this book has been set as it could be at any point between the 1980s and 90s. However, this then leads to further questions over the openness of the MC about the fact that they are gay. I know that it could be seen to be asking too much of a simple cosy mystery, but I need to know.
I won't go into the mystery part of the book but there again the loose threads which litter this book are also present in the final big reveal and it raises more questions than it answers. After reading this book I have come to the decision that while I am a fan of a good cosy mystery, sadly this book isn’t one of them. If you are looking for a fantastic cosy mystery try any of the Fethering Mystery Series, Mrs Pargeter Series or Charles Paris Series by the wonderful Simon Brett or if you're looking for a gay themed cosy mystery try Big Bad Wolf Series by Charlie Adhara or The ABCs of Spellcraft Series by Jordan Castillo Price.
As for me I think I’ve had a little bit too much value instant mashed potato for the time being to consider going forward with this series.
February 27, 2015
I really liked this book. It tickled me in all sorts of ways.
It is very British, set in a village in middle England. I could just feel the countryside and country life as I read it.
It is set in a school, a village school with all it's characters and staff and board of Governors. Just the feel of 'committee' and 'governance' made me smile because 'committees' and 'governance' have been a major part of my career. (Alas) Ok so that's a bit boring but watching people on committees is interesting, especially when they behave badly. I am quite surprised there aren't more 'committee deaths' or deaths from 'committee meetings'.
I also loved this story because it has a country vicar (very nice people even if I do say so myself) and a British bobby (village policeman). The story is just so quintessentially British with subtle British humour and I loved it.
And I loved the mystery because that was so British as well. I also liked the light touch romance. It was there but the story was about the mystery and not the romance and I quite liked that because I like a good mystery.
So this was good and in the end we discover who dunnit and it was a great read.
Write some more Charlie!!!!
It is very British, set in a village in middle England. I could just feel the countryside and country life as I read it.
It is set in a school, a village school with all it's characters and staff and board of Governors. Just the feel of 'committee' and 'governance' made me smile because 'committees' and 'governance' have been a major part of my career. (Alas) Ok so that's a bit boring but watching people on committees is interesting, especially when they behave badly. I am quite surprised there aren't more 'committee deaths' or deaths from 'committee meetings'.
I also loved this story because it has a country vicar (very nice people even if I do say so myself) and a British bobby (village policeman). The story is just so quintessentially British with subtle British humour and I loved it.
And I loved the mystery because that was so British as well. I also liked the light touch romance. It was there but the story was about the mystery and not the romance and I quite liked that because I like a good mystery.
So this was good and in the end we discover who dunnit and it was a great read.
Write some more Charlie!!!!
May 4, 2016
*wraps self in the Union Jack, grabs a fresh cuppa, and then spontaneously combusts in anglophile glee*
Yeah, I think it would be fair to save I loved this book. Hell, I think it would be fair to say I bloody adored it. It is just so bloody English. And as a self-proclaimed anglophile, I had so much fun reading it.
Schoolteacher Adam Matthews is trying to help his school find a new headteacher (not headmaster, thank you very much!), and to say it has been a bit of right mess would be an understatement. The first round of applicants had to be trashed due to reasons (ones that no one seems willing to talk about), and the second batch doesn’t seem to be shaping up much better. What with the dead body and all (those always do seem to put a damper on things). But while finding a dead body on school grounds has been a depressing turn on an already stressful day, Adam must admit that having Inspector Robin Bright walk into his life is a definite silver lining.
Robin Bright, himself, would just rather get this whole bloody investigation over with. Not that he doesn’t find Adam a temptation, he’s just a temptation that could get him in all sorts of trouble even if he isn’t the one who popped the dead man’s clogs. There is also the fact that St. Crispin’s doesn’t hold the fondest of memories for the good ol’ police inspector. What with the years of bullying he endured as a pupil there. Yes, Inspector Robin Bright would very much love it if this whole case was over and done with. Too bad the murderer isn’t cooperating.
This book was just too much fun. Ok, not too much, just the right amount of fun. The mystery was incredibly well done (seeing as I didn’t twig to the culprit till almost near the end) and the byplay between all the characters was just great. Not just Adam and Robin-–which was a barrel of sexual tension–-but I bloody loved Sergeant Anderson and Robin as they went about investigating. I had to stop chuckling every time they had a scene because they reminded be quite a bit of Inspector Lewis and Sergeant Hathaway from the Inspector Lewis mini-series on PBS (although Lewis is quite a bit older than Robin is). This may have not been what the author was going for, but it pleased me to no end since I quite love that show and that type of murder mystery has always favorite. Except…now with gay men! (Not that Anderson is gay, mores the pity.)
The school aspect also reminded me of another great story that came out recently–-Caught! by J.L. Merrow–-and if you loved that book, then you are going to really love this one. It has that same country-English feel (just with a few more dead bodies). I will say that if the slang that popped up in Caught! had you flummoxed then you are going to struggle here. I have a decent grasp on what was being said since I’m kinda obsessed with the country, but I think if you just let it flow over you you might just find yourself enjoying it for the local flavor that it is. You might not understand everything, but I think you can get a decent grasp of the meaning by context. Plus the English have some bloody awesome swear words/slang so maybe you can pick up a thing or two...
The mystery was superb, the character were all extremely well written, and I had a blast reading this. I will say that I might have enjoyed a little on-page sexy-times, but I’m not extremely put out that I didn’t get it. Just, if that is mandatory for you, you have been warned. Personally I don’t think the book suffered at all. It’s a great romance, that maybe plays second-fiddle to the mystery, but one that I can be enjoyed sans naked coppers.
