Once Too Often by Dorothy Simpson Review

Scribner, Feb., 1998.
Hardcover, 223 pages.
ISBN: 0684845784.
Ordering information: Amazon.com

Inspector Luke Thanet is back in this 14th installment of the popular police procedural series. As the story opens, Thanet is facing something worse than a grisly murder -- his beloved daughter is getting married and it's up to him to come up with a speech for the wedding. Unhappy over losing his baby girl and wracked with writer's block, Thanet is positively relieved to be presented with a murder to solve. Journalist Jessica Dander is found at the bottom of her stairs with her neck broken and her front door wide open. As Thanet and his assistant Lineham get to work on the case a large number of suspects appear who all had reasons for wanting the obnoxious Jessica to die. As the tale unfolds, the leads are carefully investigated by the police duo, both of whom are having family problems which are revealed to the reader as the case evolves.

Dorothy Simpson again creates the cozy atmosphere of a small English village with a murder which must be solved before Thanet's speech at his daughter's wedding. With its congenial atmosphere and an intriguing mystery, Once Too Often is a welcome addition to this popular series.

Return to the April 1998 issue of The IWJ.