The fourth novel in this series sees antiques dealer Hazel Whitby and her young friend and colleague Belinda Lawrence head to Canterbury to catalogue the valuable contents of the stately home of Professor de Gray who died six months previously. Although his death was assumed to be of natural causes Belinda and Hazel soon realise that there were several people who might have benefited from the Professor's death, especially as he was reported to be writing a book that would expose new information about the 12th century murder of Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral. Along with Belinda's boyfriend Mark they embark on an investigation which looks like it might get a bit dangerous.

As always with this series there's a good mix of contemporary action and historical detail in A Canterbury Crime and I enjoyed learning a thing or two about centuries-old religious squabbles (some things never change). Kavanagh is a dab hand at weaving the historical information into his modern stories, using Hazel's professional knowledge and a variety of local experts to provide just the right amount of background to make the story interesting.

Along with our intrepid three investigators, of whom the gin-drinking and younger man bonking Hazel is my favourite, there are some memorable characters specific to this novel. The Professor's former assistant, who has hired Hazel and reminds Belinda of Mrs Danvers, plays a major role in the story as does a rather odd housekeeper and a man who is desperate to work at the Canterbury archives. Although there are 'developments' in Belinda and Mark's relationship in this outing it's still not totally resolved (which of course means I can still hope that she hooks up with her former Australian boyfriend instead of Mark).

A Canterbury Crime is a refreshingly short, traditional mystery with a great sense of humour and a light touch. ( )

I have been to Canterbury Cathedral and have studied the history of Thomas Becket and his dreadful murder, so when I heard that A CANTERBURY CRIME was coming out I was really looking forwards to reading it. Luckily I was not disappointed. Before the story begins in earnest there is a brief summery on the history of Canterbury and the murder of Archbishop Becket in the Cathedral around Christmas 1170 which nicely sets the scene.

This is the fourth novel in the series that centres on Australian amateur sleuth Belinda Lawrence and has been a few years since the last book was out. This time Belinda and her business partner, antiques dealer Hazel Whitby, have been asked to Canterbury by Miss Mowbray to catalogue and value the contents of the deceased estate of Professor de Gray that she has inherited. Hazel and Belinda believed that the Professor had died of a heart attack six months previously, however within hours of their arrival they are told that his head was covered in blood as his body was carried out and he had been cremated the day after his death. Very sinister!

It turns out that the Professor had written a book about Thomas Becket and had let it be known that the last chapter would put forward controversial new evidence to do with the death of the Archbishop and the whereabouts of his body. Now the Professor is dead, there are several shady characters searching for the hidden final chapter in the hope that it can be sold to a publisher for a high price.

A CANTERBURY CRIME is a delightful blend of modern action and historical facts which together produce a light hearted and enjoyable traditional cosy mystery. It is a short read, but packed full of action. Against the background of the story, we get an insight into the personal lives of Hazel and Belinda, who may work together but are totally different characters. Hazel is still into seduction rather than commitment and bewailing that she can’t hide the evidence of ageing. Belinda still insists on taking risks so she can prove how strong she is and ends up in pickles, and there is a proposal. As far as the story goes there are twists and turns galore as the two ladies investigate firstly if there was a murder, and secondly who could have done the deed and why. ( )

This novel begins with a brief background to the history of Canterbury and in particular to the murder of its Archbishop in the Cathedral just after Christmas in 1170.

Antiques dealer Hazel Whitby and her Australian companion Belinda Lawrence have been asked to catalogue and value the contents of a deceased estate, the Manor House. It is just a few days to Christmas and Hazel and Belinda will be spending Christmas in Canterbury.

Professor de Gray died nearly six months earlier, supposedly from a heart attack. But Hazel and Belinda hear stories of there having been "blood on his head" and the Professor's body was cremated with almost indecent haste, the day after his death.

They have been commissioned by Miss Mowbray (who reminds Belinda of a modern Mrs Danvers) to evaluate the contents of the Manor House, which turns out to be a virtual Aladdin's Cave. Shortly after they begin work, Miss Mowbray goes up to London, and there meets with an accident.

As with the other 3 titles in this series, I enjoyed the historical background that Kavanagh uses to give depth to the story. Belinda's romance with the handsome Mark (who appeared in #2) and her partnership with Hazel provide continuity from one novel to the next. (If oyu are new to the series, I strongly suggest you read them in order). Like its predecessors A CANTERBURY CRIME is a pleasant whodunnit in the true cozy tradition. ( )