Murder in the Village

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We are told that Harry is a retried detective inspector who has moved to Little Challham and now works for Doggie Delight delivering kibble (I want more information). The author was trying to establish a romantic relationship between our two protagonists, but it missed the mark. Hillary and her team interview possible witnesses, friends, acquaintances and relatives of Malcolm Dale. We also meet Harry who is retired from the police force of which the pair join forces after one of the local residents is murdered.

Our secondary protagonist is Harry Powell, a retired police detective who is now enjoying the slower and more serene way of life out of the hustle and bustle of the city. The local police inspector may be incompetent, but luckily there always seems to be a nearby amateur sleuth with twinkling eyes who has a few theories. She was born and brought up in Canton and since she is now stuck firmly in her past, it is a lovely book I can read to her and see her joy as we talk about places she remembers going as a child. I also find it increasingly irritating that her female sergeant Janine is always described as 'pretty blonde'. I know Lisa Cutts has written other books before this one but this is actually the first I've read of hers, but it certainly won't be the last!

Harry is reluctant and wishes to leave the murder investigation to the police but agrees to join her.

She has a finger in many pies but also has to deal with a brother, Marcus, who seems to be making his cash in less than honorable ways. This is billed as a cosy/cozy mystery but it has an edgier side to it that makes it a lot more exciting than many cosies/cozies out there but still avoids graphic descriptions and profanity. While the plot is interesting and absorbing - I had no idea of the killer until the dénouement it is not overly complicated or taxing and the real strength of the novel lies in the ongoing saga of the characters.Farming country, the village has been in existence in one form or another for over a thousand years, providing a natural 'ford' for oxen over the river since medieval times.