A Fall From Grace - Hardcover

Barnard, Robert

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0750526327 ISBN 13: 9780750526326

Publisher: Magna Large Print Books, 2007

Synopsis

When Detective Charlie Peace attains the rank of inspector, he decides to relocate to the sleepy town of Slepton Edge, along with his pregnant wife, Felicity, and daughter, Carola. His dream of moving, however, can only become reality with the financial assistance of his stubborn father-in-law, Rupert Coggenhoe, a mid-selling novelist and the district's most popular widower. Unfortunately for Charlie, Rupert agrees to provide the money but on the strict condition that he moves in with them, or to a house nearby. With a heavy heart, Charlie accepts the offer and purchases two neighbouring houses, hoping that the cosy village community will warm his somewhat frosty family. However, a short time after arriving, whilst taking a walk in the neighbourhood, Charlie and Felicity encounter a group of children chanting and jeering outside a home. Strangely, the residents are a retired elderly couple who have just recently moved to Slepton Edge and cannot explain the children's reactions. Stranger still, the children are well organised, and the basis of some of their chants are lines from Shakespeare's "The Tempest". When a mysterious death disturbs the village calm, the network of neighbourhood gossip emerges as both Charlie's greatest ally and the biggest obstacle in his path to the truth. A complex and darkly intriguing mystery from the award-winning Robert Barnard, exploring the secrets that can remain hidden within the most tightly knit communities, and the lengths some people will go to in order to keep them buried.

About this title

Review

'He can write most under the table with one hand tied behind his back' Times Literary Supplement 'Robert Barnard is always original, never repeats himself and has a delectable wit' Daily Telegraph

About the Author

ROBERT BARNARD was born in Essex. He was educated at Balliol College, Oxford, and after completing his degree he taught English at universities in Australia and Norway, where he completed his doctorate on Dickens. He returned to England to become a full-time writer and currently lives with his wife in Leeds, Yorkshire. The couple are currently collaborating on a Bronte encyclopaedia. In his spare time he enjoys opera, crosswords and walking the dog. In 2003 Robert Barnard was the recipient of the prestigious CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger, an award in recognition of a lifetime's achievement in crime writing.

About this edition

• Publisher: Magna Large Print Books
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0750526327
• ISBN 13: 9780750526326
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 304