I love books that have layers to them--you just peel them away to expose more and more of the story. Elizabeth Ironside's Death in the Garden has exactly that. In 1925 Diana Pollexfen was acquitted of the murder of her husband. This we know from the first lines of the book. The story begins with the crime in question, which was committed on the weekend of the 30th birthday celebration of Diana. Invited to Laughton Hall are a group of Diana's artsy friends, and by the end of the weekend Diana's husband will be found dead in the garden--poisoned with chemicals from Diana's photography supplies. Fast forward 60 years to London and the thirtieth birthday of Helena, Diana's grand-neice. After the death of her great-aunt she discovers the secret history of Diana and decides to try and find out who really committed the murder.
I love mysteries and, this is one of the better stories I have read in a while. There are lots of little twists and turns, with lots of likable, and a few unlikable characters making up the cast. In a way this is a traditional cosy mystery, but it is also a psychological study as well. The characters meet during WWI becoming friends and lovers, but by the time of George Pollexfen's murder, friendships will have been ruined and ended. On the back of the book the question, "Who's likely to like this book?", is asked. They give the author, fans of Minette Walters, as the answer. Whilst cleaning out my book room I found two of Walter's books, which I read eons ago. I will have to take another look at her work. Unfortunately this seems to be the only Ironside mystery in print here in the US. I wonder what the chances of finding any others through my old friend interlibrary loan? However, now it is time to get serious with my Summer Reading Challenge mystery selections. I already have a start on Arthur Conan Doyle's The Hound of the Baskervilles. It is back to the eerie Moors for me.