Murder Before Evensong (Canon Clement, #1)

Title: Murder Before Evensong (Canon Clement, #1)

Author: Richard Coles

Published in: 2022

Date read: 20th August 2023

Score: 5/5

Genre: Crime, Detective, Mystery

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Murder Before Evensong" by The Reverend Richard Coles, published in 2022, is the first novel in his "Canon Daniel Clement" cosy mystery series. It introduces a delightful, if sometimes exasperating, cast of characters in a quintessential English village, where a seemingly mundane parish disagreement quickly escalates into something far more sinister.

The protagonist is Canon Daniel Clement, the Rector of Champton, a picturesque rural parish. Daniel is a quiet, thoughtful, and somewhat long-suffering clergyman, who lives at the Rectory with his opinionated, fearless, and often interfering widowed mother, Audrey, and his two beloved dachshunds, Cosmo and Hilda. Life in Champton is typically tranquil, filled with the rhythms of church services, parish council meetings, and plenty of tea and biscuits.

The catalyst for the unravelling of this peace is Daniel's proposal to install a lavatory in the church. This seemingly practical idea sparks an unexpected and fierce division within the parish. Lines are drawn between the traditionalists and those who see the need for modern amenities, leading to heated debates and long-buried resentments bubbling to the surface. The "Flower Brigade," in particular, is vehemently against the disruption to their cherished back pews.

Amidst this parochial squabble, the annual open day at Champton House, the home of the local gentry, the de Floures family, takes place. During the festivities, a shocking discovery is made: Anthony Bowness, a cousin to the patron of Champton, Bernard de Floures, is found dead at the back of the church. He has been brutally stabbed in the neck with a pair of pruning shears.

The murder sends shockwaves through the quiet community, and suddenly, the arguments over church plumbing seem trivial. Local police, including Detective Sergeant Neil VanLoo, arrive to investigate. As the police begin to dig, it becomes clear that Champton, beneath its idyllic surface, is a hotbed of gossip, long-held secrets, and simmering resentments. Anthony Bowness, it turns out, was privy to many of these secrets, having been engaged in archiving the de Floures family papers.

Daniel, with his intimate knowledge of his parishioners and his unique position within the community, finds himself inadvertently drawn into the investigation. He becomes an unlikely amateur sleuth, using his understanding of human nature and his access to various factions within the village to assist the police. As the investigation progresses, more dark secrets come to light, and it becomes apparent that there is no shortage of suspects, each with their own motive.

The novel is characterized by its sharp wit, keen observations of English village life, and charming characters. It balances the serious nature of the murders with humorous portrayals of parish eccentricities and the gentle, yet firm, wisdom of Daniel Clement. As more bodies potentially pile up, Daniel must not only work to uncover the killer but also try to hold his fractured community together.

"Murder Before Evensong" is a delightful and engaging cosy mystery that establishes Richard Coles as a new voice in the genre, offering a blend of genuine suspense, intricate plotting, and a warm, often funny, portrayal of faith and community.

Comments:
What a beautiful book! I loved it and have quickly gone onto the next. I have to admit that I love the presence of the Reverend Richard Coles and I wish that he had more to do with running the country. I was worried that his first book in the series might not be up to scratch, however, this book is excellent.

Books that we've read by Richard Coles (3):
Murder Before Evensong (Canon Clement, #1) (2022), A Death in the Parish (Canon Clement #2) (2023), Murder at the Monastery (Canon Clement #3) (2024)