Capable Of Murder

Capable of Murder

If you enjoy the works of Agatha Christie or M.C.Beaton you will find Capable of Murder to your taste. Young Australian, Belinda Lawrence inherits an English cottage, only to find herself involved in a mystery surrounding the cottage and its garden. Tense and intriguing, the story explores the lives of the villagers and draws to an exciting and highly visual climax. I read it in one sitting, eager to turn the page to discover the secret of the cottage, Well drawn characters and some humour make Capable of Murder a 'must read'.

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Disappointed

I bought this novel partly due to the rave reviews. While it did hold interest due to a good plot, I found the characters to be underdeveloped and rather one dimensional. For example, what kind of career/job did Belinda leave behind and what was the issue with her boss, David? Why even give him a name at all since he was of no importance to the story? The introduction of Hazel was not adequately set up nor was Mark. I can definitely see the influence of the author's career as a television writer. The details are missing just as in tv where someone else is responsible for all of the visual details. I can not say for certain that l will bother reading any more in this series, although they are certainly inexpensive.

First rate new character!

When Belinda Lawrence receives a letter from her great aunt in England asking her to visit, she leaves Australia with to see her last remaining relative. Her aunt hadn't been overly welcoming to her on a visit years earlier and Belinda was curious as to the reason for her aunt's request.

Arriving in Milford, outside of Bath, Belinda finds her aunt's house open and dark. Thinking that perhaps her aunt was ill in bed, Belinda walks to the stairway and stumbles, literally, over her aunt's body at the foot of the stairs.

Belinda finds that she is the sole heir of her aunt's estate and now has the decision of staying in England or selling the cottage and returning to Australia. She meets Mark, a real estate agent, and Hazel, an antiques dealer. both of whom seem very interested in her aunt's home and possessions. Her next door neighbors, Rosemary and Jacob welcome her to the village and things seem propitious for staying. Jacob is a landscape gardener and it turns out that Belinda's new home may have one of the few small gardens created by a very famous landscape gardner, Lancelot Brown.

The characters in this books are wonderfully defined. They all behave in a sinister manner at one time or another. The descriptions of the gardens and cottage are quite vivid. Historical information interspersed with the story is wonderful. I very much enjoyed learning about the gardens and their various incarnations.

Great Mystery

Belinda Lawrence is summoned to England by her great aunt Jane. Leaving her home in Australia behind, Belinda heads to the small English village but she is shocked beyond belief to discover her aunt's dead body. The police insist it was an accident, but Belinda isn't buying it. She's convinced someone murdered her aunt and she intends to find out who that person is.

When Belinda learns she is the sole heir to Jane's home and belongings, she suddenly finds herself in danger. First, the home she inherits from her aunt is broken into and vandalized, then her own life is threatened. She also finds herself involved with two very handsome men, but she doubts their motives. Are they truly interested in her or are they more interested in her inheritance?

This is the perfect cozy mystery. It has everything from a curious heroine, to a small English village, to a mysterious old house and two men trying to be heroes to our heroine. This is the first Belinda Lawrence and hopefully there are many more to come. Three others have already been written and I will eventually be reviewing those as well.

I loved that this was set in a small English village. It's been a long time since I read one with this setting and it made me feel like I was right there in that village. It was a warm, cozy feeling.

The author gave us an amazing cast of characters. Belinda is the type of heroine that will be beloved and leave readers wondering what's happening to her next. I know I will be.

This book had the feel of a mystery along the lines of Agatha Christie. There were many twists and turns leaving readers guessing right along with Belinda. It was fast-paced leaving me wanting more.

Thrilling

I found this book a few years ago and am pleased to see that it is published again. Just a joy for those who love cozy British mystery with a clever plot and a delightful heroine.
Recommended.

The perfectly resolved mystery

Capable of Murder provides all the delicious 'curl up with a good book' satisfaction of a classically resolved mystery, in a contemporary setting.

