cover image The Guardian Stones

The Guardian Stones

Eric Reed. Poisoned Pen, $26.95 (262p) ISBN 978-1-4642-0503-3

During WWII, evacuee children disappear from an English village in this disturbing novel from Reed, the pseudonym of Mary Reed and Eric Mayer, the authors of the John, the Lord Chamberlain series (Murder in Megara, etc.). In June 1941, retired American professor Edwin Carpenter comes to Noddweir in Shropshire to study an ancient stone circle and prepare some talks on historic British monuments, though certain locals are less than thrilled that the United States has not yet entered the war. When young Isobel "Issy" Chapman and troublemakers from Birmingham go missing, villagers point fingers at Issy's reputedly abusive father, Jack Chapman, and surly Harry Wainman, a farmer, while Special Constable Tom Green is more interested in seducing Edwin's landlady, Grace Baxter, than solving any crimes. Further complications ensue with the folk remedies and superstitions of Grace's grandmother; the sudden deaths of Green, a dog, and a town shopkeeper; and cases of arson. The violent climax may upset cozy fans. [em](Jan.) [/em]