Jess Castle and the Eyeballs of Death by M.B. Vincent, Book Review

Pretty ghoulish for cosy crime, what with a number of gory murders in a sleepy place in the West country that reminds me of Midsummer. Jess Castle, the protagonist, has deserted her lecturing post in Norse, Celtic and pagan mythology (or some such) at Cambridge University and has come back home to find things changed, not just because people are dropping like flies, but because her father has a new housekeeper and he has taken up cycling – at his age. How dare he remove the cheesy little fox figure which Jess’ mother had so loved! 

At a complete crossroads in her life, out-of-sorts Jess starts helping with the investigation into these gory murders as clues lead the police to believe that witchcraft or pagan worship is involved. Having someone local who can read Runes is definitely handy. I was hoping that Jess would fall for the police officer in charge of the investigation, but a former beau keeps turning up. I never did trust a man who dresses that well and yes, he is a well-heeled lawyer with a family pedigree that would do any canine at Crufts proud. DS Eden’s blue Ford Focus just can’t compete with Rupert’s Merc.  

Jess Castle and the Eyeballs of Death is a fun read and I have to admit I raced through it, never guessing who dunnit. Apart from being a cleverly plotted murder mystery, it is a charming study of character – and of the personal development of Jess. Her dysfunctional relationship with her father cries out for healing, as does her repressed grief for her dead mother.  So in effect it’s a cosy crime book with more than usual depth, but handled in a gentle humorous style. My compliments to M.B. Vincent, which in reality is a pseudonym for a married couple who like West Country market towns and writing books together. 

Published in 2018 by Simon & Schuster. Paperback £7.99, eBook £5.99 and eAudio £14.40.