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Fethering #8
Death Under the Dryer
When Carole goes for a hair trim at 'Connie's Clip Joint', she doesn't expect to find herself at the scene of a murder. Whilst Carole and her sleuthing friend Jude enjoy some snooping, they soon realise that this is no cut and dry case, and that some people will stop at nothing to keep their private lives concealed.
9 pages, Audio CD
First published January 1, 2007
55 people are currently reading
369 people want to read
About the author
Simon Brett
330 books536 followersSimon Brett is a prolific British writer of whodunnits.
He is the son of a Chartered Surveyor and was educated at Dulwich College and Wadham College, Oxford, where he got a first class honours degree in English.
He then joined the BBC as a trainee and worked for BBC Radio and London Weekend Television, where his work included 'Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy' and 'Frank Muir Goes Into ...'.
After his spells with the media he began devoting most of his time to writing from the late 1970s and is well known for his various series of crime novels.
He is married with three children and lives in Burpham, near Arundel, West Sussex, England. He is the current president of the Detection Club.
He is the son of a Chartered Surveyor and was educated at Dulwich College and Wadham College, Oxford, where he got a first class honours degree in English.
He then joined the BBC as a trainee and worked for BBC Radio and London Weekend Television, where his work included 'Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy' and 'Frank Muir Goes Into ...'.
After his spells with the media he began devoting most of his time to writing from the late 1970s and is well known for his various series of crime novels.
He is married with three children and lives in Burpham, near Arundel, West Sussex, England. He is the current president of the Detection Club.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
January 15, 2023
Death Under the Dryer (Fethering, #8) by Simon Brett.
Please don't let the title fool you into thinking this is just another shallow ccozy. It isn't because of one important fact-the author. Once again S.B. has a vast array of characters that knows no boundaries. This was an earlier story from the Fethering mystery series that I had missed, but went back to. Carole and Jude are working together as the sleuths I've grown to appreciate with each passing book.
This story begins with Carole arriving at Connie's Clip Joint for a hair style appointment. Carole of course if early but Connie arrives a bit late. Perplexed as to why Kyra didn't open the salon on time the answer to that question is in the back room. Kyra (Connie's newest addition to the salon) is found strangled by the cord of a hair dryer.
I didn't know if this book would hold my attention as so many of the Fethering mysteries have in the past. It certainly did as this author doesn't disappoint!
Please don't let the title fool you into thinking this is just another shallow ccozy. It isn't because of one important fact-the author. Once again S.B. has a vast array of characters that knows no boundaries. This was an earlier story from the Fethering mystery series that I had missed, but went back to. Carole and Jude are working together as the sleuths I've grown to appreciate with each passing book.
This story begins with Carole arriving at Connie's Clip Joint for a hair style appointment. Carole of course if early but Connie arrives a bit late. Perplexed as to why Kyra didn't open the salon on time the answer to that question is in the back room. Kyra (Connie's newest addition to the salon) is found strangled by the cord of a hair dryer.
I didn't know if this book would hold my attention as so many of the Fethering mysteries have in the past. It certainly did as this author doesn't disappoint!
November 17, 2023
Beware of the beauty shop!! This was a fun read, the best so far. Carole and Jude are up to their old tricks and solve a hair raising murder!!
The two of them drink enough Chardonnay to sink a battleship, but it never hampers their skills at sleuthing.
I love Carole’s obsession with the crossword puzzle - I too am addicted and can’t make it through the day without the NYT.
The two of them drink enough Chardonnay to sink a battleship, but it never hampers their skills at sleuthing.
I love Carole’s obsession with the crossword puzzle - I too am addicted and can’t make it through the day without the NYT.
November 18, 2023
Another Fethering mystery and, my, am I glad I don't live there for life can be fairly short for some (or even many!).
A murder takes place at the hairdressing salon in Fethering and our indomitable female sleuths Carole and Jude, known to some locally as 'The Marple Twins' (well, they would be, wouldn't they?), begin investigating.
There are lots of red-herrings in a well-disguised and rather unusual plot that never has a dull moment before coming to a somewhat unexpected conclusion, not surprisingly unveiled by Carole and Jude.
