Death of an Old Girl

Pollard & Toye Investigations, Book 1

By: Elizabeth Lemarchand

Narrated by: Colette Redgrave

A classic cosy mystery from a master of the genre! Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, M C Beaton, Sophie Hannah and Faith Martin.

Shockwaves are sent through the sleepy village of Trill when a woman’s body is discovered in a local school. Beatrice Baynes - interfering, overbearing and spiteful - was not well liked. But no one expects a body to be found on their doorstep.... And how did the annual festival at Meldon School turn from a lighthearted celebration to a gruesome crime scene?

With the local constabulary completely stumped, Scotland Yard’s Chief Detective Inspector Pollard and Detective Sergeant Toye are called in to investigate. But the further Pollard and Toye delve into their inquiries, the more complicated the case becomes....

Death of an Old Girl is the first cosy village mystery in the Pollard & Toye crime series: an intriguing police procedural set in rural England.

©1967 Elizabeth Lemarchand (P)2019 W. F. Howes Ltd

Critic reviews

"This is a real genuine police-detective story, and a first-class one at that...altogether I would call this a hundred-per-cent winner." (The Guardian)

mildly entertaining

While not brilliant, it is worth a credit, especially if you like clean, non violent mysteries. There were times I wondered if the clues were ever going to be given then I realized. Lamarchan was telling us who he was, we had to figure out how and why. It is well written, but not for those who are looking for a little action. I am going to give the next book a chance as I don't care for the current crop of thrillers and sugar coated cozies.

Big Disappointment :(

This one did not meet expectations, even though it was advertised to have all the components for a great cozy mystery, which are my favorites. Try as I might, I could not stick with it. The narration was grating and the story line was repetitive.