John Moss. Still Waters (2008) “A Quin and Morgan Mystery”, it says on the cover. The first of a five-book (so far) series, a moody mystery, heavy on ambience and history, with minimal sketches of police procedures.
The victim, found in one of his fish ponds, turns out to be a psychopath. There’s a tangled back-story which eventually accounts for the death. But Quin and Morgan’s interior lives interest Moss more than their detecting. Minor characters are also well conceived. Koi fish figure in creating ambience and character, a lot of by-the-way fish lore is scattered throughout. There’s almost no gore, a refreshing change from the current fashion of splashing blood about.
Moss can write, his story draws you in. Until the last act, it moves in plausible grooves. But the last act felt contrived and over-drawn. More of a Ruth Rendell than a P D James crime novel. Nevertheless recommended. ***
No comments:
Post a Comment