Review:EVANLY CHOIRS by Rhys Bowen
Harriet Klausner
St.Martin's May 1999; $22.95 hardcover 200 pp; ISBN 0-312-20539-2
Internationally renowned opera singer Ifor Llewllyn has returned to his
hometown of Llanfair, Wales for some needed rest. Ifor joins the local
choir that is competing in the upcoming regional fair. The choirmaster
is Mostyn Phillips, a former classmate of Ifor's. The great tenor
relishes teasing Mostyn, who does not react well to the constant
pounding. In fact, Mostyn has never forgiven Ifor for marrying his
beloved Margaret.
However, the night before the contest, Ifor fails to show up at the
meeting place. Mostyn and Constable Evan Evans return to retrieve their
star singer, only to find him dead. First Ifor's wife and then his son
confesses to the murder, but neither confession holds up under scrutiny.
As the police hone in on the spouse's boy friend, Evan realizes that too
fails to fit the scenario, but wonders what does.
EVANLY CHOIRS: A CONSTABLE EVANS MYSTERY is a well-written, very
enjoyable Welsh cozy that is a one-sitting read. The who-done-it is fun
and Evan remains a lovable boy scout. Fans of cozies need to peruse this
entire series (see EVAN HELP US and EVANS ABOVE) for a pleasurable
police procedural that never stops entertaining.
Harriet Klausner