A murder takes place at the hairdressing salon in Fethering and our indomitable female sleuths Carole and Jude, known to some locally as 'The Marple Twins' (well, they would be, wouldn't they?), begin investigating.
There are lots of red-herrings in a well-disguised and rather unusual plot that never has a dull moment before coming to a somewhat unexpected conclusion, not surprisingly unveiled by Carole and Jude.
January 14, 2012
Jude and Carol are great in yet another Fethering Mystery by Simon Brett. The most interesting part of the story was about a family so totally immersed in a game world that it had caused mental instablibity that led to kidnapping and could have led to murder. I would love to read more about the dynamics and relationships of that family.
The story was amusing and intricate enough to keep me interested. Great job, again, Mr. Brett.
The story was amusing and intricate enough to keep me interested. Great job, again, Mr. Brett.
March 24, 2022
I just can't get enough of this great cozy mystery series. Two fiftyish ladies solve murders in a sea side Englisn village. Lots of great characters
October 12, 2024
Another visit to Fethering and their resident middle-aged amateur sleuths, Carole and Jude. Neighbors and opposites, the pair always stumble across a murder in each outing (well, that's the formula, and it works splendidly). This time, a murder at a Fethering hair salon launches Carole and Jude into an investigation of the salon's customers and staff. Only one motive seems apparent at first, but as the ladies dig further they realize all is not as it seems.
The mysteries in this series are well-crafted. They are not the puzzly types that Christie or Queen would produce, but instead focus on the traditional detective clues of human emotions, interviews and sleuthing. The resolution in this case was quite surprising and entirely plausible.
The real attraction is the interplay between the two leads, particularly Carole. Carole is the true focus of the series as her life progresses with each installment (Jude is a fully developed character but much of her life is shrouded in secrecy). I presume Carole isn't the most likable character for most readers, but I have no problem with that as I find we are very similar in personality (whether that's a good thing is debatable).
Over time I have established a mental picture of the village of Fethering and it is now a comfort to visit regularly. I'd love to stop and have a Chilean chardonnay at the Crown and Anchor...
The mysteries in this series are well-crafted. They are not the puzzly types that Christie or Queen would produce, but instead focus on the traditional detective clues of human emotions, interviews and sleuthing. The resolution in this case was quite surprising and entirely plausible.
The real attraction is the interplay between the two leads, particularly Carole. Carole is the true focus of the series as her life progresses with each installment (Jude is a fully developed character but much of her life is shrouded in secrecy). I presume Carole isn't the most likable character for most readers, but I have no problem with that as I find we are very similar in personality (whether that's a good thing is debatable).
Over time I have established a mental picture of the village of Fethering and it is now a comfort to visit regularly. I'd love to stop and have a Chilean chardonnay at the Crown and Anchor...
August 17, 2018
Another delightful Feathering whodunnit. Simon Brett understands a wide range of character types, and human relationship situations, and each of his books illuminates several of these. Here, for example, the hairdressing community, families surviving from war-time oppression, and obsessively close-knit family groups. Well-plotted and -written, wickedly observant. You will see yourself in one or more of the two middle-aged sleuths - I certainly do!
The GR blurb:
'When Carole goes for a hair trim at 'Connies Clip Joint', she doesn't expect to find herself at the scene of a murder. But sure enough in the backroom, strangled by the cord of a hairdryer, sits Connie's young assistant, Kyra.
Whilst Carole and her sleuthing friend Jude enjoy some tactical snooping, Fethering fingers are pointing firmly at Kyra's boyfriend, Nathan, who has disappeared. But Nathan's family are also acting rather oddly - whilst convinced of Nathan's innocence, they don't seem so certain that he is actually missing.
Meanwhile Connie's ex-husband Martin, co-owner of the rival hairdressing chain 'Martin & Martina', appears to have been quite the ladies' man with his young assistants, including Kyra herself. Could he have silenced her before she divulged his sordid secret and potentially ruined his career?
As our discreet lady detectives decide there are only so many haircuts they can have for the sake of neighbourhood crime solving, so too do they realise this is no cut-and-dried case, and that some people will stop at nothing to keep their private lives concealed ...'
The GR blurb:
'When Carole goes for a hair trim at 'Connies Clip Joint', she doesn't expect to find herself at the scene of a murder. But sure enough in the backroom, strangled by the cord of a hairdryer, sits Connie's young assistant, Kyra.
Whilst Carole and her sleuthing friend Jude enjoy some tactical snooping, Fethering fingers are pointing firmly at Kyra's boyfriend, Nathan, who has disappeared. But Nathan's family are also acting rather oddly - whilst convinced of Nathan's innocence, they don't seem so certain that he is actually missing.
Meanwhile Connie's ex-husband Martin, co-owner of the rival hairdressing chain 'Martin & Martina', appears to have been quite the ladies' man with his young assistants, including Kyra herself. Could he have silenced her before she divulged his sordid secret and potentially ruined his career?
As our discreet lady detectives decide there are only so many haircuts they can have for the sake of neighbourhood crime solving, so too do they realise this is no cut-and-dried case, and that some people will stop at nothing to keep their private lives concealed ...'
June 8, 2020
I've been reading Fethering mysteries on my phone. My library is closed due to Covid19 so I've been without physical books for several months now. A friend of mind bought a copy of Death Under the Dryer on line. It turned out to be a decommissioned library book so I got that library feel.
Circumstances send Carole to a new beautician for a simple haircut. And as often happens in this series, she encounters a dead body which sets Carole and Jude to sleuthing. (The friend who lent me this books says the Fethering series is Nancy Drew for grown ups.)
Circumstances send Carole to a new beautician for a simple haircut. And as often happens in this series, she encounters a dead body which sets Carole and Jude to sleuthing. (The friend who lent me this books says the Fethering series is Nancy Drew for grown ups.)
May 4, 2012
Chuckled to this as we made our way up the Pacific Coast Highway. We really enjoyed the narration of the author. His accents are wonderful, especially the 3 lisping sisters. I don't know how he managed to differentiate them consistently. He is amazing! Simon said that this book portrayed very typical English families with foibles. I think it is my favorite so far of this series.
August 16, 2013
I took awhile to get into this one. It started to improve when Jude and Carole went to Cornwall. The Wheal Quest part was quite amusing. The tragedy of the girl's death, especially upon her father was quite sad. Some of the other side characters were interesting, but there were a lot of dry spells, especially the first half.
February 4, 2008
Good quick read. Carole and Jude solve the murder of a 17 year old girl who has been murdered in a hairsalon. Carole's son has a baby boy
April 17, 2012
The usual nice gentle country mystery with Carol and Jude sorting things out.
July 9, 2021
Another satisfying entry in the Fethering Mysteries.
Carole Seddon’s day begins badly when she arrives at Connie’s Clip Joint to find that the place is still locked up and her haircut will be delayed. Hairdresser Connie finally arrives and is shocked that her assistant Kyra hadn’t arrived on time to open the shop. Things get worse after Connie gets Carole settled and takes a moment to call Kyra, as Kyra’s mobile begins to ring in the back room, which quickly leads to the discovery of Kyra’s body.
Once escaped from the resulting police questioning afterward (as well as a freaked-out fellow customer), Carole of course goes to her friend Jude’s house to decompress and tell all. Jude as always is a great listener, and a regular at Connie’s Clip Joint, so she knew the deceased young lady. When it becomes obvious that the girl’s boyfriend is the prime suspect for no reason other than the fact he’s not around, and the local gossip starts churning, they begin, as usual, to look into the case on their own.
Brett is an old hand at these, and this series in particular is quite compelling, not least because of the charged relationship of our protagonists Carole and Jude. The locale and the cast of characters is well drawn, the plot wanders about in a suitably satisfying manner, and the “reveal” is also one any mystery fan will enjoy.
Carole Seddon’s day begins badly when she arrives at Connie’s Clip Joint to find that the place is still locked up and her haircut will be delayed. Hairdresser Connie finally arrives and is shocked that her assistant Kyra hadn’t arrived on time to open the shop. Things get worse after Connie gets Carole settled and takes a moment to call Kyra, as Kyra’s mobile begins to ring in the back room, which quickly leads to the discovery of Kyra’s body.
