Book info

• Title Mrs Pargeter's Pound of Flesh
• Author Simon Brett
• Year 1992
• Genre Mystery

Meet Mrs Melita Pargeter, a vivacious widow with a talent for solving mysteries. Melita isn’t one for diets. She’s far too busy enjoying the finer things in life. Even so, when her friend suggests a few days away at a health spa, Melita is happy to tag along. Provided fine wines and steak dinners can stay on the menu. After all, no one ever died of a little rest and relaxation. Did they? Melita spots the body of a fellow guest being wheeled out of the spa. Everyone says it was the woman’s sparrow-like diet that killed her, but Melita’s not so sure. She saw the terrified expression on the victim’s face before they wheeled her away. What — or who — was she afraid of? The truth may be murkier than a Dead Sea mud bath, but Melita’s determined to get to the bottom of it all. Can she catch the killer before it’s too late?

Thoughts

I’m really growing to love Mrs Pargeter more and more with every book that flies by. This one was great, her history with her husband getting something of a spotlight shone on it, and a question mark over the loyalty of his old friends and associates - who up to now have been nothing but obliging. I love that she goes to a health spa but is not at all interested in changing anything about herself, and spends her time investigating the mystery instead. Meanwhile, her friend is going crazy trying to lose weight and the juxtaposition of the two is a lot of fun. A good mystery, as well, and a fascinating twisting journey to the conclusion.

Rating: 4 / 5