Chapter and Hearse: And Other Mysteries
With 19 mystery novels under her belt, Aird is well known among British whodunit fans. Here she offers a collection of undemanding short stories--light bites for bedtime, beach, or bus reading. The stories are only a few pages long, but they cover a wide range of mystery genres, from mini-police procedurals and espionage thrillers to British cozies. A few stories provoke out-and-out laughter, while others generate genuine suspense. Aird's intrepid Detective Inspector Sloan and his loyal partner, DC Crosby, figure prominently in many of the tales, but she also introduces a host of other intriguing characters, including some British spies and several devilishly clever killers. Some of the standout stories include "A Soldier of the Queen," a humorous account of a nervous sentry, and "Exit Strategy," the dark tale of a woman suffering from senile dementia and her daughter's plans to "help" her. Aird's latest is a bit fluffy, but the charming diversity and cleverly constructed plots of her stories will certainly appeal to readers seeking low-impact entertainment.Emily MeltonCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved