Orchestrated Death: A Mystery Introducing Inspector Bill Slider (Hardcover)

This is the first of Cynthia Harrod-Eagles novels of Bill Slider - a Detective from Shepherd's Bush station in London. She writes a convincing and complex detective story but I was less impressed with the personal details of her characters. Bill Slider is unhappily married to Irene yet he immediately meets Joanna through his investigation - a friend of the deceased - and starts an affair with her. It seems a little too idealist - and Slider seems a bit too wishy-washy. Atherton, as Slider's side-kick, provides a bit of comic relief but mostly in the form of clever puns which I found wore a bit thin at times.

The mysterery is very satisfying to figure out. The clues are all laid out for us slowly and I really enjoyed the process of following Slider and Atherton on their slow investigation - peeling back layer upon layer of the mystery - the olive oil cans, the girl's rich background, why she constantly disappeared to Manchester to play in the orchestra there, what on earth a Stradivarius violin was doing in her seedy flat and why did she suddenly start demanding an ex-lover marry her. There are suspects a plenty and lies and alibis. The only thing is the ending was disappointing - kind of a cop out. You know who and why but there is no justice in it. Still a good read overall.

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The first Bill Slider novel in what has become a successful and entertaining series.

The story is set in the sixties in the back streets of London where Detective Inspector Bill Slider is undertaking the investigation, to hunt the killer of a murdered woman.

Our introduction to the world of Bill Slider, begins with the discovery of the body of the murdered woman. Her name, Anne-Maria Austen. She is in her middle twenties, and earned her living as a violinist. Two clues that are later discovered in the investigation, are a very valuable Stradivarius violin and a tin of olive oil.

Right from the onset, we become aware of the stresses in the life of Bill Slider. Not just his career, in which he has failed to gain a significant promotion. But also, in the emotional empathy which he secretly feels for this dead woman. Which, again, arguably could be initiated by the stress of his job. But perhaps, more to the various problems surrounding his home life. Especially his stagnant marriage, to a woman who views his career achievements and promotions only as a means to furthering her own social life and friends. Perhaps, then, it is little wonder that Bill becomes romantically linked, to Joanna Marshall who was also a best friend, to the murdered woman.

The ensuing affair could well have been applied, by the author, just as a side-line. To provide just a romantic embellishment to the main theme of the murder investigation. Instead, it assumes a much more prominent role in the story. To the extent I was as anxious to know how their affair was progressing, as much as to what next is to be revealed concerning the clues discovered in the murder investigation.

It is through this romance, that the true personality of Bill (or, at least, a good proportion of it, ) becomes evident. He realises how strong his feelings are for Joanna. At the same time he is always aware of his continuing responsibilities both as a husband to wife,Irene and a Father to his only child, Kate. Here it is the cleverly created personality of Joanna, that puts this into the right perspective. Rather than distracting Bill from his duty in trying to discover the identity of the person, or persons, who murdered Anne-Maria, Joanna has created a strength in him, which was fast being depleted by his miserable home life.

Cynthia Harrod-Eagles, I feel has also achieved the right balance in other aspects of the story. Not just relating to the ongoing investigation but also to the increasing intensity of the affair between Bill and Joanna.

Atherton is Bill's colleague and partner during the investigation. Although at first they seem to have little in common, it becomes clear that their very different personalities, form a positive and efficient working relationship.

I enjoyed the wry, often bleak sense of humour of both Bill and Atherton. Especially some of the observations passed by Atherton, regarding the affair between Bill and Joanna!

So the story soon begins to develop. The pacing is good, as well as the different facets that are continually presented throughout the book: - the murder investigation itself; the ongoing affair between Bill and Joanna; how Bill endeavours to come to terms with his own feelings of guilt over this affair; how his wife reacts to what she thinks may be happening; how Bill finds he is becoming increasingly alienated by his child. Finally from out of all this domestic drama, this tension, Bill does emerge unbowed in his quest to finalise the investigation and is still dedicated to bring the killer of Anne-Maria to justice.

Despite (and as well as) all of these inter-weaving story lines, ORCHSTRATED DEATH is always a skilful and involving murder mystery novel. Will it be resolved? If so, will Bill Slider obtain the promotion he deserves and which his wife clamours after? The nearer to the climax of the story, the more the suspense increases. Yet, at the same time, I was always mindful, of the continuing romance between Bill and Joanna. That in spite of everything, whether or not the killer(s) is eventually brought to justice - and of any of the events that might occur as a result of this - would it still prevail?

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