A Deception at Thornecrest (An Amory Ames Mystery, 7)
Weaver’s latest in the Amory Ames mystery series takes readers to Amory and Milo Ames’s English country home, Thornecrest, in the spring of 1934, where they are awaiting the birth of their first child. Amory is focusing on the domestic side of life, glad to be knitting baby clothes rather than solving murders, at least for a bit. However, there’s plenty of mystery to be had right at home, as a young woman shows up one day claiming to be Milo’s wife. Given Milo’s past romantic escapades, it is not completely out of the question that Imogen might be telling the truth, though Milo’s been nothing but supportive and happy about becoming a father.
Amory’s efforts to get at the facts behind Imogen’s story are complicated by preparations for the Springtide Festival, which is not without its own intrigues. Lady Alma Bedford, owner of Bedford Priory where the festival is held, is known to be an eccentric, perhaps caring more for her horses than for people.
Weaver’s rendering of the village and countryside, complete with the usual characters of a vicar, his wife, young lovers, and, yes, some horses, is detailed and believable. Each person’s role is vital to this multi-layered mystery, and description goes beyond stereotype; it is clear that these are complex creatures with lives beyond what Amory sees. Class distinctions are appropriate for the time, with the aristocracy losing its control over land and certain income, and those on the lower rungs of society striving to move upward. The multiple mysteries for Amory to solve are gripping and intertwined with an admirable level of sophistication. The added bonus of seeing Amory and Milo prepare for parenthood adds another level of fascination for readers enamored with the exploits of this crime-solving team.
