Backhand Smash

I always enjoy JM Gregson, this one is a Chief Insp Peach mystery and it has another instalment in his personal life, which is very entertaining on it own. The murder mystery is good and at the end, I almost wished that the person got away with it - the victim was very unlikable. The story developed really well and I enjoyed it, although it was a little predictable - not so much the murder so the it kept me reading. I always like the undercurrent of other tidbits of stories that are entwined in these book. A good read.

Murder at the Tennis Court – “you cannot be serious!”

This is the first book I have read in the Percy Peach series by this prolific and popular author and it was an easy, light and enjoyable read.

Percy is Detective Chief Inspector at Brunton Police station where he labours under the reign of Chief Superintendent Tommy Bloody Tucker, generally considered to be incompetent! However, Percy has his own secret weapon in the form of Detective Sergeant Clyde Northcott, an impressively sized black colleague who Percy affectionately refers to as his ‘hard bugger!’ Latest to the team is newly qualified, graduate entrant Elaine Brockman who may be green but is very anxious to learn.

At the beginning, Clyde is disturbed to have fallen under the eye of the redoubtable Olive Crawshaw of the Birch Fields Tennis Club, where she is working on expanding the diversity amongst members. She is determined to sign him up, and as Elaine is already a member they are in the perfect place when one of the members is found murdered at the end of the Summer Ball.

Gregson combines a convincing plot with excellent characterisation and a good helping of humour, which makes this story fairly romp along as the police find themselves interviewing a wide section of the community. It soon becomes clear that the existing Tennis Club members are a long way from being beyond reproach in both their club and business lives. A tangled web of intrigue develops where it becomes apparent that many are less honest than they would claim, whilst others are downright crooked!

As well as this, there is developing love interest between Clyde and Elaine, whilst Percy receives some good news to brighten his life. Lots to enjoy and a satisfying ending. Four stars deserved for this light portrayal of the genre.

Pashtpaws Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review

"Backhand Smash" is an interesting British procedural featuring Chief Inspector Percy Peach and DS Clyde Northcott. These two main characters make this book worth reading. Peach reminds me of a toned-down Inspector Morse in that he says what he feels without considering if his remarks are politically correct. Peach is a good detective and a good person and I enjoyed seeing the great rapport between him and his direct report and right-hand man, Northcott.

I enjoyed the story and watching the investigation unfold as several likely suspects emerge in the death of a dangerous man who was an established member of an exclusive tennis club that Northcott had recently joined. The victim is a businessman with several shady dealings on the side, so the two detectives have a lot to investigate to get to the truth of the murder. I was surprised at the direction the investigation took and enjoyed the ending. The story moved a bit slowly in some parts, but overall, I liked the characters and the subtle humor through the book.

I received this book from NetGalley, through the courtesy of Severn House. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.