Humorous & very readable mystery packed with twists but the historical context failed to inspire.
The Body on the Doorstep is the first of the Romney Marsh mystery series and is set against the backdrop of the Kent coast in 1796. Despite an intriguing premise that drew me in, I had little idea of the actual historical context and although this can easily be gleaned from the story, it would have aided me inordinately to have been appraised of the basics beforehand as a guide as to what to expect. (I refer to the contrast threat of invasion by French revolutionaries, particularly after rumours of the French Directory having cemented power, and an increase in taxation in order to raise the necessary extra expenditure for defence that made smuggling rife.)
Kent: 1796, St Mary in the Marsh
When a tetchy and port quaffing Reverend Marcus Hardcastle is rudely interrupted at midnight and midway through his latest missive railing at the unprotected coastline of Kent, he discovers a dying man on his doorstep in the darkness of a new moon. Bending down to receive the cryptic final words of the dying man, Hardcastle narrowly escapes a bullet himself but is baffled by the man’s message, “Tell Peter... mark... trace...”. When a rifle bullet is extracted from the victims body and Rev Hardcastle hears the news that less than two miles away a Customs officer by the name of Curtius Miller was shot dead in a skirmish with smugglers at close quarters he is naturally intrigued. Unable to identify the man on his doorstep or to make the circumstances of Miller’s shooting add up, Reverend Hardcastle starts asking questions and a similarly inquisitive three years widowed Amelia Chaytor follows his trail. Used to being classed as an equal by her deceased husband, Mrs Chaytor is neither shy or retiring but merely seeking some respite from the pain of loneliness.
Reverend Hardcastle and Amelia Chaytor soon uncover more than they bargained for with practically everybody in the village of St Mary in the Marsh seeming to have a hand in the smuggling black market and therefore, a vested interest. For thirty-nine-year-old Reverend Hardcastle, the puzzle is something to engage his mind after once being lauded as the finest mind amongst the Church of England and destined for great things that have come to naught. A thorn in the side of his church superiors and a well-known drunken sot, Hardcastle is also a popular local figure, particularly as he turns a blind eye to the locals involvement in the smuggling. Having acquired a reputation for his predilection for port, the Reverend tries to curb his excesses whilst acting the part of the intoxicated buffoon, well aware that his enquiries are beginning to attract the attentions of the shadowy figures who are attempting to foil his path to the truth. Both Hardcastle and Mrs Chaytor play their part in contributing to the amateur sleuthing and when the inquest of Miller is rigged they start to get a sense of just how far up the chain of command the conspiracy they have stumbled upon goes.. As the senior clergy warn Reverend Hardcastle not to tarnish the cloths reputation with his pursuits and behaviour whilst under the influence of the demon drink, he remains undeterred.
Although highly readable and with a cleverly convoluted plot that delivers plenty of surprises the storyline sadly didn’t grip me. Thankfully the pace is brisk, the inimitable Reverend Hardcastle and unflappable Mrs Chaytor make a lively duo of amateur investigators and their witty repartee, cynical realism and genuine interest in ensuring justice is done make them a compelling team. Their growing respect and fondness for each other as the story progresses is also well drawn and their frankness with each other helps to flesh both characters out. The narrative, even when the relatively complicated plot is unfolding, is always jaunty and mischievously humorous and a colourful cast of local eccentrics includle the Reverend’s prickly housekeeper, Mrs Kemp, the artist JMW Turner and two elderly ladies rumoured to be witches or Sapphic lovers!
With more awareness of the historical context I doubt I would have chosen this novel because the period does not greatly interest me. However, the setting is well portrayed and the key players all distinctive and once the basics of the plot are laid out, uncovering the web of intrigue is full of tension. I just wish I had been more engaged by the whole set-up and felt more invested in the outcome. Whilst admittedly very atmospheric I cannot comment on the historical accuracy (or whether the population imbibed such vast quantities throughout the day)! A light-hearted, humorous mystery that for me was made readable by a vibrant cast of characters and a story that was jam-packed with twists!
Kent: 1796, St Mary in the Marsh
When a tetchy and port quaffing Reverend Marcus Hardcastle is rudely interrupted at midnight and midway through his latest missive railing at the unprotected coastline of Kent, he discovers a dying man on his doorstep in the darkness of a new moon. Bending down to receive the cryptic final words of the dying man, Hardcastle narrowly escapes a bullet himself but is baffled by the man’s message, “Tell Peter... mark... trace...”. When a rifle bullet is extracted from the victims body and Rev Hardcastle hears the news that less than two miles away a Customs officer by the name of Curtius Miller was shot dead in a skirmish with smugglers at close quarters he is naturally intrigued. Unable to identify the man on his doorstep or to make the circumstances of Miller’s shooting add up, Reverend Hardcastle starts asking questions and a similarly inquisitive three years widowed Amelia Chaytor follows his trail. Used to being classed as an equal by her deceased husband, Mrs Chaytor is neither shy or retiring but merely seeking some respite from the pain of loneliness.
Reverend Hardcastle and Amelia Chaytor soon uncover more than they bargained for with practically everybody in the village of St Mary in the Marsh seeming to have a hand in the smuggling black market and therefore, a vested interest. For thirty-nine-year-old Reverend Hardcastle, the puzzle is something to engage his mind after once being lauded as the finest mind amongst the Church of England and destined for great things that have come to naught. A thorn in the side of his church superiors and a well-known drunken sot, Hardcastle is also a popular local figure, particularly as he turns a blind eye to the locals involvement in the smuggling. Having acquired a reputation for his predilection for port, the Reverend tries to curb his excesses whilst acting the part of the intoxicated buffoon, well aware that his enquiries are beginning to attract the attentions of the shadowy figures who are attempting to foil his path to the truth. Both Hardcastle and Mrs Chaytor play their part in contributing to the amateur sleuthing and when the inquest of Miller is rigged they start to get a sense of just how far up the chain of command the conspiracy they have stumbled upon goes.. As the senior clergy warn Reverend Hardcastle not to tarnish the cloths reputation with his pursuits and behaviour whilst under the influence of the demon drink, he remains undeterred.
Although highly readable and with a cleverly convoluted plot that delivers plenty of surprises the storyline sadly didn’t grip me. Thankfully the pace is brisk, the inimitable Reverend Hardcastle and unflappable Mrs Chaytor make a lively duo of amateur investigators and their witty repartee, cynical realism and genuine interest in ensuring justice is done make them a compelling team. Their growing respect and fondness for each other as the story progresses is also well drawn and their frankness with each other helps to flesh both characters out. The narrative, even when the relatively complicated plot is unfolding, is always jaunty and mischievously humorous and a colourful cast of local eccentrics includle the Reverend’s prickly housekeeper, Mrs Kemp, the artist JMW Turner and two elderly ladies rumoured to be witches or Sapphic lovers!
With more awareness of the historical context I doubt I would have chosen this novel because the period does not greatly interest me. However, the setting is well portrayed and the key players all distinctive and once the basics of the plot are laid out, uncovering the web of intrigue is full of tension. I just wish I had been more engaged by the whole set-up and felt more invested in the outcome. Whilst admittedly very atmospheric I cannot comment on the historical accuracy (or whether the population imbibed such vast quantities throughout the day)! A light-hearted, humorous mystery that for me was made readable by a vibrant cast of characters and a story that was jam-packed with twists!