Wendy Laing's Cock of the Walk commences as Widowed Andy McNab, painter, owner of poodles, police Inspector is faced with a baffling murder.
Sir Peter Percival has been found dead in his hot tub.
Troubling for Inspector McNab is the fact that he is acquainted with Sir Peter and others in the wine producing area where the man and his vineyards were well known. What at first appears to be a simple matter of natural causes is soon proved to be murder by a most diabolical means.
When Lady Laura, Sir Peter’s wife is also found dead only days later the medical examiner quickly tests for the poison used to exterminate Sir Peter.
To complicate matters Sir Percy has just changed his will dividing his holdings between son Jason and Jo a trained vintner who manages the business. Daughter Dianne and her husband, have been left out of the will save for a trust for their future children, might be suspects were it not for the fact that Fredrico and his family are more wealthy than was Sir Peter.
Gambello vineyards are successful in their own right. An ancient document signed back in the late 1890s between George Percival and one Paul Petty figure in the mystery.
Author Laing has crafted an entertaining work filled to abundance with engaging, at times downright quirky characters set against a rich framework filled with potent emotions, treachery, breach of faith and plain old greed.
The gripping generously drawn narrative pulls the reader right into the tale from the opening lines as we share Jo’s terrifying nightmare. From that heart pounding introduction the tale moves right along carrying the reader with it in a search to unravel just what has happened.
Sir Peter was not a nice fellow, his neighbors find him haughty, his associates believe him a thief, all bend to the man. Power, political and moneyed have allowed Sir Peter to run roughshod over nearly everyone for decades.
His wife and he have not shared a room since the birth of their second child some twenty plus years ago, his children were raised more or less by the housekeeper. Sir Peter was arrogant, controlling and disdainful. When Jo Wilson and Dianne began a romance Sir Peter moved immediately to squelch it.
Dianne’s subsequent marriage to Fredrico Gambello was elaborate despite Sir Peter’s disdain for the Gambellos. Little did Sir Peter realize the true status of the Gambello family regarding either title or money.
Suspects abound. It would be hard to find anyone who really is sad to realize Percival is dead.
As always writer Laing has done her homework, researched poisons, learned something of the wine industry and the like prior to beginning her writing. It is this dedication to detail that provides much of the enjoyment found in Laing’s work.
Characters are well developed, have their own traits, quirks and oddities. Dialogue is piquant, harsh and often argumentative as the various actors come to understand the full import of the situation at hand.
The one character I would like to have seen developed a bit more in depth was Lyle Petty. Most characters are distinct, well fleshed, presented with all the flaws, warts and foibles found in most of society. Petty was a tad shallow.
Watch for red herrings. Laing is becoming quite adept in using them. A good read for a lazy summer afternoon on the porch with a tall glass of frosty lemonade.
Happy to recommend
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Reviewed by: Molly Reviews Books molly martin
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