A Choice of Evils

Andrew Basnett #8

by E.X. Ferrars

Those plans for peaceful seaside holidays? They never really work out well, at least not in the world of classic British mysteries.   Retired professor Andrew Basnett, for example, envisioning little more than sandcastles and the blessings of a pale English sun on his pale English skin, is startled to meet his nephew, Peter, on the beach. He’s yet more startled (and not entirely thrilled) when Peter gets him invited to dinner with a celebrity novelist. And he’s extremely startled when the novelist’s sister-in-law is shot in the summer house and nephew Peter seems the likeliest man for the job. We have often suggested that Andrew Basnett should be known as “Mr. Marple,” because the series’ village settings and pinpoint plotting—and its canny, creaky sleuth—are so pleasingly reminiscent of the tales of St. Mary Mead. But they feature, in addition, a gentle wit that (dare we say it?) Ms. Christie could only dream about, and this final installment is a perfect exemplar.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

206 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Aka Elizabeth Ferrars

Elizabeth Ferrars is a pseudonym of Morna Doris MacTaggart Brown. She was born in Rangoon, Burma.

Reviews

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars? A somewhat so-so end to a stellar series!

[Bev · Rating 3 out of 5]

Choice of Evils by E. X. Ferrars is one of those nice cozy little academic mysteries that I love so much. In this case, the academic is retired botany professor Andrew Basnett--who just has a knack for getting mixed up in matters of murder. In his eighth outing, Professor Basnett has finally wrapped up his biography of Robert Hooke (a project that he's been working on for quite some time) and he decides to treat himself to a holiday in the seaside village of Gallmouth. Basnett and his late wife had taken several pleasant trips to the quiet village and he returned there periodically when he felt in need of a rest.

While there, he meets up with his nephew, Peter Dilly. Peter is a successful author of science fiction stories and has been invited to participate in Gallworth's first-ever arts festival and speak on a panel of authors. Simon Amory, another successful novelist who lives in Gallworth, is hosting Peter during the festival weekend and invites Basnett to dinner when he learns that his guest's uncle is staying in the village as well. At dinner Peter and Andrew are introduced to Mina Todhunter, a children's author who will join Simon and Peter on the panel, Simon's sister-in-law Rachel Rayne, and Edward Clarke, the chair of the festival committee.

After dinner, they all head to the local theater for the panel discussion and beforehand Simon Amory is confronted by Magda Braile, obviously an old flame and the star of the festival's production of The Duchess of Malfi. There is much tension in the air, but the panel discussion is successful and the evening seems to have gone well. The only odd note is that Rachel disappears from the gathering afterward and is later spied by Peter sneaking out of the summer house on Amory's grounds (the summer house serves as Amory's work area for his writing).

The next day Rachel seeks advice from both Mina Todhunter and the professor, but neither of them give her much attention. Before the day is over, Rachel is discovered shot to death in the summerhouse....and things look a bit black for Andrew's nephew. Peter was the last one to see Rachel alive and he's also the one who discovers her body. He immediately calls on his uncle to come and lend support because after all, Andrew's "had experience with this sort of thing. [He's] helped the police before. There was that affair of the dinner where the man got poisoned with cyanide, and the time the QC man got blown up by a bomb."

Andrew does get interested (and not just on his nephew's behalf) and soon he's discovering a web of bigamy, blackmail, lies, and fraud...and another murder is committed. This time the victim is Magda. But where exactly does the finger of accusation point? To Amory who may not have claim to his wife's property after all? To Desmond Nicholl, the husband of Magda Braile, who may have had reason to kill his wife? Or to someone else?

This was a reread for me. It had been long enough since I read it the first time that while I met certain passages and scenes with quick recognition, I still was sure enough of the ground to spot the culprit right away. The Professor Basnett mysteries comfortable cozies that satisfy the mystery reader without a lot of blood and gore or psychological thrills and tension. Believable characters and an interesting twist on the blackmail scheme make for a good solid three star reread. It's possible I would have given it four stars the first time 'round--but for some inexplicable reason I don't have a record of my initial reaction (not even the star rating that I normally would have).

