A Timely Death

Wilson & McLeish #5

by Janet Neel

The fifth John McLeish/Francesca Wilson, first published in 1996, was described by critic T. J. Binyon as ‘Her best novel yet’ and as ‘A superior whodunit’ by the Daily Telegraph. William Price is a dodgy businessman already well-known to the Fraud Squad. When his dead body is discovered (by a Member of Parliament no less) following what appears to have been a bizarre sexual experiment, he becomes a matter of interest to Detective Chief Superintendent John McLeish, assisted by his wife Francesca, whose detective skills are as finely honed as her husband’s.

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Fiction, British Literature

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Aka Janet Cohen

Janet Neel Cohen, Baroness Cohen of Pimlico is a British lawyer and crime fiction writer. She was educated at South Hampstead High School, Hampstead, London, England and graduated from Newnham College, Cambridge University in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Honours, Law.

She started to work as a practising solicitor in 1965. She married James Lionel Cohen, son of Dr. Richard Henry Lionel Cohen, on 18 December 1971. She was a Governor of the BBC between 1994 and 1999. She was created Baroness Cohen of Pimlico, in the City of Westminster (life peer), on 3 May 2000 and sits as a Labour peer in the House of Lords.

As Janet Neel and Janet Cohen she is the author of crime fiction novels.

Reviews

[Katharine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another in the Francesca Wilson/John McLeish series. I enjoyed the story but I wasn't sure how much I was liking either of the protagonists in this. The background detail of the case and the daily life of Francesca and McLeish all felt very believable and Matthew was an interesting character but I felt Francesca's affair with him came a bit out of the blue. Good puzzle but the main characters were irritating rather than enjoyable.

[Artie LeBlanc · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was somehow unsatisfying to encounter McLeish and Wilson this time: and Francesca's actions are not somehow in character. The plot of the crime is credible, as are its characters (altho' unusually for me, I worked out at quite an early stage who had dunnit).

Not one of her best.

[Clare Paterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read all these years ago and enjoyed Francesca. A little dated now but worth revisiting.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing read.

[Barry Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Another very well written episode from the Wilson and McLeish series, can be read as a stand alone or as part of the series.

[Rita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started this series enthusiastically, but giving up now. I like the police work but the main characters have an affair every time they're annoyed with their partner. Getting a bit tiresome.

[Helen Fleischer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Downgraded for infidelity; I don't like that in good guys

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is moving more towards the personal lives of the main characters. The mystery of this one was very complicated, though.