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Idwal Meredith #2
At Death's Door
Upstairs, in the room looking out to sea, the old man dictates wills, leaving things he no longer has to friends who are long dead. His children, who look after him, can cope with his senility, and thought there was nothing more to learn about his erratic life-style.
When Roderick Cotterel hears from his illegitimate half-sister he is intrigued, even charmed: she is the daughter of his father, the distinguished novelist Benedict Cotterel, by the famous actress Myra Mason. She is writing a book about her mother, and is looking for material. The affair between the two had been a gutter press sensation back in the 'sixties, but the embers have long since cooled. However, when Cordelia and her boyfriend arrive and begin research for the book both Roderick and his wife begin to have doubts. And when their peaceful Sussex village is threatened by a visit from an almost suspiciously friendly Myra Mason, they realize they have got into something from which it would require superhuman delicacy and tact to extricate themselves. In the event somebody solves their problems in a way that is neither tactful nor delicate, though it certainly is final.
When Roderick Cotterel hears from his illegitimate half-sister he is intrigued, even charmed: she is the daughter of his father, the distinguished novelist Benedict Cotterel, by the famous actress Myra Mason. She is writing a book about her mother, and is looking for material. The affair between the two had been a gutter press sensation back in the 'sixties, but the embers have long since cooled. However, when Cordelia and her boyfriend arrive and begin research for the book both Roderick and his wife begin to have doubts. And when their peaceful Sussex village is threatened by a visit from an almost suspiciously friendly Myra Mason, they realize they have got into something from which it would require superhuman delicacy and tact to extricate themselves. In the event somebody solves their problems in a way that is neither tactful nor delicate, though it certainly is final.
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
About the author
Robert Barnard
207 books89 followersAka Bernard Bastable.
Robert Barnard (born 23 November 1936) was an English crime writer, critic and lecturer.
Born in Essex, Barnard was educated at the Royal Grammar School in Colchester and at Balliol College in Oxford. His first crime novel, A Little Local Murder, was published in 1976. The novel was written while he was a lecturer at University of Tromsø in Norway. He has gone on to write more than 40 other books and numerous short stories.
Barnard has said that his favourite crime writer is Agatha Christie. In 1980 he published a critique of her work titled A Talent to Deceive: An Appreciation of Agatha Christie.
Barnard was awarded the Cartier Diamond Dagger in 2003 by the Crime Writers Association for a lifetime of achievement.
Under the pseudonym Bernard Bastable, Robert Barnard has published one standalone novel and three alternate history books starring Wolfgang Mozart as a detective, he having survived to old age.
Barnard lived with his wife Louise in Yorkshire.
Series:
* Perry Trethowan
* Charlie Peace
Robert Barnard (born 23 November 1936) was an English crime writer, critic and lecturer.
Born in Essex, Barnard was educated at the Royal Grammar School in Colchester and at Balliol College in Oxford. His first crime novel, A Little Local Murder, was published in 1976. The novel was written while he was a lecturer at University of Tromsø in Norway. He has gone on to write more than 40 other books and numerous short stories.
Barnard has said that his favourite crime writer is Agatha Christie. In 1980 he published a critique of her work titled A Talent to Deceive: An Appreciation of Agatha Christie.
Barnard was awarded the Cartier Diamond Dagger in 2003 by the Crime Writers Association for a lifetime of achievement.
Under the pseudonym Bernard Bastable, Robert Barnard has published one standalone novel and three alternate history books starring Wolfgang Mozart as a detective, he having survived to old age.
Barnard lived with his wife Louise in Yorkshire.
Series:
* Perry Trethowan
* Charlie Peace
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 16, 2012
I liked this one a lot. It took me a while to read though. It was like eating a really rich dessert; small bits are best.
The characters were really well developed. It was very masterful how he did that.
I figured out the main mystery very quickly. Some clues were a little too obvious. But that didn't affect my enjoyment of this book at all.
The characters were really well developed. It was very masterful how he did that.
I figured out the main mystery very quickly. Some clues were a little too obvious. But that didn't affect my enjoyment of this book at all.
October 19, 2019
There are a few surprises in this mystery, but the murder of acclaimed actress Dame Myra Mason isn't one of them. She is a nasty piece of work, and wreaks havoc on her now-grown daughter, who has decided to research the life of her mother and the relationship with a famous author that led to her birth when Myra was young. There are plenty of people with motives, so Inspector Meredith has to painstakingly trace each one's movements on the evening in question. I loved the inspiration that comes to him while watching his teenage children playing Trivial Pursuit.
September 5, 2025
I liked this one a lot. It took me a while to read though. It was like eating a really rich dessert; small bits are best.
The characters were really well developed. It was very masterful how he did that.
I figured out the main mystery very quickly. Some clues were a little too obvious. But that didn't affect my enjoyment of this book at all.
The characters were really well developed. It was very masterful how he did that.
I figured out the main mystery very quickly. Some clues were a little too obvious. But that didn't affect my enjoyment of this book at all.
August 23, 2017
Barnard is so reliable. Believable and varied characters, red herrings galore, and a satisfying puzzle. A master of the traditional mystery.
March 12, 2020
A fantastic, old fashioned, whodunit. I could not put it down. Barnard has gained a new fan!
March 22, 2026
Barnard is always a delight, so witty and acute is his observations.
July 24, 2010
Most of the way through, I felt this lacked a character whose company I could enjoy. Certainly the actress mother and daughter were vivid. Once the secrets were out, I was able to connect to the real people.
April 11, 2016
Mr Barnard has redeemed himself. It's a clever little book that is a proper whodunnit with a clever sub-plot running through.
If you've never tried him, this is good but lost a point due to the lack of his trademark humour.
If you've never tried him, this is good but lost a point due to the lack of his trademark humour.
December 30, 2008
Pretty typical and predictable. This author's works seem very uneven. One of my favorite books this year was Barnard's Scandal in Belgravia. On the other hand this one was blah.
June 8, 2012
Fun, quick read. Ending a little deus ex machina....but OK. I like Barnard.
August 6, 2009
The usual enjoyable Barnard mystery with an unexpected twist at the end.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews