Mrs Pargeter's Past - (Mrs Pargeter Mystery) by Simon Brett

Book Synopsis

"A delightfully twisty comic caper . . . If you've never met Mrs. Pargeter and her merry crew of criminals, now's your chance" - Booklist Starred Review

A gambler on the run. A widow with deep pockets. A pair of criminal brothers with a secret agenda. The new instalment of the quirky, inventive and charming mystery series featuring widow Mrs Pargeter - whose late husband was absolutely NOT one of the most notorious villains in Essex (the very idea).

Mrs Pargeter's friends know two important details about her marriage to her late husband. First, that it was blissfully happy. And second, that Mr Pargeter was not a man to bring his work home with him. So, while the chance of her ever being asked by the police what he did for a living is, naturally, remote, Mrs Pargeter would be able to reply, in all honesty, that she doesn't know.

What she does know is that Mr Pargeter's former associates are all respectable members of society, and if they were ever criminals, they are now 100% reformed. So when she learns that Short Head Shimmings, her late husband's former accountant, has fallen on hard times, she springs into action, chequebook at the ready.

But Short Head has borrowed from the wrong people, and the infamous Batinga Brothers aren't out for his money - they're out for blood. The only way to save Short Head is to dismantle their criminal empire. But how can the highly law-abiding Mrs Pargeter, whose only weapons are her charm, her quick wits and her little black book of Mr Pargeter's contacts, hope to do such an impossible thing?

Cosy mystery-meets-crime caper in this witty, light-hearted and terribly British novel from CWA Diamond Dagger-winner Simon Brett, which is perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Janice Hallett, Robert Thorogood and M.C. Beaton.

Review Quotes

A delightfully twisty comic caper . . . If you've never met Mrs. Pargeter and her merry crew of criminals, now's your chance-- "Booklist Starred Review"

An enjoyable cozy-- "Booklist on Mrs Pargeter's Public Relations"

Brett's customary wit and good humor abound-- "Publishers Weekly Starred Review of Mrs Pargeter's Principle"

Delightful characters and a captivating plot-- "Library Journal on Mrs Pargeter's Point of Honour"

Fans will appreciate Brett's customary inventiveness in unveiling crimes and misdemeanors old and new-- "Kirkus Reviews on Mrs Pargeter's Patio"

Great fun, a delightfully madcap romp-- "Booklist Starred Review of Mrs Pargeter's Principle"

In this fast-paced tale, Brett offers yet another repast of merry mayhem with the redoubtable Mrs. Pargeter as the most excellent main course-- "Publishers Weekly on Mrs Pargeter's Point of Honour"

Mystery fans seeking pure escapist fun will be rewarded-- "Publishers Weekly on Mrs Pargeter's Public Relations"

Pure fun-- "Booklist Starred Review of Mrs Pargeter's Patio"

The coziest of cozy reads-- "Library Journal on Mrs Pargeter's Principle"