Winter Reading 2018 Bump in the Night (Flaxborough Chronicles #2)

First published 60 years ago in England, the Flaxborough Chronicles feature Inspector Purbright in the quiet town of Flaxborough. In his second adventure, Purbright is sent to the nearby town of Chalmsbury to look into a series of bombings. First a memorial water fountain was demolished in an explosion, then the head was removed from a statue with another bomb, and an antique optometrist's sign was blown to smithereens. Who could be doing this and what are their motives? The local police chief doesn't seem too motivated to solve the crimes, but a delegation from the town council has him request help - and Purbright comes to town.

The characters are almost caricatures of small town life. There are adulterous wives, odd political alliances, local gossips, and even a young reporter with dreams of breaking a big story. The Inspector walks a carefully balanced path through all the secrets, innuendoes, and finger-pointing among the town's residents. As an outsider, it is hard for him to know which details might prove important to the case and which will send him off down a rabbit hole. Is it relevant that the police chief is the son-in-law of a council member? Do the ridiculous practical jokes of the trucking company's owner play into the explosions? It seems that the more the police uncover, the less hope there is that any of it will tie together and help them close the case.

Readers who enjoy Miss Marple and mysteries set in small English towns full of eccentric residents will welcome having this series drawn to their attention.

I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.