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DEATH UNDER THE DRYER by Simon Brett

DEATH UNDER THE DRYER

by Simon Brett

Pub Date: Aug. 15th, 2007
ISBN: 978-1-59414-631-2
Publisher: Five Star/Gale Cengage

When a teenager is murdered, Jude and Carole, Miss Marple clones, investigate.

The village of Fethering is agog. Kyra, the shampoo girl at Connie’s Clip Joint, lies dead, surrounded by beer and vodka bottles, cigarette butts and red roses. Her beau Nathan has scampered, and neighbors Jude Nichol and Carole Seddon (The Penultimate Chance Saloon, 2006, etc.) take it upon themselves to find him. The search will require many haircuts, some at Connie’s place, some at the more successful salon chain owned by her ex-hubby Martin and his domineering Czech wife Martina. In between cut-and-sets, the gals run afoul of Nathan’s nutty family, who are mad for anagrams and a game they call Wheel Quest. Meanwhile, there are hints of a sexual harassment suit to investigate; a trip to a Cornwall tin mine to undertake; and Carole’s dog to be walked. Pub meetings are mandatory. Red herrings abound. At length (great length), matters are tied up cozily.

Incomparably minor Brett, lacking the author’s usual wit, and plodding along with the unfinished finesse of a much more modest talent.