The Body in the Basement by Katherine Hall Page
| The Body in the Basement by Katherine Hall Page | |
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| Category: General Fiction | |
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Reviewer: Louise Laurie
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| Summary: Although the straightforward title suggests dirty dealings (and there are) this book, the latest in The Body In The ... series, is really all about family life. Seen through three generations of one American family, this is a typical 'escapism' read. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 224 | Date: March 2010 |
| Publisher: Robert Hale Ltd | |
| ISBN: 978-0709090397 | |
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The central character with the unforgettable name of Pix is one of those 'apple pie' moms. The family is her life. Every summer, most members de-camp to the coast, to get away from it all, recharge the batteries. But this particular year, Pix notes, is going to be a summer of women. Pix is a middle-aged, middle-of-the-road, ordinary person ... until she makes some gruesome discoveries.
Pix Miller is also the type of person who cannot say 'no', so consequently, her days are full to bursting. This whole book is one big, melting pot of energetic dogs, boisterous children, hard-working dads, feisty retirees ... and lots and lots of references to food, or good home cooking to be precise. The children are all well-behaved, healthy and are a joy to their respective parents, barring the odd one.
The location of the book is a seaside haven, a paradise for residents and summer visitors alike. The sand is glorious, the skies are blue, the sea is aquamarine and as if all that perfection were not enough, there's a constant flurry of social activities amongst neighbours. A sort of coastal Desperate Housewives, perhaps.
Page seems adept at the all-American novel which, in this instance, is a cosy and undemanding read. She gives lots of descriptions about lots of things from interiors to clothing. She's particularly fond of all things culinary and while that's fine, I did find the constant mention of the clambake just a little tedious in its repetition.
The style of the book is conversational, chatty and the narrative is fluid and very easy to read. So, when a body is discovered, Pix thinks that in this small, tight-knit community the whole nasty business will be sorted out by supper-time. But is it? The locals are getting edgy and restless but still manage to squeeze in plenty of social activities.
Page likes to add a little bit of local history here and there. And also the whole hobby of quilts that Americans, in particular, are so fond of, is a thread (absolutely no pun intended) throughout the whole book. Page's descriptions of the local residents are charming. For example Seth Marshall, glowering. His long, dark hair, heavy mustache ... made him look like a pirate from a children's book illustration.
Endearing, old-fashioned is an apt phrase I would use to describe this book. It contains plenty of old-fashioned American characters with old-fashioned, traditional values. It's almost as if most of them have not yet entered the 21st century - and that's very much part of its charm. In keeping with the overall theme, some of the language is rather old-fashioned too. It's a little bit clunky and clumsy at times.
It's almost as if this mystery, which is the title of the book, is a by-product. The main product, the main event, is the workings and daily lives of small-town America. Here, in this coastal nirvana, the simple pleasures in life are to be savoured to the full; whether it's taking a glass of iced tea on the porch or baking shortbread from a trusted, family recipe, it's all about tradition and the correct ways of doing things.
And in the spirit of this book, I joined in and thoroughly enjoyed a slice of American life.
I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to The Bookbag.
If this appeals then why not try The Brutal Art by Jesse Kellerman?
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You can read more book reviews or buy The Body in the Basement by Katherine Hall Page at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy The Body in the Basement by Katherine Hall Page at Amazon.com.
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