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THE HANGING IN THE HOTEL
by Simon Brett
Berkley, August 2005
352 pages
$7.99
ISBN: 0425199258


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

Simon Brett has long delighted mystery lovers with his Charles Paris and Melita Pargeter series. THE HANGING IN THE HOTEL is the fifth of his Fethering series which features two older women, the conservative, reserved Carole Seddon and the more bohemian, flamboyant Jude.

Jude volunteers to help out an old friend, Suzy, a former famous model who now runs a hotel in Sussex. The hotel is short-staffed and Jude is needed to help wait on a dinner for the Pillars of Sussex. The Pillars en masse are a misogynist, drunken lot, but Jude does her best to help Suzy. The evening turns deadly when Jude discovers one of the future Pillars hanging from a four-poster.

Evidence and clues to the contrary, the authorities rule this one a suicide. Jude, in true mystery fashion, is unable to leave the contradictions in the case alone and persuades her neighbor to help investigate. In their way are the police who would much prefer that they be left to do their job, Suzy who can't afford any negative publicity about her moribund hotel, and the Pillars who close ranks.

They say you shouldn't review a book for what it isn't, but after enjoying Brett's talents for so long, it's hard not to do this with THE HANGING IN THE HOTEL; a story of Charles Paris quality, this is not. While Brett sets the immediate scene very well, he doesn't spend much time on getting new readers caught up on who Jude and Carole are. The plot isn't particularly gripping and the victim was less than memorable.

On a more positive note, the subplot which involves Carole's efforts to reconnect with her grown son, who has just gotten engaged, keeps the momentum of the novel going. It is also fascinating to see how casual Carole's involvement with the investigation truly is. One would think this would be a flaw in the writing, but it's done to great effect; Carole is helpful to Jude, but she doesn't let the investigation interfere with her everyday life.

THE HANGING IN THE HOTEL is not a bad book. While it doesn't live up to Simon Brett's potential, his trademark humor makes it a pleasant enough read.

Reviewed by Michelle L. Zafron, November 2005

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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


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