A Very Particular Murder - Hardcover

"One of the purest lyric voices in the mystery field" New York Times Book Review

Sylvia Theresa Haymon was born in Norwich, and is best known for her eight crime fiction novels featuring the character Inspector Ben Jurnet. Haymon also wrote two non-fiction books for children, as well as two memoirs of her childhood in East Anglia.

The Ben Jurnet series enjoyed success in both the UK and the US during Haymon's lifetime: Ritual Murder (1982) won the prestigious CWA Silver Dagger Award from the Crime Writers' Association. Stately Homicide (1984), a skilful variation on the country house mystery, was praised by the New York Times as a 'brilliantly crafted novel of detection...stylish serious fiction', and favourably compared to the work of Dorothy L. Sayers.

The British author's appealing Inspector Ben Jurnet returns in a story packed with astounding incidents growing out of skewed relationships and thwarted desires. Like Death and the Pregnant Virgin , Stately Homicide et al., this novel is a spellbinder. Although Jurnet and almost all of Scotland Yard are on the alert for trouble during a reception for physicist Max Flaschner, a Nobel Laureate, the scientist dies after drinking cyanide-laced orange juice. Beginning his investigation of this extremely complicated case, Jurnet discovers that Flaschner had ordered the juice for Tawno Smith, his beloved protege, and believes the poison was meant for Tawno, perhaps because he is feared as a brilliant scientist, "tampering with natural laws." But people who flout the law requiring respect for other humans, Jurnet discovers, create the most appalling crimes. Haymond's new novel is a masterwork, her crowning achievement so far. Mystery Guild selection.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.