Clutch of Constables

Inspector Alleyn Mystery: 25

ISBN: 0-7451-9463-7 Order from: Amazon.com

A vividly-portrayed river is an appealing frame for an unlikely and colorful cast of characters in an implausible plot.

Reviewed by David on November 15, 2003

Genre: Mystery (Police Procedural)

Synopsis: This is an unabridged recording of A Clutch of Constables. Troy Alleyn, the artist wife of a well-known Scotland Yard Chief Superintendant, gives in to an impulse and embarks on a river cruise. Troy, tired after a show, is ready for the enchanting sights and sounds of the trip. She is little prepared for the tense and sometimes engimatic characters, and the possibly deadly secrets that one of them hides.

Full Review: Troy is a charming viewpoint character, and the river forms an appealing backdrop to this investigation. The colorful and interestingly quirky characters provide an additional element of interest. Alas, the combination of the so many colorful people in one place, combined with a set of other unlikely coincidences strain the reader's suspension of disbelief.

This mystery's somewhat convoluted and melodramatic course, combined with shallow portrayal of the villain leave result in only moderate reading pleasure.

Overall: 5.5; Plot: 4.5; Characters: 6; Style: 5; World-building: 4.5; Originality: 5.5;

ISBN: 0-7451-9463-7 Order from: Amazon.com