Reviewed By: Ruth Jordan - RAM
![[Book Cover graphic]](http://www.booksnbytes.com/book_covers/barnard_mistress.jpg)
The Mistress of Alderley
Amazon US HC Amazon UK PB Amazon Canada HC
Robert Barnard
Class/Genre: Mystery
April 2003, Scribner, 288 pages/$24.00
There is no pen in mystery more true to the format of the golden age than that of Robert Barnard. His set ups and characters are of such an ilk that I find them almost comforting when I sit down to read his latest book.
That said, Mistress of Alderley is not a “comfort” read. It is a book about takers. Caroline Fawley is a T.V. actress happily immersed in her latest role as Mistress. She has been set up in a charming English Manor by her benefactor Marius Fleetwood. Charmed by the village, her new home, and current paramour the silly Fawley believes her existence to be ideal. As she recedes into relative anonymity her eldest daughter Olivia is on the cusp of stardom. All comes to a head on the night of Olivia’s premiere performance as an opera diva. For the lives of all involved are so superficial that a dead body discovered in the bushes must surely change the outlook of all our players.
But non, my fellow readers. In a look at humanity that is cynicism absolute Mr Barnard shares with his audience the revelation that forward motion is possible in an individual without any of the mundane grace of evolution of character. Comfort read indeed. It’s a fascinating character study wrapped up in an old fashioned mystery and recommended to all whom enjoy the format but can stomach abhorrent participants.
Ruth Jordan - RAM
Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Ruth Jordan - RAM
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