Classic in the Barn

Review What could be found in a barn that might qualify as a classic? Guernsey cow? Milking machine? No, in this mystery novel, whose subject matter is outside the ordinary, our protagonist, Jack Colby, owner of Frogs Hill Classic Car Restorations, one day accidently discovers in a local barn (in the English county of Kent, that is) a 1938 Lagonda V12. Jack's interest in the classic automobile is piqued, but his snooping is discovered by a person who turns out to be the car's owner. Jack wants to offer to restore the elegant machine and sell it for the woman because that's the business he's in, but he also finds her interesting for reasons beyond her ownership of the car. Pursuit of both is complicated when Jack, a few days later, discovers her dead body by the barn doors. The author's sense of pacing deserves credit, the detective work she puts Jack through has the requisite ups and downs, and all the car talk will thrill automotive enthusiasts. --Booklist, May 1, 2011Classic car enthusiasts will relate to Jack Colby, the appealing hero of this series debut from British author Myers (Murder on the Old Road). During a walk in the Kent countryside, Jack spots a possible project for his classic car restoration business, "a dark-blue 1938 or '39 V12 drophead coupé Lagonda," tucked away in a barn. He's confronted by the owner, widow and former news anchor Polly Davis, who rejects his offer to restore the vehicle. Jack's later efforts to court Polly romantically are cut short by her murder. At the request of Polly's grown daughter, Bea, Jack brings detecting skills acquired helping the police with auto theft cases to bear on finding the killer. Readers, even those neither interested nor versed in the lead's field of expertise, will enjoy this lively, fast-paced mystery and look forward to the sequel. --Publishers Weekly, May 16, 2011A chance encounter with a 1938 Lagonda V12 involves Jack Colby, Car Detective, in a case of murder. Enjoying a stroll along a bridleway, Jack notices the classic Lagonda in an old barn. As a car restorer and collector, he is tempted to check out the beautiful old lady, but is discovered by the owner Polly Davis, former TV presenter and widow, who urges her companion Guy Williams to move him along. Although Jack recognizes the car as the one in which Polly's husband Mike was found dead, he still hopes to persuade her to restore it. Sure enough, Polly thaws enough to allow Jack to bring a picture to her for framing. But when he discovers her shot dead near the Lagonda, Jack, who already does work for the police helping to trace stolen cars, becomes both a suspect and a sleuth. Polly's daughter Bea, a friend of Jack's employee Zoe, asks Jack to take the Lagonda for restoration. The plot thickens when his shop is torched with the Lagonda inside. Luckily the car survives to be hidden away in another old barn. Rumors abound that Polly and Mike were involved in some illegal activity. A secret cavity built into the Lagonda makes Jack suspect that they were moving money or stolen artwork to the continent while visiting car shows. Jack, who already has money problems, realizes that he's investigating a number of dicey people who don't have his best interests at heart. The series kickoff by the prolific Myers (Murder on the Old Road, 2011, etc.) is very much in the tradition of Dick Francis--no bad thing. --Kirkus Reviews, June 15, 2011 Everyone is lusting after this classic car housed in a barn--a 1938 Lagonda. But it brings trouble. Polly, the owner, held onto this cherished car long after her late husband's death, and now she's been killed. Much as he appreciates rare vehicles, car restorer Jack Colby begins to wonder if the car is really the target when the barn is hit again--after the car has been moved. Despite all the potential suspects' posturing, Jack knows enough about car cloning and thievery to suspect that greed and blackmail are at work here. Will he be able to protect his client and himself from the final silencing? VERDICT This series launch from the author of the "Marsh and Daughter" series (Murder on the Old Road) is destined to be popular with car buffs and puzzlers. Recommend to Simon Brett fans and consider pairing with Tammy Kaehler's title above. -- Library Journal, June 1, 2011