The new Lambert and Hook mystery - When the committee members of the Oldford Literary Festival all receive anonymous letters telling them to resign or die, it marks the start of an unusual case for Chief Superintendent Lambert and DS Hook. All of the members identify one man as being capable of such a thing: Peter Preston, a self-important snob who is in disagreement with the head of the festival over what he sees as the dumbing down of the events programme. But could such a disagreement lead to murder? It’s not long before Lambert and Hook have their answer . . .
Review
In the latest in the long-running Lambert and Hook series, which began way back in 1989, a literary festival is the scene of the crime. Crimes, actually, threats against the members of the planning committee, followed by murders. A suspect emerges early on, even before the murder, but, as DCI Lambert and DS Hook know all too well, what seems to be obvious and true often is not. Unlike Isaac Asimov's Murder at the ABA (1976), which was set at an American booksellers' convention, this novel uses the literary festival merely as a way to get the story going. This isn't a criticism, just a heads-up to fans of literary themed mysteries that this isn't really one of those. But it is a good old-fashioned mystery, with plenty of suspense, twists and turns, and abundantly real characters. A worthy entry in an always interesting series. --Booklist, November 1, 2011
About the Author
Gregson is a Lancastrian by birth, and taught for 27 years in schools, colleges and universities.
Description:
The new Lambert and Hook mystery - When the committee members of the Oldford Literary Festival all receive anonymous letters telling them to resign or die, it marks the start of an unusual case for Chief Superintendent Lambert and DS Hook. All of the members identify one man as being capable of such a thing: Peter Preston, a self-important snob who is in disagreement with the head of the festival over what he sees as the dumbing down of the events programme. But could such a disagreement lead to murder? It’s not long before Lambert and Hook have their answer . . .
Review
In the latest in the long-running Lambert and Hook series, which began way back in 1989, a literary festival is the scene of the crime. Crimes, actually, threats against the members of the planning committee, followed by murders. A suspect emerges early on, even before the murder, but, as DCI Lambert and DS Hook know all too well, what seems to be obvious and true often is not. Unlike Isaac Asimov's Murder at the ABA (1976), which was set at an American booksellers' convention, this novel uses the literary festival merely as a way to get the story going. This isn't a criticism, just a heads-up to fans of literary themed mysteries that this isn't really one of those. But it is a good old-fashioned mystery, with plenty of suspense, twists and turns, and abundantly real characters. A worthy entry in an always interesting series. --Booklist, November 1, 2011
About the Author
Gregson is a Lancastrian by birth, and taught for 27 years in schools, colleges and universities.