EVAN HELP US

by Rhys Bowen ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 14, 1998

The Welsh village of Llanfair is abuzz with gossip about recent events. There's the ancient ruin found by Colonel Arbuthnot, an impoverished 88-year-old who has visited from London every summer since the death of his Welsh wife. Then there's the town meeting at which native son Ted Morgan, reportedly a London tycoon but unseen in Llanfair for the last 20 years, expounds on his plans for turning the old slate mine into a Disney-esque theme park--a plan that enrages local butcher Evans-the-Meat. Even the arrival of Annie Pigeon and her small daughter Jenny causes talk, especially when Annie seems bent on attracting the unmarried, gentle Constable Evan Evans. More serious stuff ahead for Evan, though: mainly the discovery of the Colonel's body (drowned, with a nasty head wound) and, soon after, the shooting death of Ted Morgan--with Evans-the-Meat, over Evan's objections, arrested for the killing. Not until Evan and his division's Sergeant Watkins pay a visit to London does a trail emerge. It leads back to Wales and a neat if overcontrived denouement. A second outing (Evans Above, not reviewed) for the pseudonymous Bowen (""author of nearly one hundred books for children and young adults""). Her Evan Evans is a worthy entry in the warm tradition of M.C. Beaton's Hamish MacBeth and others. An easy-to-take mix of literate style, charming hero, and quiet mayhem.

Pub Date: Oct. 14, 1998

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 224

Publisher: St. Martin's

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1998

Categories: FICTION