A tragic accident, murder or suicide? Amy Latimer's death was not an ordinary one, puzzling the police in her Cotswold town as they try to determine why a young woman from a wealthy family should have gone off into a forest to die. Nor was her will an ordinary one, leaving the surviving family members angry and frustrated. In an effort to unravel the true circumstances of Amy's death, clock repairer Jacob Silver and his wife Sarah join the police to track down a mysterious woman and a hidden fortune, finding a motive for murder that is also out of the ordinary.
'Out of the Ordinary'is the 17th novel in the Silver and Simm Victorian Mysteries series.
Excerpt
“Aren’t families funny, Jacob?” Sarah said.
“They certainly are,” he said. “Not knowing anything of Amy Latimer’s family, however, I suppose we shouldn’t leap to conclusions. Her mother is a friend of Mrs Rexford, so I assume they are solidly middle-class or better, and judging from the funeral, the Latimers must have a certain amount of wealth, too.”
“But money doesn’t make any difference to how they treat each other.”
“Very true. There’s something odd about that family and I sincerely hope it isn’t due to any suspicions about Amy’s death. Which reminds me …”
“Yes?”
“One of the mourners at the funeral was Mrs Sheridan.”
Sarah’s blue eyes grew even wider as she absorbed this new piece of information.
“Oh, my goodness. I wonder why.”
“I couldn’t ask her, naturally, but I wondered if Dr Sheridan wasn’t entirely happy with the circumstances of Amy Latimer’s death. If she died from exposure to the elements, that would be apparent, I suppose, but what led up to that may be open to question.”
“And the family won’t want anyone askin’ awkward questions, will they? Although from what you saw, they won’t be all tryin’ to protect each other and refusing to say anything. Sounds more like each one’d be more than happy to get one of the others blamed.”
“Possibly, although my impression was based on a rather fleeting glimpse. I would have thought I was mistaken if Mrs Rexford hadn’t had the same reaction.”
“So you were right in thinking that.” Sarah nodded in satisfaction.
Professional Reviews
Wonderful intricate mystery!!!!
Enjoyed book #17 in this favorite series of mine. This was a very hard earned solving of a mysterious death by Jacob, Sarah, and Inspector Carey. It made for a very intricate and interesting mystery. Especially for Jacob, who did a lot sleuthing on his own in this one. Loved it and hope there will be more.
Another great story in the Silver and Simm series
This is the latest in the Silver and Simm series, all of which I've found intriguing and wonderful reads. They make a small town in the Cotswold come alive, along with mysteries to solve. Jacob and Sarah are at it again, helping the police department solve the case of a young woman's death. Fully recommend this whole series, though each book stands alone as well.
Out of the Ordinary
Another good installment in an enjoyable series, "Out of the Ordinary" is a Silver and Simm investigation into whether an unusual death of a wealthy young woman was suicide or murder. The result of the investigation is, as usual, unexpected.
Reading any of Hurst's Silver and Simm books is an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.
