A Very Particular Murder

I picked this book up second-hand after reading some very enthusiastic blurbs on the back from publications that I admired comparing her to other writers that I knew I enjoyed. When random death strikes at a gathering of physicists, initially it is thought to be a tragic but natural end to a long and distinguished life. But when the natural end of Max Flaschner turns out to be murder, Detective Inspector Ben Jurnet has to find out which of his nearest and dearest had wanted him dead... The book starts slowly-- slowly enough that if it had not been for the glowing reviews then I might have given it up as a bad job. The story grew on me, however, and in the end I particularly liked the way that Haymon builds up Jurnet and the other characters. The plot seemed a bit improbable, but was a good excuse for investigation questions of science, morality and ethics. Haymon (d. 1995) seems largely forgotten now. She was not a prolific writer, but was highly respected among her fans. A Very Particular Murder does not seem to have a particular following, so I am assuming that it is not considered among the best in the Jurnet series. (Anybody who knows differently, please leave me a comment!) I would recommend the book, particularly if you like your mystery with a little bit of an intellectual twist. I will be on the look out for more Haymon in the used book circuit.