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Reviewed by Karen Pirnot for Readers' Favorite
This Private Plot is Alan Beechey's latest in the Oliver Swithin mystery series. Children's book author Oliver and his police office female friend, Effie, are in the small town of Synne, an ancient village that is known for the antics of its unorthodox citizens. When the body of retired broadcaster Dennis Breedlove is found hanging from a tree, the town is split in the conclusion that either Breedlove committed suicide or he was murdered. A blackmail note found in Breedlove's house suggests the deceased man was being blackmailed, but Oliver believes there is far more to the story than first appears. The clues build up slowly. There is a strange village vicar and a reclusive man in black who only goes out at night. There are five sisters who appear to have a story of their own and there is Oliver's Uncle Tim, a man who fancies himself to be a closet Shakespearean actor. There are so many suspects in this story that the reader needs a spreadsheet to keep up with Oliver and his astute police officer girlfriend.
Author Beechey has Oliver's role polished and believable. The Effie character is both charming and strong. This Private Plot is not a novel in which murder and intrigue turn off the reader with violence and graphic detail. Rather, it is a thoroughly enjoyable play on words in which a seemingly ordinary man consistently stumbles upon clue after clue. The stumbling is accompanied by a few love yearnings and assaults to Oliver's physical being. British humor abounds in this delightful novel. You'll be wondering about the recesses of the author's mind as you tease yourself to solve the ongoing mystery.
