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Bill Slider #7
Shallow Grave
Detective Inspector Bill Slider has always been keen on architecture - what Atherton calls his edifice complex - and The Old Rectory is the kind of house he would give anything to own. But the dead body of Jennifer Andrews, found in a hole dug by her builder husband Eddie, rather spoils the view from the terrace. It looks a straightforward enough case but as the investigation proceeds, Slider finds, frustratingly, that nothing makes sense, and that - as in his own marriage - there is far more going on than meets the eye.
312 pages, Paperback
First published December 3, 1998
35 people are currently reading
156 people want to read
About the author
Cynthia Harrod-Eagles
167 books482 followersCynthia Harrod-Eagles (aka Emma Woodhouse, Elizabeth Bennett)
Cynthia Harrod-Eagles was born on 13 August 1948 in Shepherd's Bush, London, England, where was educated at Burlington School, a girls' charity school founded in 1699, and at the University of Edinburgh and University College London, where she studied English, history and philosophy.
She had a variety of jobs in the commercial world, starting as a junior cashier at Woolworth's and working her way down to Pensions Officer at the BBC.
She wrote her first novel while at university and in 1972 won the Young Writers' Award with The Waiting Game. The birth of the MORLAND DYNASTY series enabled Cynthia Harrod-Eagles to become a full-time writer in 1979. The series was originally intended to comprise twelve volumes, but it has proved so popular that it has now been extended to thirty-four.
In 1993 she won the Romantic Novelists' Association Romantic Novel of the Year Award with Emily, the third volume of her Kirov Saga, a trilogy set in nineteenth century Russia.
Cynthia Harrod-Eagles was born on 13 August 1948 in Shepherd's Bush, London, England, where was educated at Burlington School, a girls' charity school founded in 1699, and at the University of Edinburgh and University College London, where she studied English, history and philosophy.
She had a variety of jobs in the commercial world, starting as a junior cashier at Woolworth's and working her way down to Pensions Officer at the BBC.
She wrote her first novel while at university and in 1972 won the Young Writers' Award with The Waiting Game. The birth of the MORLAND DYNASTY series enabled Cynthia Harrod-Eagles to become a full-time writer in 1979. The series was originally intended to comprise twelve volumes, but it has proved so popular that it has now been extended to thirty-four.
In 1993 she won the Romantic Novelists' Association Romantic Novel of the Year Award with Emily, the third volume of her Kirov Saga, a trilogy set in nineteenth century Russia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
October 16, 2019
I am enamored with this Bill Slider series even though there are times I could wring the protagonist's neck with his inability to make decisions in his personal life. True, he considers all the angles, just as he does as a detective in police investigations, but he comes across as lacking depth of character and emotion at times. Hmmm, that seems to make him most human.
This death of a contractor's wife may or may not be murder -- but if it IS murder -- then certainly the husband is the prime suspect. Fear not, dear reader, this is one complicated investigation.
This death of a contractor's wife may or may not be murder -- but if it IS murder -- then certainly the husband is the prime suspect. Fear not, dear reader, this is one complicated investigation.
January 29, 2011
If you're going to borrow from a classic mystery scenario, you might as well go for the best-known one in all of detective fiction (and one of the characters even refers to it, so it's not like the author is hiding anything). Even though I spotted it early, it was still well-done. I continue to like the Harrod-Eagles's Bill Slider books, although I'm getting tired of his personal life being miserable. That series of sub-plots could easily descend into making the books dreary, and I hope she lets up on it.
January 30, 2012
I really like this series. Police procedural set in the UK. I always buy each new book in the series, although I have not finished reading all of them yet. They are heavy on the personal life of the inspector, and if you don't like that type of mystery, they may not be your cup of tea.
March 25, 2012
I would read Harrod-Eagles' writing just for the word play, but she has great plots, and I love this series. I was guessing right along with Slider and thinking I knew who had killed the victim, and then having to cede that I was wrong, no, I was right, wait, I'm wrong! No....wait again...
March 7, 2013
This is another book that I liked so much I read it twice - with several years passing between readings. It held up both times - a real pager turner with great characterization.
April 21, 2018
The back yard discovery of a dead woman in an upscale London neighborhood sets off Detective Bill Slider in a search for the murderer. While the plot of this mystery is engaging, it doesn't rise above the many excellent British mysteries I've read through the years, I'm definitely enchanted by the author's characterizations, sly humor and wonderful style. I must find the earlier titles in this series!
