The Benefits of Death

I wasn't sure about this to begin with then all of a sudden it took off. Mrs Leithan has disappeared and her husband is behaving very calmly and casually. He told the police she has gone away on a visit and that they shouldn't worry. The police arrived because the people she was visiting were worried when she hadn't arrived on the train she was due on. Mrs Leithan is introduced as an odd character. They don't seem to have a happy marriage but Charles is not allowed to divorce her otherwise he forfeits a very substantial sum of money as part of an agreement left by a previous generation.

The couple are a wealthy couple, they have a lot of domestic staff working for them and in particular people come and go to look after the prize-winning show more dogs. This is where Mrs Lethian was going, to a conference of sorts about the dogs. Not only did she disappear but her beloved champion dog Stymie disappeared. The dogs keep being mentioned not only because of their significance but because Mrs Lethian is unable to keep the staff because of her attitude. Needless to say they don't have good words to say about her.

The police are suspicious as they know Charles has a mistress and has been visiting her more frequently following his wife's disappearance. Unbeknown to Charles his wife also had her suspicions and had hired a private detective but couldn't prove anything. When Mrs Lethian's dog is found brutally murdered the police still bring a murder charge before a jury - without a body. This is where events take a turn and I can't say more as it will spoil the plot.

The characters are a little cold and it is a bit difficult to warm to them. Eventually the mistress becomes likeable but you still aren't sure if she is responsible for something along the way - I don't mean in Mrs Lethian's disappearance but you think she's had some involvement somewhere. The ending will give you a sharp intake of breath and it is a worthwhile easy read at only 192 pages. show less