Sidney Chambers and the Shadow of Death

While the diminutive priest detective created by G. K. Chesterton led the way, Sidney Chambers is set fair to be a worthy successor ... this is quite an achievement -- barry Turner Daily Mail A charmingly effective tale of detection ... Runcie's fine crime debut evokes oodles of churchy village atmosphere, circa 1953, [and] provides a satisfyingly old fashioned read The Times No detective since Father Brown has been more engaging than Canon Sidney Chambers. Perfect company in bed Salley Vickers, author of Miss Garnett's Angel The coziest of cozy murder mysteries ... These stories present a consistently charming and occasionally cutting commentary on "a postwar landscape full of industry, promise and concrete" New York Times Book Review Chambers turns out to be a winning clergyman-sleuth, and Runcie's literary authority is repeatedly demonstrated in the construction of his elegant tales ... there is no denying the winning charm of these artfully fashioned mysteries -- barry Forshaw Independent Inspector Morse would appear to have a rival -- mary Crockett Scotland on Sunday The clerical milieu is well rendered as an affectionate eye is cast over post-war England - a perfect accompaniment to a sunny afternoon, a hammock and a glass of Pimm's Guardian Alexander McCall Smith's Mma Ramotswe is going to have to look to her laurels! Sidney Chambers's adventures are thoroughly captivating and engaging. I loved the character and I loved the highly evocative period feel and dialogue Amanda Craig, author of Love in Idleness An undiluted pleasure Scotsman What a bloody fantastic thing ... this could only be improved by finding a winning Euromillions ticket tucked in the pages Rev Richard Coles Only a churl could resist Sidney, whose musings on love, evil and morality, penchant for quoting snippets of poetry, preference for whiskey over the endless cups of tea he is offered, and ratiocinative success at unraveling crimes make him endearing Kirkus