For lovers of murder mysteries along the line of Josh Lanyon, and all anglophiles like me, I fully recommend this book.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
Yeah, I think it would be fair to save I loved this book. Hell, I think it would be fair to say I bloody adored it. It is just so bloody English. And as a self-proclaimed anglophile, I had so much fun reading it.
Schoolteacher Adam Matthews is trying to help his school find a new headteacher (not headmaster, thank you very much!), and to say it has been a bit of right mess would be an understatement. The first round of applicants had to be trashed due to reasons (ones that no one seems willing to talk about), and the second batch doesn’t seem to be shaping up much better. What with the dead body and all (those always do seem to put a damper on things). But while finding a dead body on school grounds has been a depressing turn on an already stressful day, Adam must admit that having Inspector Robin Bright walk into his life is a definite silver lining.
Robin Bright, himself, would just rather get this whole bloody investigation over with. Not that he doesn’t find Adam a temptation, he’s just a temptation that could get him in all sorts of trouble even if he isn’t the one who popped the dead man’s clogs. There is also the fact that St. Crispin’s doesn’t hold the fondest of memories for the good ol’ police inspector. What with the years of bullying he endured as a pupil there. Yes, Inspector Robin Bright would very much love it if this whole case was over and done with. Too bad the murderer isn’t cooperating.
This book was just too much fun. Ok, not too much, just the right amount of fun. The mystery was incredibly well done (seeing as I didn’t twig to the culprit till almost near the end) and the byplay between all the characters was just great. Not just Adam and Robin-–which was a barrel of sexual tension–-but I bloody loved Sergeant Anderson and Robin as they went about investigating. I had to stop chuckling every time they had a scene because they reminded be quite a bit of Inspector Lewis and Sergeant Hathaway from the Inspector Lewis mini-series on PBS (although Lewis is quite a bit older than Robin is). This may have not been what the author was going for, but it pleased me to no end since I quite love that show and that type of murder mystery has always favorite. Except…now with gay men! (Not that Anderson is gay, mores the pity.)
The school aspect also reminded me of another great story that came out recently–-Caught! by J.L. Merrow–-and if you loved that book, then you are going to really love this one. It has that same country-English feel (just with a few more dead bodies). I will say that if the slang that popped up in Caught! had you flummoxed then you are going to struggle here. I have a decent grasp on what was being said since I’m kinda obsessed with the country, but I think if you just let it flow over you you might just find yourself enjoying it for the local flavor that it is. You might not understand everything, but I think you can get a decent grasp of the meaning by context. Plus the English have some bloody awesome swear words/slang so maybe you can pick up a thing or two...
The mystery was superb, the character were all extremely well written, and I had a blast reading this. I will say that I might have enjoyed a little on-page sexy-times, but I’m not extremely put out that I didn’t get it. Just, if that is mandatory for you, you have been warned. Personally I don’t think the book suffered at all. It’s a great romance, that maybe plays second-fiddle to the mystery, but one that I can be enjoyed sans naked coppers.
For lovers of murder mysteries along the line of Josh Lanyon, and all anglophiles like me, I fully recommend this book.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
dnf
December 2, 2014DNF at 52%
Going off of what I read before I dnf'd out of boredom, the lonely little drop is the m/m portion of this book and the ocean is the mystery. This story is more like mystery/gay fiction instead of an m/m romance. In the little over 50% of the book I read, the MC's only had one kiss. ONE. DAMN. CHASTE. AS. HELL. KISS! Do I like that? Have you met me? Hell no...I do not like it.
I know we all like the underdog story, and I was rooting for the little drop to be able to stand against the big, bad ocean of mystery and make me keep reading, but it was too weak of a drop.
Usually, if a book has more mystery than romance, I can still keep reading because both the romance and the mystery keep me reading. The mystery, albeit a whodunnit that we have seen before many times, was well-written and thorough with the police investigation. However, I need a little romance to keep me completely interested, and the attraction between the MC's fell flat. From the minute the MC's saw each other, they were immediately fascinated with one another. But as to why they were so infatuated with one another? I have no effing clue. I guess I can see why Adam would be attracted to Robin. Who could resist a muscle-bound cop?
Yummm!!!
However, Robin saw Adam's green eyes and cute, crooked smile, and he can't get the guy out of his head at all. Um...what? What's so special about Adam from the other many cute guys you saw that you just can't forget about him? We don't know, since the author won't effing show us. See what I mean about the m/m drop being a weak one? The author did way too much of telling and not nearly enough of showing and that's why I'm dnf-ing.
Going off of what I read before I dnf'd out of boredom, the lonely little drop is the m/m portion of this book and the ocean is the mystery. This story is more like mystery/gay fiction instead of an m/m romance. In the little over 50% of the book I read, the MC's only had one kiss. ONE. DAMN. CHASTE. AS. HELL. KISS! Do I like that? Have you met me? Hell no...I do not like it.
I know we all like the underdog story, and I was rooting for the little drop to be able to stand against the big, bad ocean of mystery and make me keep reading, but it was too weak of a drop.
Usually, if a book has more mystery than romance, I can still keep reading because both the romance and the mystery keep me reading. The mystery, albeit a whodunnit that we have seen before many times, was well-written and thorough with the police investigation. However, I need a little romance to keep me completely interested, and the attraction between the MC's fell flat. From the minute the MC's saw each other, they were immediately fascinated with one another. But as to why they were so infatuated with one another? I have no effing clue. I guess I can see why Adam would be attracted to Robin. Who could resist a muscle-bound cop?
