MYSTERY

After the Exhibition: A Jack Haldean Mystery

by Dolores Gordon-Smith
Severn House. Jul. 2014. 216p. ISBN 9780727883766. $28.95. M
COPY ISBN
Handsome Jack Haldean, mystery writer, and his buddy DI William (Bill) Rackham, from Scotland Yard, stumble into an odd little scenario that morphs into a multigenerational web of deception. It starts innocently enough at an exhibition of Christian art hosted by the firm Lythewell and Askern, where Jack and Bill meet the players. Later, the plot thickens when Colin Askern's girlfriend (and Daniel Lythewell's niece) Betty Wingate swears she saw a murdered woman in a local cottage. A bit smitten, Jack believes her, and he convinces Bill to check out the cottage. The duo discover enough to set a murder investigation in process, despite no body being on the scene. Add a hidden message written in rhyme (just begging to be decoded) and expect several of the firm's members to behave most suspiciously.
VERDICT Set in the 1920s and written in traditional British style, Gordon-Smith's eighth series entry (after Blood from a Stone) delights with its deftly juggled subplots and smashing conclusion. Think Dorothy Sayers when recommending to readers.
Reviewed by Teresa L. Jacobsen , Jul 01, 2014
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

FICTION

The Next Mrs. Parrish
by Constantine, Liv
FICTION

Do What Godmother Says
by Stratton, L.S.
FICTION

The Comfort of Ghosts
by Winspear, Jacqueline
FICTION

The Library Thief
by Shenjé, Kuchenga
FICTION

A Punishing Breed
by Frost, DC
FICTION

Still See You Everywhere
by Gardner, Lisa
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?