January 12, 2018
A builder is doing some work on shoring up a terrace at the Old Rectory. One morning he comes face to face with the body of his dead wife at the bottom of a hole he had dug the previous day. Naturally he is Bill Slider’s first suspect but it soon becomes clear that many people had means motive and opportunity to commit the crime.
With the background of the police characters’ private lives this is a complex mystery set in Shepherd’s Bush in London. I particularly like the way the characters interact and the author’s skilful wordplay – noticeable in the dialogue and in the chapter headings.
While all the books in this series can be read as standalone stories I think they are best read in the order in which they were written. This is number seven in the series. If you like crime novels which are well written with interesting characters and plenty of humour then try Bill Slider.
With the background of the police characters’ private lives this is a complex mystery set in Shepherd’s Bush in London. I particularly like the way the characters interact and the author’s skilful wordplay – noticeable in the dialogue and in the chapter headings.
While all the books in this series can be read as standalone stories I think they are best read in the order in which they were written. This is number seven in the series. If you like crime novels which are well written with interesting characters and plenty of humour then try Bill Slider.
September 5, 2021
The mousy daughter of the textbook author found Jennifer Andrews early one morning in a shallow grave at a construction site where Jennifer’s husband, Eddie, oversaw some repair. Looks like a real slam dunk open and shut deal to most of the local cops. But Detective Inspector Bill Slider, who is somewhat more methodical and even arguably plodding than his associates, isn’t convinced Eddie Andrews killed his wife.
As you dig deeper into this, you learn a great deal about Jennifer. Turns out the lovely Jen is prone to … uh … how do I put it delicately … stop, drop, and roll with whomever she’s hanging, and it doesn’t take much encouragement to get her in that frame of mind. Poor working stiff Eddie genuinely loves her, but he can’t keep up with all her assignations. Naturally, for Slider and his assistant, Atherton, that means the suspect list lengthens exponentially as a result of her sexual proclivity. She’s an organizer, and while the local church loves her talent at organizing, most of the local women are negative regarding her brash behavior, her vulgarity, and her ambidextrous ease with a cigarette and a beer.
I didn’t see the end of this coming, and while I’m not world class at solving mysteries before they end, I suspect I’m not terrible at it either. The author kept me surprised to the final pages, and you may well experience the same thing.
This is part of a long-running series, and there are references here to Slider’s ending marriage and his tentative reunion with a violinist with whom he had an affair in earlier books. But if you choose not to back fill this and read the earlier books first, you’ll be ok with this if you can recognize that Slider and the violinist have a most interesting history.
As you dig deeper into this, you learn a great deal about Jennifer. Turns out the lovely Jen is prone to … uh … how do I put it delicately … stop, drop, and roll with whomever she’s hanging, and it doesn’t take much encouragement to get her in that frame of mind. Poor working stiff Eddie genuinely loves her, but he can’t keep up with all her assignations. Naturally, for Slider and his assistant, Atherton, that means the suspect list lengthens exponentially as a result of her sexual proclivity. She’s an organizer, and while the local church loves her talent at organizing, most of the local women are negative regarding her brash behavior, her vulgarity, and her ambidextrous ease with a cigarette and a beer.
I didn’t see the end of this coming, and while I’m not world class at solving mysteries before they end, I suspect I’m not terrible at it either. The author kept me surprised to the final pages, and you may well experience the same thing.
This is part of a long-running series, and there are references here to Slider’s ending marriage and his tentative reunion with a violinist with whom he had an affair in earlier books. But if you choose not to back fill this and read the earlier books first, you’ll be ok with this if you can recognize that Slider and the violinist have a most interesting history.
December 13, 2017
I've been reading this series in order, and the books seem to me to be getting even better than they were at the start: the plots are less convoluted, the police-procedural aspects much clearer, and the humor laugh-out-loud funny. But only if you like word-play. I noticed one Goodreads reader who couldn't finish it, because she was so distracted and irritated by the bad puns. I loved them. Many chapter titles were plays on words, this time with a leaning towards Milton: "Lettuce, with a Gladsome Mind" or even worse "Fresh Words and Bastards New." Also "Sick Transport, Glorious Monday." Besides being clever, these were actually descriptive of something in the chapter. At one point, a policeman who has had a vasectomy after his sixth child is preaching its virtues to his highly dubious fellows. "It'll make a vas deferens in your sex life!" Response: "Sorry but no. As the old cliche goes, the condomed man ate a hearty breakfast." You either love it or you don't. Of course there is other humor too: at one point a character with a bad toupe turns around so fast that his rug doesn't quite keep up with his head. Meanwhile, it's a very good fair-play mystery (I was fooled), the characters are deeper and realer than they need to be, and the writing is crisp and entertaining.