Yummm!!!
However, Robin saw Adam's green eyes and cute, crooked smile, and he can't get the guy out of his head at all. Um...what? What's so special about Adam from the other many cute guys you saw that you just can't forget about him? We don't know, since the author won't effing show us. See what I mean about the m/m drop being a weak one? The author did way too much of telling and not nearly enough of showing and that's why I'm dnf-ing.
October 24, 2020
This was a fantastic murder mystery with a great set of MC's and secondary characters. I usually have a hard time reading these kind of books because I'm figuring out the bad guys way too early but not this time. The book took me on a journey full of twists and turns and I questioned basically every single secondary character.
Both of the MC's were great. I loved Adam and Robin and I can't wait to follow them on their journey. Not that I have a lot of time for a new series but, well...
Both of the MC's were great. I loved Adam and Robin and I can't wait to follow them on their journey. Not that I have a lot of time for a new series but, well...
December 7, 2014
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.75 stars
Often times in novels such as this, there are either only wonderful romance elements or a weaker mystery element or vice versa. Not so in this story. Both the growing relationship between Robin and Adam and the ever-deepening mystery were solid and well done. I was kept guessing till the very end by the continual “red herrings” that peppered this murderous tale. With the introduction of each member of the interview panel, each with their own peculiar quirks and secrets to hide, the novel glided along shrouded in a murky fog of subterfuge and lies. All in all, this was a top-notch mystery with fascinating characters and humbly sweet heroes.
The Best Corpse for the Job by Charlie Cochrane is a must read for mystery fans and romance junkies alike. It’s a fast paced story that will keep you guessing to the end and a tender romance that will leave even the tough-hearted sighing just a bit by novel’s end.
Read Sammy’s review in its entirety here.
4.75 stars
Often times in novels such as this, there are either only wonderful romance elements or a weaker mystery element or vice versa. Not so in this story. Both the growing relationship between Robin and Adam and the ever-deepening mystery were solid and well done. I was kept guessing till the very end by the continual “red herrings” that peppered this murderous tale. With the introduction of each member of the interview panel, each with their own peculiar quirks and secrets to hide, the novel glided along shrouded in a murky fog of subterfuge and lies. All in all, this was a top-notch mystery with fascinating characters and humbly sweet heroes.
The Best Corpse for the Job by Charlie Cochrane is a must read for mystery fans and romance junkies alike. It’s a fast paced story that will keep you guessing to the end and a tender romance that will leave even the tough-hearted sighing just a bit by novel’s end.
Read Sammy’s review in its entirety here.
May 26, 2020
Audiobook review4,5 stars
So... I picked this book up for the title. The Best Corpse for the Job. It was quirky and appealed to me. I’ve seen it around before and was curious about it but I never got around to it. So when it was released in audio I knew now was the time to jump in.
Selecting a new headteacher for Lindenshaw St Crispin was proving more difficult than expected. And when an applicant from their second go at it is found murdered on the school things become even more difficult and has the small village turned upside down. Inspector Robin Bright is tasked with investigating the crime, but he’s far from happy to be back at the school he once attended and held no good memories for him. Though, Adam a young teacher might be the man to change his mind. Then again starting something with a witness in the middle of a murder investigation is not a good idea.
I loved the small English village feel there was to this book. There was this cozy mystery vibe over it all, filled with a myriad of different characters that you might expect to find in a small village, the nosy and gossiping ones, thee evasive ones. The intrigues and secrets. Charlie Cochrane definitely nailed it all. Most of the story dealt with the investigation, and discovering the many, many secrets hidden in the school. I loved trying to unravel the many threads and lies, trying to figure out the who and why of it. The romance between Adam and Robin was there. It wasn’t the focal point of the story and it was a slow one. It also didn’t end with a happily ever after, but more a start of something new that I’m guessing will develop during the rest of the series.
The book was performed by David Maxwell, a new narrator for me. I absolutely loved his accent. There’s something about authentic accents that really sets the scene for you, makes it feel more real in a way that non-natives does. Maxwell definitely took me to England and Lindenshaw St Crispin. I loved how he captured different personalities with his different voices, everything from the up-nosed characters and more down to earth teachers was spot on. Another thing that I personally really appreciated was how he differentiated when someone was speaking from a different room or on the phone. They’re small things in the scheme of things, but for me it really enhances the listener’s experience of the book.
This book is definitely recommended for anyone looking for a cozy mystery set in the English country.
A copy of this book was generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
July 12, 2021
The plot is nicely interwoven with a few mysteries, clues slowly trickling in and reveals that are just WOW at times. Robin and Adam are attracted but there is the fact that Robin is working the case and Adam is a witness that is stopping them for going further. We watch them learn about one another and find a relationship beyond the attraction in the terms of friendship first. They learn to trust and respect one another. They lean on each other and help one another out before they act on the attraction. When they do act on the attraction, it is very understated in the book so it doesn’t take away from what the main plot is about. The author sticks nicely to the main plot about Robin solving the murders and how he goes about doing this. I had never read anything by this author but will find more as I would like to see more of Robin and Adam.
April 26, 2022
A satisfying cozy mystery woven with a well-drawn gay romance, this book reads like a modernized Agatha Christie or a more diverse Midsomer Murders adventure.
In terms of plot and pacing it's highly readable, with sympathetic characters and a relatively believable resolution. The balance between romance and mystery was good, which kept both the calm domesticity of the characters' attraction as well as the methodical police procedural, from getting dull or repetitive.
If you're looking for a light, quick read that is thoughtful and positive in its depiction of LGBTQ life, but focused on a mystery plotline, this is a good pick for you.
