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A review by cj_mo_2222
The Affacombe Affair by Elizabeth Lemarchand
4.0
Local historian Olivia Strode fills in when the school nurse, Sister Joan Roach, fails to report to work at the Affacombe Priory School. It is soon determined that Sister Roach was murdered and her "sideline" of blackmail could be the motive. After the local police investigate for two days, DI Tom Pollard and his partner DS Toye from Scotland Yard are called in to find the murderer.
"The Affacombe Affair" was originally written in 1968 and has been recently released again. It's part of a long-running series and is still relevant today. I've read the first in the series, but that's not necessary to enjoy this book. I was surprised that detectives Pollard and Toye don't get involved in the investigation until two-thirds of the way into the book. Most of the detecting at the beginning of the book is done by Inspector Dart, a brusque but clever detective, or by Olivia Strode. Fortunately, I really enjoyed the character of Olivia. She is smart, sensible, and kind. These traits make people in the village trust her and confide n her, allowing her to provide quite a few clues to Dart and later Pollard. I was entertained by Olivia's contributions to the investigation. She reminds me of one of my favorite amateur sleuths, Hazel Holt's Mrs. Malory.
The first couple of chapters of the book move a bit slow, but once Olivia gets involved in the case, the book maintains an even leisurely pace. Once Pollard gets involved, things really start falling into place and getting even more interesting. Pollard has a way to quickly get to the bottom of things and is able to sort through a complicated motive and series of events. The solution is unexpected and definitely surprised me. Readers don't get to know Pollard as well in this book as in the first installment, but he is still a likable main character. I've enjoyed getting to know Pollard and becoming familiar with this classic series that I hadn't had a chance to read before this.
I received this book through the courtesy of Sapere Books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
"The Affacombe Affair" was originally written in 1968 and has been recently released again. It's part of a long-running series and is still relevant today. I've read the first in the series, but that's not necessary to enjoy this book. I was surprised that detectives Pollard and Toye don't get involved in the investigation until two-thirds of the way into the book. Most of the detecting at the beginning of the book is done by Inspector Dart, a brusque but clever detective, or by Olivia Strode. Fortunately, I really enjoyed the character of Olivia. She is smart, sensible, and kind. These traits make people in the village trust her and confide n her, allowing her to provide quite a few clues to Dart and later Pollard. I was entertained by Olivia's contributions to the investigation. She reminds me of one of my favorite amateur sleuths, Hazel Holt's Mrs. Malory.
The first couple of chapters of the book move a bit slow, but once Olivia gets involved in the case, the book maintains an even leisurely pace. Once Pollard gets involved, things really start falling into place and getting even more interesting. Pollard has a way to quickly get to the bottom of things and is able to sort through a complicated motive and series of events. The solution is unexpected and definitely surprised me. Readers don't get to know Pollard as well in this book as in the first installment, but he is still a likable main character. I've enjoyed getting to know Pollard and becoming familiar with this classic series that I hadn't had a chance to read before this.
I received this book through the courtesy of Sapere Books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.