Capable of Murder

Belinda Lawrence discovers the body of her reclusive great aunt on the floor of her home and becomes an heiress as the old lady's death is labeled an accident by the police. But Belinda can't stop the niggling doubt at the back of her mind. The problem was who would kill an old woman and why. There seemed to be nothing missing in the house. Belinda learns there are great differences from living in the lights of the city and the darkness that descends on the unlighted streets of the village once she claims her inheritance with the intention of living in the house. It isn't long before an antiques dealer turns up looking for old furniture and a realtor wants to sell the house for her. The only people who seem friendly are her closest neighbors. A break in at the house, another murder in the house keep the action in this well crafted story moving forward as Belinda has to decide who to trust among the people who have taken an interest in her new home. Why did the lawyer who wrote her aunt's will disappear? Why does the neighbor feel so strongly about the overgrown garden? These and other questions will keep the reader turning pages as they try to identify the villain of the tale and solve the mystery before Belinda does. Recommended as a fun read written by talented author Brian Kavanagh who introduces us to a cast of characters not soon forgotten. A story with a surprise in store for the reader. I am pleased to recommend this book to any mystery fan. Enjoy. I did.

Reloax and enjoy

CAPABLE OF MURDER Brian Kavanagh BeWrite Books, 2005 Reviewed by Joy Calderwood Mysteriously summoned by her relative, Belinda finds Great-Aunt Jane's body dead on her own stairs. Too dead ¿ the letter summoning her was mailed days after her aunt died. Much to her surprise, Belinda inherits the ancient cottage and grounds. Should the city girl move to the village? Belinda rather likes the idea. Then she begins to notice that all of her neighbors seem to have ulterior motives. Her elusive solicitor, her determinedly friendly next door neighbors, a handsome real estate agent, and an alcoholic antique dealer all seem to think there is something valuable in Belinda's new home. Belinda seems to be alone in her belief that Great-Aunt Jane was murdered, until another murder occurs in the same house. It was obviously meant to be Belinda lying dead there. Knowing the motive doesn't tell her who did the killing ¿ it is a big, juicy motive almost in plain sight, enough to tempt any of her neighbors. Read CAPABLE OF MURDER when you are in the mood for a village cozy. Relax and enjoy the puzzle. Cozy is definitely the category: you will never be afraid, although Belinda often is. Belinda shivers at harmless atmospherics yet walks casually into the arms of death. CAPABLE OF MURDER is nicely written and pacey, with the momentum to keep you moving along at a quick clip. You will have your favorite suspects, cheering and sneering as occasion arises. Why does Belinda trust this person? Why does she enter that building alone? Why does she get into a fight at that particular spot? The object of all the fuss is new ¿ I don't think I've ever seen this motive before. Author Brian Kavanagh's years of creative experience have been in film. CAPABLE OF MURDER begins a successful new venture for him. Belinda returns in the second of the series, THE EMBROIDERED CORPSE. Aug 2007 Review Joy Calderwood Reviewer's Choice Reviews

Capable of Murder

When writing a mystery, you've got to juggle a believable motive, an interesting hook and complicated characters. In Capable of Murder, Brian Kavanagh manages to keep all balls in the air. His protagonist, Belinda, leaves the city to inhabit a cottage she's inherited from her recently-passed aunt. But there are a few complications. Belinda isn't convinced that her aunt's death was accidental she has conflicting feelings about her strapping neighbor and she soon finds evidence that there's more to the garden on her property than meets the eye. As if adjusting to a new life isn't hard enough, Belinda has to follow her instincts to solve what she believes was a murder. Mayhem, as it usually does, ensues. Capable of Murder has all the hallmarks of a classic mystery: a secret room, sudden disappearances, and a setting steeped in a history that comes to life on every page. I found the transformation of the murderer from normal acquaintance to raving madman a little hard to swallow, but by that point I was so involved in the story that I was willing to overlook it. Capable of Murder is an easy, fun read.

Capable of Murder

Set in a classic English village it has all elements that make this genre successful. Some humour mixed with intrigue, colourful characters and an exciting climax. A clever plot that keeps the reader eager to turn the page. First novel by a new writer and one that enthralls. The author has a background in films and this shows in his writing with images that come alive on the page. Highly recommended.

Capable of Murder

This author is new to me but from the evidence of Capable of Murder we have much to be thankful for. Witty and entertaining, the story flows easily with some eccentric characters to enjoy along the way. The plot evolves taking us deeper and deeper into the mystery surrounding the ancient cottage and the resolution a stunning surprise. I look forward to further works by this author.

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