Book Four in Belinda Lawrence mystery series. Confirming the Professor was murdered proves to be a challenge and, gradually, as they get to know those associated with the Manor House, Belinda and Hazel discover another murder and an intricate web of secrets.
'A damn good read.'
I like most crime fiction, but the sub-genre of the 'cosy' is just about my favourite. Brian Kavanagh has become an adept at this type of novel, and the fact that he uses the same characters, so that we see their personal stories and their relationships develop, really adds something.
Of course Brian is also adept at weaving in history. So far he's dealt with myseries involving Capability Brown, the Bayeux Tapestry and now the murder of Thomas a Becket in Canterbury Cathedral.
As usual, "A Canterbury Crime" kicks off with the Odd Couple of Belinda Lawrence and Hazel Whitby getting involved thru their antiques business. They are valuing the late Prof de Grey's household contents when almost at once there's a hint that de Grey's "heart attack" death might have been something more sinister. From there the story is off and running, as the cleverly dropped clues lead Belinda and Hazel to unravel a callous murder. Woven thru the crime part of the story is Belinda's love affair with the gorgeous Mark Sallinger, who's now a baronet, proposing formally to Belinda. But she's still got her old boyfriend Brad back in Australia... The author is not letting go of that sub-plot in a hurry.
I'm pretty good at spotting whodunnit in crime novels, but I didn't in this one. And when for various tedious reasons I had to put the book aside for 2 days I was furious not to be able to get on with it. For me it ended too suddenly, so I'll have to wait for the next one to get my fix.
But what a TV series this'd make, with the contrasting main characters, and the clever, historically based plots and the weirdness of the people who come and go, and may or may not turn out to be the murderer. I once told Caroline Graham her books'd make a great series, and now they are "Midsomer Murders", so let's hope Kavanagh has the same luck.
A damn good read.
M.J.Whitford,author of Shakespeare's Will.
Paperback and eBook
Excerpt
Tommy gave a yelp as Belinda began to pull away from him but he tightened his grip and dragged her towards worn stone steps that led down into a frightening black void.
"Where are we going?"
Tommy, ignoring the sanctity of his surrounds sang softly and mischievously: "Dem bones, dem bones, gonna walk aroun’ Dem bones, dem dry bones, gonna walk aroun’ Now hear the word of the Lord."
"Yes, well, I’m in the mood to break a few," muttered Belinda.
As they descended the shadows intensified, Belinda stumbled, clung to Tommy to prevent herself from falling and cursed him under her breath in a most unchristian manner. Eventually they reached a point where Belinda was utterly immersed in an impenetrable blackness that seemed to swallow her up.
Tommy released his grip and stepped away from her. Panic rose in Belinda’s chest as the pitch black weighed down on her. She gave a whimper of fear as her outstretched arms sought some form of security.
"Tommy, you idiot. Where are you?"
It was then that a beam of light shot through the darkness. Belinda blinked in the sudden light and saw illuminated before her the face of the Virgin.
Tommy had turned on a torch.
"It’s Our Lady of the Undercroft," he said, a curious reverence in his voice. The white stone of the altar surrounding the Madonna glowed bright in the torch light and Belinda glimpsed a wonderful display above her of early Norman vaulting, supported by robust columns, with carved Romanesque capitals crowning each pillar.
*****
Belinda shook her head in bewilderment.
"So no one knows if his bones are actually here in the cathedral? If the other grave proved to be false, why don’t they excavate this one to see if there’s someone buried here?"
With a laugh, Tommy sang softly: "Moral of the story be, Dem bones gonna rise again. Don't leave your cores for the Lord to see. Dem bones gonna rise again."
He took her arm once more and they moved away from the tombs.
"I think I’ve had enough talk about Thomas for one night," he said in a low voice close to Belinda’s ear, "and I don’t know about you, but I find it a bit chilly down here. How’d you like to warm me up?"
The light from the torch was suddenly extinguished and Belinda felt Tommy’s arm slide around her waist. She tried to push him away, but he tightened his grip.
