Lamb to the Slaughter

This was the fourth mystery featuring DI "Big Marge" Fleming which I've read. Once you've discovered a new detective series, it is satisfying to see how their personal and professional lives develop ... in addition to seeing them solve another crime. Not only is the mystery aspect down to earth, the interplay between members of her detective crew is interesting. DI Fleming's strongly centered personal life and professionalism help her deal with solving crimes and with managing her team. While the crimes committed could have been committed anywhere, there is a Scottish flavor to the stories which I enjoy. Looking forward to the next in the series. For plot details, please refer to the other reviews.

LAMB TO THE SLAUGHTER (Pol. Proc-DI Marge Fleming-England-Cont) - VG Templeton, Aline - 4th in series Hodder & Stoughton, 2008, UK Hardcover - ISBN; 9780340922286 First Sentence: `No,' the woman said.. The small town of Kirkluce, England is in the midst of a debate on whether to allow the building of a superstore. There is a debate as to whether elderly Colonel Carmichael who owns the property currently containing a craft center and flats. Instead of showing up at a town meeting and announcing whether he would sell the property, the Colonel is found the next morning murdered by a shotgun blast. An elderly woman is being terrorized by teens on motorcycles. She claims she fired over their heads, but one young man is dead from a shotgun blast. DI Marge Fleming and her team need to sort out the lies from the truth and find the killer or killers. Being one who loves good characters, Ms. Templeton certainly fills that need. Marge, with her husband, children and the farm, make a refreshing contrast from the usual angst-ridden, relationship-challenged policeman. There are touching, normal human interludes to offset the investigation. But with a nickname of "Big Marge," she's no pushover either. Her canny sidekick, and friend, Tam McNee is here still quoting Robbie Burns. Having the story set in a small, rural town, where the residents know each other, provides a different and interesting dynamic than a large city. Templeton's style is a formula of introducing all of the possible suspects prior to the crime, but it works. The story's plot is well done with a lot of possible villains but no one who really stands out. Just when you think you know the villain, maybe you don't. This makes the revelation at the end all the more effective and has a greater impact. It is always a pleasure to read an Aline Templeton book.