Murder in a Welsh Town by Pippa McCaithie

5^th March 2023.

In the fourth book of this excellent series, Fabia Harvard and Matt Lambert have a murder on their doorstep when Ivor Gladwin, one of the actors in the town pantomime, is found dead. He took satisfaction in winding people up, which means plenty of suspects for his murder. And some of those suspects have problems of their own, which come to a head for one couple when a second person is murdered.

It’s a complex case that overlaps with an undercover operation Lambert has not been informed about. With tensions running high, and one of the undercover officers in an affair with a suspect for Ivor Gladwin’s murder, the problems continue to pile up.

All the main characters from the previous novels are there, maintaining the backstory and relationships that are such a key part of the novels. It’s a slow investigation, but never dull or without incident, reflecting the way murders are solved by solid police work and evidence, carefully gathered.

If you enjoy a solid cosy mystery with a complex puzzle to solve, supported by an engaging cast of local characters, then this is definitely a series worth trying. But like any series, you’ll get more out of the books if you start at the beginning.

Description

Plans for a town pantomime are thrown in the air after one of the actors is murdered.

The victim is local gossip, nosy parker and aspiring manipulator, Ivor Gladwin. Reviled by many and ignored by more, the list of people who could have wanted rid of him seems to grow by the minute.

Despite having overstepped the mark in past cases, because of her familiarity with the individuals involved, ex police officer Fabia Havard is actually tasked by her boyfriend, and serving DCI, to look into the matter on the side.

Unfortunately, she stumbles upon an ongoing undercover inquiry, and the killer looks like they might creep back into the woodwork.

With amateur dramatics suspended and a serious murder case on their hands, Havard and Lambert will need to put their minds together to crack the case.