Book Review
Murder at Melrose Court, Healthcliff Lennox series, Book 1. Karen Menuhin
Karen Menuhin joins a long list of authors trying to make a place for themselves in the cozy mystery genre. She chooses the most popular backdrop, 20th century Britain, but instead of a female amateur sleuth chose a male, and develops an interesting and pretty unique character for her main character.
Heathcliff survived WWI and returns as a veteran to the home where he was raised; a member of the more privileged class with a good education and large expectations. But the family money is about gone and the young man is content to start his transition back to civilian life by not worrying too much about the changed circumstances. He's quite content to pursue his love of hunting, spend what resources there are on good food and drink, and leave tomorrow to fend for itself.
A body dumped on his doorstep starts to change all that. It is Christmas time, and because of that body a much put out Lennox reluctantly goes to spend the holiday at his uncle's home, Melrose Court.
In my opinion the author has done a good job of showing her skills in her debut mystery of this series. Heathcliff does not follow any already established stereotypes. There are some well worn paths tread again in the lifestyle of the comfortable upper British class, but for me the personalities of faithful servants, eccentric relatives, and what I call the supporting cast worked very well. There is also a nice dose of humor that adds some spice.
Even if the reader has a strong suspicion of who committed the murder, it won't be clear cut until the climax at the end. There are enough variables and little red herrings to create doubts and keep you hooked.
I grew quite fond of Heathcliff Lennox; even with his faults, he is a likeable guy and shows much potential. I'm trusting Ms. Menuhin to keep coming up with unique plots and a continuation of her hero's maturity in subsequent books - at present four have come to publication.
It sounds like a lovely book for the times. I'm retreating from the pandemic with Ngaio Marsh's 1930s mysteries. I might continue to the 1940s!
ReplyDelete