Please be aware that a blog tour for my new book, A FRAGILE WILL, will be taking place from July 19th to August 1, 2016.  If you wish to join the tour, go to my feature page at http://www.sagesblogtours.com/a-fragile-will.html

This story takes place in Folly-on-Weir in the Cotswolds of England, and is the first in a series to feature the protagonist, Alex Duggins.  When Alex discovers the frost covered corpse of a wandering monk in the snow near the village, it sets off a series of killings that has its roots in the history of the village.

The plot of the story is suitably complex and the characters well-drawn, although their unexplained and frustrating tendency to hide important information from each other and from the police is primarily what prevents a swift solution to the crime.  Also Alex’s panic attacks at unfortunate moments can be a bit trying, although she comes up aces at the end.

Overall, I would say this book is worth a look for those who like cozies set in England. The setting is very authentic.  Although Cameron lives in the United States today, she was born and raised in Dorset and captures the feel of English village life very well.

This is the second time I have reviewed one of Griffith’s books in the Ruth Galloway series.  I particularly enjoy these mysteries because they have a cast of continuing characters whose complicated relationships are as much a part of the story as solving the crime.

Ruth Galloway is a forensic archaeologist in Norfolk, England who has a close relationship with DCI Harry Nelson.  In fact, the happily married Nelson is the father of her daughter.  Nelson, his wife, his entire team, and their significant others and offspring are characters in these novels.  It may sound crowded, but Griffith’s generally pulls it off.

In this book a World War II plane is unearthed with the pilot still sitting the cockpit.  He turns out to be Fred Blackstock, a local aristocrat thought to have died in a different plane over the Channel.  This raises the interesting question as to why he was found here in a plane he never flew.

Other matter including a documentary on old airfare bases, a pig farm with a dead body, and the occurrence of a major flood raise the tension and deepen the mystery.  Those who enjoy cozies and police procedurals will find a lot to like in this series.