Effectively, it’s time as soon as once more (nicely previous time, really – this could have been an October choose…) to focus on a extremely really useful Cozy thriller ebook. This entry might be on the primary in Verity Shiny‘s Girl Eleanor Swift Thriller Collection, A Very English Homicide… a reputation that I’m truthfully very shocked hasn’t been used earlier than!
Set in England within the Nineteen Twenties, Girl Eleanor Swift is returning to Henley Corridor, the house of her now-deceased uncle, which she hasn’t visited for nearly 20 years. One thing of an adventurer, Eleanor has spent most of her life travelling, indulging her love of tales of journey and exploration from her youth, however has lately determined she wanted a relaxation – although she’s not fairly sure that the normal background of Henley Corridor is the correct place for stated relaxation, she’s going to present it an opportunity.
Sadly, because it so usually is in Cozies, the possibility for a brand new begin to life intersects with a homicide, as on her very first day within the Corridor, she witnesses somebody shot on a neighboring piece of land. When she goes to research, she finds no physique, however a really apparent patch of blood, indicating the taking pictures was seemingly deadly – however when she returns the next day with the native police sergeant and constable, neither physique nor blood remains to be seen. Naturally sufficient, she decides to take it upon herself to research.
Regardless of being written extraordinarily lately (2020 was the unique publishing date) that is what I’d name a really conventional Cozy Thriller. Certainly, so lots of the themes are from the oldest, most conservative days of Cozies that I’d go as far as to say that Christie, Sayers, and the like are very clear inspirations – it’s set within the Nineteen Twenties (which was the unique ‘modern’ interval for a number of the earliest Cozies, however now a ‘historic’ option to harken again to that period), is about in a standard English manor home, and stars a member of the English aristocracy. Certainly, other than the sleuth’s gender, it feels very impressed by Lord Peter Whimsy and related ‘very English’, very early Cozy sleuths.
I additionally undoubtedly recognize that the homicide happens very early within the novel. Whereas I do recognize the layers of theming and ambiance that go into many trendy Cozies, I particularly take pleasure in when this may be added on prime of the thriller – typically in trendy Cozies, the crime itself seems like an afterthought, however that actually isn’t the case right here. (Admittedly this does make my job a bit tougher in writing these, since I don’t like to speak about a lot of the plot AFTER the thriller for ‘spoilers’ causes, nevertheless it’s nonetheless value it to get to the thriller in my view!)
When you’re on the lookout for a contemporary collection with a really conventional vibe, then I can strongly advocate A Very English Homicide.
As at all times, if you wish to learn extra of those temporary discussions of a number of the extra fashionable Cozy Thriller Collection that I’ve written previously, you’ll find them on the Most Really useful Cozy Thriller Collection web page.
