Carola Dunn Fall of a Philanderer

Fall of a Philanderer

Carola Dunn

St. Martin's, Sep 2005, $23.95, 256 pp.

ISBN: 031233589X

In 1924 Scotland yard Detective Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher, his wife Daisy, his young daughter Belinda and her pal Deva vacation in Westcombe. While at the beach overseeing the activity of her stepdaughter and Deva, Daisy is accosted by local owner of the Schooner Inn George Enderby. Even when she tells him that she is married he still tries to pick her up as marital status is not an impediment for the philandering innkeeper.

Several people warn daisy to stay clear of George. However, on a family picnic Daisy is unable to avid George as his broken body lies dead at the bottom of the nearby cliff. As Alec investigates whether an accident or a homicide occurred, Daisy realizes there are plenty of suspects starting with her landlady Mrs. Anstruther and her husband Peter, but the local police look at Sid the simple minded mute beachcombing scarecrow as the prime suspect; the last person Daisy believes could commit a homicide.

The murder occurs almost half way into this historical cozy, but that enables the audience to meet the key support players and understand their respective personalities. That in turn allows readers to observe who might want the womanizer killed as several suspects have motive. This not for the action oriented crowd but Daisy's fans will appreciate her latest investigative tale as she does what drives Alec crazy out of fear for her safety, Daisy investigates.

Harriet Klausner