In Brett's charming ninth Fethering mystery (after 2007's Death Under the Dryer
), retiree Carole Seddon must solve a murder at the local betting shop. Jude, Carole's West Sussex neighbor and friend, discovers the body of recent Polish émigré Tadeusz Jankowski at the bookie's office. No one knows why Tadeusz was in Fethering, though his sister, Zofia, guesses he may have been in love. Carole and Jude scope out the local college, where Tadeusz was reportedly seen, and encounter a drama professor lothario who falls for Jude. Help comes from unexpected places, as Carole discovers a new friend in one of the town's habitual gamblers as she and Jude scramble to unmask the killer. Brett continues to flesh out his characters with a subplot about Carole's desire to see her new granddaughter while avoiding her ex-husband. With Brett's usual flair for smalltown snobbery and a dash of college politics, this latest cozy whodunit is sure to please longtime fans of the series. (Aug.)
