Mysteries work best when there are a number of twists and turns and you are outwitted by the author at every turn. Fire in the Thatch by E.C.R Lorac gives you that satisfaction in this latest British Library Classics book published earlier this year. The book set at the time just before the WWII follows Inspector McDonald as he tries to uncover the reasons for killing a simple man farming his land in the remote parts of Devon. Read on to find out more about the plot and tell us if you agree with our Fire in the Thatch book review.
E. C. R. Lorac was a pen name of Edith Caroline Rivett (1894-1958) who was a prolific writer of crime fiction from the 1930s to the 1950s, and a member of the prestigious Detection Club. Her books have been almost entirely neglected since her death, but deserve rediscovery as fine examples of classic British crime fiction in its golden age.
Fire in the Thatch
Fire in The Thatch: A Devon Mystery
Author: E.C.R Lorac
Series: British Library Crime Classics
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: The British Library Publishing Division (February 10, 2018)
ISBN: 0712352600, 978-0712352604
Fire in the Thatch Book Plot
The setting is a small village in Devon, just a cluster of a few houses, really. Old man St. Cyres wants to rent out a small thatched cottage. There are many contenders for the place but he chooses a formal naval officer. The man, Nicholas Vaughan, is an avid farmer who respects the land. He works wonders in just a few months. Although reticent, he is accepted by the local people. A visiting Londoner is not too keen on him though.
The fire in the thatch happens and Vaughan is burned down along with the cottage. An accidental death ruling is questioned by a higher up in the navy. Scotland Yard dispatches a chief inspector to look into the case.
Chief Inspector Macdonald strikes down the old theory within a day of his arrival. The investigation begins in earnest. Every page of this book is a pleasure to read. You want to rush ahead and see what happens next. At the same time, you want to savor every word of it. Part of you doesn’t want the book to end.
Fire in the Thatch Book Review
Fire in the Thatch is a classic mystery you will want to read again and again.
The characters are so vivid you can picture them in your mind. The peculiarities of the Devon countryside and the people are captured in detail. You might think the solution was a bit obvious when the case is solved at the end, but trust me, you won’t have a clue while reading through the book.
There are plenty of alternate theories put forth. New suspects emerge regularly and there is no dearth of red herrings. Although the crime is heinous, the mystery remains cozy with not a lot of gory stuff (unlike Sussex Downs).
If you are looking for a juicy mystery for a lazy afternoon, look no further. You might enjoy it more if you have a green meadow or some mountain scenery to look up at every once in a while.
Leave a Reply