Skelton’s Guide To Suitcase Murders by David Stafford
A woman’s dismembered corpse is discovered in a suitcase, and police quickly identify her husband, Doctor Ibrahim Aziz, as their chief suspect. Incriminating evidence is discovered at his home and his wife was rumoured to be having an affair, giving him clear motive.
With his reputation for winning hopeless cases, barrister Arthur Skelton is asked to represent the accused. Though Aziz’s guilt does not seem to be in doubt, a question of diplomacy and misplaced larvae soon lead Skelton to suspect there may be more to the victim’s death.
Aided by his loyal clerk Edgar, Skelton soon finds himself seeking justice for both victim and defendant. But can he uncover the truth before an innocent man is put on trial and condemned to the gallows?
About the author.
David Stafford began his career in theatre. He has written countless dramas, comedies and documentaries including two television films with Alexei Sayle, Dread Poets Society with Benjamin Zephaniah, and, with his wife, Caroline, a string of radio plays and comedies, as well as five biographies of musicians and showbusiness personalities.
dcstafford.com @dstaffordwriter
Review.
‘Skelton’s Guide To Suitcase Murders’ is all that you need from historical crime fiction, it’s light hearted with great characters, rich with details from the era and warmth that radiates off the page! This is the follow up to ‘Skelton’s Guide To Domestic Poisons’ but you don't need to have read that to enjoy this one. I haven't and thoroughly enjoyed my time in this world.
Shelton is a renowned barrister and when a woman is found dismembered in a suitcase, it is up to Skelton to prove the innocence of the victim’s husband. But he is known to be able to solve the unsolvable! Along with Edgar and Rose, he starts to look into the case. His cousins are once again roaming the country - very helpfully in the town in which the victim was born. Maybe they will find some clues along the way.
I think some of my favourite parts of this book were the letters which the cousin, Alan, sends to Skelton as they were illuminating the social history of the period. It's the people in history who fascinate me so storylines along these lines always appeal. I also loved Skelton’s wife's obsession with out doing her friend and the mention of women flying around the world! Shelton as a character was extremely well developed. I can imagine him with all his success now returning to his working-class roots in Leeds and marvelling at how far he had come. Plus, I did like how he didn't have legal successes in all his cases as that to me would be unrealistic but is a trope that many writers forget about when creating characters. Failures make them human and therefore we are more like to relate to them as a protagonist. Although, I have to say I think the stand out character for me was Edgar with all his foibles and love of theatre and celebrity. Once again very fitting of the age!
This might be classed as a slow burner of a mystery but I enjoyed this as it allowed the reader to get to know the characters, grasp all the points and clues. Although, once again I didn't guess the murderer! I thoroughly recommend this book.
