The Best Man to Die

Inspector Wexford Mysteries

ISBN: 0-55690-050-3 Order from:

A plodding, at times tawdry, tone of this late-sixties small town investigation leaches excitement from an otherwise competent murder puzzle.

Reviewed by David on June 20, 1999

Genre: Mystery (English Village, Police Procedural)

Synopsis: This is the inabridged recording of The Best Man to Die. Inspector Wexford and his crew get involved when, on the eve of a wedding, the best man is found bludgeoned to death. His investigation of the life of Charlie Hatton, a combative and not entirely honest man, turns out a number of unappetizing secrets, plenty of animosities, but no clear suspects. It takes guesswork, painstaking police procedures and several puzzling coincidences before the motivation becomes clear.

Full Review: The plot of this investigation, from the stag party for Charlie's friend, to the conclusion, is filled with details of constrained, frequently unpleasant life. The case is composed of people constrained by poverty, greed, short-sightedness and lust. The contrast with the investigators, fallible but competent, is not flattering to the inhabitants of the town.

The case is relatively straightforward, with enough clues to hint of the solution, but without obvious telegraphing. There are a bit too many fortuitous coincidences for real life, but not egregiously so. The main problem with the book is the depressing environment in which the investigation takes place. Against this, the passionate friendship and the sense of loss creates too much of a disparity, and contributes little to the plausibility. The lack of entertainment value in this competent procedural makes one hesitate to recommend this mystery.

Overall: 5; Plot: 5; Characters: 4.4; Style: 4; World-building: 5.5; Originality: 4;

ISBN: 0-55690-050-3 Order from: