The Death of Kings & The Decent Inn of Death by Rennie Airth

One of the (many) things I must accept about aging is how much I forget – some memories from long ago are vivid – but much is lost. Including, as it turns out, the memory of books read not that long ago. I know that I am feeling fatigued by the stress of the past several weeks, but I recently read a whole novel and it was not until the final scene that I realized I read it only five years ago!

The Death of Kings is the 5th in a series by Rennie Airth, all featuring the now retired Scotland Yard detective, John Madden. This installment involves a case of murder that was quickly solved in 1938. Too quickly as it turns out. When a young woman, a weekend guest at a country house, was found murdered all of the guests were interviewed, but it was an itinerant hop-picker who was accused, and who confessed. Case closed.

But, it was never quite forgotten by one of the investigating officers, and now 11 years later he is still bothered by the case. He asks his friend, John Madden, to read the reports and ask a few questions of those who knew the victim. Thinking it would put his mind to rest, Madden humours his friend, only to find that he also begins to think there is something not right. What follows is the unraveling of a tangled web of smuggling and deceit, and the exposure of one who had much to lose if the truth became known.

I found this book the perfect escape from the news of death, and more death, that is our daily reality. Set in England, London and the countryside, we find John Madden and his wife “sitting on a bench on the Platform at Highfield Station waiting for the train”, having driven there in their Morris Minor. A freedom we can only imagine right now. The Death of Kings is a good read, even the second time around!

Wisely, or not, I carried on and read the 6th, and most recent in the series, The Decent Inn of Death. I knew I had not yet read this one! This time John Madden is once again drawn into an investigation that may or may not involve murder. The death of a woman in a small village is considered an accident – but her friend refuses to believe it and the story makes its way to former Chief Inspector Angus Sinclair and to John Madden. They are both long retired but up for a challenge, and always curious when things do not quite fit. The trail takes a turn to the home of Julia Lesage, a wealthy widow whose life may, or may not, be in danger. When a blizzard takes down the phone lines it isolates Julia and Angus, along with chauffeur, cook, maid, lover and secretary – any of whom may be a murderer. This time we are introduced to a wider cast of characters, who I hope will return in subsequent installments of this very suspenseful and satisfying mystery series.