13 December 2022.
ISBN: 978-180378063-4 (PB)
Benedict Aberthorp is a private investigator based in Seagrove on the eastern coast of New Zealand’s North Island. Aberthorp makes an interesting detective, and not just for his trademark dark-rimmed glasses. He regards himself as a “truth-gatherer” and approaches each case without emotion, searching for the seam of veracity within every investigation. Whether he is looking for a missing person or seeking evidence of marital infidelity his approach is simple, unwavering, and effective.
The detective has just solved an enquiry and is looking
forward to some well-earned time off.
Then, he receives a phone call from Aldo Sherwin who declares himself,
“scared to hell they’ll arrest me for my wife’s murder.” The wife in question is Francine Roydon, a
well-known antiques dealer. It
transpires that the couple had lived apart for some time but met for lunch
together each month. Unfortunately for
Aldo, their last meeting coincided with his estranged wife’s murder. This is not the only reason why Seagrove
Police’s Detective Finnegan, who is leading the murder hunt, suspects him. Benedict encourages Aldo to be frank and open
about his relationship with the dead woman to build up a picture of what
occurred that fateful day.
It soon becomes clear, however, that Mr
Sherwin is not telling the whole truth – and he’s not alone. As Aberthorp begins to track down and
interview Francine’s circle of friends, his probing questions are met with
silence or avoidance. Before long, the
investigation has spawned a veritable smorgasbord of potential killers. The list of characters who enjoyed, or didn’t
enjoy, relationships with Francine, Aldo, and each other, are at best
complicated and at worst positively incestuous!
Power games and disfunction drive the personalities of those whom Benedict
and his erstwhile assistant, Gail Hollingford, encounter during the
investigation. Benedict’s first murder
enquiry presents him with a puzzle that will prove to be both infuriating and
intriguing.
For Murder Press 3 is the first in the Benedict Aberthorp Mystery series
and the author has created a tantalising whodunnit that bamboozled me at every
turn. The focus shifts between Benedict
and Gail, and the characters who are under suspicion. What people say when they are questioned is
thrown into doubt when the focus shifts to their unscrutinised conversations
and behaviour. Indeed, the reader frequently
has more information than that afforded to Benedict and Gail. This becomes apparent when the narrative reports
the conversations between the delightful detecting duo. I found the novel immersive and entertaining,
and I look forward to meeting Benedict again when he tackles his next case,
hopefully with wing-woman Gail alongside. Highly enjoyable.
------
Reviewer: Dot Marshall-Gent
 |
Pauline Hayes.
I grew up in Gisborne, on the East Coast of the North Island of New Zealand. I
have always loved the sea. In my thirties I graduated with a BA in Sociology,
and worked as a health professional for 25 years. I also studied Creative
Writing at Massey. When younger, I loved to read Agatha Christie. Later it was
Iris Murdoch, Patricia Highsmith, Philip Roth, Margaret Atwood, Anne Tyler,
Joyce Carol-Oates, Mari Jungstedt, Henning Mankell, Karin Alvtegen and Karin
Fossum. Now I like to read a variety of crime writers, such as Nikki Crutchley,
J D Pomare, Paddy Richardson and many more.
Dot Marshall-Gent worked in the emergency services for twenty years first as a police officer, then as a paramedic and finally as a fire control officer before graduating from King’s College, London as a teacher of English in her mid-forties. She completed a M.A. in Special and Inclusive Education at the Institute of Education, London and now teaches part-time and writes mainly about educational issues. Dot sings jazz and country music and plays guitar, banjo and piano as well as being addicted to reading mystery and crime fiction.
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