December 16, 2022
I’ve always enjoyed the humour in these Bill Slider novels,a no this one doesn’t disappoint. It’s an earlier book in the series - Slider is still dealing with his maybe-ex-wife, Irene, and their marital home - and Atherton is just back on duty after his brush with death. A dead body, beautifully laid out and with no indications of foul play, is found in a convenient hole in the terrace of the Old Rectory, a house inhabited by an irascible old man and his much-put-upon daughter. Was she murdered? If so, the obvious suspect is sitting right there, the husband - conveniently, a builder - who created the hole. But is he guilty? All the indications are he did but Slider’s not so sure and he keeps digging.
Populated by the usual denizens of “The Factory”, aka the cop shop, and with Slider’s new great live, Joanna, this is a well crafted, interesting mystery. The author carefully constructs the character of the dead woman, Jennifer Andrew’s, from the various observations of the people she knew from her best friend to the cranky, old man in the wheel chair, and it’s not a pretty picture. But does she deserve to be murdered, if she was murdered. But if she wasn’t, who put her in the hole and why?
Populated by the usual denizens of “The Factory”, aka the cop shop, and with Slider’s new great live, Joanna, this is a well crafted, interesting mystery. The author carefully constructs the character of the dead woman, Jennifer Andrew’s, from the various observations of the people she knew from her best friend to the cranky, old man in the wheel chair, and it’s not a pretty picture. But does she deserve to be murdered, if she was murdered. But if she wasn’t, who put her in the hole and why?
May 1, 2021
A strange—but exceedingly humorous—murder mystery; in fact, I think it wasn’t until chapter nine that they decided it was a murder; then it became a slow, torturous grind to trace hour by hour what happened to the dead girl. At first, it seemed that her jealous husband was the killer and, indeed, he actually made a confession. But eventually, Slider was able to piece together clues and get to the truth, but not justice. Ms Harrod-Eagles continues her hilarious descriptions of the items in a backyard or the wilted and dead blossoms in a florist’s display basket. I have to laugh out loud at the boss’s (Porson) mangling of words, such as “men of that calliper” or “with the sword of Damascus over our heads”. Then, Atherton, who has a genuine love of the Queen’s English, proceeds to imitate him.
November 29, 2019
The author's insights and use of language is a lot of fun. I enjoyed the delightful barbs such as, "with his misogyny he should have been a fashion designer," and similes, "The department was seething like a hedge full of sparrows." Unfortunately, she often took the polish off clever dialogue with heavy-handed attributions.
I was happy to have Porson joining the fun and to have Atherton back.
I had a few quibbles. Slider is a bad father. Although he's willing to support his children financially, he doesn't see them or show any active care for them. This is disappointing. Also, it seems everyone is a clever conversationalist--highly unlikely (though enjoyable to read). Still, I liked the book and look forward to the next one.
I was happy to have Porson joining the fun and to have Atherton back.
I had a few quibbles. Slider is a bad father. Although he's willing to support his children financially, he doesn't see them or show any active care for them. This is disappointing. Also, it seems everyone is a clever conversationalist--highly unlikely (though enjoyable to read). Still, I liked the book and look forward to the next one.
November 19, 2023
Book 7 in the Bill Slider.
Detective Inspector Bill Slider works in England. He is sent to investigate a young woman’s death at the Old Rectory in n West London. She is found fully dressed and fresh make up in a whole in the patio where some repairs are being done.
Her husband is the local builder who does jobs the wealthy family and of course is the top suspect in an apparent murder case.
Bill Slider is very detailed and thorough in his investigation speaking to witnesses, reviewing evidence and doing his job.
Interesting story and I enjoy the building of the characters and more and more details are added to really get to know them.
The most likely suspect is not always the guilty one.
This is a Goodread.
Detective Inspector Bill Slider works in England. He is sent to investigate a young woman’s death at the Old Rectory in n West London. She is found fully dressed and fresh make up in a whole in the patio where some repairs are being done.
