A Grave Disturbance

Theodora Braithwaite #8

by D.M. Greenwood

Theodora visits an old school friend, wife of the Provost of the cathedral near Gainshurst, and finds the Cathedral Close in turmoil. The death of a workman working on the restoration of the cathedral may not have been an accident at all, but rather a convenient murder. Reluctantly, Theodora is drawn into the puzzle.

Genres: Mystery, British Literature

256 pages, Hardcover

First published December 3, 1998

About the author

Dr D(iane) M Greenwood described herself as "a low level ecclesiastical civil servant". Coming originally from Norfolk in England, she took a first degree in classics at Oxford, then, as a mature student, a second degree in theology at London University. She taught at various schools before working for the diocese of Rochester. She was described by an ex-pupil as "a classics teacher of terrifying erudition and eccentricity". She retired as diocesan director of education for the diocese of Rochester in 2004. She published nine Theodora Braithwaite novels between 1991 and 1999. She was last heard of living in Greenwich with her lurcher bitch.

Reviews

[Damaskcat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the eighth book in this entertaining series and it sees Theodora visiting an old friend for what she hopes is some rest and relaxation. However she soon finds herself persuaded to help Susan find out what is troubling her husband and whether he actually is being blackmailed. The death of a workman on some scaffolding put up to facilitate restoration work on the cathedral spire is the event which sparks all sorts of unwelcome revelations for the cathedral and its staff.

I enjoyed reading this well written mystery with its complex web of links between people. I like Theodora as a character and love the way she finds herself inveigled into helping others when she really doesn't want to do so. She is a very human character. The other characters are interesting too especially Lionel, the Archdeacon's assistant who seems very enterprising and wasted in the job he is doing.

If you like your mysteries with very little violence and no bad language but plenty of twists and turns and an interesting and well realised background then this could be the one for you. The series can be read in any order.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

"When Deacon Theodora Braithwaite agrees to visit an old friend, Susan Tye, wife of the Provost of the cathedral near Gainshurst, she finds the Cathedral Close in turmoil, following the death of a workman. The accident adds greatly to the burdens borne by Reggie Tye, already battling to fund the restoration of possibly the ugliest cathedral in Britain (or one of the most unusual, depending on your point of view), and, according to his wife, a victim of a mysterious blackmailer.

"Theodora is unimpressed by the spartan hospitality on offer and even less impressed with the Tyes' wild theories. But as suspicions mount that the tragic accident may not have been an accident at all, but rather a convenient murder, Theordora is reluctantly drawn into a most unseemly ecclesiastical wrangle ..."
~~back cover

The opening caught me up straightaway -- a delectable foray into lyrical English, presented by Lionel, whose sharp wit and tongue make such engaging reading. Well-plotted, good characterization -- definitely worth the reading.

[JackieB · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I liked this, I did have some problems with it. I thought some of the characters were not really credible in some ways (for example, being naive to an incredible degree). There were some wonderfully funny parts, where DM Greenwood gave full rein to her rather sardonic humour. In other places I suspect I missed the humour because occasionally characters came across as rather bitter in ways that didn't seem consistent with the way they were described overall. Overall I enjoyed it.