Scan barcode
A review by cj_mo_2222
Death of an Old Girl by Elizabeth Lemarchand
4.0
The annual festival at Meldon School should be about celebrating the end of the term and former students, "old girls", returning for a fun reunion with friends. One of the old girls, the elderly Beatrice Baynes, lives right across the street and is outspoken with her criticism of Meldon's current staff and administration. Although she was hard to get along with, everyone is still shocked when her dead body is discovered on the grounds and it's determined to be murder. Chief Detective Inspector Pollard and Detective Sergeant Toye are called in by Scotland Yard to investigate.
This book was written in 1967 and has been released this year. It's the first of the long-running "Pollard & Toye" series, but the first time I've read anything by this author. The book started a bit slowly, mainly because there are quite a few characters introduced at the beginning. Once the investigation gets going, it's easier to keep track of who is who and therefore, concentrate on the story itself. Beatrice has no shortage of enemies, so there are plenty of suspects for Pollard and Toye to question, which keeps the story moving.
I enjoy the scenes with Pollard at home with his wife, Jane, which add to the story and help the reader to get to know Pollard. Pollard is kind, organized, determined to get to the truth, and devoted to his wife. I love that Jane was able to provide a key clue that helps her husband solve the case. Toye is likable, putting witnesses at ease, but not enough personal information is given about him to really get to know him.
Overall, this is a well-written police procedural. The investigation is logical and makes the book entertaining. I like the timelines of the crime that Pollard and Toye use to investigate the crime. It helped me get a clearer view of what had happened, too. The identity of the murderer wasn't a huge shock, but the motive was interesting and surprising. I enjoyed the plot and especially the main character of Tom Pollard.
I received this book through the courtesy of Sapere Books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
This book was written in 1967 and has been released this year. It's the first of the long-running "Pollard & Toye" series, but the first time I've read anything by this author. The book started a bit slowly, mainly because there are quite a few characters introduced at the beginning. Once the investigation gets going, it's easier to keep track of who is who and therefore, concentrate on the story itself. Beatrice has no shortage of enemies, so there are plenty of suspects for Pollard and Toye to question, which keeps the story moving.
I enjoy the scenes with Pollard at home with his wife, Jane, which add to the story and help the reader to get to know Pollard. Pollard is kind, organized, determined to get to the truth, and devoted to his wife. I love that Jane was able to provide a key clue that helps her husband solve the case. Toye is likable, putting witnesses at ease, but not enough personal information is given about him to really get to know him.
Overall, this is a well-written police procedural. The investigation is logical and makes the book entertaining. I like the timelines of the crime that Pollard and Toye use to investigate the crime. It helped me get a clearer view of what had happened, too. The identity of the murderer wasn't a huge shock, but the motive was interesting and surprising. I enjoyed the plot and especially the main character of Tom Pollard.
I received this book through the courtesy of Sapere Books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.