Fox Evil by Minette Walters -- a book review

Fox Evil is the ninth book written by Minette Walters. Walters is a British mystery writer who writes standalone rather than series mysteries. Although her books share some stylistic similarities (e.g. most include breakaways from the narrative in the form of news articles and/or letters), they can be read in any order.

Fox Evil is about an old man, Col. James Lockyer-Fox. The Colonel's wife (Ailsa) has recently died in somewhat suspicious circumstances. Some of the village gossips have taken to making nasty, anonymous phone calls to the Colonel, accusing him of killing his wife and other horrors. The Colonel is aided by his lawyer Mark Ankerton.

James and Ailsa had two children, Leo and Lizzie. Both children have been a disappointment to their parents and a continual financial drain. Lizzie bore an out of wedlock child (Nancy) who was given up for adoption at birth. Nancy has since become a soldier and stands to inherit the farm of her adoptive parent.

A short distance from Colonol Lockyer-Fox's home, a group of Traveller's has set up camp, squatting on land they hope to claim due to lack of ownership. The Traveller's include a frightening but charismatic man called Fox Evil, a warm and energetic woman named Bella, and Wolfie, a child who misses his mother and fears his father.

In Walters' capable hands, these disparate elements are woven into an intriguing mystery with the pacing of a thriller. The reader is led down one false path after another until the surprising finish. Many of Walters' books include surprisingly strong female characters, as is the case here.

To find out more about Minette Walters and her books, visit her web site:

http://www.minettewalters.co.uk/