16 January 2018

Review: ACT ONE, SCENE ONE... MURDER, A. H. Richardson

  • published by Serano Press, USA 2016
  • #2 in the Hazlitt/Brandon series
  • review copy supplied by the author
  • 270 pages
Synopsis (author website)

Invited for dinner to a rather mysterious medieval mansion, in an obscure English village, are a group of actors, preparing to open in a new play in London.  The boisterous and belligerent playwright Cleland Symeon owns the mansion.

As the curtain rises, on this odd collection of performers, rather than partaking of a sumptuous dinner, a murder takes place in front of their terrified eyes.

The leading man dies… but by whose devilish hand?  More drama and theatrics evolve, as it appears that the killer has not yet finished his … or her work. Trapped in this castle, the actors can only wait it out …wait for another strike …and when it comes, the formidable team of sleuths, Hazlitt and Brandon, are faced with terror, mystery and some confusion.  Can this fearless couple solve the problem?…

My Take:

I thoroughly enjoyed this outing: It has all the characteristics of a classic country house murder.  Hazlitt and Brandon have the advantage of being there when the leading man drops dead and they are not so far from Little Shendon, so they can get their favourite policeman to dance attendance. It comes as no surprise when the verdict is murder, but was the victim the right one, is there unfinished business?

Very readable.

My rating: 4.5

I've also reviewed MURDER IN LITTLE SHENDON

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