One of those book series in audio format I've been borrowing from the library on and off now, A LESSON IN DYING is the first in the Inspector Simon Ramsay series, which is one of those quintessentially British, small town mystery, where the murders often have that slightly dotty sense about them (in this one a particularly nasty headmaster is hanged in the playground on the night of the school Hallowe'en party). Because it's been a while since I listened to this - think of this more as a note to self than a full review, but I really like this series. Ramsay is a great character, as you'd expect from a writer like this, the mysteries are twisty, but followable in audio, and the resolutions are never quite as obvious as they seem. In this outing, the caretaker of the school, and a governor is the one that really sets out to prove that the headmaster's wife (the obvious suspect) didn't do it, ably and enthusiastically assisted by his daughter. As is often the way with these small English village mysteries, there are a lot of people hiding a lot of dark secrets.
A good audio version that is easily followed whilst doing other things - which is always useful for the weekend task runs about the farm.
A Lesson In Dying
Who hanged the headmaster in the playground on the night of the school Hallowe'en party? Almost everyone in Heppleburn either hated or feared the viper-tongued Harold Medburn.
Inspector Ramsay is convinced it was the headmaster's enigmatic wife, but Jack Robson, school governor and caretaker, is determined to prove her innocence. With the help of his restless, enthusiastic daughter, Patty, Jack digs into the secrets of Heppleburn and uncovers a cesspit - of lies, adultery, blackmail and madness.
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