Customer Reviews

Death Watch

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considering some of the truly awful mysteries i have suffered at least partially through, i cannot understand why harrod-eagles' series isn't better known and why it goes out of print with such blinding speed.

this entry in the series is as impressively well written as any reader could wish--the plot is first rate; the writing is wonderful (and i love the puns--only people who can't make puns sneer at them); the dialogue is natural; the characters are individual and interesting; the relationships, situations and motives are realistic; there's humor.

as with many series, watching the growth of the main characters is part of the pleasure, so, while this installment can be read by itself, its even better if you have read the previous books.

harrod-eagles is also the author of another good series, an historical that follows one fictional family throught english history from the 15th century into othe 20th (and probably into this one soon). aside from the level of excellence in the writing, it would be hard to identiry the writer of each as the same woman. harrod-eagles has the same sort of facility as the professional singers who can do grand opera one night and creditable jazz the next.

if you like your mysteries tricky, entertaining and perceptive, this book, and the rest of the series, is for you.

Originally published in 1992, this was the second in the Bill Slider series, preceded by Orchestrated Deathand followed by 1995's Necrochip (AKA Death to Go).

In this book Slider is struggling personally with his disintegrating marriage even as he investigates the death of a womanizing traveling salesman, Dick Neal, whose body was discovered in a compromising position in a burning motel cabin. Murder or Suicide? His superior's superior would plump for suicide-- much cheaper and makes their crime solution numbers look better. Slider, though, has his doubts about this; and with the assistance of his boss, Dixon, he continues to investigate the dead man.

Finally the case is connected with prior cases, two definitely murder. But what is the connection between the men involved?

The book contains loads of puns-- Harrod-Eagles has a real talent for slipping them in along with sly literary allusions. The relationship between the various members of the police force is intriguing and fills the space between the detecting nicely.

If adultery by the good guys makes you twitch you might want to avoid this one, but otherwise recommended for police procedural fans and those who enjoy a good pun.

It's been awhile since I read "Orchestrated Death" the first book in Ms. Harrod-Eagles Bill Slider series, but I decided to get back in the series. This is the second book in the series, and it's a good one. If you're a fan of English cozies, then give this series a try. Bill Slider is a real doll and his adventures in the fight against crime are good. I really enjoy Ms. Harrod-Eagles writing, and I'm starting to really like her characters - Bill and his sidekick Ahterton (Mr. Perfect). Dixon is wonderful too.

This was a good book that made it hard to put down.