Chronicles of the Time A Gina Gray Investigation

 I am a very happy mystery reader, because Penny Freedman has brought out another mystery novel featuring her character Gina Gray, Chronicles of the Time.

Set in March 2020, Gina Gray has made a return to the Lake District. 

It is her intention to enter COVID isolation with Eve, who is her oldest friend. Also joining them in their splendid isolation (the Lake District is a splendid part of Britain) is Gina's teenage granddaughter Freda, who found her own home a little overbearing and too crowded for her comfort.

As she was enjoying the Lake District idyll, she was not expecting anything to take place. She was enjoying creative cookery with home-grown vegetables, some baking and several rows of knitting. Which was all she needed, obviously?

Unfortunately these worthy pursuits began to pale and she found herself longing for some adventure, something a little more interesting than thinking about what knitting needles and wool would be required for whatever particular garment she was knitting.

But then, Gina starts to think. Exactly why did her friend Eve invite her to share her lockdown retreat with her?

The couple whose garden backs on to Eve's garden. Are they really as weird as Gina thinks? Where's the cat? Freda is working on a history project. But she's being somewhat mysterious about the whole thing. Why?

And Gina's boyfriend, the redoubtable Detective Superintendent David Scott is involved in a high-profile investigation into the murder of a teenage girl on the bank of a river in an upscale part of suburban London. But how would David successfully discover who murdered the girl without the assistance of Gina?

The book cleverly explores several overlapping mysteries, whilst also being recognisant of the personal stresses and strains of normally close personal relationships during the most unusual of recent times; the lockdown months of 2020.

So, will David help bring the killer to justice with or without the help of  Gina? Why did Eve invite her? Are the strange neighbours really all that strange? What is it with Freda's project? Why is she so secretive? 

And what has happened to the cat?

This is the eighth novel featuring Gina Gray and it is published by Matador at £8.99.

It will make a perfect Christmas present for the avid mystery fan or the more specialist fan of Gina Gray novels.