Once escaped from the resulting police questioning afterward (as well as a freaked-out fellow customer), Carole of course goes to her friend Jude’s house to decompress and tell all. Jude as always is a great listener, and a regular at Connie’s Clip Joint, so she knew the deceased young lady. When it becomes obvious that the girl’s boyfriend is the prime suspect for no reason other than the fact he’s not around, and the local gossip starts churning, they begin, as usual, to look into the case on their own.
Brett is an old hand at these, and this series in particular is quite compelling, not least because of the charged relationship of our protagonists Carole and Jude. The locale and the cast of characters is well drawn, the plot wanders about in a suitably satisfying manner, and the “reveal” is also one any mystery fan will enjoy.
March 15, 2019
Carole is trying the local hair salon for the first time, with the reluctance with which she undertakes any change in her routine. To add to the discomfort, the owner is late and disheveled. Still, the wash and cut go well, and the other patron affords a distraction up until the body is discovered. So Carole and Jude have another murder to investigate.
The mystery is interesting enough, and Carole is progressively less of a stick figure. Yet eccentricity still tends to be overplayed in other characters, bringing down my rating from 4 stars.
The mystery is interesting enough, and Carole is progressively less of a stick figure. Yet eccentricity still tends to be overplayed in other characters, bringing down my rating from 4 stars.
October 27, 2023
Always an interesting mix of characters.
June 3, 2019
As usual, it was a comfortable British cozy featuring mismatched best friends, Carole and Jude. The mystery was serviceable enough, but it's the interplay and juxtaposition of these two on which the story hangs, and they are a delight together. As much as I wish I were the effortless social butterfly of Jude, who connects with everyone at the first rush of breath, I'm more of a Carole, alas, and I can't help but sympathize with her loneliness and awkward stodginess and wistful but fruitless desire to be other than she is.
My biggest complaint about this one is the loose ends. Was Martina arrested, or did she go on the lam after she fled the salon? Was Rowley arrested for abducting his nephew in a bid to protect the family honor? What was the point of all the mystery around Kyra's father and the myriad references to his first family, who, I presume, died in the Holocaust? Jude seemed to believe that he held the key to the mystery, but his revelation about Martin and Connie canoodling in her house added nothing, since Carole was getting the same information from Martin. I can't help but wonder if that was a remnant from a previous draft in which Joe played a larger role.
And why in the world does Walter not tell that harridan, Mimi, to put a lid on it? Not that Joe was much better, with his Old-World, authorially-endorsed chauvinism. Ugh. No, Jude, that was offensive. I don't care if that just the way things were back then. Poor Mimi deserved better than to be bossed out of her own living room by some crusty old fart while her husband watches and furtively delights in her humiliation.
My biggest complaint about this one is the loose ends. Was Martina arrested, or did she go on the lam after she fled the salon? Was Rowley arrested for abducting his nephew in a bid to protect the family honor? What was the point of all the mystery around Kyra's father and the myriad references to his first family, who, I presume, died in the Holocaust? Jude seemed to believe that he held the key to the mystery, but his revelation about Martin and Connie canoodling in her house added nothing, since Carole was getting the same information from Martin. I can't help but wonder if that was a remnant from a previous draft in which Joe played a larger role.
And why in the world does Walter not tell that harridan, Mimi, to put a lid on it? Not that Joe was much better, with his Old-World, authorially-endorsed chauvinism. Ugh. No, Jude, that was offensive. I don't care if that just the way things were back then. Poor Mimi deserved better than to be bossed out of her own living room by some crusty old fart while her husband watches and furtively delights in her humiliation.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2013
Precise, politically correct, and staid, Carole, and her new-age, easy going, up-front friend, Jude, are at it again in Feathering, England. Carole goes to a new hair salon to get her hair cut "just like it is, but shorter" and gets more than she'd bargained for. The back room of the salon has the dead body of the hair wash girl. Or course, Carole and Jude feel that their assistance is needed to find the killer.
