Fatal Undertaking

Buryin' Barry Mystery #5

by Mark de Castrique

Funeral director and part-time sheriff Barry Clayton finds United States Junior Chamber (Jaycee) member Archie Donovan’s request absurd until he learns the casket will be the centerpiece of the Jaycees’ haunted house, a charity event with all proceeds going to the children’s hospital. But when the president of the Jaycees is murdered in the casket on Halloween, the national press descends upon Gainesboro to cover the bizarre crime. Sheriff Tommy Lee Wadkins assigns Barry to be the lead investigator of a case that presents no motive and no suspects. Then someone fires a shot at Archie Donovan, and Barry wonders whether the victim in the casket had even been the intended target. Barry finds his police work and personal life on a collision course as his ex-wife Rachel comes to town with high hopes of using the story to launch her TV network career. She begins prying into the lives of Gainesboro’s most distinguished citizens and creates a backlash that leaves another body in its wake. Old wounds are ripped open, family rifts exposed, and a criminal enterprise revealed that cuts to the heart of the community. Barry Clayton must follow a trail of clues as winding as a forest path. The unexpected destination: a mountainside of Christmas trees. Somewhere behind these symbols of peace and goodwill lurks a killer. Unmasking him will be a fatal undertaking.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Halloween, Mystery Thriller

232 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2010

About the author

Mark de Castrique is an author, playwright, public speaker, and television producer living in Charlotte.

Through his company MARK et al., he writes, shoots, and edits projects for a variety of clients.

His work has earned CLIO, TELLY, and EMMY awards.

Mark has scripted stories aired on PBS and commercial network affiliates, as well as created video presentations for major corporations.

Reviews

[Montzalee Wittmann]

Fatal Undertaking
(Buryin' Barry Mystery #5)
by Mark de Castrique
This is an enjoyable, complex mystery that kept me entertained. I may not have liked all the main characters but they served their purpose. The mystery was very good!

[Spuddie]

The further I read in this series, the more I enjoy it...the problem of course being that there are now only two books left. (At least, I assume it is ended since the last book was published 5 years ago.) After his father's passing, "Buryin' Barry" hired someone to assist with the running of the family funeral home which has allowed him to have the extra time to get back to his first love--police work--and take on the role of part-time sheriff's deputy. He happens to be on the scene of a murder that takes place at a charity "haunted house" when a prominent citizen of the town is found stabbed to death inside the coffin where he was intended to sit up and scare the patrons. Of course this weird death hits the new fairly quickly--in part due to the deceased being well-known and in part due to the odd nature of the death. It even brings Barry's ex-wife Rachel, a reporter, to town which causes a bit of tension initially with Barry's girlfriend Susan on the scene. But Barry doesn't have time to worry about all that, being determined to solve such a puzzling, and high-profile case.

[Lynn]

This was one of the first titles I ever received from NetGalley and unfortunately I downloaded in a format I wasn't able to access. But this is why I love our library! And I'm so glad I followed up with this title. What a fabulous group of characters! This story is one from the middle of the Buryin' Barry series, but I didn't feel as if I missed anything starting here. A great holiday story, for those of you who like a Christmas theme, as the resident part-time sheriff takes on a case of local Christmas tree farm hustling - Barry Clayton, also runs the town funeral home when he's not solving crime. This case brings his past back into his life and ends with some very well thought out wisdom that was actually pretty touching. If you haven't come across this series, I would recommend it - a quick read and very enjoyable! I can't wait to catch up with the rest of this series!

[Wanda]

Following book 4 was difficult.

This was just as well written, and the characters as sharply drawn, but didn't pull at the emotions as strongly. That shouldn't take away from the rating, but I couldn't give it the same 5 stars, it felt like it would diminish the previous rating.

Now to continue my binge reading with book 6. I think it's the last in the series.

[Beth]

This is just one of my go-to comfort reads. It’s interesting and I know things will work out in the end. Even inadvertently skipping a book wasn’t terrible, though I will go back and read the book before this one, which I missed. If you need a good, solid, interesting, cozy mystery, I recommend this entire series.

[Nikki]

(Chirp.)

3.5 stars.

I cannot locate audio copies of books 1-3, and somehow missed 4, jumping into the series at book 5, and still enjoyed it. The characters are fun, just like in his other books, and I laughed out loud, cringed hard, and was moved by the story.

