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4.0 out of 5 stars
Evan goes south, Jul 28 2003
I've enjoyed all of Rhys Bowen's books, including this one. Evan does not want to be around to enforce the Ministry's rules for handling livestock in the foot-and-mouth disease epidemic. WIth a bit of help from a superior officer, he's off the duty roster and heading for Swansea with his fiance, Bronwen. The couple visits both sets of parents, starting wtih Evan's mother, an overly concerned soul who sends her love through her cooking. Coincidentally, Tony Mancini is arrested for the murder of a young lady from Swansea. Tony already served time for shooting Evan's father, which he claimed was accidental. Evan begins to wonder if Tony really did murder Allison and, going out on a limb, begins to investigate. Evan's investigation keeps the pages turning. Bronwen gets involved because she looks young and young people will talk to her like an equal. The ending is a little disappointing, as the motive seems to echo other novels of recent years.
And it's not too hard to guess the ending. As usual, Bowen serves up vivid descriptions of Wales and sets a lively pace. However, by moving the action south, we lose some local village charm. And the horror of complying with requirements to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease casts a disturbing shadow on an otherwise light-hearted novel. Then again, in real life, this disease cast a shadow on this otherwise delightful world.
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