A Late Phoenix

An interesting read the way only the British can write. Set in current time, a flash back to the 1940's war time is necessary to figure out this one. Uniquely written to get the reader to follow the clues and the "detecting" strategies used by the characters. A good mix of medical and legal with local color of the times. The plot is well developed and if you enjoy a British mystery, this is one you will enjoy.

Ms. Aird is a master storyteller! Her books are wonderful examples of the tight detective story. My only complaint is that they are too short. I can finish them in about an hour and I for one would like more time to savour her craftsmanship. In this book Cheif Inspector Sloane is taxed with finding the identity of a skeleton that had been shot 25 to 30 years ago. Murder was definitely the cause of death in this case,... Read Full Review

There's a strange familiarity I found with the characters of 'A Late Phoenix' which is only apparent in the greatest of writers (Crane, Zelazny, Fitzgerald, Tyler, and for the more 'mysterious' variety - Sayers, Stout, Tey, Christie, and Mortimer). Crosby is always great as the comic relief (always reminding me of friends I've had in school or more often than I'd care to think about, myself :P). Also of listening to the audio... Read Full Review

I recommend Robin Bailey's unabridged narration. As always, he's the perfect reader for an English cozy mystery, and a fine actor. He can slip into and out of the voices of young constable Crosby, an old man whose lungs were damaged by poison gas in WWI, an overweight woman with a bad leg in a doctor's office, and many more, all without missing a beat.The Battle of Britain, of course, didn't just involve the bombing of London;... Read Full Review