Top positive review
4.0 out of 5 starsA Story in Which Lennox Lives Up to His Name
Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2020
This entry in the series was a bit different. Heathcliff Lennox, who hates his first name, travels to Yorkshire to investigate difficulties at Monks Hood Abbey. In this book, the name Heathcliff seems quite appropriate. Lennox tramps about the moors and rattles around his guest quarters at the Abbey, brooding and looking like quite the romantic figure as he grapples with memories of the girl with cornflower blue eyes whom he loved and lost during The Great War.
Foggy seems relegated to being just a dog this time. He seems to enjoy running along, chasing ducks and cadging treats, so I don't think he misses more time in the limelight.
I like that the story, as usual, is consistent. If retired detective Swift still hasn't fixed the buckle on his trench coat (something he never does), he has to stop and pull on the belt frequently. Since the action happens on the other side of a steep hill from the Abbey, Lennox and Swift have to trudge up and down often and are always winded when they reach the top.
Interesting information is dispensed in all of these books. This time readers learn about life among monks in an abbey, poisonous plants, and medieval manuscripts.
I cannot comment upon the cleverness or intricacies of the plot. Honestly, I don't try to figure out the culprit. I am too busy enjoying the characters. Lennox seems to feel the same way. He is too busy consuming good, comfort food meals and snacks and wondering what will be served for pudding until he snaps to attention at the end and solves the mystery. I go along for the ride and especially enjoy the traditional endings when Lennox assembles all the suspects, makes each of them squirm and unmasks the villain, just like Agatha Christie, Perry Mason, or the cast of Scooby Doo.
