A Rattling of Old Bones

A mummified corpse is found in a cupboard by a burglar. British Detective Superintendent George Rogers, Jonathan Ross's series detective identifies it as that of Judith Quint, missing for five years, and wife of an old-adversary villain of Rogers and his second-in command Inspector Lingard. There's bad blood between Quint and the two detectives which has spilled over from other books in the series. In a fast-paced, brilliantly plotted mystery full of red herrings the two detectives have to sort out various suspects that the promiscuous Mrs. Quint has left strewn over the landscape. Even the two coppers are suspects because of past associations with the deceased. As the book progresses other grisly murders turn up. Ross seems to have a low opinion of the fair sex because frequently his female characters are unfaithful and accommodating. Often when he's working a case, Rogers goes without sleep and works to the point of exhaustion. Just anticipate the sleep deprivation stage in the series. Readers, I think, will find this book fascinating and a real page-turner. Ross knows how to construct an earthy and devilishly cunning narrative. A very good read!