Carola Dunn is well known for her books about the 1920s socialite Daisy Dalrymple (see my review of one of these books here) – I have read all of that series and enjoyed them. Valley of the Shadow is one in a different series by the same author, set in Cornwall. The stories are set in the 1960s and feature Eleanor Trewynn, a retired senior civil servant, her dog Teazle and her niece Megan who is a police officer. The books are mysteries but also explore the class issues of the time and the open discrimination against women.
In this story Eleanor is out walking with a neighbour when she finds an unconscious young man in a rock pool. He is rescued but remains unable to speak expect to talk about his family who have been trafficked into the country from East Africa. It appears that they may be in danger, but the victim cannot share more. Both Eleanor and the police set out to find out what has happened to these refugees before it is too late to save them.
This is an interesting premise for a story and the author has written a fast-paced and enjoyable mystery. She explores the attitudes to race and to refugees well, without seeming to preach, and obviously the story resonates with what is in our newspapers today. The female characters are strong and it is nice to have a main character who is older but still capable. The landscape of Cornwall plays a role in the story.
This is a series I recommend for those of you who enjoy an historical mystery. It is very similar, in my view, to some of what Frances Brody has written (see here for an example), although Carola Dunn’s books have a lighter touch and I prefer them.
Anne Is Reading 