A couple of months ago I thought 'Death under A Little Sky' was one of the most innovative and enjoyable crime fiction debuts in recent years. I loved all the quirky characters and the beauty of the empty countryside. I couldn't wait to read the second novel and optimistically expected more of the same.
'Death in A Lonely Place' is either a victim of second novel syndrome or a prime example of a skilled author having to bow to stipulations from their publishers. The problem more than anything is the plot (and most of the characters) just doesn't suit the location. The charm and beauty of the first novel is diluted. On the bright side, the quality of the writing remains absolutely top notch.