THE HANGING IN THE HOTEL

One of audio’s finest author/readers, Simon Brett, narrates this fifth installment in the Fethering mysteries. This time a group of businessmen holds an overnight meeting at elegant Hopwicke Country House Hotel. The Pillars of Sussex, well-connected, philanthropic, and unashamedly chauvinistic, are known for their heavy drinking and dubious dealings. When a young Pillar hopeful is found hanged in his room, the authorities call it suicide. However, Jude, a middle-aged holistic healer, doesn’t think so. Jude and her next-door neighbor, Carole Seddon, late of the Home Office, begin an investigation that makes everyone uneasy. Believable characters, intriguing motives, sudden plot twists, and an assortment of jibes at the vanities inherent in Britain’s upper crust, combined with Brett’s vocal expertise (born of years of performing in British radio mysteries) make this excellent listening. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE/JULY 05]