A Meditation on Murder
""...a classic locked door mystery that reads like an Agatha Christie." "
Synopsis:
Aslan Kennedy has an idyllic life: leader of a spiritual retreat for wealthy holidaymakers on one of the Caribbean's most unspoilt islands, Saint-Marie. Until he is murdered, that is.
The case seems open and shut: when Aslan was killed he was inside a locked room with only five other people, one of whom has already confessed to the murder.
Detective Inspector Richard Poole is hot, bothered and fed up with talking to witnesses who'd rather discuss his 'aura' than their whereabouts at the time of the murder. He also knows that the facts of the case don't quite stack up. In fact, he is convinced that the person who has just confessed to the murder is the one person who couldn't have done it. Determined to track down the real killer, DI Poole is soon on the trail and no stone will be left unturned.
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Review:
There is a current trend for novelisations of popular crime drama TV series. I have a confession to make. I have not seen 'Death in Paradise' and I did wonder if I was the right person to review this book. However, it doesn't matter if you've never seen the very popular BBC drama as this book is so well-written that previous knowledge of the TV series is not needed. I didn't feel as if I was joining a series mid-way through not knowing what was going on at all. Written by series creator, Robert Thorogood, this could easily have been a cheap tie-in with a sloppy plot whilst the author assumed we would all know the setting and characters, but Thorogood has respected his audience. The characters are well-rounded and detailed and he has provided a meaty story that will keep you hooked from beginning to end. 'A Meditation on Murder' is a classic locked door mystery that reads like an Agatha Christie. I have no doubt Thorogood is heavily influence by the queen of crime and if the TV drama is anything like this first novel I am a convert and will definitely tune in next time it's on. I hope there are more novels to come. Thorogood could be Christie reincarnated.