‘Funeral Expenses’ by Pauline Bell

Published by Constable Crime,
25 February 2006.
ISBN-13 978-1-84529-223-2 (HB)

Diane Bates was known for doing things right, which was her purpose in life, unlike her sister Lorraine who was exactly the opposite. Indeed, even at the funeral of her father, Edgar Smith, Loraine runs true to form, drinking too much and ending up being half carried upstairs to sleep it off.

When some hours later Lorraine is found dead in her sister’s spare room Detective Chief Inspector Benedict Mitchell and his team are called in to investigate. Although Lorraine was liked despite her peccadilloes, the suspects quickly mount.  Her son Philip is engaged to Glenda Grant, daughter of Victor Grant who owns the firm for which Philip worked - a highly desirable marriage. But Lorraine was continual embarrassment to them both. Loraine’s estranged partner Nick Felling was endeavouring to obtain custody of their daughter Donna. Even Donna who says that if her mother was a friend’s mother, she would like her greatly but having an alcoholic parent was not much fun. Then of course there is the will......

I always enjoy books that deal with family murder - so fascinating, as we firstly see the characters at face value then watch as the writer slowly peals back the facades and displays the truth beneath.  A really good whodunnit. An enjoyable read. Recommended.
----
Reviewer: Lizzie Hayes

Pauline Bell is a former Halifax teacher, turned crime writer. She has three grown-up children, one, usefully, a police constable who is married to a detective.