The second in the Constable Evans Welsh mystery series, Evan Help Us has a 1950-ish feel to it with a whole crew of fun characters whom you can't help but enjoy including the Detective Inspector who is more concerned with his fishing than the truth (he does remind me of Racer from the Inspector Jury series by Martha Grimes).Constable Evan Evans has transferred to Llanfair to get away from the intensity of crime in the big city only to fall into it in this tiny, picturesque Welsh village. Two murders in about as many days...not what Annie Pigeon was expecting either!One of the murdered men is a well-loved, long-time visitor about to put Llanfair on the tourist map while the other is an unloved, unwanted local who has returned after 20 years with his ideas for pulling tourists to Llanfair.It's an easy, fun read that pokes you into wondering how last names evolved with a lively insight into the daily life of a Welsh village.
Evan Evans is back with his second case in Wales. This one begins with a killing disguised as an accidental fall from a small bridge. Evan, in his quiet way, looks into things. The fact that his superior wants him to remain friendly with the new woman in town does not sit well with a couple of local ladies. How can what could be considered a police procedural be described as 'sweet?' Well, this story is easy to read, definitely has those homey sweet moments, as well as deadly danger to liven the action. Of note: this book is out of print. I had to order a used book - which is not good for the author's bottom line.
What do You think about Evan Help Us (1999)?
This is the second book in the Evan Evan series, set in a very small village in Wales. It was even more enjoyable than the first, maybe because I know the characters better. They are small-town folks and have a sincerity about them that is refreshing. The book is a fast read, but the main characters are serious in their pursuits, so the story does not deteriorate into frivolity. The one question is, of course, how believable will it be for murders to keep occurring in such a tiny village. But maybe the next books will expand the geographic scope.
—Babette
