Killing with Kindness

Tessa Crichton #7

by Anne Morice

With no sound at all, she pitched forward head first into the punch bowl, scattering canapés and glasses in all directions. By all accounts, Mike Parsons is a considerate, loyal and devoted to his awkward wife – rumoured to be an alcoholic. But now he has done a vanishing act. Was he killed – and who would murder such a kind individual anyway? Rising young actress Tessa Crichton is unwittingly set a real puzzle in investigating the case of a man she knew and liked – but who turns out to be a more mysterious character than previously thought. Needing all her detective skill to find out what has really happened to the saintly husband, Tessa uncovers evidence that increasingly puts herself in danger. Killing with Kindness was originally published in 1974. This new edition features an introduction and afterword by crime fiction historian Curtis Evans. ‘Anne Morice has a gift for creating intelligent, affection-generating characters, set in light and entertaining atmospheres.’ Spectator

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Fiction

197 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Birth name: Felicity Shaw

Reviews

[Eugene · Rating 2 out of 5]

Umm, not the best of the series so far. One always enjoys some more than others, but here the story itself is fairly vapid, and the plot development is minimal. As well, some of the characters almost seem to be reading their lines “from offstage,” so peripheral to the story are they, husband (and Scotland Yard detective) Robin Price and cousin Toby in particular, usually solid contributing players but here they seem more like a Greek chorus.
Tessa solves the mystery, but it isn’t of all that much interest…

[Lola · Rating 1 out of 5]

When Mike Parsons disappears, people think he's left his wife & two young sons.
Then his body washes up in the river, leading some to believe tnat Mike committed
suicide. But the autopsy shows he did not die by drowning.

The author is a British mystery writer. This book is 287 pages--that is 287 pages too long--a dull
mystery--a waste of time to read, in my opinion. Sorry.

[Melissa Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to read, but nothing too exciting.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

For my full review click on the link below:
https://crossexaminingcrime.com/2025/...

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of the better books in this series. A man known for his kindness to others disappears. His wife turns to Tessa Crichton for help. Tessa can never resist an appeal for help and soon finds herself in danger