The Shooting In The Shop. By Simon Brett (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
This is another series that I've kept up with over the years. This British "Fethering Mystery" features Carole Seddon, a retired Home Office civil servant and her friend, Jude, a healing consultant. These two friends are on total opposite end of the spectrum--Carole is very stiff-upper lip uptight older woman with few friends who goes to great length to appear "normal", even acquiring a dog, so that she won't be alone on her walks and be pitied by others for her loneliness. She did not have a happy marriage and wasn't particularly a happy mother but as she now has a granddaughter whom she adores, she is trying to be more flexible and content. Jude is a very new age consultant (mumbo-jumbo is how Carole would think) and very much at ease in her own skin, has many friends. She felt a bit sorry for Carole and so reached out to her because such is Jude's nurturing nature. It is so true that opposites attract. They make a good amateur sleuth combo because they compliment each other. This is a very enjoyable book to read with much humor thrown in, especially if you are an Englo-phile as I am. This is another level of British society. This particular mystery takes place at Christmas time--so we are privy to Carole's amusing anxiety about having a jolly good traditional Christmas do for her granddaughter's first Christmas and thus, it begins... Another chapter in the life of the amateur private investigators who often succeed where normal Police procedure fails. Based on a direct approach using their combined skills, sometimes together but often alone, before comparing notes afterwards, the two lady have forged an unlikely alliance that always gets to the truth. With a wide cast of characters Simon Brett brings alive the seaside town of Fethering. Here a family is broken apart by the murder of one of its number and the loss of their business enterprise over the Christmas period. A gentle read that sucks you in and pleasantly with increasing speed takes you along the satisfying conclusion.I love crime fiction and I'm not embarrassed to include this series as part of my enjoyment of this genre.
What do You think about The Shooting In The Shop. By Simon Brett (2011)?
Good mystery with solid character development. I really enjoy the interaction between the leads.
—Obeyy_Sidney
Another Simon Brett Feathering mystery. I loved this book. Highly Recommended.
—skinny
really great yarn...I think these stories get better and better!
—yui
