When Carole Seddon’s car is vandalised, it heralds the start of a disturbing series of events in the witty and entertaining new Fethering mystery. Carole Seddon’s trusty Renault is one of her most treasured possessions. So when it is vandalised, there’s only one person she will entrust with its repair: Bill Shefford has been servicing the vehicles of the good citizens of Fethering for many years. But how could something like this happen in Fethering of all places? Then the note is shoved under Carole’s kitchen door: Watch out. The car window was just the start. It would appear that she has been deliberately targeted. But by whom ... and why? Matters take an even more disturbing turn when a body is discovered at Shefford’s Garage, crushed to death by a falling gearbox. It would appear to be a tragic accident. Carole and her neighbour Jude are not so sure. And the more they start to ask questions, the more evidence they uncover of decidedly foul play ...

サイモン・ブレットは、英国の平穏な村社会に潜む毒を抽出する天才です。本作では車の損壊という些細な事件を起点に、フェザリングという完璧な秩序の裏側に蠢く罪悪感を冷徹かつユーモラスに暴き出します。単なる謎解きに留まらず、日常がいかに脆い砂上の楼閣であるかを突きつける筆致は、まさにミステリの真髄と言えるでしょう。 几帳面なキャロルと奔放なジュード。この対照的な二人の掛け合いは、人間心理の深淵を覗く最高のレンズとなります。整備工場での事故から立ち上る疑惑の霧が、読者を一気に核心へと引き込みます。表面的な上品さの下に隠された凄惨な悪意を、洗練された文体で描き切るブレットの技量に、ページを捲る手は止まらないはずです。