Simon R Green has an Inimical Talent for Writing Unique Manor House Mysteries
Very Important Corpses
A country house murder mystery with a supernatural twist
Simon R Green
Severn House
Mystery & Thrillers
Pub Date 01 Mar 2017
Review
I absolutely love the Ishmael Jones novels. They showcase Green’s characteristic wit, while providing readers with mysteries which while falling into the manor house mystery tradition (which has sadly fallen out of favor with many writers) are distinctly unique and always exciting. Like all of Green’s novels, the culprits may be more or less than human but Ishmael and Penny are always willing to deal with what is thrown at them no matter how weird - and do so with style. Besides, who can resist a hero who is an alien in human form.
In Very Important Corpses, Ishmael and Penny are called to represent the Organization when an agent is killed mysteriously at a meeting of the Baphomet Society - a group of 12 influential businessmen who control the world’s financial markets. This time, the annual meeting is taking place in an isolated manor house off the shore of Loch Ness. Coronach House has an unusual history of its own, including rumors of a monster. But is it a monster who is responsible for the murders..
Simon R Green has a unique talent for surprising the reader by taking common tropes and turning them on their ear. When you add in his wit, it is no surprise that his novels are refreshing, fun and more than a little out of the ordinary. Very Important Corpses is a terrific addition to the Ishmael Jones series.
5/5
I received a copy of Very Important Corpses from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
—Crittermom
Description
Ishmael Jones travels to the Scottish Highlands on a mysterious dual mission in this intriguing, genre-blending mystery.
The Organisation has despatched Ishmael and his partner Penny to Coronach House on the shores of Loch Ness where the secretive but highly influential Baphamet Group are holding their annual meeting. The Organisation believes an imposter has infiltrated the Group and they have instructed Ishmael to root him – or her – out. It’s not Ishmael’s only mission. The first agent sent by the Organisation has been found dead in her room, murdered in a horribly gruesome manner. Ishmael must also discover who killed his fellow agent, Jennifer Rifkin – and why.
Dismissive of rumours that the legendary ‘Coronach Creature’ is behind Jennifer’s death, Ishmael sets out to expose the human killer in their midst. But he must act fast – before any more Very Important People are killed.
