Death and the Oxford Box: A Mystery Introducing Kate Ivory

Kate Ivory is a British writer in Oxford and a member of a jogging group, all of whom rally around fellow runner, the recently abandoned Rose. Rose's nasty husband has left her and taken half of a collection of enamel boxes given them by her slightly dotty grandmother. Now Rose is in a panic because Grandma has announced a visit to discuss the sale of the valuable 19th-century pieces, especially the Oxford mourning box, which the husband won't return. The group devises a plan to steal the boxes back, but while that is in motion, one of the runners is murdered. And the Oxford box is nowhere to be found. Kate suspects that events may be connected when she learns that the missing enamel box was last seen in the home of the murder victim, who was involved in a local land deal. Tangled in plot and with a casual attitude toward crime that belies its mainly cozy-ish, suburban atmosphere, the tale from the author of Deathspell also lacks an engaging cast. (Jan.)