As the widow of one of Britain's most notorious criminals, Josie Welford seeks a new life as the licencee of the local pub in the village of Kings Duncombe in the West Country. Josie is looking forward to turning the pub into one of the best restaurants in the county, but there is much to do, as the pub is pretty run down and populated by just a few locals.
Initially she settles in well; she takes on a couple of local girl's as bar maids, makes friends with Sue the local vicar, and orders her food locally. Then out of the blue appears Inspector Nick Thomas, the man who was responsible for putting her husband in jail. He says he is not with the police but Josie is suspicious about just exactly what he is doing in the area. Pursuing her intention of turning the pub into a gourmet restaurant Josie makes a decision that puts someone=s nose out of joint and suddenly she is the victim of some unpleasant events. Slowly she becomes aware that her friendly neighbours are friendly no more; and when her bar staff are warned off, she sees her hopes of a new life as a successful restauranteur disappearing over the horizon.
But Josie is a feisty character who sets out in investigate not only the person behind her persecution, but the whereabouts of the local vet who seems to have mysteriously disappeared.
Diana Bishop had just the right touch for Josie. There was a touch of Birmingham but not enough to make it comic as do so many narrators trying to capture this accent. She was also good with the other characters and her reading of this book, enhanced my enjoyment of it.
Judith Cutler has a definite winner in Josie Welford and I look forward to
reading more of her.
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Lizzie Hayes
Other books by Judith Cutler also available from Isis Audio books are Coming
Alive, Dying to Deceive, Dying To Write, Dying On Principal,Dying For Millions,
Dying For Power, Dying To Score, Dying By Degrees, Dying in Discord