Type of bind: Mass Market Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 823.914
EAN num: 9780449218198
ISBN number: 0449218198
Label: Fawcett
Manufacturer: Fawcett
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 256
Printing Date: March 31, 1991
Publishing house: Fawcett
Release Date: March 31, 1991
Sale Popularity Level: 505073
Studio: Fawcett
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Product Description:
'A murder so baffling it might even have stumped Agatha Christie's Miss Marple...A lively, entertaining mystery.'
THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
A killing blow on the head took the life of Graham Estow, but the vicar and his wife were hardly grieved. He was the son-in-law who had severely beaten their daughter Joanna a few months ago. Unfortunately, it appears that someone very close to the household is the murderer, though no one is about to confess to it.
Leave it to that canny police duo of Inspector Lloyd and Detective Sergeant Judy Hill to wander through a maze of self-confessed killers, myraid motives, and their own frustrating partnerships, to find a murderer with a message....
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Rated by buyers 
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It's Christmas Eve at the old English vicarage, and daughter Joanna is back living with her parents, recovering from the last beating delivered by her husband. Graham suddenly appears desperate to reunite with Joanna. Then why does he hit her yet again? The vicar Wheeler and his wife are fit to be tied, yet are obligated to carry on with the church's holiday traditions. But someone takes a fireplace poker to Graham, and Inspector Lloyd and assistant Judy Hill know with certaintly that one of the Wheelers has done it. But all three have iron clad alibis.
Murder at the Old Vicarage is an intricately crafted mystery ala the master of the genre, Agatha Christie, who wrote the famous Murder at the Vicarage. This new novel pays homage to Christie, and is as full of twists and turns and cul de sacs as any English hedge maze. A most intelligent, intriguing, and enjoyable classic mystery story.
Rated by buyers 
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I've dabbled in the more recent 'Lloyd and Hill' (or 'Hill and Lloyd') novels before, but it wasn't til I went back and read this earlier entry that I began to really appreciate the two lead characters. The frustration at this stage of their relationship reminded me of Cynthia Harrod-Eagles' 'Bill Slider and Joanna'.
The story itself was worthwhile, even if the 'Christie' references were just passing comments in the book, which were emphasized in the reviews at the front.
McGown gave both the romantic subplot and the main murder story enough time and space to breathe. For whatever reason, this is more of a problem later in the series, when the supporting characters crowd out the regulars.
The 'guest' characters here all seemed believable, though none of them were too sympathetic or likable.
The downside was that the revelation of the murderer seemed a bit forced and 'tacked on' but it still had an emotional impact.
For those unfamiliar with the series, this would be a good starting point if you can find the earlier books.
Rated by buyers -
While this is not an exceptionally long book, there's a world of intriguing plotting going on. Inspector Lloyd and Detective Sgt. Hill have to do some clever interrogating and careful thinking to discover the one who took the life of wife-beater Graham Elstow.
Rated by buyers 
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I'm struggling with this review of what was a really fun book that had loads of my favorite police procedural elements and serves as the introduction to a writer I hadn't previously read, but have seen very well reviewed. So why am I struggling? Because it was a fun book and I enjoyed it, but it is not particularly dynamic. It is actually more like the "Cornwall" books by Janie Bolitho. But I don't want to damn it with faint praise because it was a wonderful character study and frankly, I couldn't read a "Minette Walters-style" book every time - too exhausting. So let me just say that this is a nice, quick fun read and I see nothing here that doesn't make me want to read more McGown books. Ouch! That sounds like faint praise. Let me try again: as much as this is a murder mystery (the murdered is completely unsympathetic so no pathos there), this is a fine character study of the true motivations and desires of people we assume have their lives all figured out and a small meditation on how time and place can drive decisions that should not be so easily influenced. There...that's better.
Rated by buyers -
I really enjoyed this British "cozy". Tight and plausible plotting, likable characters--I'm planning to read more of McGown's mysteries. Something not mentioned in the other reviews is that this story takes place during the Christmas season, during a snowstorm; there's a real wintry atmosphere. It would make a good Christmas gift for a mystery fan.
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