my take: I like “light mysteries” … a mild who-done-it with a bit of humor. I enjoyed the young female detective … hubby thought she was annoying … I thought her chemistry knowledge was more than her 11 years could know, but hey! It’s fiction.

The setting is England post World War II … we had read the enormous Winston Churchill biography for book chicks, so I was feeling very English history savvy and therefore read with a bit of smugness, always a plus.

my source: Daughter Anne suggested and reports this is the first in a series, if you’re into that sort of thing … have a copy of the shelf for loan

my recommend: Those of you who like No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency … also try The Coroner’s Lunch


my rating: a fun read, clever