Murder Before Evensong (#1,150) by The Reverend Richard Coles is the quintessential British murder mystery. It involves a small village in the countryside where the parish church is still firmly attached to the local lord's substantial estate. Therefore, any and all murders occurring in the area are an affront to the lord of the manor. Since the first murder takes place in the church itself, naturally the rector becomes involved. As if Daniel Clements didn't have enough on his plate to start with!
Daniel's mother Audrey is now living in the rectory with him, and she's never been one to leave things alone. To make things worse Theo, his actor brother, has just been given in role in a new TV series in which he will be playing a priest. He can't see why Daniel won't let him tag along on even the most private moments of pastoral counseling. And since he starred in a long-term cop series, he thinks he is qualified to sit in on the police investigation as well. As other murders happen, Daniel slowly begins to discern a pattern that will lead to the discovery of the murderer's identity.
It's all quite entertaining. If you know anything about Anglican or Episcopalian worship, you will delight in how spot-on the references are. They should be, since the author is a priest himself, who has also had a number one hit single, and appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, the British version of Dancing With the Stars. I hope there will be future entries in this promising new mystery series!
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