From Publishers Weekly
Set in north Wales, this uneven first novel describes the murder investigation of a woman hanged in the woods, her decaying body found 18 months after her death. Chief inspector Michael McKenna directs the police work, and when his pathologist unearths near Gallows Cottage the 1793 remains of another hanged woman, the locals recall the centuries-old story of Simeon, the mad avenger of his wife's wrongful execution. Although the theme of soured marriages connects past and present nicely as the murder plot develops, and as McKenna eventually separates from his wife, the overlong exposition omits some key suspects, including the culprit, until surprisingly late in the narrative. McKenna's personality remains somewhat vague?outside a sort of generalized dourness. Plentiful descriptions, drawn-out conversations and some extraneous scenes also slacken the pace. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From AudioFile
In a coastal city in northern Wales, Detective Chief Inspector Michael McKenna tries to solve a years-old murder, while coping with the disintegration of his marriage. Successful at the former, McKenna finds the latter a losing proposition. Steve Hodson's low, gravelly voice and measured pacing convey the depth of emotion of the taciturn detective with grace and subtlety. The many other characters in the story also come to life, inspiring frustration, fury, humor, or compassion. Particularly skilled at the local dialect, Hodson imparts a delightful realism to the novel's more provincial players, allowing us to see, as well as hear them. His presentation of the philosophical opening and closing passages frames the tale with elegance. R.P.L. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
Simeon's Bride FROM THE PUBLISHER
Three distinctly different Welsh policemen share one common dilemma--a mysterious death without a clue. Was the dead woman the victim of a political execution or something even more sinister? What they discover is a 200-yeer-old puzzle that adds up to murder, and a conspiracy of silence that haunts the town of Gallows Cottage to this day. Original.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
Set in north Wales, this uneven first novel describes the murder investigation of a woman hanged in the woods, her decaying body found 18 months after her death. Chief inspector Michael McKenna directs the police work, and when his pathologist unearths near Gallows Cottage the 1793 remains of another hanged woman, the locals recall the centuries-old story of Simeon, the mad avenger of his wife's wrongful execution. Although the theme of soured marriages connects past and present nicely as the murder plot develops, and as McKenna eventually separates from his wife, the overlong exposition omits some key suspects, including the culprit, until surprisingly late in the narrative. McKenna's personality remains somewhat vagueoutside a sort of generalized dourness. Plentiful descriptions, drawn-out conversations and some extraneous scenes also slacken the pace. (Sept.)
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