Pages: 363
Released On: 20/07/2023
The Sussex Pond Murder centres upon the mysterious death of Michelle Gagneux, a French teacher at St Wilfrid’s Prep School for boys, who is found lifeless in the school pond in the winter of 1983. The story follows Michael Fletcher, a geography teacher who becomes entangled in the investigation.
The police suspect foul play, and with no alibi on the night of the incident, as well as the revelation of a romantic relationship with Michelle, Michael soon becomes the main suspect for her murder. As pressure mounts from the authorities, the media and the school, Michael is compelled to begin his own investigation in a quest to clear his name and uncover Michelle’s true killer.
Could a darts player at the local pub provide crucial information about Michelle’s activities in the lead up to her death? Who was the mysterious French man seen arguing with her? What secrets lie in Michelle’s past?
A meeting with the deceased’s brother leads Michael to discover her groundbreaking research into the harmful effects of Bisphenol A, a chemical leached into drinking water from their plastic containers. The revelation opens up a web of intrigue, revealing the involvement of powerful forces in the oil and plastics industry intent on concealing her findings to protect their own interests.
Michael navigates his personal life against the backdrop of the developing investigation, and his discrete attempts to publish Michelle’s work. His relationship with his new girlfriend Julie provides support and companionship during turbulent times. However, they soon find themselves pursued by mysterious individuals. When key figures involved in the investigation are found dead under suspicious circumstances, Michael realises that his life may be in danger.
A romantic retreat to the Scottish Highlands descends into a desperate bid for survival, and Michael and Julie must outsmart their pursuers in order to unveil the truth behind the death of Michelle Gagneux and ensure that her findings are made public.
*****
Thanks to Richard for sending me a gifted copy of his book in return for an honest review.
I was a bit apprehensive about reading this as the cover made it look (to me) like a horror, and I’m a complete wuss when it comes to horror. But it wasn’t too much like that which I appreciated. It was more, for me anyway, a psychological horror, a subtle horror, a realistic horror, rather than an in-your-face-scare.
There is no dilly-dallying here. Within the first two paragraphs we know what’s happened and it starts with a splash (quite literally). It is a real page turning opener.
To begin with, I felt some of the dialogue was a bit clunky, like the characters were talking in an unnatural way to ensure the reader was up to speed with everything. It didn’t have a negative impact on the story, and some readers may prefer that way of writing so they have all the facts they need to get on with the story, but that’s just my personal opinion.
I felt the first quarter or so was bogged down a bit in detail. I know this isn’t a negative for some readers and they enjoy it. I saw another review that said they loved all the details of things, like how a public school is run and whatnot. I didn’t dislike it, but I felt for me it could have been a bit pacier, as I just felt a little suck in these facts, willing the narrative to move forward.
It is not an easy whodunnit to work out. It’s twisty and turny and always one step ahead of you, which is what you want from a good thriller.
I would say it gets better as it goes along. That doesn’t mean to say it starts badly, no. It starts off very pleasantly indeed, well written and interesting, but it cranks up towards the second half, and especially near the end, which is where the real thrills and spills come into play.
There is a plot point of sustainability and environmentalism. Usually I am not a fan of this in fiction as I want an escape from the real world, and I often find topics like this forced into a story where it doesn’t fit, but I think it’s balanced well and makes sense in context of the story as a whole. It starts off subtly but then forms the crux of the story and the investigation.
There are many tangents and themes to this book: death, murder, grief, loneliness, lust, love, secrecy, lies, environmentalism, schooling, justice, and the imbalance of power when someone high ups wants to bury something from someone low down.
This was not my usual genre of book, I admit, and I did struggle at times with it, but overall I thought it was an enjoyable read with some interesting and thoughtful themes, and difficult topics given due care, attention, respect and sensitivity, all well balanced.
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