Wonderful and Wry
As I've always viewed Inspector Sloan's stories to be contemporary, it was a shock to be learning about bomb rubble still standing. It is hard to imagine it taking 30 years (this book was originally published in 1971) to clear a bomb site.
Pathology consultant Dr. Dabbe quickly squashes the idea that the bones found on Lamb Lane were left from WWII bombs. He also announces that the bones are of a woman, who happened to be pregnant.
Odd facts just keep piling up. Before any excavation work starts, archaeologists are to be notified so they might check for ancient bones, etc. The notice wasn't sent in a timely manner; when the actual diggers arrived, someone had moved the pegs.
It is fascinating to watch the old-timers recall facts and tidbits of gossip from a bygone era. It brings home the uniqueness of village life in England; families live in the same place for generations.
As usual, Superintendent Leeyes wants the possible murder solved quickly -- or maybe even labeled as a 'historical' death. But my favorite part of the story is the constant undercurrent of wry humor and nonsensical asides that mark Catherine Aird's novels.
I probably laughed hardest when the site foreman complained about the lawyers involved. "They argued that these archaeological remains hadn't been provided for in the contract...." (chapter 2, page 25). After rereading this, I realize that only the book's readers might understand how funny this is.
Sincere Inspector Sloan is trying to finish the case so the clearing and construction can begin again, but he is hampered by Detective Constable Crosby, commonly known as defective constable -- at the CID. Did I mention that Catherine Aird is one of my favorite authors?
