Andrew Caldecott: Rotherweird

Very entertainingly original. A town hidden from the outside world acquires a new sinister owner. To say more would be to give too much away but it is something of a genre mash-up but in a good and stylish way. There’s a central mystery, a strong historical element ( the origin of the town goes back to Tudor times) and then, as the story develops, fantasy and myth come in. It’s a tricky combo to manage but the author ( eminent QC) does it superbly. Style of writing is not particularly original but does the job. It’s the plot that drives this but with a wide range of well-drawn characters ( (with wonderfully exotic Dickensian names) and their development is well charred. They are not merely plot-driving pawns.

I liked the Agatha Christie final gathering of all where the full complications and connections of the story were very well explained...but it did not seem a mere clumsy device for the benefit of the reader who may not have fully followed all the ramifications.

There is a second book ( which was what I originally picked up only to be told by the characteristically well-informed Waterstones assistant that there was a first volume. (and is Waterstones now the only shop where assistants really know about what they are selling?). I gave the sense that the sequel is a natural one as by the end all is not as it seems.

A great summer read.