"Tommy, let go. Grow up."
His face was close to hers.
"Come on, Belinda, you know you want to. Don’t tell me you really fancy that cold fish twerp that hangs around you."
His lips sought hers and he forced a kiss on her.
Belinda struggled and broke free, grabbing the torch as she did. She hit out and struck him on the head. He gave a yelp and as the torch flew from her hand Belinda heard it clatter to the floor and roll away. Fear and panic rose in her chest. In the total dark she could see nothing but she turned in an effort to get away from Tommy and started to run.
With a thud, she ran straight into one of the huge pillars and screamed in fright. The impact stunned her and took her breath away. She heard Tommy hoarsely calling her name but he seemed a distance away so steeling herself she pressed forward in the dark, holding her hands before her to prevent running into another obstacle.
After what seemed an eternity she saw a pale light in the distance. The steps. If she could reach them she would be safe as she could escape up to the nave. The light increased a little as she neared the steps. As she reached the bottom one, she looked up and froze. The eerie figure of a man was silhouetted against the faint light. He was descending towards her. Frozen to the spot she watched in terror as the figure grew closer and closer.
Professional Reviews
**** Charming, funny and darkly engaging.
**** Charming, funny and darkly engaging., 24 May 2013
By
KatrinaV Amazon Verified Purchase
This review is from: A Canterbury Crime (A Belinda Lawrence Mystery) (Kindle Edition)
The excellent writer Brian Kavanagh returns with another Belinda Lawrence Mystery, this time set in Canterbury. Intimately detailing various locations within the ancient city, readers local to the area will thoroughly enjoy this book, and those who do not know the city will learn a lot about the history and geography as well. Being from Canterbury myself, I enjoyed the little notes Kavanagh makes of street names, church locations and near-by villages. As Belinda and Hazel attempt to solve the mystery of Professor de Gray's death, they find themselves caught up in a web of local, personal, and religious history, all coming together in order to resolve a life-long family secret. Full of twists and turns, this book takes you on a memorable journey and will leave you wanting more.
***** Contemporary mystery highlights history beautifully without interrupting the action.
Contemporary mystery highlights history beautifully without interrupting the action., September 2, 2013
By
LLona Cunningham (Las Vegas, NV United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: A Canterbury Crime (A Belinda Lawrence Mystery) (Kindle Edition)
It was interesting to continue with characters I remember from the first Belinda Lawrence mystery, Capable of Murder, and to notice how well they tell a completely independent story. This one uses the old Canterbury location and history to create a whole new contemporary mystery story. I especially enjoyed the author's ability to give me a sense of time and place in a location where I've never been, and to do it without bogging down in old ground or interrupting the action to describe more than I need to know.
*****A Good Read
Joseph Gilpatric
5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Read
Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2013
Verified Purchase
I just finished A Canterbury Crime and I LOVED IT! I'm not a mystery reader, but this book was truly worth the read, The murder suspects are many and colorful -- hard to tell "who dun it." Unlike most mystery books, there is no foul language, no sexuality, and no gore -- just a good clean mystery that will keep the reader in suspense. I look forward to reading more of Mr. Kavanagh's books.
Book four of the Belinda Lawrence series is one of the best so far and tell the tale of the 1170 murder of St. Thomas Becket. Of course, Belinda Lawrence and Hazel Whitby become involved through their antique business, but are quickly pulled into the possible murder of Professor de Grey. This one had me guessing right up to the end and what a surprising ending!
The story takes place in Canterbury and is full of location and religious history. "A Canterbury Crime" takes many, many twists and turns that leads the reader down a crooked road of mystery. This one is a real page turner with our usual comfortable characters and some new somewhat eccentric ones that make for a wonderful novel. The storyline is busy with page after page of drama and surprise.
No spoiler alerts. I want you to read this one! Great turn of events in the ending. Definitely my favorite this far. 5 out of 5! Brian Kavanagh has a great knack for spinning a tale perfectly and he outdid himself with "A Canterbury Crime."
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