A Ghost in the Machine: A Chief Inspector Barnaby Novel

by Caroline Graham

Overview

When a bloody, pulverized body is found lying beneath the rustic timbers of an authentic torture device so vicious and complicated as to be blood-curdling, there's sufficient unrest in tiny Forbes Abbot to call in Chief Inspector Barnaby. Was Dennis Brinkley done in by crooked business partners, a teenage seductress, a couple of would-be publishers who've just inherited—and then lost—millions, or perhaps by tired, timid little Benny Fraye, who wouldn't hurt a fly—would she?

Barnaby will soon find out just who set in motion the gruesome machine that crushed the unfortunate victim. Caroline Graham's delightful cozy village mysteries, which inspired the continuing Midsommer Murders series starring Inspector Barnaby on A&E Television, have long been fan-favorites; A Ghost in the Machine is sure to cement her reputation as one of the best crime writers in the mystery business today.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250053732
Publisher:	St. Martin's Press
Publication date:	06/28/2005
Series:	Chief Inspector Barnaby Series , #7
Pages:	496
Sales rank:	318,457
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.00(h) x 1.50(d)

About the Author

CAROLINE GRAHAM was born in Warwickshire, England. Her first Inspector Barnaby novel, The Killings at Badger's Drift, was selected as one of the Top 100 Crime Novels of All Time by the Crime Writers' Association.

Table of Contents

Editorial Reviews

Graham's ingeniously constructed novels featuring Chief Inspector Barnaby are actually clever satires, closer to Robert Barnard than Agatha Christie in their cruel theatricality. Although Graham lets a few genuinely nice characters slip away unscathed, her lethal humor can be a bit of a shock for the unknowing reader who finds her among the cozies.” —Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times Book Review

“If Agatha Christie, Stephen King, and Maeve Binchy decided to collaborate, this might be the book they would write a sort of police procedural, murder mystery, horror story, and English-village melodrama all in a single cover. It's an engaging, beguiling, surprising story with wonderfully drawn characters, laugh-aloud humor, sinister twists, and a splendidly multifaceted plot.” —Booklist (starred review)

“Fans of the A&E series starring Inspector Barnaby will welcome this most attractive village cozy.” —Library Journal

“With its...richly diverting characters, Graham's well-plotted ninth novel...has more in common with Dickens than with Conan Doyle.” —Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

With its focus on a dozen or so richly diverting characters, British author Graham's well-plotted ninth novel featuring Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby (The Killings at Badger's Drift, etc.) has more in common with Dickens than with Conan Doyle. After old Carey Lawson's natural death, her nephew Mallory Lawson, whose idealism has trapped him in a teaching job he can't tolerate; his wife, Kate, who nurses a dream of publishing good books; and their willful, spoiled daughter Polly share in a legacy that will transform their lives. Carey's amiable, competent financial consultant and executor, Dennis Brinkley, collects huge and ancient weapons of war. The indecisive, diffident manner of the late woman's companion, Benny Frayle, hides a steely core of determination. Other striking characters include a medium who's a frustrated actress and her strange, abused daughter; a fortune hunter whose rich wife turns out to be no bargain; and a childless woman who finds an unusual answer for her longings. The first unnatural death occurs well into the book and doesn't become a murder investigation till halfway through. Those impatient with the initial lack of action will be well rewarded when the redoubtable Barnaby finally starts to sort things out. (Aug. 18) FYI: This series inspired the Midsommer Murders series starring Inspector Barnaby on A&E Television. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

Fans of the A&E series starring Inspector Barnaby will welcome this most attractive village cozy. Barnaby is called to Forbes Abbot when the body of a man with a strange hobby is found squished beneath a medieval torture machine. Graham lives in England. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

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