[Al Stoess]

Maybe a 4 plus. Too long. Too many characters. Got better at the end. Killed off ex-wife. Would have to read prior books for more on her. Her death may complicate relationship with Susan. Yes? No?

[Colleen]

Good mystery

Kept your interest the entire time. Good plot and interesting characters. I like the subplots too which adds to the book.

[Alec Peche]

Perhaps the narrator was the problem for this book. His slow way of speaking slowed down an already slow story.

[Susan Runyan]

Clever plot and characters. Plan to read more “burying Barry mysteries

[Brody]

Not the worst. It's an easy to read, mostly well written, pulpy,crime drama that kept me intrigued. It got a /little/ racist at the end tho.

[Cindy B.]

Involved plot that’s interest-keeping. Had me crying towards the end - a seldom experienced and good thing. A terrific narrator, following him now. Loved that it was clean as well.

[Barbara Watson]

Good holiday season whodunnit.

[LJ]

First Sentence: “You want to borrow a casket?”

Deputy Sheriff Barry Clayton, had been a city police officer but moved back to small North Carolina town in which his family runs a funeral parlor. Working for the sheriff’s department and helping with the family business can lead to interesting situations such as loaning a casket to the Jaycees for a Halloween haunted house and having it ending up with containing a murdered body. Complicating Barry’s case is the question whether the victim was the one actually intended and having his reporter ex-wife return to town.

It is always a pleasure to read a new book by Mark de Castrique. He brings us into this small North Carolina town, not so much by detailed descriptions of the environs, but by conveying the closeness of the town’s citizens but also with the reality of the town’s politics and insularity. His dialogue is excellent, including humor—“As he left the diner, I saw the press corps following after him like a gaggle of geese, honking “Sheriff” with every step.” and the use of colloquialisms—“In here we’re two size-ten shoes in a size-four shoebox.”—add contrast to the serious elements of the plot.

The characters are representative of all those you find in any town, but are far from being stereotypical. Sheriff Tommy Lee Wadkins is a man who has seen too much violence and knows you have to have humor, particularly when situations may be serious, to survive. Barry is dedicated to his family, loyal to his friends, but he’s not perfect. He makes costly mistakes during the investigation and realizes the impact of them. That makes him more realistic than the usual ‘perfect’ detective.

The story draws you in from its seemingly light beginning but turns quickly to dark with the first murder. Yes, first; there is more than one murder, but the story is neither noir nor serial killer in approach. Instead, it is a very well done police procedural. The plot is full of twists, interspersed with humor, suspense, and tragedy; with a shocking climax and affirming ending; as is life. That is one of the appeals of de Castrique’s writing to me; they are a reminder that life is filled with twists and tragedy, yet also with hope and that it is important to always remember that which is most important

I was happy to read that de Castrique has many more investigations in mind for Barry. I look forward to reading each one of them.

FATAL UNDERTAKING (Pol Proc-Barry Clayton-North Carolina-Cont) – G+
de Castrique, Mark – 5th in series
Poisoned Pen Press, ©2010, ARC -- US Hardcover ISBN: 9781590588017

[Caroline]

I love this series! Barry Clayton left his job with the police to come home and help with the family funeral parlor when his father was diagnosed with Alzheimers. Now he serves as a part-time deputy and has a partner at the funeral parlor. This is a series with "meat on the bone" - it's a good solid story with characters you come to know and love. You care about how their lives progress and the setting, in the North Carolina mountains, is rich in heritage and personality. Originally there were only four books in this series (one for each of the seasons) but I'm so glad Mark was prompted to add another! I read quickly but I try to take my time with these because I hate to see them end. When space is limited, there are only some books that I save instead of passing on to another reader. Mark de Castrique's books are keepers and can be read and reread without losing any of the wonderful flavor. Always an enjoyable read - let's hope Mark will consider doing more in this series!

[Sue]

Barry Clayton is an undertaker - and a deputy sheriff in his hometown. He left his job as a police officer in a large city in North Carolina to return to his home in Greensboro NC to take over the family funeral home and help care for his father when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. It's just before Halloween and the local Jaycees have set up a haunted house; they've even borrowed a casket from Barry as part of the ambiance. But - the local president of the Jaycees is found lying murdered in the casket. Barry is named to head the investigation by the sheriff. The bizarre nature of the murder causes a large media presence to show up in town, including his ex-wife. As the plot twists and winds, another murder occurs. What's the connection? Why these people? Many characters, a lot of them familiar if you've read the previous books in this series, are involved; some as suspects. If you decide to read this book, I highly recommend beginning with the first in the series.

