The Wounded Snake

Sampson’s stately sequel to 2015’s The Wounded Thorn featuring retired school teacher (and know-it-all) Hilary Masters and her widowed friend, Veronica Taylor, starts off slowly as a colorful cast composed mainly of wannabe mystery writers gathers for a workshop weekend at 14th-century Morland Abbey near the Devon town of Totnes. The event is organized by Gavin Standforth, whose fame rests on his one bestselling novel. The real draw for the weekend is the 92-year-old queen of crime, Dinah Halsgrove, who each year turns out a mega-hit. While the other participants are enjoying a boat trip down the River Dart, Dinah remains behind in her room at the abbey. She’s later discovered unconscious and rushed to the hospital. Was it a heart attack or something more sinister? The fervent minds of the fledgling crime writers start spinning likely scenarios. Then Hilary discovers a body of someone who was clearly murdered, and the speculation takes a serious turn. Those who value chills and thrills will have to look elsewhere, but readers interested in the history of Devon will find plenty to like. (June)