-Callen
In terms of plot and pacing it's highly readable, with sympathetic characters and a relatively believable resolution. The balance between romance and mystery was good, which kept both the calm domesticity of the characters' attraction as well as the methodical police procedural, from getting dull or repetitive.
If you're looking for a light, quick read that is thoughtful and positive in its depiction of LGBTQ life, but focused on a mystery plotline, this is a good pick for you.
-Callen
October 29, 2018
I struggled to read the book: Charlie Cochrane's writing style is difficult to read. I love the britishness of the book, and didn't mind the slang, it was just not easy to read. the mystery was ok, the characters was ok, there was very low heat, so the romance felt a bit flat, it was just not for me.
January 5, 2015
The Best Corpse for the Job
By Charlie Cochrane
Four stars
In the great tradition of Miss Marple, Charlie Cochrane has given us a charming 21st-century update on murder in an English village. With actual gay people.
Adam Matthews wants nothing more than to be done with the arduous interview process for a new headteacher (no headmaster in this modern gender-neutral world) at St. Crispin’s. Like the village of Lindenshaw wherein it lies, however, St. Crispin’s is rather stuck in the past, and finding a suitable man or woman to take it into the future is both a challenge and, frankly, boring.
Until one of the candidates for headteacher turns up dead.
Enter homicide inspector Robin Bright from the nearby town of Stanebridge. His handsome face turns Adam’s cozy little semi-closeted world upside down. Used to dodging the school secretary’s well-meaning questions about a girlfriend and school governor Oliver Narraway’s homophobic rants about the modern world, Adam can’t escape Robin’s keen eye. Soon Adam and Robin are doing a complicated dance, because Adam is a suspect and Robin’s career is at stake if he crosses an ethical line with the first man who’s attracted him for a long time.
What makes this very English novel so pleasing is the delicate path it treads; both Robin and Adam are, technically, out and neither risks loss of his job just for being gay (it IS the 21st century). Young and lonely and very much drawn to each other, each of them must behave in a way that is appropriate for his professional position in the community and in the midst of a murder investigation. How will Robin find the murderer without losing a rare chance at romance?
Cochrane’s crisp, literate British English and her deft depiction of the Marplesque world of village life in a modernized England—complete with cell phones and Indian takeaway—cast a pleasant spell. This is a book about good manners and controlled emotions, recalling Cochrane’s iconic Cambridge Dons series set in the early 20th century. She surrounds us with classic British types, giving them a new context, as well as offering us the engaging spectacle of two handsome men trying to find love without spilling their tea.
By Charlie Cochrane
Four stars
In the great tradition of Miss Marple, Charlie Cochrane has given us a charming 21st-century update on murder in an English village. With actual gay people.
Adam Matthews wants nothing more than to be done with the arduous interview process for a new headteacher (no headmaster in this modern gender-neutral world) at St. Crispin’s. Like the village of Lindenshaw wherein it lies, however, St. Crispin’s is rather stuck in the past, and finding a suitable man or woman to take it into the future is both a challenge and, frankly, boring.
Until one of the candidates for headteacher turns up dead.
Enter homicide inspector Robin Bright from the nearby town of Stanebridge. His handsome face turns Adam’s cozy little semi-closeted world upside down. Used to dodging the school secretary’s well-meaning questions about a girlfriend and school governor Oliver Narraway’s homophobic rants about the modern world, Adam can’t escape Robin’s keen eye. Soon Adam and Robin are doing a complicated dance, because Adam is a suspect and Robin’s career is at stake if he crosses an ethical line with the first man who’s attracted him for a long time.
What makes this very English novel so pleasing is the delicate path it treads; both Robin and Adam are, technically, out and neither risks loss of his job just for being gay (it IS the 21st century). Young and lonely and very much drawn to each other, each of them must behave in a way that is appropriate for his professional position in the community and in the midst of a murder investigation. How will Robin find the murderer without losing a rare chance at romance?
Cochrane’s crisp, literate British English and her deft depiction of the Marplesque world of village life in a modernized England—complete with cell phones and Indian takeaway—cast a pleasant spell. This is a book about good manners and controlled emotions, recalling Cochrane’s iconic Cambridge Dons series set in the early 20th century. She surrounds us with classic British types, giving them a new context, as well as offering us the engaging spectacle of two handsome men trying to find love without spilling their tea.
February 16, 2019
Found this hard going, it's a very droll murder mystery without much life to it. Figured out who did it fairly early, then waited while the police plodded around each witness ignoring some obvious lines to investigate. Kept waiting for that ineffable something that never came.
From the start it read like a screenplay, Miss Marple without the charm or wily detecting. Serious issues are brought up such as child abuse where the concern is parents withdrawing their children, never the children themselves. The police never appear to have clue or direction, and even at the end it read like a guess he wasn't sure of, who needs evidence? And the would-be target didn't make any sense.
It's British with a few idioms that might confuse readers. As a Brit myself I wondered at the constant use of the slang Rozzers, this is a small village not London, but perhaps it's more commonly used than I thought. It's introduction felt awkward though; as did some of the other expressions 'Cesear's Wife' was a frequent one. Some lines like '....come single spies' I didn't and don't get.
Romance is low on the agenda. They meet eyes and are infatuated for no obvious reason. They hold strong by their professionalism, sort of, so hold off until the end, off-page. Inspector Robin reads an emo mess, subject of some nasty bullying that combined with his attraction to Adam (I had to think of his name!) make up the total of his personality. Adam is a non-entity with brilliant green eyes. Sargent Anderson who has very few lines actually has the most personality. I think the dog showed more character, and got more attention that Adam. This despite switching povs.
