annieb123's Review of Fell Murder (British Library Crime Classics)

by E C R Lorac

First published in 1944 Fell Murder sees E.C.R. Lorac at the height of her considerable powers as a purveyor of well-made, traditional and emphatic detective fiction. The book presents a fascinating `return of the prodigal’ mystery set in the later stages of the Second World War amidst the close-knit farmerfolk community of Lancashire’s lovely Lune valley.
The Garths had farmed their fertile acres for generations and fine land it was with the towering hills of the Lake Country on the far horizon. Garthmere Hall itself was old before Flodden Field, and here hot-tempered Robert Garth, still hale and hearty at eighty-two, ruled his household with a rod of iron. The peaceful dales and fells of the north country provide the setting for this grim story of a murder, a setting in fact which is one of the attractive features of an unusual and distinctive tale of evil passions and murderous hate in a small rural community.

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Fell Murder is a re-release of a classic golden age mystery by E.C.R. Lorac published in the British Library Crime Classics series by Poisoned Pen Press it's 240 pages and due out 6th Jan 2020 (ebook format available now).

I have really enjoyed this gem of an author. I also haven't got a 'stinker' yet in the crime classics series.

For fans of classic British golden age mysteries this one is gently written and charming. The characters are well written with a touch of wry humour. I absolutely love golden age British mysteries. This isn't gritty. I found myself giving up trying to figure out 'whodunnit' (although I did guess correctly, as it turned out), and just really enjoying the read.

I enjoyed the diverting plot, and the utter sense of place. The pacing was a trifle slow compared to 'modern' procedurals and gritty crime novels, but perfectly within acceptable parameters considering the time period. It's a book to be enjoyed and, yes, savored a bit.

Inspector MacDonald is a gem and this is a wonderful addition to the series. I enjoyed it very much.

Available in ebook and paperback in this edition (also hardbound originals, apparently).

Four and a half stars. Enjoyed it enough that I'm making an effort to locate and read her other works- high praise indeed from me since my TBR pile is neverending.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Fell Murder (British Library Crime Classics)

by E C R Lorac

Reviewed by annieb123 on Jan 4, 2020

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