To Die for

Rating:
Summary: Well written British police procedural
Review: Judith Delves and Selina Marsh-Hayden co-manage two exclusive but popular London based restaurants. Their Cafe de la Paix becomes so successful, the prestigious Gemini Group want to buy them to add to their growing chain. The two women refuse to sell, but their silent partners disagree. Selina's spouse Richard wants the money while Judith's lover Michael wants her to manage his country home.

However, the tie becomes irrelevant when someone murders Selina. The police lean towards Judith as the prime suspect. Only Fransesca Wilson, wife to one of the police officers, thinks the restaurateur is innocent. When Richard apparently commits suicide, the police close the case. Fransesca and Judith still believe a killer is free.

TO DIE FOR is an interesting British police procedural that fans of the sub-genre will find very entertaining. The story line moves forward at a rapid pace even though the motive behind the criminal activity is not revealed until late into the novel. Though the prime plot involving the investigation seems relatively light and scanty, the various subplots add much depth and expeditiously tie back into the main tale. Janet Neels continues to provide intriguing and complex relationship who-done-its.

Harriet Klausner