‘Untimely Graves’ by Marjorie Eccles

Published by Constable,
30 August 2001.
ISBN: 978-1-84119370-0 (HB)

The discovery of the body of a woman in the flooded waters of what was normally a trickle known as the river Kyne, poses a problem for Detective Superintendent Gil Mayo, as no one has been reported missing, and identification proves impossible. So, she is dubbed the ‘Mystery Women’ .

George Atkins recently retired from the police has opened his own PI business, but his daughter Cleo just returned from university is restless and reticent. Keen on establishing her independence Cleo moves into her late Aunt Phoebe's home, but something is not quite right. To tide her over whilst she decides what she wants to do and to pay her rent she takes a job cleaning for Maid to Order. Unwittingly this places her in possession of a piece of information.

After three years working as a geophysicist in a research unit on the Polar Ice Cap, Sam has returned to 16 Kelsey Rd, home of his Aunt Dorrie to find that she is being pressured by the bursar of Lavenstock College to sell her home to make way for a new entrance for the school. When the bursar of the school is found murdered, Gil Mayo and his assistant Inspector Abigail Moon find themselves rich with suspects. John Riach, assistant bursar who expected to become bursar last time the job came vacant. Will he this time? Aunt Dorrie, is she as mildly eccentric as she appears? Hannah Wetherby, is she an abused wife?  Eventually the investigation into the bursar’s death leads to the identity of the mystery woman. 

This is Marjorie Eccles best book to date. Her characterisation is marvellous, and I wanted to follow all the lives of her characters. Eileen Totterbridge, who cleans for Aunt Dorrie, and poor intimidated Vera Bysouth of Covert Farm. Sweet old Mrs Osbourne who used to own the farm and now lives in a cottage nearby. And Tone, who Cleo meets whilst working for Maid to Order.

A complex and fascinating mystery. I was perplexed to the end as to who and why. Highly recommended.
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Reviewer:  Lizzie Hayes

Marjorie Eccles was born in Yorkshire and spent much of her childhood there and on the Northumbrian coast. The author of thirty-three books and short stories, she is the recipient of the Agatha Christie Short Story Styles Award. Her earlier books featuring police detective Gil Mayo were adapted for the BBC. Her most recent series is set after the Great War and features DI Herbert Reardon. There are five books in the series. She lives in Hertfordshire.