Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner
Candles for the Dead
Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Frank Smith
Class/Genre: Mystery Police Procedural
Series: Neil Paget # 3
St. Martin's, Aug 1999, $20.05, 224 pp.
Everyone involved in the investigation seems a bit stunned by the murder weapon and the location of the crime scene. Someone used a candlestick to pound widow Beth Snakewood to death inside the St. Justin Chapel. Detective Chief Inspector Neil Paget and his junior partner Sergeant John Tregalles investigate the brutal slaying.
The problem confronting the two police officers is that the victim seems to have several individuals who have strong motives to kill her. Her former peer on the job is obviously jealous of Beth's recent promotion, which he feels she gained through her figure rather than her figuring. Her boss raped but promoted Beth. The woman's violent son loses his control very quickly. Then there is the unknown person who tipped the police off on many of their early inquiries. The only thing the two cops know is that they have their work cut out for them if they want to identify the killer.
CANDLES FOR THE DEAD, the third Paget mystery (see FATAL FLAW and STONE DEAD) is an invigorating village cosy who- done-it that will grip readers from start to finish. The investigation takes center stage in the engaging story line. However, a subplot involving Paget's personal life adds much depth to the tale. Frank Smith provides fans of the regional (outside London) British police procedural sub- genre with a fast-paced, old fashion, but enjoyable detective story.
Harriet Klausner
Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner
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