Early in the novel we see a character curled up with a Father Brown mystery, and we soon see that this is no random detail, despite the absence of any clerics in lead roles. This unusual mystery, reminiscent of Angela Thirkell in its sharp observation of character and the small details of English domestic life, explores territory usually thought of as theological without short-changing the reader looking for a classic British whodunit.

This mystery starts with a strong idea: the murdered writer survives his violent death as a ghost and goes on commenting the subsequent action. As it turns out everybody had good reason to hate and murder him. Initially, the strong idea and good writing carries the novel, but about half-way through the adventure loses steam and never recovers it. Sad, since this original idea deserved better. ( )

An unusual mystery story without a live detective ( )