Shadow Over Southwold: The wonderfully witty classic mystery

by Suzette A. Hill

'A pleasure to read' - Simon BrettLondon florist Felix Smythe and his friend Professor Cedric Dillworthy are Suffolk-bound once more. But their hopes of a trouble-free visit are dashed by the gruesome murder of a highly-respected resident - an event which seems to be sinisterly lined with a bizarre killing in Cambridge of a cleric with murky proclivities.The task of sifting truth from falsehood is made complicated by a bevy of local eccentrics, and the shadow over Southwold looms far, menacing visitor and resident alike, and leads to alarming results

248 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 22, 2021

About the author

Suzette A. Hill was born in Eastbourne, Sussex, in 1941. She is a graduate of Nottingham and Newcastle-upon-Tyne Universities. Hill taught English literature all her professional life. At age sixty-four and retired, she tried her hand at a short story - just to see what writing fiction felt like, and to her surprise a quintet of humorous novels (Reverend Francis Oughterard series) was the result.

Reviews

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read and enjoyed some of the author's books from other series, I came to this with high expectations.

The tone is ever- light, and slightly tongue-in-cheek, but I found some of the writing here unpleasingly coy and, in places, odd. Why would one have a main character invited to Aldeburgh and then only allude in campily arch terms to Benjamin Britten, Peter Pears and Imogen Holst?

The plot was a bit creaky and the solution fairly obvious and overlong in being reached.

There are compensations in some of the characters, principally the twins, Gaye and Joy Goodhart, a pair of misnamed Puritans.

A disappointment for me, but amusing enough for a mild recommendation.

3.25 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Allison & Busby for the digital review copy.

[Lizzie Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in Suffolk in 1961, this third in the series commences with the news of the demise of one Horace Dewthorp having fallen from cliff in Dunwich whilst walking Mrs Peebles’ dog Freddie, Mrs Pebbles having been laid low with chicken pox. Apart from Mrs P. being annoyed, although Freddie seemed unconcerned, Horace’s passing has created barely a ripple, Horace not being much missed owing to being teetotal and not therefore frequenting any of the local hostelries.

In Cambridge Dr Miles Loader is brooding on the death of his third cousin, once removed, who had been found hanging half-mast under Clare College Bridge.

On a cheerier note, Felix Smythe, proud owner of Bountiful Blooms by Royal Appointment to the Queen Mother, is telephoning his good friend Cedric Dillworthy to share his joy at having been invited to a smart party in Aldeburgh and asking Cedric him to accompany him.

The first disappointment is that the hotel in Aldeburgh is full and eventually Felix ends up at the Guest House run by Mrs Peebles. Not only is the accommodation well below Felix’s standard but he has omitted to pack his favourite waistcoat. Things brighten a little when he manages to purchase a smart waistcoat in Aldeburgh but soon things deteriorate when Felix finds himself caught up in a murder and is questioned by the police owing to the discovery of a dead body in the guest house in which he is staying.

Inspector Jennings is the investigating officer, as his superior Chief Inspector Nathan is at home laid up with a broken leg. Newly promoted Jennings is out of his depth, but his resolve is stiffened by a visit to CI Nathan, and he decides to grill Felix. He is just as he about to start when he is handed a note which reads ‘he supplies flowers to the Queen Mum – kid gloves.’

Following a line of enquiry obliquely suggested by CI Nathan, Jennings seeks out the local Vicar who is having problems with the sheep – don’t ask. He does however point Jennings in the direction of the twins Joy and Gaye who have formed a group that take the local vicar to task about forgiving sinners to readily.

The story is full of interesting characters. And there are puzzling clues to follow -penguin biscuits for one……

So, we have two deaths in Suffolk and one in Cambridge are they connected and if so, how? Under the calm exterior of the little town, there are murky goings on. There is indeed a Shadow over Southwold.

Before the killer is found, secrets are revealed. Secrets that someone does not want made public. A tense climax ensues, and in some respects a surprise hero. The author has a deft touch with prose, and as with the earlier books in the series, I enjoyed this one enormously. Recommended.
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Reviewer: Lizzie Sirett
Earlier books in the series are A Southwold Mystery, and Shot in Southwold

[Daphne Sharpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read from this author, and I will have to catch up on her previous titles. I really enjoyed this murder mystery, and I only live 90 mins away from this rather delightful seaside town. I found it to be an accurate portrayal of Southwold, it’s an expensive, chic town, and unfortunately, I can’t afford to live there!! The price for a one bedroom flat in Southwold, bought me a three bedroom bungalow elsewhere in Norfolk!!
The story is set in 1961, and some parts appear too dated in attitudes, and are very stereotypical of the time frame , the writing can be somewhat stilted, but, the characters are wonderful, , the crime is very satisfactory, and I didn’t guess who did it, so that’s a bonus in my book! There was real humour involved, black in the case of the “ boys in blue”, but that was all part of the charm for me.
My favourite character was Felix, florist to the ‘Queen Mum’, a very precise, fussy and self advertising chap. A small time society snob, I felt so sorry for him, as he veered from being victim, suspect, hero, but all the time, being kindness itself to his friends, and newly discovered acquaintances. Not particularly brave, rather panicked, he was a treat!!
My thanks go to Allison and Busby, and Netgalley for my ARC, in return for my honest review.
I will leave reviews to Goodreads and Waterstones later, a five star read. I am going to read the other books in this series, and will recommend it to my family, who are also in love with Southwold.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I read in this series and won't surely be the last as I thoroughly enjoyed it.
It's a light, entertaining and engrossing story that I read in one setting as I was hooked and wanted to know what was going to happen.
The quirky characters, Felix above all, are likable and funny. The setting is vivid and I would have liked to spend some time there.
The mystery is full of red herring and is solid, even if I guessed part of the solution I was surprised as it was quite complex and satisfying.
I want to read the rest of the series as I had a lot of fun.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Jean-Luc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming, tart and often hilarious, this latest from Suzette Hill is a very delicious slice of English humor set in Suffolk in the early 60s. A goofy plot involving funny criminal shenanigans, some very colorful characters and lots of verbal pyrotechnics, this delightful madcap is the perfect summer read with lots of laughing out loud assured.
More crazy comedy than murder mystery, this romp must definitely be enjoyed without any moderation whatsoever 👍👍👍

Many thanks to Netgalley and Allison&Busby for this terrific ARC

[Liza · Rating 1 out of 5]

Having read the first 15 chapters, I still can't get into Shadow over Southwold and so I am afraid it has become a rare DNF.

I found the writing dry and slow and the characters inbelievable. I really could not relate to any of them.

However, on a positive note, as I live in Southwold I can say the geography and land marks are spot on.

[Louise Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite apart from the plot, this book offers some clever and funny dialogue which is really enjoyable. The pace was a little bit inconsistent but worth keeping on with as the plot is a good one and the characters quirky enough to be interesting without being over the top.

[Annie (is so far behind 😬) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third book in the series, but the first I've read. A fun, quirky mystery taking place not far from Cambridge and involving Cambridge academics, London florists, sketchy reverends, and a rooming house landlady who isn't quite the person she appears to be.

Florist Felix Smythe and his friend Professor Cedric Dillworthy are pulled into the mystery of her murder when it appears that Felix is a person of interest in it. The death of the sketchy reverend seems to be a completely separate issue, but all is not as it appears in Southwold. A well done mystery and enjoyable story is resolved tidily in the end. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and will keep this series on my TBR pile.

Recommended for a light, entertaining cosy read.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC to read and review. All opinions are strictly my own.

[Lyon Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm about to move to Suffolk. My daughter gave me this book as a Christmas present, so I could see what sort of people I'll be mixing with. Quirky I think best sums them up. I enjoyed the book, although you don't have to work too hard to work out whodunnit. Suzette Hill's style reminds me of Margery Allingham, one of my favourite writers. A gentle read, suitable for a trip to the seaside.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful read

I adore the books by Suzette A Hill. They are witty and engaging with interesting characters and plot twists to satisfy.