Last Boat to Camden Town

Dr. Edmund Berry of St. Pancras All Saints Hospital seems to be living the idyllic English life as he enjoys his work and loves his spouse and child. In turn his family cherishes and adores Edmund. So why would Edmund, who seems to have no enemies and is faithful to his family, kill himself by jumping into the North London's Cumberland Basin?Camden Town Detective Inspector Christy Kennedy investigates the apparent suicide of Dr. Berry. He quickly learns that Berry misdiagnosed the symptoms of patient Susanne Collins, which probably led to the schoolteacher's death. Was the doctor so despondent over his blunder that he took his own life? Could someone who has cared deeply for Susanne have murdered Stephen in a revenge killing?This English police procedural feels more like a gentle urban cozy than a deep investigative tale. The story line is amiable as the inspector conducts his inquiries. Ironically, readers will find obvious clues that Christy at first missed and will know what is going on before the cop does. This technique adds to the overall pleasure of the novel, best served with tea filled with plenty of sugar. Readers will enjoy this tale due to the protagonist, a fine unassuming police detective steadily doing his job.Harriet Klausner