I have already seen some of these mysteries as they have become televised in a series called “Grantchester”. As they were enjoyable, I had high hopes for James Runcie’s book. I have to say that I have not been disappointed; in fact, this has been a great read.
Sidney Chambers joins a plethora (I am sure that there is a better collective noun for members of the church – congregation? conclave?) of detective religious men: Father Brown, Father Dowling (for my US readers), Cadfael (for historical fiction lovers) and more recently, Canon Clements. They generally make for good sleuths: as a reader, you trust their judgment; they deal with people so are intuitive and compassionate; they act with restraint and forethought; they have God on their side (presumably).
Sidney Chambers, our hero, is more than just a canny cleric though. He is good-looking and charming and he loves jazz. He likes trips to London and playing backgammon in the pub over a pint with his policeman friend, Geordie. He does not fit the stereotype of your archetypal British vicar, all teeth, simpering voice and clammy palms (Jane Austen has a lot to answer for!).
Is he cool? Well, no, not entirely. He is an Anglian vicar in early 1950s’ Britain after all. But he is charismatic and as a hero in any sort of detective fiction, that is a must. He is most definitely engaging and we follow him as he finds himself inadvertently drawn into situations with his peers and his villagers where his astute observation skills are required to reach the truth.
My favourite story in this collection was “The Lost Holbein” which is about a missing painting which is discovered in the most unlikely place and leads to a dangerous situation for someone Sidney cares about a great deal. It was tense, with great dialogue and the most sinister creepy character who stayed with me long after I read it. Ugh.
It surprised me, this book, with how much I enjoyed it. It was well-paced, with some cracking dialogue, chemistry between characters and well-formed believable relationships. I rattled through it with barely a stutter and when I got to the end, I realised that there was no doubt that I would read more of Runcie’s books.
Would recommend.
Rachel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Scuffed Granny 