A Day for Dying: An Inspector Luke Thanet Novel

Dorothy Simpson writes excellent books in the British cozy-mystery genre, and, in a gentle style of her own, she introduces us to villains who are not so much evil as just prone to making mistakes. I've read all of her works, and I eagerly look forward to more. She treats all of her characters, police detectice Thanet and those he must investigate, with a careful compassion and a gentle probing into motives and actions. Her novels are not psychological studies; instead they are journeys into wisdom as we learn to understand the hearts of all the characters, Thanet and his family included. I feel that her approach can be labeled "unique" in a genre which is usually so cookie-cutter repetitive. Treat yourself to reading this book, or any of her works!

This is the first mystery by Dorothy Simpson where I actually figured out the culprit before Inspector Thanet. What I love about D. Simpson's books are the detail. Her characters are fully realized, you see them with all their faults and foibles. And this book is very timely, but I can't say more than that, because I'd spoil some of the mystery. Another thing I enjoy about D. Simpson's series, is that you really believe there is an Inspector Thanet. We're taken along with him when he goes home (I suggest you find the very first book and read all of them in sequence - because you find out about his wife and two children - their struggles in childrearing AND Thanet's problems in dealing with a wife who wants to work outside the home)as well as out and about interviewing suspects. D. Simpson's books are always very rich - with characters, motives, settings. I've never been to England, but with D. Simpson's talents for description, I'm there in Kent with Thanet. I can't wait to read her latest, which is coming out in February.