Bone Idle (Reverend Oughterard Series) »

A graduate of the universities of Nottingham and Newcastle/Tyne, Suzette A. Hill taught English literature for many years at Reading College before retiring to Herefordshire. She is the author of four mysteries featuring Reverend Francis Oughterard.

The third mystery featuring the bumbling vicar Francis Oughterard and pets Maurice and Bouncer.

Publishers Weekly

At the start of Hill's highly amusing third clerical mystery (after 2008's Bones in the Belfry), the Rev. Francis Oughterard, canon of St. Botolph's in Molehill, Surrey, is dismayed when Det. Sgt. Sidney Samson appears at his door and announces the reopening of the inquiry into the murder of one of his parishioners, Elizabeth Fotherington. Almost 18 months earlier (in 2007's A Load of Old Bones), Francis dispatched Mrs. Fotherington and got away with it. Now he must turn again to Nicholas Ingaza, who provided him an alibi in the initial investigation. Unfortunately, this means getting involved in one of Nicholas's dubious schemes. Matters really get complicated after the victim's daughter returns to Molehill to make certain claims. When another murder occurs, neither Francis's adopted cat, Maurice, nor dog, Bouncer, can do much to help their master. The outrageous plot will keep readers guessing until the end. (Aug.)