Fire in the Thatch: A Devon Mystery

Lorac (1894–1958) lovingly portrays the lush Devon countryside in this satisfying entry in the British Crime Classics series, originally published in 1946 and featuring observant and dogged Chief Insp. Robert Macdonald of Scotland Yard. Into this idyllic world strides Nicholas Vaughan, a strapping young man who has been invalided out of the Royal Navy toward the end of WWII. He rents a derelict cottage and its surrounding orchards from wealthy landowner Colonel St. Cyres with the intention of earning a living off the land. A few months later, the house is destroyed by fire, with its occupant inside; Macdonald arrives to investigate. Lorac (the pen name of Edith Caroline Rivett) liberally sprinkles the narrative with red herrings and fairly presents all the potential clues. Readers will enjoy watching the conflicts that arise between the wary country folk and the cocktail-drinking Londoners invading their habitat. In sum, this is jolly good fun. (June)