Customer Reviews

THE POISONING IN THE PUB: THE FETHERING MYSTERIES

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've become hooked on this series, which I like far better than the author's several others. This latest is excellent, except I think it is rushed at the end.

I would have to say that this is not one of Simon Brett's better books on his Fethering Mystery stories. His earlier books are much better if you have never read any of his stories. After ready most of his books, this story is just a rehash of all of his other Fethering Mystery books. I found myself skimming the pages so I could finish quicker. Even the characters have lost their charm for me.

I've read the entire Fethering Series and think Mr. Brett is an excellent author, however, this installment was very dark. I gave it 150 pages and then had to put it down. It was depressing. The murder of a mentally challenged man was too much. There was a lot of repeating throughout which made it dull. No humor.

Somewhat a plot Spoiler given below:
Simon Brett has written a good book on an important but, to me at least, little known problem; ie criminal psychopaths using mildly retarted or severely disabled people as innocent pawns in very dirty business dealings.
I found the book very disturbing as I once, as a high school teenager, was involved in inadvertingly exposing mistreatment of retarded, but trainable (ie IQ 85 ) teens in what was believed to be a very benevolent idyllic home for them in suburban Philadelphia. He made a very convincing case, I thought, how people who knew these people were mentally or physically impaired, refused to believe they had been the cause of food poisoning at an independently owned pub that was the target of dangerous business execs looking to increase their upscale pub chain. These people are very trusting and totally dependent on people who are suposed to be overseeing them. Once again I find that intelligent cozies, meaning no detail blood or gore descriptions) do cover important issues in the world that everyday people don't know about.