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The Stabbing in the Stables
Fethering Mystery #7

by Simon Brett



      Aside from the murder of Walter Fleet, The Stabbing in the Stables combines two subjects with which I am well acquainted, horses and energy balancing. The horses are important to the story because Walter was found as the title suggests; stabbed to death at Long Bamber Stables, which he co-owned with his wife. It is assumed that Walter interrupted the vicious "Horse Ripper" who stalks the corrals of Fethering and suffered the slashing instead of the intended beast.

Walter’s murder is discovered by amateur sleuths Jude (no last name) and Carole Seddon. Jude has been asked to look at a lame horse and see if she can heal it through the manipulation of energy flow. When Jude enters the stable Walter is already dead and the back gate conspicuously slams shut.

Jude and Carole fuss and fuddle their way through their investigation, and solve both Walter’s murder and the horse killings almost by accident. They poke their noses into things that no traditional English lady would, are curious and Jude is daring enough for both of them. While there is not a lot of time spent on characterization the ladies have real human flaws. Jude doesn’t drive and uses Carole to get places that Carole wouldn’t go on her own. Carole is a prissy old lady and uses Jude as an excuse to see and experience things her dignity won’t allow her to seek out.

The Stabbing in the Stables sits firmly in the British cozy genre. I think you would benefit from reading previous selections in this series before picking this one up in order to meet and be familiar with the characters.

 

Reviews of other titles in this series

The Hanging in the Hotel #5
The Witness at the Wedding #6
The Stabbing in the Stables #7
Death Under the Dryer #8
Blood at the Bookies #9
The Poisoning in the Pub # 10
The Shooting in the Shop # 11
Bones Under the Beach Hut # 12
Liar in the Library #18

The Book

Berkley
August 1, 2006
Hardcover
0425210197
Mystery & Thrillers
More at Amazon.com

The Reviewer

Beth E. McKenzie
Reviewed 2006
© 2006 MyShelf.com