Book Review: Slaying is Such Sweet Sorrow

Reviewed By: Dawn Dowdle

Slaying is Such Sweet Sorrow     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Patricia Harwin
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character   Amateur Sleuth   Senior Sleuths   Cozy
Series: Far Wychwood Mysteries # 2
Pocket, Paperback, 3/05, 273 pages, $6.99

Catherine Penny, a former New York librarian, now lives in a tiny English town of Far Wychwood. She has to deal with painful memories when her ex-husband and his new lady love show up to attend an awards ceremony honoring their son-in-law Peter. He is supposed to be a shoo-in for a prestigious appointment at Oxford’s Mercy College. They are shocked when he is not chosen. The man that is chosen, Edgar Stone, is a womanizer and is not well liked.

Stone is found dead, and Peter is accused. Catherine does everything she can to prove he’s innocent. Unfortunately the police have a call from Stone saying that Peter is there threatening him with a knife right before he’s found dead.

Her daughter and ex-husband have hired a solicitor, but he doesn’t seem to be much help. Her relationship with her daughter is tenuous at best, and these circumstances really wear on it. Plus Catherine and her ex-husband run into each other more than Catherine would want. This adds a lot of tension in the family.

I am not a big fan of mysteries set in England. I think one of the reasons I like this series is that it is an American who has moved to England. So often she will explain the idiosyncrasies I would otherwise not understand.

Catherine is an enjoyable character. I like seeing England through her eyes. I enjoy the English countryside. Her relationship with her family is very difficult and always adds to the story.

I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it and the first book in the series.

Dawn Dowdle

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Dawn Dowdle

Please visit Dawns website at www.mysteryloverscorner.com