This was well-plotted and well-paced, with plenty of interesting red herrings (although I was bemused at the way the victim's boyfriend forgot all about their dog...)

I continue to wonder at how Slider gets away with never seeing his children and everyone finds this acceptable. ( )

R

Another excellent Bill Slider story, full of humorous dialogue and engaging characters. In this story Melanie has been murdered and found in woods near Ruislip Lido, several potential perpetrators emerge with varying reasons why they might have murdered the victim, but none especially compelling, despite several alibis which are either proven false or uncorroborated. Just when it seems that the case hasn't moved any further forward Bill Slider has an inspiration about previously unconnected and seemingly irrelevant facts and confronts the killer. Highly recommended. ( )

I love Cynthia Harrod-Eagles' Inspector Bill Slider series. Each one is just so enjoyable, and I always love the puns in the chapter titles. For example "Failure to Lunch" or "Discomfort Zone". They are so much fun and all the titles in every book are like this. The books are also written in a fun and amusing way and Bill and his wife Joanna are such great characters. They are so very real and they keep getting better with each book. I love all the characters in these books - Atherton, Swilley and the new Constable Connolly are a treat. This book is about a young woman's body found in a park. Bill and his firm (as he calls his staff) are hard pressed to find a viable suspect. They have what appears to be three good ones, and then they all don't pan out. In order to solve the case Slider has to go back ten years in the history of this young woman, and he discovers some very interesting things. There are lots of red herrings and suspects lying in this one. Bill and his firm have to search out the truth in all the deceptions and lies. This is a very enjoyable mystery book in a truly enjoyable series. ( )