THIS PARODY OF DEATH by William Savage @penandpension

4 out of 5 stars

On Amazon UK HERE

On Amazon.com HERE

On Goodreads HERE

How I discovered this book:  It was a submission to Rosie Amber's Book Review Team, of which I am a member.  Mr Savage has published six novels so far, and I have read them all, which speaks for itself; my favourites are The Code for Killing and The Fabric of Murder.  

This third Ashmole Foxe 18th century murder mystery has more humorous overtones than the first two, and is probably a more 'easy read' for those who are not particularly interested in historical fiction per se.   Ashmole Foxe is a wealthy gentleman bookseller of Norwich, a leading member of city society and a slightly world-weary ladies' man.  He is also known to take an interest in crime within the area, and in This Parody of Death he is invited to solve the murder of Richard Logan, an undertaker and recluse.  As Foxe delves into the lives of those involved with Logan, he uncovers far more than he had ever expected.

As ever, I quickly became absorbed in the world of 18th century Norwich; it's a city I know, so this was interesting for me.  Mr Savage's characterisation of Foxe is first class, as, for the first time, he begins to question his own future, his attitudes to women, and even the flamboyant way in which he dresses.  I liked that there was look inside the head of Charlie, Foxe's street urchin messenger, with a chapter from his own point of view, and Mr Savage makes the reader all too aware of the seamier side of life beneath the period's veneer of respectability.  I also enjoyed the amusing insight into the mysteriously competitive world of church bell ringing (yes, it sounds a bit obscure, but it's very well done), and the alternative views on the hypocrisy of formally accepted Christianity.  

With regard to the plot itself, it is convincing, and unpredictable.  I felt there were a few inconsistencies within the novel, and some repetition of fact that was not necessary, but the uncovering of the crime is dialogue-led, so this was perhaps unavoidable in some circumstances.  The characters are the stars of this book; I'd love to see them in a novel other than a murder mystery, as I think they have potential for more.  This is a most enjoyable novel, and I'm happy to recommend it.