Medium – Audiobook
About the Book – Set at the beginning of WW2, this book is the first in a series by M.R.C. Kasasian, who is also the author of the Gower Street Detectives books. Betty is a policewoman in her thirties, battling against the prejudice and misogyny rife in the police service. She sustains an injury which leads to the amputation of her arm just under the elbow, and in order to remain in the police service, she agrees to take on a role in her home town in Suffolk, where she is promoted to the rank of Inspector. There, she works with the nasty Inspector Sharkey and a weird and wonderful band of police officers, including the slightly immature, but often very surprising, WPC Dodo Chivers. A series of murders comes to her small town and Betty has to try and solve them, whilst juggling the attitudes of her men, the outbreak of the war and her own relationships with the people around her.
My thoughts – This book is one I really enjoyed, right up until the final few chapters. I thought the characters were delightful, especially Dodo, who seems very silly and immature but on occasion is charmingly surprising. I also really liked Betty, who is strong, clever and always seems to have a witty comeback to any situation she faces. The author has a really strong cast of characters, and I am really excited to read more of these books, especially as they cover Betty’s experiences as the war progresses.
So, what was the problem with the ending? Well, for me, it dragged rather. The mystery was solved, and then we spent five or so chapters ‘finishing off’ the story, including several chapters having a chat with the murderer and discussing why the crimes had been committed and how they had been done. I think that part of the book could have been done much quicker, so I would have preferred a much speedier conclusion and more action earlier on. But that is just me, and I am completely accepting of the fact that it isn’t the way that other people enjoy mystery stories!
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