There seemed to be a lot of car trouble going on. And the gay club was mentioned so many times I started to wonder if it it had some wider significance from another book...
You'd have to be a big fan of British procedurals to like this one, it barely registers as a romance and is more procedure than detecting.
From the start it read like a screenplay, Miss Marple without the charm or wily detecting. Serious issues are brought up such as child abuse where the concern is parents withdrawing their children, never the children themselves. The police never appear to have clue or direction, and even at the end it read like a guess he wasn't sure of, who needs evidence? And the would-be target didn't make any sense.
It's British with a few idioms that might confuse readers. As a Brit myself I wondered at the constant use of the slang Rozzers, this is a small village not London, but perhaps it's more commonly used than I thought. It's introduction felt awkward though; as did some of the other expressions 'Cesear's Wife' was a frequent one. Some lines like '....come single spies' I didn't and don't get.
Romance is low on the agenda. They meet eyes and are infatuated for no obvious reason. They hold strong by their professionalism, sort of, so hold off until the end, off-page. Inspector Robin reads an emo mess, subject of some nasty bullying that combined with his attraction to Adam (I had to think of his name!) make up the total of his personality. Adam is a non-entity with brilliant green eyes. Sargent Anderson who has very few lines actually has the most personality. I think the dog showed more character, and got more attention that Adam. This despite switching povs.
There seemed to be a lot of car trouble going on. And the gay club was mentioned so many times I started to wonder if it it had some wider significance from another book...
You'd have to be a big fan of British procedurals to like this one, it barely registers as a romance and is more procedure than detecting.
February 8, 2020
Well, that was incredibly bland. I'm not sure if the characters came off as bland because the writing was bland, or if the writing came off bland because the characters were.
I would have liked Adam to have been a little more twisted up in the investigation or more meddlesome, as Riley didn't really have many reasons, real or otherwise, to be in contact with him. And since he doesn't spend a while lot of time with him, the fact that he would jeopardize his investigation over a guy who he just met and who's innocence he isn't even certain of.
And for a long time, it's quite obvious who the murderer is, but it takes Riley and Anderson a while to piece it together and in the end, it all wraps up rather anticlimactically.
This was my first time reading Charlie Cochrane, and with how flat and unremarkable the whole thing was, it could very well be my last time as well.
I would have liked Adam to have been a little more twisted up in the investigation or more meddlesome, as Riley didn't really have many reasons, real or otherwise, to be in contact with him. And since he doesn't spend a while lot of time with him, the fact that he would jeopardize his investigation over a guy who he just met and who's innocence he isn't even certain of.
And for a long time, it's quite obvious who the murderer is, but it takes Riley and Anderson a while to piece it together and in the end, it all wraps up rather anticlimactically.
This was my first time reading Charlie Cochrane, and with how flat and unremarkable the whole thing was, it could very well be my last time as well.
November 26, 2014
2.5 stars - Wish I could've liked this one more, especially since I've truly enjoyed what I've read of Cochrane's Cambridge Fellows series, but I was kind of bored throughout the story and felt somewhat disconnected from the two MC's. Also, the story lacked true romance and mostly concentrated on the murder mystery, which dimmed the enjoyment for me. Don't get me wrong, I love me a good non-romantic mystery novel, but this story was just missing that certain quality that usually reels me into the intrigue and drama. So yeah, this one missed the mark with me. (Loved the cover though.)
December 4, 2014
A very entertaining and sweet cozy murder mystery/romance. Robin, Adam and Campbell make such a great team! And I liked Anderson a lot too. It's so very British that you can see the cottages, the cups of tea and the little towns in your head. A perfect reading for everyone who enjoys a everybody-is-a-suspect story. I think this could be the start of an excellent series. The charming characters and village are already there... we just need more dead bodies!
July 22, 2021
This was quite a cosy ride with Adam and Robin. Both MCs had an insta-love moment but due to the circumstances they were in, they had to refrain from pursuing their lust. It was funny how Robin was trying to distance himself from Adam and how Adam was so nervous when facing Robin. The buildup was slow and I was quite distracted for the first half of the book. The second half of the book was so much better and I did not expect the ending at all.
May 25, 2020
4.5 stars. A clever whodunit, a cautious romance; so very, very British. All that was missing were crumpets and jam.
September 19, 2018
this one reminded me off miss Marple.and not in a good way.
December 7, 2014
Robin is an inspector on the police force and he’s not thrilled to be called to scene at his old primary school. There aren’t a lot of happy memories for him there. Adam is a school teacher he meets there during his investigation. They’re immediately attracted to each other, and the case keeps throwing them together, but neither of them wants to compromise the investigation.
I’d read a story by this author earlier in the year and enjoyed it. I was saw this book listed on NetGalley’s romance section and I thought I’d give it a try. I thought it worked well as a mystery, but was weak as a romance. Unfortunately, I’m a romance reader who enjoys a mystery now and then, not vice versa, so it didn’t work very well for me.
It’s a typical large cast who-dun-it mystery. I had a bit of hard time keeping everyone straight, but I know that’s part of the mystery. I really enjoyed that Robin and Adam had a lot of chemistry but were responsible enough to keep it in their pants during the case. It was also cute how they were happy to find reasons to contact each other.
While it wasn’t a great read for me, I’d recommend it for mystery lovers.
I’d read a story by this author earlier in the year and enjoyed it. I was saw this book listed on NetGalley’s romance section and I thought I’d give it a try. I thought it worked well as a mystery, but was weak as a romance. Unfortunately, I’m a romance reader who enjoys a mystery now and then, not vice versa, so it didn’t work very well for me.
