Trouble in Topsham

By: Harriet Hicks

Narrated by: Patricia Gallimore

Wind, rain, and hail lashed the cottage. And Bun had just run out of knitting wool. What to do? Far too wet for walking up to the shops, she decided to have a poke at their drawing-room walls. Surely there must be alcoves hidden either side of that huge fireplace? Digging revealed a woman’s body…getting rid of it should have been easy, but for a young detective and a scoop-happy newspaper reporter. But when Bun’s younger sister has afternoon tea with their murder suspect, Bun is worried for her safety.

The only solution? For the retired schoolmarm and one-time lady’s companion to set about the task of plotting a fatal accident… a very tricky business indeed when both are singularly lacking in experience!

©1999 Harriet Hicks (P)2010 Soundings

Touble in Topsham

This might have been a wonderful read with all the traditional English murder trimmings. Instead, it was deadly dull with protagonists who were supposed to be charming, witty eccentric spinsters. But their characters were contrived and they were much too pleased with themselves. I found it very hard to generate any interest in them. The "action' goes at a snail's pace and the plot is weak. I wouldn't recommend it.