Book Review: The Affacombe Affair by Elizabeth Lemarchand

 The Affacombe Affair

by

Elizabeth Lemarchand

Who in the village has a motive for murder…?

 

  

Publisher: Sapere Books

Publication date: 11th October 2018

Series: Pollard & Toye Investigations #2

Genre: Cozy Crime / Mystery

Pages: 238

Format read: eBook

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

About the book

1966, Rural England

When a body washes up at the banks of the river in Affacombe village, the residents are thrown into disarray.

It turns out to be the quiet and solitary matron at the local school: Sister Roach.

But when the police start to investigate it appears Roach’s unassuming demeanour hid a much darker secret…

With rumours of blackmail and clandestine affairs, it becomes clear that more than one person may have wanted Roach dead.

Chief Detective Inspector Pollard and Detective Sergeant Toye are called in from Scotland Yard to crack the case. 

 

My review

 

The Affacombe Affair, the second book in the Pollard & Toye series, is another enjoyable cozy mystery set in rural England.

 

When a murder haunts the small, sleepy town of Affacombe and the local police investigation comes to a standstill, Scotland yard is called in to pick up the case.

Set in the 1960's The Affacombe Affair has all the charm of the era; small close-knit town, a mix of well to do and working class, local traditions, garden parties and hidden secrets.

 

The story builds slowly revolving around the community, their day to day life and interactions. As the police investigation progresses hidden secrets are exposed and we find there is more than one person who may have wanted the victim out of the way.

 

Pollard & Toye didn't come into this story until about the 50% mark and I felt in this novel they didn't come across as the main characters. Olivia Stode, a community stalwart, is a wonderfully drawn character and it felt much like her story as she became involved with many aspects of the investigation and also did a little sleuthing of her own.

Pollard solves the case by piecing together what seemed to be inconsequential evidence and a good dose of sheer luck.

I really enjoy following along with the investigation in cozy mystery reads, trying to pick up on clues and having my own guess at who-dun-it. But I must say I didn't guess the outcome of this case.

If you enjoy reading about quaint rural communities with a murder mystery thrown in The Pollard & Toye series is sure to appeal.

4/5   ⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

 

Elizabeth Lemarchand was born in 1906. She became a teacher at The Godophin School in Salisbury. Her first book Death of an Old Girl was published in 1967. Elizabeth passed away in 2000 at the age of 93. Her books are currently being republished by Sapere Books.

Click cover to read my review