Unfortunately, this one was just not for me. It took almost half the book before the first death happened so it felt like it was dragging on. None of the characters were remotely likeable and I could never remember who was with who. Removing the body from the crime scene, not once but twice, was infuriating and practically set my teeth on my edge! The actual 'whodunnit' aspect did keep me guessing until it was revealed so there is that!

A classic mystery story with a very charming 50s atmosphere. Set in a small village(in sunny Catalonia) inhabited by colourful expats ,the story is a classic whodunit with a fantastic Inspector Borges as Spanish crime solver.Great!

Linda Huntingdon is beautiful, vapid and extremely  bored - but she isn’t smart enough to target someone other than her neighbor’s husband.  Her death appears to be an accident, but aspects are suspicious, and alcoholic former actor Aubrey de Lamplugh sees an opportunity to profit.  He dies not long after, crushed in a landslide which definitely looks like murder.  Suspicion natural falls on Kenneth, a man who once fell for Linda’s charms.  The case is given to Inspector Borges, who reminds me of Christie’s Poirot, clever, nattily dressed, well mannered and focused on the psychology of the suspects.  His self effacing manner and easy, open charm make him a likable inspector.  Although I guessed early on who the killer was, I enjoyed reading about the various British expats living in the small Spanish village.  One passage I found particularly amazing was the description of the bull fights in Barcelona.  John Bonett’s vivid depiction of both the display and the range of human reaction brought the event to life.  

While I enjoyed the story, it was the human element that pleased me the most.  John Bonett skillfully paints the Spanish landscape, giving the reader an understanding of a world and people very different in nature from the Britain the various expats left behind.  The characters are unique individuals whose actions and motivations are easily understood.  

As a mystery, I can best compare it to a dish that while apparently simple is made of the very best quality ingredients by a skillful chef.  The Private Face of Murder is an excellent mystery which makes good use of its beautiful and unique setting.

4/5

I received a copy of The Private Face of Murder from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

—Crittermom