A Dead Liberty

When you have been writing a series of detective novels for over five decades the quality is bound to vary wildly. The Inspector Sloan series by Catherine Aird is no different. Some of the books in this series are not great, with rather weak motives and a narrative which threatens to go off the rails at all times. This book is one of her better ones. The motive was too simple and the narrative rather convoluted. I did manage to spot the murderer pretty much as soon as they came in the picture. But the central character was rather interesting and the book managed to hold my attention throughout.

I like this one. I didn't remember who was the murderer but I almost remembered the method - saw it coming way early. But I enjoyed watching it play out. And both Sloane and Crosby are less cardboard than usual in this one, somehow; the single-book characters are interesting as usual...overall a good book.

Engineer killed to cover scandal on tunnel construction. Suspect won't talk.