This historical mystery takes place in 1956 and combines real and fictional characters. It begins when two police officers and their 8-year-old son go on vacation to the shore. There they witness the fatal car accident that killed artist Jackson Pollack and one of his female passengers while throwing the other passenger out of the car.

Soon they learn that the female passenger was already dead when the accident happened. They are recruited by the local police chief to help with the investigation because his department is already stretched to the limits by a series of car accidents and the other problems that happen during the tourist season.

Fitz and Nita are glad to lend a helping hand and assist the local police. Nita is especially useful because she's a detective. There isn't another detective on the small town force.

I liked the way the story included historical details from the time period and information about local celebrities in the artistic community. I also liked that the story was told from a variety of viewpoints which added more detail.

As a mystery, it wasn't really all that mysterious. Once the villain appeared, it became quite clear what had happened and why. Before he appeared though, it was interesting to see what investigative techniques out heroes used and notice how many wouldn't be at all acceptable in a current police investigation.

Fans of historical mysteries and American artists would be a good audience for this story. ( )

AN ACCIDENTAL CORPSE is a harmonious blending of fact and fiction. Jackson Pollock's drunk driving accident that killed him and Edith Metzger is the basis for the mystery. What if Edith wasn't killed in the accident but was already dead by strangulation? Surely survivor Ruth must know what happened. A dead girl, your roommate and best friend, doesn't just wind up dead in the back seat of your lover's car and you know nothing.
Vacationing police couple Fitz and Nita, with their son TJ, are witnesses to the wreck and first on the scene.
The mystery of Edith's death was solid and enjoyable. I likewise enjoyed my introduction to the Springs area of the time, it's Bonaker denizens, and the flourishing artistic community that had moved to the area. What a mix of characters.
It took me a while to warm up to Fitz and Nita, not sure why, it just did. For me, the first exchange between Capt. Steele and Nita, where she "set him straight" was unnecessary, awkward, and interrupted the flow of the story.
There were numerous references to The Exquisite Corpse, which intrigued me and occasionally made me feel I was missing out on something. I'll definitely be in line to read when it comes out.
If you enjoy seamless blending of fact & fiction mysteries, you will enjoy AN ACCIDENTAL CORPSE.

3.5 stars ( )