It’s a typical large cast who-dun-it mystery. I had a bit of hard time keeping everyone straight, but I know that’s part of the mystery. I really enjoyed that Robin and Adam had a lot of chemistry but were responsible enough to keep it in their pants during the case. It was also cute how they were happy to find reasons to contact each other.
While it wasn’t a great read for me, I’d recommend it for mystery lovers.
December 19, 2014
So this was a hard book for me to read and to rate, because even though I liked the story enough to finish it, I really did feel as though I had to push myself to finish it.
Even with that in mind, like I said I did still enjoy the book because I liked the characters, Adam and Robin. There was just something about the two of them that stuck out to me. I thought that the author did a great job with their relationship as well. I did think that the twists that the author added to the story were very good and interesting! That totally made the story worth the read for me personally.
This is the first book by this author that I have read, and I will give them another shot in reading their books in the future. This story in particular just wasn’t my cup of tea.
Reviewed by Crystal Marie for Crystal’s Many Reviewers
*Copy provided for review*
Even with that in mind, like I said I did still enjoy the book because I liked the characters, Adam and Robin. There was just something about the two of them that stuck out to me. I thought that the author did a great job with their relationship as well. I did think that the twists that the author added to the story were very good and interesting! That totally made the story worth the read for me personally.
This is the first book by this author that I have read, and I will give them another shot in reading their books in the future. This story in particular just wasn’t my cup of tea.
Reviewed by Crystal Marie for Crystal’s Many Reviewers
*Copy provided for review*
November 30, 2014
A great "village" mystery in the tradition of Agatha Christie. Charlie Cochrane has a knack for terrific character development -- police inspector Robin Bright and teacher Adam Matthews are fully drawn with just enough back story to make them believable and color the way they approach their jobs -- investigating a murder and teaching young children.
The romantic tension between Robin and Adam is particularly well done-- Robin is steadfast in not being able to become involved with Adam until after the case is solved, but the occasional tender touch or kiss or longing glance speak volumes about their attraction.
The romantic tension between Robin and Adam is particularly well done-- Robin is steadfast in not being able to become involved with Adam until after the case is solved, but the occasional tender touch or kiss or longing glance speak volumes about their attraction.
January 21, 2015
Perhaps 3.5 stars
Finally finished! It didn't only feel like I read it forever - I did! And that although this book wasn't written bad, nope, not at all. And I liked the story, it was a true English mystery, like Agatha Christie. I can't really put my finger on what got me to not being invested in this book. Somehow it was difficult to read more than just a few pages, a chapter at most.
Sorry, book!
Finally finished! It didn't only feel like I read it forever - I did! And that although this book wasn't written bad, nope, not at all. And I liked the story, it was a true English mystery, like Agatha Christie. I can't really put my finger on what got me to not being invested in this book. Somehow it was difficult to read more than just a few pages, a chapter at most.
Sorry, book!
October 1, 2020
Pure mystery..oh there was a kiss, two?
anyway I liked it, for a small village it was full of shifty lying characters
...yeah figured out the killer and the motive..scandalous!
off to book 2
anyway I liked it, for a small village it was full of shifty lying characters
...yeah figured out the killer and the motive..scandalous!
off to book 2
November 27, 2014
Oh my, how do you turn a very quaint and traditional English village into complete turmoil? Yes, you have a little murder English style in the local school; then the kettles will be working over time brewing tea to calm the nerves and more biscuits served up then you can shake a stick at.
I loved the whole idea of this story, the characters, plot and setting are all so quintessentially English I was in my element. So for all those anglophiles out there then you will want to get stuck into this book for sure.
Adam Matthews is a school teacher who is on the interview panel for the board of governors, his school needs a new head teacher. When I was in school it was headmaster or headmistress so there is political correctness for you once again - lol! When the next candidate doesn’t appear to give his presentation, although they know he is in the school, they go looking for him and find him. Yes, dead as a dodo in the school kitchen. OMG - can you just imagine? Rural, traditional, quiet England thrown into complete chaos by the shame of a murderer in their presence.
First the board of governors are all very different characters. Adam is the new, caring, modern super teacher. Victor Narraway the chairman for the board of governors, old school, strict, who possibly believes a bit of caning never did anyone any harm. Christine Probert, mother of two, bit of a flirt, but assertive, attractive and attracts the attentions of most of the men. Marjorie Bookham who is married to a chauvinistic pig and brute of a husband who firmly believes a woman needs to be chained to the kitchen sink The village vicar Neil Musgrave, your typical English village vicar who knows the dirt on everyone. Jeremy Tunstall a bureaucrat, rule abider and job’s worth to the last punctuation mark. Last, but not least, Jennifer the school secretary who probably runs the place in secret and has been there since time immemorial. The line up is complete and I just loved the balance in all of these characters in the fact they are all very different with very different backgrounds, views and attitudes.
From this point on I was in my element, a real Miss Marple style whodunnit ensues, but here in the role of Miss Marple is Inspector Robin Bright and his investigation partner Sergeant Anderson. What I liked first and foremost was the concept of this whole investigation, it had a very British Cop show feel to it. The ribbing that went on between Robin and Anderson was brilliant, loved it. Anderson knows his boss is gay but still can’t resist getting in the odd good humoured dig or joke. Robin is called in on the case and the investigation starts. However, he was once a pupil at St. Crispin’s school too. His childhood experiences of the school weren’t so nice for him, he was bullied as a child at a time where it was quite possibly viewed as character building. Just being in the school brings all these bad memories flooding back and is the cause of a few of his problems today no matter how successful he has been since he left school. I really felt for him, bullying is a horrible thing and hopefully today’s teachers are more aware of the damaging effects it can have than before.