Families center in this mystery. Odd families at that! The clues point to the girl's boyfriend, who has gone undercover. His family seems non-plused, and quit strange themselves. The salon's owner is the divorced wife of the prosperous and stylish competing salon, run by her suave ex, and his controlling and demanding new wife.
Simon Brett's descriptions of society life in Feathering and the surrounding towns is a lesson in sociology itself. Characters are so quirky that they defy description, but Brett "gets them" perfectly. Definitely a fun cozy mystery, and humorous take on British society.
Families center in this mystery. Odd families at that! The clues point to the girl's boyfriend, who has gone undercover. His family seems non-plused, and quit strange themselves. The salon's owner is the divorced wife of the prosperous and stylish competing salon, run by her suave ex, and his controlling and demanding new wife.
Simon Brett's descriptions of society life in Feathering and the surrounding towns is a lesson in sociology itself. Characters are so quirky that they defy description, but Brett "gets them" perfectly. Definitely a fun cozy mystery, and humorous take on British society.
November 12, 2009
The odd couple of Fethering must be gaining notoriety in their community if suspects call them out of the blue and lure them over to pump them for what they know! Ha.
We learn a bit about hairdressing and hairdressers in this. The ending was contrived and crying out for a lampoon. "Yes, I am going to kill you, but first you can watch me kill this person and that will be your fault too, you bad person I don't like! Oh, goodie! Here are some more people I can kill and make you feel guilty that it's your fault for these last 20 seconds of your life! Bwah-hahahahaaaa!"
I seem to have run out of books in this series. Prolly just as well.
We learn a bit about hairdressing and hairdressers in this. The ending was contrived and crying out for a lampoon. "Yes, I am going to kill you, but first you can watch me kill this person and that will be your fault too, you bad person I don't like! Oh, goodie! Here are some more people I can kill and make you feel guilty that it's your fault for these last 20 seconds of your life! Bwah-hahahahaaaa!"
I seem to have run out of books in this series. Prolly just as well.
November 20, 2012
This author is known for his light mysteries set in the fictional seaside town of Fethering in the southof England. The sleuths are two middle aged ladies who seem to have a lot of fun while taking risks in exposing the murderer. As the title indicates, this murder takes place in a beauty salon. A quick read just right for enjoying on holiday.
May 11, 2017
I am loving the series, perfect for listening whilst walking or doing chores and read well by the author. I have become fond of Carol and Jude and also Stephen and Gabi. I will keep listening to the series.
May 14, 2018
I quite enjoyed this book. Unlike the rest of the series, it only seems to be available in hard copy. I usually check ebooks or audiobooks out from the library, but I broke down and bought this one. I quite enjoyed it. Lots of odd, quirky characters and twists.
July 26, 2019
One of Fethering's best. I am reading the series in order and have been both disappointed and joyed.
Death under the Dryer left me happy and with my mouth open with "two" story line twists - one of course being the solving of the murder.
Death under the Dryer left me happy and with my mouth open with "two" story line twists - one of course being the solving of the murder.
November 22, 2021
Murder at the hairdressers in the eighth instalment of Jude and Carole’s adventures. The intrepid duo set out to figure out what’s gone on and find themselves involved with Czech emigres, teenage love and a very complicated board game. Very readable.
August 29, 2022
This gets 5 stars because it was my first read from the Fethering series and it was a good read. The characters were all interesting and it was not easy to guess you strangled the poor teen till much later almost nearing the very end. Loved it
November 20, 2008
A Fethering Mystery. Probably have more appeal to the 40+ age group.
November 11, 2010
Really good, enjoyed this one. A few chuckles along the way too; always a bonus!
January 7, 2013
Fun entertaining series. Like the characters.
August 6, 2017
Wonderful mystery!
September 9, 2018
The town drunk gets run over, but events show it was not an accident. The overarching theme is one of divorce--two sets of divorced couples complicate events as their children deal with the outcomes.
November 11, 2018
Another cracking read - kept thinking I had read it before but don’t think I had. In any case I couldn’t remember who had done it. Good characters and plot that keeps you hooked.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews