A Bitter Feast, the 18th entry in the Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James series by Deborah Crombie, is a gently paced mystery set in the beautiful Cotswolds, part of the English countryside characterized by rolling hills and houses built of golden stone. Duncan and Gemma, both high-ranking police officers, are taking a long weekend with their children at the gorgeous, stately home of the parents of Melody Talbot, Gemma's detective sergeant.
Viv Holland, a well-respected local chef is planning a charity luncheon, and the Talbots hope it helps Viv make a name for herself. Gemma is looking forward to the luncheon, and for a chance to explore the fall foliage. But Duncan is delayed by several hours. When he does appear, he's bloodied and dazed, the victim of a car accident in which the other driver and passenger died. And, it turns out that the other car's passenger was a chef with an old connection to Viv.
Despite its place well into the series, A Bitter Feast almost reads as a standalone, a vacation from overarching plot-lines just as it's supposed to be a respite for Duncan and Gemma. But, of course, they can't ignore deaths in their near vicinity, especially when another body turns up. So, they have a bit of a "busman's holiday," helping the local police investigate the deaths. Character-driven and nuanced, Crombie's novel will draw readers deep into the Cotswolds. Perfect for fans of Louise Penny or Donna Leon, A Bitter Feast is a lovely, autumnal mystery. --Jessica Howard, bookseller at Bookmans, Tucson, Ariz.