The Decent Inn of Death

Unfortunately, the John Madden series is only six books long, and we lost a great author about a decade ago, so there will not be anymore books. This is the sixth and final book in this wonderful series. The series covers the years from the 1920’s to early 1950’s. John Madden was a serving British soldier in the First World War. He was discharged with shell-shock after an injury. Once he’s better he becomes a police inspector who distinguishes himself by solving complex crimes. He meets and marries his fabulous wife Helen and they have one daughter. John retires from the force to become a farmer and this book is about the retired John Madden and his former, boss and friend, retired Chief Inspector Angus Sinclair. The two are show more solving another complex mystery that Angus has been drawn into. The book is set in Rural England in the middle of a huge winter storm. In fact, this is one of the best winter storm mysteries that I’ve encountered. They are on the trail of a particularly violent German war criminal, who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. The book is suspenseful from the very beginning and it kept me glued to my chair. I am sure that if you read this book, and you’ve not read another John Madden book before, you will be compelled to read the previous five in this series. I can’t recommend it enough, and if you like historical war-time mysteries, you’ll love this series.
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The sixth entry in the John Madden series by Rennie Airth finds former Chief Inspector Angus Sinclair hot on the trail of possible crimes. The story and characters are well written, but the mystery is weak. That said, the author was able to create a suspenseful denouement. Best for those that appreciate characters and setting more than mystery.