During the questioning Adam finds himself unequivocally attracted to Robin, but what the hell can you do when you are attracted to the investigating officer? Here we have an excellent case of love being out of reach and provided for some real tension and almost heart-aching moments where you could feel them getting so close, but Robin due to his situation always backing away. What a merry dance this ended up being and for me personally, despite the whole murder-mystery aspect of the story, Adam’s and Robin’s attraction to each other but not being able to take it to a romantic level was just thrilling in itself. It almost had a tantalising quality about it. Robin oversteps the mark on several occasions as he finds himself becoming ever more attracted and if Adam wasn’t on the list of suspects he probably would have jumped his bones immediately. I don’t know if I would have had the patience that Adam had, saying to himself all the time that as soon as this mess is cleared up then the path will be clear to really start to date each other.
However, the whole duty and professionalism thing comes first and at least Adam could respect this. This made the book very light if non-existent on the erotic side, but that was OK for me as the developing relationship between Robin and Adam I found just as intriguing as the murder itself, watching how the attraction builds but always that damned line that Robin is not allowed to cross. Gawd, it must be excruciating. I would be no good as a Police Investigator as put in that situation I know I would probably throw caution to the wind, listen to what my heart and hormones are saying and say “fuck it” and then get the sack and disciplinary hearing at the same time. I felt Robin had a good friend and ally in Sergeant Anderson as he is more than aware of the attraction that Robin has for Adam, teases Robin about it but never lets on to anyone else. After all I guess we are all human and not perfect and I think Anderson knew that his boss would never overstep the mark completely.
The murder-mystery aspect I found intriguing and fun. I never really have been one for trying to work out who the murderer is before the end and prefer to be entertained, just letting the investigation unfold until revealing bit-by-bit the likely suspects and watching the noose tighten. We not only get one, but two murders and plot wise everything was coherent, logically thought out, one of those stories where through Robin’s investigation the loose ends start to come together and the more Robin digs the more comes to light. A little traditional maybe but I liked it very much none the less. What initially looks like an unsolvable case gets a couple of lucky breaks until the murderer is apprehended. Did I start to guess or get an inkling for who the murderer was? Well, to be honest not until about 70%, but then as I said I wasn’t trying too hard myself. So did the murderer come as a surprise. Well, yes I could never have thought out such a convoluted story myself so enjoyed every minute of it.
As for Robin and Adam? Well, by the end of the book they get their HFN. The murderer is apprehended and now they’re relationship can really begin. But then if they managed to survive all this then I’m sure a future together is going to be no problem.
I loved the whole idea of this story, the characters, plot and setting are all so quintessentially English I was in my element. So for all those anglophiles out there then you will want to get stuck into this book for sure.
Adam Matthews is a school teacher who is on the interview panel for the board of governors, his school needs a new head teacher. When I was in school it was headmaster or headmistress so there is political correctness for you once again - lol! When the next candidate doesn’t appear to give his presentation, although they know he is in the school, they go looking for him and find him. Yes, dead as a dodo in the school kitchen. OMG - can you just imagine? Rural, traditional, quiet England thrown into complete chaos by the shame of a murderer in their presence.
First the board of governors are all very different characters. Adam is the new, caring, modern super teacher. Victor Narraway the chairman for the board of governors, old school, strict, who possibly believes a bit of caning never did anyone any harm. Christine Probert, mother of two, bit of a flirt, but assertive, attractive and attracts the attentions of most of the men. Marjorie Bookham who is married to a chauvinistic pig and brute of a husband who firmly believes a woman needs to be chained to the kitchen sink The village vicar Neil Musgrave, your typical English village vicar who knows the dirt on everyone. Jeremy Tunstall a bureaucrat, rule abider and job’s worth to the last punctuation mark. Last, but not least, Jennifer the school secretary who probably runs the place in secret and has been there since time immemorial. The line up is complete and I just loved the balance in all of these characters in the fact they are all very different with very different backgrounds, views and attitudes.
From this point on I was in my element, a real Miss Marple style whodunnit ensues, but here in the role of Miss Marple is Inspector Robin Bright and his investigation partner Sergeant Anderson. What I liked first and foremost was the concept of this whole investigation, it had a very British Cop show feel to it. The ribbing that went on between Robin and Anderson was brilliant, loved it. Anderson knows his boss is gay but still can’t resist getting in the odd good humoured dig or joke. Robin is called in on the case and the investigation starts. However, he was once a pupil at St. Crispin’s school too. His childhood experiences of the school weren’t so nice for him, he was bullied as a child at a time where it was quite possibly viewed as character building. Just being in the school brings all these bad memories flooding back and is the cause of a few of his problems today no matter how successful he has been since he left school. I really felt for him, bullying is a horrible thing and hopefully today’s teachers are more aware of the damaging effects it can have than before.
During the questioning Adam finds himself unequivocally attracted to Robin, but what the hell can you do when you are attracted to the investigating officer? Here we have an excellent case of love being out of reach and provided for some real tension and almost heart-aching moments where you could feel them getting so close, but Robin due to his situation always backing away. What a merry dance this ended up being and for me personally, despite the whole murder-mystery aspect of the story, Adam’s and Robin’s attraction to each other but not being able to take it to a romantic level was just thrilling in itself. It almost had a tantalising quality about it. Robin oversteps the mark on several occasions as he finds himself becoming ever more attracted and if Adam wasn’t on the list of suspects he probably would have jumped his bones immediately. I don’t know if I would have had the patience that Adam had, saying to himself all the time that as soon as this mess is cleared up then the path will be clear to really start to date each other.