Her husband is the local builder who does jobs the wealthy family and of course is the top suspect in an apparent murder case.
Bill Slider is very detailed and thorough in his investigation speaking to witnesses, reviewing evidence and doing his job.
Interesting story and I enjoy the building of the characters and more and more details are added to really get to know them.
The most likely suspect is not always the guilty one.
This is a Goodread.
July 22, 2022
Jennifer Andrews is found dead in a trench at the back terrace at the Old Rectory, a huge house in West London that consists of 3 sections built over centuries. The occupants of the house are Cyril Dacre, a famous historian who has a terminal illness, and his daughter, Frances Hammond. The trench had been dug by the deceased's husband, Eddie Andrews who was in the process of repairing the terrace.
A mixture of mystery, humor and relationships combine to make a very enjoyable read.
A mixture of mystery, humor and relationships combine to make a very enjoyable read.
November 3, 2016
3.5 stars. Another reasonably good book in this series. My comments are basically the same as the previous book. I would like to see more (classical) music elements and I think the main character is a bit too passive in his personal life to be realistic.
June 12, 2018
For some reason this mystery irritated me. Maybe I’ve read too many Sliders
recently. It was a good plot but too drawn out. Also the banter which I normally
enjoy seemed heavy handed. Harrod-Eagles has matured nicely in her use of puns and this is a very early effort. Maybe a 3 1/2.
recently. It was a good plot but too drawn out. Also the banter which I normally
enjoy seemed heavy handed. Harrod-Eagles has matured nicely in her use of puns and this is a very early effort. Maybe a 3 1/2.
January 10, 2023
This caught my eye at my local library, because I liked the cover illustration.
I was expecting a historical mystery, but this was quite modern. I liked the characters and was amused by some of their interactions, and I found them quite relatable. It was an entertaining mystery too.
I was expecting a historical mystery, but this was quite modern. I liked the characters and was amused by some of their interactions, and I found them quite relatable. It was an entertaining mystery too.
September 9, 2017
I didn't really finish. This book drove me crazy with its constant play on words. Distracting and irritating.
April 27, 2018
The mystery aside, I laughed out loud several times at the malapropisms of Superintendent Porson. And the puns of Atherton.
November 11, 2018
This was first introduction to this author and this character. won't be my last.
May 22, 2019
marvelous
August 27, 2019
4.5* rounded up. I'm deducting the half star for the suggestion at the very end that there might not be enough evidence to charge the murderer - it seemed to me that there was plenty.
April 26, 2020
Great series recommended
April 3, 2024
I don't know about amazing but this book had the ability to surprise me with the ending. I think I will do some exploring and find more about Slider. I highly recommend this.
July 9, 2020
Consistent excellence
Number 7 in the Bill Slider series started a touch slowly, but the mystery as well as personal storylines picked up nicely and concluded satisfyingly. The dry humor makes me chuckle frequently. A fantastic and very consistently well-written series.
Number 7 in the Bill Slider series started a touch slowly, but the mystery as well as personal storylines picked up nicely and concluded satisfyingly. The dry humor makes me chuckle frequently. A fantastic and very consistently well-written series.
June 13, 2012
I really really liked this book. I bought this at thrift shop for a couple dollars, having never read any by this author or in this series. I do not like some of the personal stuff going on , but the mystery was so pure and thrilling, moving along I still gave this a 5. Hope my library will have more and I do not have to end up ordering them because I want more. Id id figure out kind of who I thought it would end up to be and at the very end where the twist would go, but I like that.
April 25, 2015
If you enjoy language play, you will love this book. A range of well developed characters spout cockney rhyming slang, literary allusions, malapropisms, and mixed metaphors.
Besides that there is a good police procedural mystery. It isn't too hard to figure out who done it well before Bill Slider does, but that is OK since the writing is good and some questions remain to nearly the end.
Besides that there is a good police procedural mystery. It isn't too hard to figure out who done it well before Bill Slider does, but that is OK since the writing is good and some questions remain to nearly the end.
May 5, 2013
I liked this one MUCH better than 'Gone Tomorrow' - there were actually people to care about among the suspects. Not so hopeless and common and pointless as everyone in the other book. I'll have to check the plots on Goodreads before I start more of this series.
September 30, 2014
Witty writing and interesting characters. I don't like the bits about Slider's personal life -- as always, his girlfriend is perfect and his children are oddly ignored -- but the rest of the book makes up for it. A great series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews