It is 1963 Oxford, a time of the discovery of the Beatles and other bands trying to find their big break. When a band member is found dead with his skull crushed halfway down the steps of a backstreet nightclub, it looks suspicious to Coroner Clement Ryder. He again requests the services of WPC Trudy Lovelady to investigate.
This is the eighth in the Ryder and Lovelady mysteries; it is the fourth I have read. Obviously, I enjoy Faith Martin’s writing (including her DI Hillary Green novels), although I thought this story line wasn’t quite as captivating as some of the earlier ones.
Still, it is a pleasant read (yes, even with the murder). It is fun to revisit the 60s when the world is on the brink of so many social changes. A woman in a police uniform is a rarity and Lovelady’s abilities are often dismissed especially by her superiors. But, Ryder appreciates her skill and promotes her successes.
This works well as a standalone, but it is worthwhile to read some of the earlier books to see the relationship between these two characters as well as some supporting players develop.
It is no spoiler to note that Ryder has the beginning of Parkinson’s and is contemplating the end of his career. I hope this is not the finale of the series and that Ryder will find some way to continue assisting in investigations and that Lovelady will fully come into her own.
Thanks to #netgalley and #HQ for the DRC
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