However, the whole duty and professionalism thing comes first and at least Adam could respect this. This made the book very light if non-existent on the erotic side, but that was OK for me as the developing relationship between Robin and Adam I found just as intriguing as the murder itself, watching how the attraction builds but always that damned line that Robin is not allowed to cross. Gawd, it must be excruciating. I would be no good as a Police Investigator as put in that situation I know I would probably throw caution to the wind, listen to what my heart and hormones are saying and say “fuck it” and then get the sack and disciplinary hearing at the same time. I felt Robin had a good friend and ally in Sergeant Anderson as he is more than aware of the attraction that Robin has for Adam, teases Robin about it but never lets on to anyone else. After all I guess we are all human and not perfect and I think Anderson knew that his boss would never overstep the mark completely.
The murder-mystery aspect I found intriguing and fun. I never really have been one for trying to work out who the murderer is before the end and prefer to be entertained, just letting the investigation unfold until revealing bit-by-bit the likely suspects and watching the noose tighten. We not only get one, but two murders and plot wise everything was coherent, logically thought out, one of those stories where through Robin’s investigation the loose ends start to come together and the more Robin digs the more comes to light. A little traditional maybe but I liked it very much none the less. What initially looks like an unsolvable case gets a couple of lucky breaks until the murderer is apprehended. Did I start to guess or get an inkling for who the murderer was? Well, to be honest not until about 70%, but then as I said I wasn’t trying too hard myself. So did the murderer come as a surprise. Well, yes I could never have thought out such a convoluted story myself so enjoyed every minute of it.
As for Robin and Adam? Well, by the end of the book they get their HFN. The murderer is apprehended and now they’re relationship can really begin. But then if they managed to survive all this then I’m sure a future together is going to be no problem.
January 5, 2018
One word describes this: wonderful.
Adam and Robin entertain us in this wonderful mystery. The writing is great and flows, the romance isn’t overstated and doesn’t take over the book. the mystery is like clue where you have all your suspects but are kept guessing to find out who. I will say never expected who it was.
Let’s get to the nitty gritty.
Adam and Robin are the main characters and are glorious. Adam is the schoolteacher who is a suspect sort of. Sort of because he was on the committee who was trying to find the next headteacher. He is fun, sweet and adorable. I love him and his Newfoundland dog. That dog is precious. He is rather bumbling when he meets Robin due to his attraction to him. But the attraction doesn’t take over the book but enhances it.
Robin is the detective trying to figure out who is committing the murders and why. He is smart, sweet and great. I love how we see tidbits of his thoughts and his reasoning for what he does and thinks. Watching him fight his feelings for Adam while asking him questions and solving the whodunit was great.
The plot is nicely interwoven with a few mysteries, clues slowly trickling in and reveals that are just wow at times. Robin and Adam are attracted but there is the fact that Robin is working the case and Adam is a witness that is stopping them for going further. We do watch them learn about one another and find a relationship beyond the attraction in the terms of friendship first. They learn to trust and respect one another. They lean on each other and help one another out before they act on the attraction. And when they do act on the attraction it is very understated in the book so it doesn’t take away from what the main plot is about. The main plot is about Robin solving the murders and how he goes about doing this.
the secondary plot is the discovery of Adam and Robin in friendship and love. This is wonderfully and intricately woven into the story so we aren’t overwhelmed by it and grows as the story unfolds and leads the way to solving the crimes that have taken place.
A thoroughly fun, entertaining and wonderful whodunit that keeps you on your toes and in the moment as you root for Robin to solve the murders and get beyond friendship with Adam.
Adam and Robin entertain us in this wonderful mystery. The writing is great and flows, the romance isn’t overstated and doesn’t take over the book. the mystery is like clue where you have all your suspects but are kept guessing to find out who. I will say never expected who it was.
Let’s get to the nitty gritty.
Adam and Robin are the main characters and are glorious. Adam is the schoolteacher who is a suspect sort of. Sort of because he was on the committee who was trying to find the next headteacher. He is fun, sweet and adorable. I love him and his Newfoundland dog. That dog is precious. He is rather bumbling when he meets Robin due to his attraction to him. But the attraction doesn’t take over the book but enhances it.
Robin is the detective trying to figure out who is committing the murders and why. He is smart, sweet and great. I love how we see tidbits of his thoughts and his reasoning for what he does and thinks. Watching him fight his feelings for Adam while asking him questions and solving the whodunit was great.
The plot is nicely interwoven with a few mysteries, clues slowly trickling in and reveals that are just wow at times. Robin and Adam are attracted but there is the fact that Robin is working the case and Adam is a witness that is stopping them for going further. We do watch them learn about one another and find a relationship beyond the attraction in the terms of friendship first. They learn to trust and respect one another. They lean on each other and help one another out before they act on the attraction. And when they do act on the attraction it is very understated in the book so it doesn’t take away from what the main plot is about. The main plot is about Robin solving the murders and how he goes about doing this.
the secondary plot is the discovery of Adam and Robin in friendship and love. This is wonderfully and intricately woven into the story so we aren’t overwhelmed by it and grows as the story unfolds and leads the way to solving the crimes that have taken place.
A thoroughly fun, entertaining and wonderful whodunit that keeps you on your toes and in the moment as you root for Robin to solve the murders and get beyond friendship with Adam.
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