cover image Alibi for a Corpse

Alibi for a Corpse

Elizabeth Lemarchand. Walker & Company, $14.95 (190pp) ISBN 978-0-8027-5638-1

The discovery of a year-old skeleton in a car dump poses a sticky problem for Scotland Yard detectives Pollard and Toye. First of all, the identity of the dead man must be established. However, the inhabitants of the inbred village of Twiggadonfrom Derek Wainwright, owner of the land where the body was found, to Henry Stobart, who has a skeleton or two in his own cupboardare reluctant to air their individual secrets and offer the investigators little help. Further complicating matters are the events that surrounded the apparent murder, which include a flood that caused the death of another man, a couple of family feuds and an odd case of mistaken identification, which provides an alibi for the only party who seemingly doesn't need itnamely, the corpse in the car dump. With humor, skillful plotting and a thorough knowledge of police procedure, Lemarchand adds this solid and satisfying mystery to her previous Pollard and Toye adventures. February 15