Lamb to the Slaughter (DI Marjory Fleming) [Paperback]

Aline Templeton (Author)

Book Description

Series: DI Marjory Fleming | Publication Date: March 1, 2009

In the pretty and tranquil market town of Kirkluce, the proposed development of a chain superstore has divided the population in an increasingly bitter feud. The low-level aggression of bored youth that is generally tolerated has become sinister. The bloodied carcass of a sheep abandoned in the streets is more than just unpleasant vandalism, and teenage bikers have begun terrorizing a woman to breaking. When an old man is brutally gunned down on his doorstep and a second victim is killed in what seems a random shooting, the fear in the town becomes tangible. Detective Inspector Marjory Fleming will not accept that the crimes are motiveless, but she struggles to make sense of the two murders. How are they connected, and will she find the perpetrators before more violence erupts?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The fourth in Templeton's series to feature Scottish Det. Insp. Marjory Fleming (Cold in the Earth, etc.) finds Fleming's quiet community of Kirkluce divided by a plan to open a superstore that threatens local trade. Soon after Col. Andrew Carmichael, the owner of property essential to the developer's proposal, receives a fatal shotgun blast to the chest, someone shoots young rowdy Barney Kyle in the back as he's riding his bike. While the motive for killing Kyle appears different, Fleming and her team find some suggestive links between the two victims. Templeton does a nice job of conveying the details of smalltown life, though her characters and their motivations are less well developed than those of such better-known writers as Ruth Rendell and Minette Walters. Toward the end, the author throws in enough twists to distinguish this from many similar contemporary British police procedurals. (Mar.)
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Review

"Val McDermid and John Harvey fans will snap this one up."  —Library Journal

"Aline Templeton has demonstrated that, just when we thought Scotland was saturated with detectives, a strong woman can elbow her way in and find a unique niche."  —Scotsman

"In fictional terms the combination of domesticity and detection is very appealing, especially when it comes with a detailed, vivid portrayal of a complete society . . . an interesting, atmospheric and—I predict—televisual series."  —Literary Review

"Not for Templeton, gruesome bodies strewn across the landscape left and right, here the emphasis is on character, motive and situation, building into an impressive whole. I’m sure it won’t be long before I have to write 'the best-selling Aline Templeton.' This is seriously good crime writing."  —Publishing News

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton (March 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 034092229X
• ISBN-13: 978-0340922293
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,286,735 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Templeton is always a pleasure, September 3, 2008

By 

L. J. Roberts (Oakland, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Templeton Untitled Two (Hardcover)

LAMB TO THE SLAUGHTER (Pol. Proc-DI Marge Fleming-England-Cont) - VG
Templeton, Aline - 4th in series
Hodder & Stoughton, 2008, UK Hardcover - ISBN; 9780340922286

First Sentence: `No,' the woman said..

The small town of Kirkluce, England is in the midst of a debate on whether to allow the building of a superstore. There is a debate as to whether elderly Colonel Carmichael who owns the property currently containing a craft center and flats. Instead of showing up at a town meeting and announcing whether he would sell the property, the Colonel is found the next morning murdered by a shotgun blast.

An elderly woman is being terrorized by teens on motorcycles. She claims she fired over their heads, but one young man is dead from a shotgun blast. DI Marge Fleming and her team need to sort out the lies from the truth and find the killer or killers.

Being one who loves good characters, Ms. Templeton certainly fills that need. Marge, with her husband, children and the farm, make a refreshing contrast from the usual angst-ridden, relationship-challenged policeman. There are touching, normal human interludes to offset the investigation. But with a nickname of "Big Marge," she's no pushover either. Her canny sidekick, and friend, Tam McNee is here still quoting Robbie Burns.

Having the story set in a small, rural town, where the residents know each other, provides a different and interesting dynamic than a large city. Templeton's style is a formula of introducing all of the possible suspects prior to the crime, but it works. The story's plot is well done with a lot of possible villains but no one who really stands out.

Just when you think you know the villain, maybe you don't. This makes the revelation at the end all the more effective and has a greater impact. It is always a pleasure to read an Aline Templeton book.

5.0 out of 5 stars A good addition to a fine series, December 13, 2009

By 

kashew (Zurich Switzerland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lamb to the Slaughter (DI Marjory Fleming) (Paperback)

This was the fourth mystery featuring DI "Big Marge" Fleming which I've read. Once you've discovered a new detective series, it is satisfying to see how their personal and professional lives develop ... in addition to seeing them solve another crime. Not only is the mystery aspect down to earth, the interplay between members of her detective crew is interesting. DI Fleming's strongly centered personal life and professionalism help her deal with solving crimes and with managing her team. While the crimes committed could have been committed anywhere, there is a Scottish flavor to the stories which I enjoy. Looking forward to the next in the series. For plot details, please refer to the other reviews.