Melody of Murder is a beautifully orchestrated mystery
Melody of Murder By Stella Cameron Severn House Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date: 15 June 2016 Review Stella Cameron is a superb writer. Her mysteries set against the backdrop of Folly-on-Weir, a quaint village in the Cotswolds, show a profound understanding of human psychology. While Alex Duggins is far from Miss Marple and her friend and lover Tony is no Poirot, Cameron's mysteries have much in common with the works of the Grand Dame of Mystery. She realizes that the complex nature of relationships, love and hate, history and hopes all play a role in murder. In Melody of Murder, Alex and Tony once again have the misfortune of being drawn into a murder investigation. Despite being low on the list of suspects, being the first to discover the body of a young singer has a devastating impact. The Quillam family are visitors to the area, renting an estate where Elwyn, a talented young pianist can practice before his forthcoming tour. Despite mourning for his half-sister, he is under extreme pressure to perform. The family is a toxic blend, with Elwyn's father, Percy being firmly in control. Melody of Murder has a beautifully orchestrated plot, with a thrilling ending that came as a surprise. Readers of the series will be happy to see some progression in Alex and Tony's relationship as well as get to understand Hugh a bit better. As always, Bogie, Alex's terrier steals the show. With each book, I come to love the village of Folly-on-Weir just a bit more. 5/5 I received a copy of Melody of Murder from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review. --Crittermom Description The arrival of a talented, ambitious and unusual new family leads to mayhem and murder in the peaceful Cotswold village of Folly-on-Weir The idyllic Cotswold village of Folly-on-Weir, with its traditional pub, sumptuous tea rooms and fragrant bakery, is a piece of paradise found … until ‘those incomer Quillams’ arrive. A young piano virtuoso and his neglected but talented half-sister, their controlling father, the pianist’s beautiful, acquisitive and passionate mother, an ambitious family retainer, and an intimidating woman who has always run the Quillam household form a successful little empire - until it starts to crumble. The Quillams’ arrival has also attracted the attentions of a sly, clever and perverted killer who desperately needs a jackpot and knows where to find one – if the obstacles can be removed. Once again pub owner Alex Duggins and her veterinarian friend Tony Harrison must use their wits and resourcefulness to prevent further carnage – and ensure that they themselves don’t become the killer’s next victims.
