Commander Adam Dalgliesh, of the Scotland Yard, has just inherited a converted windmill from a favorite aunt, situated on a remote stretch of the Norfolk coast. He has fond memories of visits there as a child, and is looking to escape publicity for a bit after having published a book of poetry. Of course, it turns out to be a busman’s holiday, except he isn’t the one investigating the series of murders in the area. In fact, technically he could be considered a possible suspect. But fortunately Terry Rickards, a former colleague of his from the Yard, is in charge, and he has his hands full. There’s a serial killer, the Whistler, on the loose, there’s plenty of personnel drama (complete with affairs and a dramatic suicide) at the major employer in the area, a nuclear power station, and a difference of opinions between the locals regarding same. Unlike the typical Dalgliesh mystery, which tends to be more of a drawing room mystery with a small group of possible suspects, in this case there is a whole countryside of possibilities.
As usual, plenty of murders occur (and not just because of the serial killer)., more than the normal three. But Rickards, unfortunately, tends to work alone. I prefer an actual Dalgliesh investigation, because he works with a team. And they have their cozy evening get-togethers where they put the pieces together over a cuppa or even a glass of sherry. Whether it be Sherlock Holmes or Perry Mason, literary detectives, in my opinion, are best off when they have to explain things to a partner.
