'Graced by ingeniously drawn characters, deft timing of twists, and a to-die-for climax. A stunner.' Booklist Starred Review When Jude joins the Fethering community choir, she discovers that at least one of her fellow choristers is hiding a deadly secret. Although she hadn’t known Leonard Mallett very well, nor liked him particularly, Carole Seddon feels duty bound to attend her fellow committee member’s funeral. As she suspected, the hymns, readings and sermon are all very predictable – not unlike Leonard himself. What she couldn’t have predicted was that the deceased’s daughter would use the occasion to publicly accuse her stepmother of murder. Did Heather Mallett really kill her husband, as many Fethering residents believe? Deciding to get to the heart of the matter, Carole’s neighbour Jude joins the new community choir – and discovers that amidst the clashing egos and petty resentments lurk some decidedly false notes. At least one chorister would appear to be hiding a deadly secret – and it’s up to Carole and Jude to unearth the truth.

サイモン・ブレットが描く世界の本質は、静かな英国の町に潜む「滑稽なまでの毒」にあります。本作では合唱団という調和の象徴が、エゴと怨嗟が渦巻く人間模様の縮図へと変貌します。軽妙な筆致で日常の歪みを暴き出す社会風刺の鋭さは、単なるミステリーの枠を超え、洗練された大人のエンターテインメントとしての品格を放っています。 対照的な二人のヒロインを通して、読者は「嘘」という不協和音が真実を蝕む過程を鮮烈に追体験することになります。人間の虚栄心が生む悲喜劇を深掘りした本作が提示するのは、表面的な平穏の下に隠された剥き出しの人間性です。読後の満足感は、混沌とした物語が収束し、完璧な和音を聴いた瞬間の高揚感そのものと言えるでしょう。