This was first posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Retired professor Andrew Basnett just wants a few quiet days by the sea, so he goes to Gallmouth, where he and his late wife had vacationed. Much to his surprise, he finds that his nephew Peter, a science fiction writer, is there for the first Arts Festival. Through Peter, he reluctantly finds himself involved with some other festival partipants, including thorny, successful author Simon Amory. When widowed Amory's sister-in-law is found murdered--by Peter--Basnett becomes involved in the investigation since the officer in charge conveniently knows another police officer Basnett helped in the past.

[Bettie · Rating 2 out of 5]

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[Su · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really lovely, cozy setting--a charming, British seaside town at the end of summer winding down its tourist season with a cute, little arts festival, where local authors give a book talk, the local theater puts on a performance, etc. Afternoon tea with an ocean view in the uncrowded lounge of your hotel, a walk along the scenic cliffs, and an easy stroll down the boardwalk shopping lane, where you buy a piece of good cheese to have with breakfast tomorrow, then browse the cute, little local bookshop next door--only to run into your charming nephew, who is now a best-selling scific author speaking at the arts festival tonight. I mean, seriously--could there be a cozier setting than this?! ♥

I sought out a Elizabeth Ferrars mystery novel because she's said to be the author closest to Agatha Christie in terms of plotting style and millieu. But the mystery, while overall satisfyingly rich in conception, is a little clunky in its telling/unraveling. Likewise, some of the writing is a little robotic, and almost devoid of art (very different from Agatha, however unadorned her writing could be, by choice)--though there's nothing terrible in Ferrars's writing style like you sometimes find in some mass appeal thrillers or YA novels of today. Just... a little overly staid at times.

Still, I enjoyed following her eldery professor hero, Andrew Basnett, around in this lovely, little town, as he both explored it and investigated the murder mystery. It felt like *I'd* gone on a little holiday too!

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

An overall charming and engaging series comes to a close with not a lot of fanfare. No major "... aaaannnnd scene!" closure to be had, and given the series's recurring theses (life happens, mini-vacation murders happen, old age happens) it's probably most appropriate that book 8 just does what it does without any additional heraldry.

While the plot specifics have already dimmed in my memory for this one (treachery amongst authors and actors), what will stick with me most for this one is the uncle/nephew relationship between Andrew and Peter. For a series that wears its cozy/Christie affiliation proudly on its jacket flaps, the series has always been most interesting to me for its cantankerous second heart that always beats in the background. And as it relates to Andrew/Peter, it's interesting to observe Andrew doubting Peter's genuine motives. As the series concludes, I'm most thankful for jagged edges like these and it's equally imperfect protagonist who never preferred to be congratulated for anything other than he was, a certain human being who was a certain kind of botanist who had a certain "luck" for being around murders that ultimately made sense to him first.

[Gabriela Galescu · Rating 4 out of 5]

A choice of excellent books

I have read several of Ferrars’ books and I have thoroughly enjoyed them all. The characters are well developed and the plot moves along at the right pace. All ij all, very good writing. Had I not read other Ferrars books, I would have given this five stars. Since the author has consistently provided a choice of excellent books, I cannot help but compare. I would say that “A choice of Evils” is slightly less than excellent, maybe because of the somewhat predictable resolution of the case.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent story.

This book is part of the Andrew Basnett series. Professor Basnett, a retired widower, decides to take a holiday. On that holiday he runs in to his nephew. His nephew is there as a speaker for a festival. Peter invites his uncle to attend. And so it begins. The characters are introduced and the story is complicated and intriguing filled with murder, blackmail, bigamy and suicide.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy this author

Nothing too demanding about his books. Easy reads. No grim and gory stuff. Works well when bored with life…or life is too grim to be faced…see the current administration in Washington.

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as fun as other mysteries in the series, but still pretty good!

[We Are All Mad Here · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars for sheer enjoyment of the series. As soft-spoken and pleasant as murder will ever be.

[DonHSr · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like this series and the main character but was very disappointed with this book. It was more of a short story than an novel and the author didn't tell you ahead of time.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this series. I can't believe that I never found these before and I'm so glad to have a new series to read!