Sidney Chambers and the Problem of Evil by James Runcie - 4 stars

[Ellen]

Canon Sidney Chambers once again helps his friend, Police Instpector Geordie Keating, investigate 4 more crimes. The first deals with a murderer who seems to hold a grudge against vicars in the area. After two dead doves are discovered on Sidney's doorstep, it is quite possible that Sidney himself might be one of the killer's next victims. The second mystery involves the theft of a painting from an art gallery in London. Although the painting is not considered particularly valuable, it definitely holds an attraction for the thief. An alluring young woman, totally nude, struts through the gallery during the robbery, causing everyone to believe she was a diversion while the crime was taking place. Once again, all is not as it seems. In the third story, Sidney has been hired by a movie production to play a small part as a vicar in an adaptation of a Dorothy Sayers' Lord Peter Wimsey novel. Sidney is appalled at the behavior of the cast and crew and when one of the actors drowns during a dramatic film sequence, Sidney alone feels that it was no accident. The final story concerns the kidnapping of a newborn from a local hospital. As Sidney and his wife are expecting their own child within weeks, the crime hits very close to home for Canon Chambers.

I am thoroughly enjoying James Runcie's Grantchester series. Sidney is such a great character, certainly not perfect, but good-hearted and loyal. I don't want to say who Sidney married so that it won't be spoiled for those who are reading the books. Looking forward to the next two!