[Lynn Lerch]

"Fatal Undertaking" is another in the series of Buryin' Barry mysteries. Barry is both a policeman and an undertaker. He came home to run his family mortuary when his father got dementia and then died. This story takes place at Halloween when a casket is loaned to a group for their haunted house. A dead body is found inside it and the race is on. Did the right person get killed or someone else. The police try to find the murderer while Christmas trees are being stolen and taken out of the area. Barry's ex-wife, a reporter, appears and keeps getting in his way. By the end everything is tied up nicely. A great book, looking forward to more in this series. This series is a little lighter than the Sam Blackman series that Mark de Castrique also writes.

[Grey853]

Barry owns the local funeral home, but is also a part-time sheriff. When a local man "borrows" a coffin for a haunted house for charity, Barry isn't all that keen, but goes along. When a man is then killed in the coffin, he's out one coffin and has to investigate.

I found it difficult to like Barry very much. For one, he was far too easily swayed by the opinions of others and came across as rather weak-willed. I guess I'm more used to stubborn personalities, dogged investigators, smarter guys who solve the crimes. Barry didn't quite measure up to my fantasy detective. Plus, there was just something about the writing and the plot that didn't engage me as much as I wanted.

[Debbie Maskus]

De Castrique writes of a small town nestled in the North Carolina mountains where the main character works as a funeral director and part time policeman. The combination provides a glimpse at both sides of a murder: the victim and the perpetrator. Rachel, Barry's ex-wife makes an appearance; as well as an old flame of uncle Wayne. The story centers on Christmas tree rustling and the plight of migrant workers. The story is short and could have better character development, as well as setting enhancement, but still a fun read.

[Ed]

#5 in the "Buryin' Barry" Clayton series. Barry is an ex-Charlotte, NC police officer returned home to Gainesboro to run the family funeral home after his father was incapacitated.

Barry Clayton lends Jaycee member Archie Donovan a casket to be the centerpiece of a haunted house. When the organization's president is murdered in the casket, the national press, including Barry's ex-wife, descends upon Gainesboro. Barry must follow a trail of winding clues. The unexpected destination: a mountainside of Christmas trees.

[Susan]

Barry Clayton combines two careers: deputy sheriff and funeral home co-owner. He's policing a Jaycees haunted house when the body of a local man is found. At first, the police are not sure whether he was killed by mistake or deliberately, so first they must determine the victim. A further complication is the presence of Barry's ex-wife, now a journalist with a cable news channel, who expects special favors. Then a phone call turns the case upside down.

[Justine]

I used to force myself to finish books I didn't like, but I'm trying to break that habit, so this is my first DNF. I thought this would be a cool Halloween read, but aside from the haunted house in the beginning, there's not much Halloween. Having never read this series or author, I didn't care for the characters or the mystery itself. As much as I tried slogging along, I finish half of it before I gave up.

[Shane Young]

I love the Burying Barry series. Always interesting page-turner mysteries and set in the beautiful mountains of NC. Can't wait to read the other Mark de Castrique books set in mountains as well.

[Darlene Ferland]

I read this book because it was set at Halloween and now I have to add another series to my list. It looks like I'll be beginning with Burying Barry's first in the series. Fatal Undertaking is a stand alone book. It isn't cozy and it keeps the reader on his/her toes. . .

[MaryAnn]

Another good read! I still like these characters after several books.

[Amy]

I enjoyed this mystery, particularly the characters. I will probably read others by this author.

[Robbie]

Very enjoyable. I've read one other "Buryin' Barry" book and plan to read them all. His character is likeable and believable.

[Amanda]

I really enjoy these books. Good mystery, solid characters and great dialogue!

[Kitty Tomlinson]

Funeral director and part-time sheriff deputy, Barry Clayton, loans a coffin for a Jaycee haunted house and murder ensures. Fun read.

[Ollie]

This is a very convoluted mystery. The loss of life was shocking to say the least. It shows the dedication of police officers and how sometime they are mistakes.