MP G. (philomene) - reviewed on 8/8/2011 + 23 more book reviews

The Reluctant Detective is an interesting blend of the classic British village mystery and a modern police procedural.

Faith Morgan is a former police officer turned Church of England minister who, on a visit to a village near her home town, witnesses the murder of the local vicar in the midst of church services, encounters her former beau, now the local police detective and gets her first ministerial assignment- replacing the murdered vicar.

The mystery is well-plotted and the murderer is difficult to detect in advance of their unveiling. The well-drawn village characters are appropriately quirky and individual. The chemistry between Faith and Ben is tangible and interesting: one definitely roots for their ultimate reunion. My only quibble is that Faith's introspective qualms and self doubts, while initially interesting, are too liberally shared as the novel unfolds. The action and the dialogue convey plenty about Faith's character and growing confidence, so we don't need the internal monologue in addition.

This books promises to be the first in a series. I'll definitely look forward to future installments.

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