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Lock, Joan - 'Dead Image'
Paperback: 192 pages (Feb. 2012) Publisher: The History Press Ltd ISBN: 0752464558

Set in 1874, the explosion aboard the canal boat Tilbury on an October evening in the fashionable St John's Wood area, is the backdrop to this intriguing mystery. For, following the recovery of the bodies of boatmen William Taylor and the lad, and eventually the mangled body of skipper Charles Baxton, the rescuers find a fourth body, that of a slight woman with fair hair not facially recognisable. For Sergeant Ernest Best identification is further complicated when he discovers that only the Captains are known to the manager of the Grand Junction Canal traffic. As is explained to him, all the Captains take on their own crew. So could the Captain have had his wife on board, he asks?

As the investigation progresses and several likely possibilities are eliminated, Best is faced with a widening number of avenues to investigate such as: the barmaid, Liza Moody missing from The Three Tuns Public House since 30 September; but as the clothing seems of good quality, possibly a lady from one of the houses in St John's Wood that border the canal; or a lady's maid who has received the good linen from her mistress; or, maybe another victim of the Thames murderer?

In the course of his investigations Ernest Best meets Helen Franks, whose sister Matilda is missing. When Best discovers that Helen has taken art lessons from Lawrence Alma-Tadema, whose house was damaged in the explosion, the case becomes even more complicated, as does his relationship with Helen Franks.

Joan Lock paints an interesting portrait of life in 1874, and the problems for a young Sergeant faced with interviewing the rich and privileged in order to uncover a murderer, and obtain justice for those less fortunate.

DEAD LOCK reveals a fascinating insight into Victorian life coupled with marvellous characterisation, and an intriguing, and most satisfying mystery. This is the first book in which we meet Detective Sergeant Ernest Best. There are a further six books in this highly acclaimed series.

Lizzie Hayes, England
May 2012

Lizzie blogs at
Promoting Crime Fiction.

More European crime fiction reviews can be found on the Reviews page.



last updated 19/05/2012 19:08