Losing Ground

By Catherine Aird

Book Overview

"Fans have waited two years for another of Aird's Calleshire County police procedurals, and if you like golf, this well-crafted whodunit was especially worth the wait….Full of poetical, biblical and Shakespearian references, this fun read delivers a denouement that finishes the game well under par. Nicely played." Publishers Weekly on Hole in One "Trust mystery writer Catherine Aird to add her own special twists and lots of biting wit to murder…the settings are classic, the characters delightfully quirky, and the words of wisdom many." Boston Herald on Amendment of Life The dramatic theft of an 18th Century painting is discovered just moments before the old manor house from which it was stolen and is uniquely depicted in the background of the portrait -- is set on fire. Making matters more grisly even is the pile of bones that is sighted in the blazing inferno moments before the roof collapses. What started as simple, if surprising, theft has quickly escalated to arson and, possibly murder, and now Detective Inspector Sloan and Detective Constable Crosby have to piece together, a puzzle which has its roots deep in Berebury's history. Although Tolmie Park, the property on which the manor house sits, has had a somewhat checkered and mysterious past there are those in the community who would fight to preserve it. There are also a number of factions within the area who have differing plans to develop the property, shrouding the fire in further suspicion. It is up D.C.I. C.D. Sloan to sift through this assortment of characters and, finally, illuminate the truth.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312368895
• ISBN13: 9780312368890
• Release Date: June 2008
• Publisher: Minotaur Books
• Length: 222 Pages
• Weight: 0.81 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Another Winner for Catherine Aird

A reader can tell that this Catherine Aird book will be fun when the Berebury Preservation Society's motto is, "Rebel With a Cause." Catherine Aird has the best sense of humor and I've read her book repeatedly because I always get a chuckle from Detective Chief Inspector C D Sloan and pitiful Constable Crosby. They always get their man (or woman) but do it in such a way that much fun is had by all. First, an 18th-century painting is purloined and then, empty Tolmie Park goes up in flames. Since Sloan hasn't joined the fire department, we find out that the reason he was called was that a pile of bones was found in the fire. Readers will find red herrings flapping around on most pages -- just to keep the plot stirring. It isn't until the very end that a solution to the wild variety of petty (and not so petty) crimes becomes clear. Another winner for Catherine Aird.

losing ground...love the Catherine Aird books...she is such a wonderful writer

very good service, did not expect the book to be in such great conditon...like brand new!

Losing ground

I enjoyed the book immensely. I found that I could not put it down once I had started. The characters are very well developed and the plot thrilling

fabulous English police procedural

In Tolmie Park near Berebury, a thief stole the eighteenth century portrait of the 4th Baronet Sir Filligee from the wall; the artist Peter de Vesey was a local Calleshire aristocratic portrait painter still well known in the region. Soon after the theft, arson occurred to the somewhat dilapidated yet majestic country house; before the roof caved in bones were seen. Detective Chief Inspector C.D. "Seedy" Sloan, assisted by Detective Constable Crosby, leads the investigation into what may be a homicide, but art theft and arson for sure. The two cops quickly learn that the historical house and property are part of a major dispute between developers and preservationists while a nouveau riche pop star Kevin Cowlick wants to buy the estate. Sloan wonders who would go so far as to commit arson. This is a fabulous English police procedural as Seedy works the case by following clues that lead to dead ends. The cast is solid, but it is the lead detective, his junior partner, and the estate make for a fine tale as the audience will obtain a taste of what is happening to the English historical properties. Sub-genre fans will enjoy the latest Calleshire whodunit (see HOLE IN ONE). Harriet Klausner