Inheritance Tracks

I had feared that, with English cozy author Catherine Aird in her 90s, her 2016’s Learning Curve would be her last. Luckily, no, and we have the 25th novel in this wonderful series that features the put-open Inspector Christopher D. (“Seedy” to his friends) Sloan and the perennially young and dimwitted Constable William Cosby, both of F Division of the Calleshire County Constabulary.

A Victorian snake-oil salesman made a pile from his gimcrack nostrum, but he leaves the money in trust for future descendants. Now is the time to distribute the trust money and there are six legatees — although one can’t be found. When one of the legatees is poisoned, Sloan, reluctantly working with Cosby, becomes involved. The mystery proves show more irresistible, and, both longtime fans and those new to the series will savor every moment of the book. Highly recommended. show less

I liked it. It's an intriguing murder mystery in the police procedural style. The police officers are the interesting characters: DI Sloan, Superintendent Leeyes, and best of all is Constable Crosby. Readers will also get a short course in English trust law and the Married Women's Property Act.

Four strangers arrive at a Solicitor's office to find they are all heirs of a long forgotten Great-grandfather, one heir to still be located. When one of the four dies it is up to Sloan & Crosby to investigate...

Although I am very familiar w/ Aird as a writer of mysteries, I have no recollection of reading her prior to this.

No matter that the story was interesting, I found Crosby to be such an overly obnoxious arse, especially for a detective, that I'll never read another again.

Good plot. Meaning I didn't figure it out....