The Killings at Badger’s Drift

The Killings at Badger’s Drift (1987) Caroline Graham

Miss Emily Simpson was found dead in her home. An elderly woman, her death didn’t seem suspicious, but her best friend, Miss Lucy Bellringer insists that something was wrong and the death should be investigated.

I had very very vague memories of this book. First, that Inspector Barnaby loves his wife, even though she isn’t perfect.

It was not just that she couldn’t cook, it was much, much more. There was between her and any fresh, frozen or tinned ingredient a sort of malign chemistry. They were born antagonists.

Which of course makes it far more real.

There are a lot of unsavory characters in Badger’s Drift, hidden beneath the expected respectability of a country village, which is of course the heart of Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple books, except that the sleuth here is a police inspector. A man who is good, and who is complicated. And interesting.

‘Did you enjoy looking round? What did you think of it all?’ Then, before Barnaby could reply, he continued, ‘I’ll tell you, shall I? You don’t know anything about art but you know what you like.’

Stung by this patronizing assumption that he was nothing more than a flat-footed clodhopping philistine, Barnaby retorted, ‘On the contrary. I know quite a lot about art and I think you have a most remarkable talent.’

I’m hoping I borrow all these as ebooks, because I do want to reread the series.
Rating: 7.5/10

Publisher: Felony & Mayhem Press

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