‘Bones in the Belfry’ by Suzette A Hill
Published by Constable: ISBN 978-1-84529-582-0

This is the second book set in the Surrey village of Moleshill.  The Vicar the Reverend Francis Oughterard is still jumpy following the untimely demise of his parishioner Elizabeth Fotherington, but matters have to some extent calmed down, the police like the Arabs have folded their tents and gone away. True he seems to have acquired a dog and a cat, but they don’t pose too much of a problem for him.  But just when he thinks that he is safe and can get some peace, into his life comes one Maud Tubbly Pole, and her dog Gunga Din. Maud Tubbly Pole is an author who having read about the murder is keen to put FO in her next book.

As if that were not enough for him to contend with, up pops Nicholas Ingaza of shady disposition, who asks FO to look after some paintings which turn out to have been stolen, and so FO finds himself up to his neck in it.  Every time he thinks that he has it sorted, it leaps up and bites him on the bum. The Mavis Briggs episode being a perfect example.

The story is told from the points of view of the supercilious Maurice the cat, the irrepressible dog Bouncer, and the Vicar FO. 

As well as some well-beloved characters, such as Horace Clinker, the bishop, introduced in this tale is FO’s sister Primrose, who has two chinchillas, who don’t take to Bouncer.

There was a feel of Wodehouse about this book, as matters spiral out of FO’s control and he becomes entangled in intrigue and imposters. 

The prose is delicious, and I enjoyed every word of it. Highly recommended.

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Lizzie Hayes