A stranger and afraid

Superintendent Ditteridge #1

by Mariko Robert

When Holly Dunthorne returns home to the village of Roydon Saint Agnes she finds that a friend, Marcus Meriden, has been accused of beating up an old man. There are witnesses who say they saw it happen, and the only one who might possibly clear him stays stubbornly silent.

But when murder happens and a newcomer to the village seems to attract everyone's attention, Holly finds everything has changed, not least her old friends, the Meridens, among whom she feels herself a stranger - and afraid.

Genres: Mystery

190 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

Reviews

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Neat and sharp and interesting like all the Ferrars I’ve read so far. Does what Christie did so well, which is to get at the root of human feeling in concise and quick sketches.

[Shauna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually like murder stories by Elizabeth Ferrars. They are short and don't have much in the way of plot development or characterisation but they are entertaining. I didn't think this one was up to her usual standard. It seemed more like a love story than a detective novel with a bunch of unconvincing and mainly unpleasant characters.

[Carolien · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good example of the English mystery genre. It's an interesting read in that it showcases how much English village life has changed over the past 40 odd years. The descriptions of the shops and village interactions really describes a way of life that has all but disappeared. A pleasant read.