A Ghost in the Machine by
Caroline Graham
hbk out March 04
Published by Headline
at £16.99
A new Inspector Barnaby novel from the writer whose books have been turned into
the popular Midsomer Murders TV series. The death of his aunt and the inheritance
of her country house brings a fresh start for exhausted teacher Mallory, his long-
suffering wife Kate (who can now realise her dream of setting up as a small publisher) and
their Machiavellian daughter Polly. But shortly after their arrival in lovely Forbes
Abbot, neighbour and solicitor Dennis Brinkley is killed by one of the grotesque
armoury of war machines he collects. His friend Benny is sure of foul play though
the police demur and in desperation she turns to a stage medium. Mystic Ava Garrett
promises to reveal the circumstances of Brinkley's death in a forthcoming séance.
When Ava also dies Barnaby and his sidekick Troy have to sit up and take notice.
Written with great relish and attention to detail, the descriptions of high summer and
village life are glorious, and there is much droll humour here as Graham chronicles
the ills of the modern world with a ruthlessly keen eye. The cruel results of avarice
and selfishness are contrasted with the precious value of friendship and the simple
kindness of strangers. Much more than a police detective story (Barnaby doesn't
make an appearance for over a hundred pages), the story unfolds at a leisurely pace as
the fickle twists of fate toss Mallory and family, and many of the other players, this
way and that.
Manchester Evening News 10.4.04
(
Cath Staincliffe
author of the popular Sal Kilkenny mysteries set on the mean streets of Manchester)
A Ghost in the Machine by
Caroline Graham
