Lorac is the pen name of Edith Caroline Rivett who wrote dozens of novels from the 1930s – 1950s. Death of an Author pulls from her inside publishing knowledge to set up this snappy mystery novel.
REVIEW: Crook O’ Lune
What begins as a spate of sheep-stealing, escalates to arson and murder. Luckily for the villagers, Inspector MacDonald is visiting the area as he considers buying property ahead of his retirement from the police force. His attempt to remain on vacation doesn’t last long as he begins to assist local authorities in their inquiry.
REVIEW: Death of Jezebel
Death of Jezebel features her recurring character Inspector Cockrill, a rumpled, unassuming detective. Like the Shakespearean “wise fool,” he makes outlandish observations and watches the chaos rattle around among the suspects.
REVIEW: Death of a Bookseller
The author, Bernard J. Farmer, was a Metropolitan police officer himself and had a penchant for book collecting, so the hero of this novel reflects the author quite a bit.
REVIEW: Murder After Christmas
First published in 1944 (the same year it is set), it intertwines the reality of Britain at war and a delightfully unserious tone. Amidst food rations, petrol shortages, and city evacuees are hidden mince-pies, vapid couples, and a doddering lawyer.