Murder in the Afternoon Extra by Peter Bartram

Every time I start reading a new Colin Crampton mystery, it feels like connecting with an old friend. I think Colin might have been someone fun to hang out with in 1960s Brighton. Apart from being in the company of someone who might be killed that is.

Murder in the Afternoon Extra is the second book in Peter Bartram's trilogy and this one takes us across the Atlantic to Brighton Beach (Brooklyn, NY). True to Colin's character, he's chased by undesirable characters, finds himself in difficult situations that only MacGyver (and Colin) can get out of and looks forward to returning to the arms of long time girlfriend, Shirley. But the story doesn't end there. Next in the trilogy is Murder in the Night Final.

Note: There is a beach in Brighton which would be referred to as Brighton beach, but Brighton Beach in Brooklyn is actually the name of the town. I read a book not long ago where the author mistakenly referred to Brighton, England as Brighton Beach!



Morning, Noon and Night Trilogy is available on Amazon

Midsomer Murders

The first book I read about Inspector Barnaby was The Killings at Badger's Drift by Caroline Graham. Since writing her series, many of the books have been created for television - Midsomer Murders starring John Nettles as Inspector Barnaby. And subsequent episodes were written with the same theme. If you like murder mysteries set in quaint English villages, this is a great series to both read and watch. (I've watched 82 DVDs so far - all from the local library). You can view the complete episode guide here. These are also available on Acorn TV and are occasionally shown on PBS. Many of the locations have been in Buckinghamshire and they even have Midsomer Murder Mystery Tours.

The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher

A shocking murder and the undoing of a great Victorian Detective.

The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher is an accounting, by Kate Summerscale, of the 1860 murder of a young boy in an English country home.  The author follows the case and particularly the actions of Mr. Whicher, who was a London detective at the time.  Parts of this case appeared in Charles Dickens' novel The Mystery of Edwin Drood.  With a map of the house and grounds and the family tree for reference, the book does an excellent job at following this case through the investigation and court proceedings. Constance Kent and each of the other family members fall under suspicion. You can read more about the story of Road Hill House here