I received this book for free from the library in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Source: the library
Evanly Choirs
by
Rhys Bowen
cozy mystery in Paperback edition that was published by Berkley on August 1, 2000 and has 256 pages.
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Other books by this author which I have reviewed include Evans Above, Evan Help Us, Bless the Bride, The Last Illusion, Evan and Elle, Naughty in Nice, Evan Can Wait, Evans to Betsy, Evan Only Knows, Her Royal Spyness, A Royal Pain, Royal Flush, Evan's Gate, Royal Blood, Evan Blessed, Evanly Bodies, Rhys Bowen, Hush Now, Don't You Cry, The Twelve Clues of Christmas, The Family Way, Heirs and Graces, Queen of Hearts, Malice at the Palace, Crowned and Dangerous, On Her Majesty's Frightfully Secret Service, The Tuscan Child, Four Funerals and Maybe a Wedding, Love and Death Among the Cheetahs, The Last Mrs Summers
Third in the Constable Evans mystery series set in Wales.
My Take
Terrific characters in a cozy village where everyone knows everyone else’s business. And it sure doesn’t stop anyone, including Evans, from screwing up. Evans-the-law is such a sweet innocent in so many ways…hopefully Bronwen will see this.
Ifor is a problem, for he has a rather nasty sense of humor, and there is history between Austin and Ifor.
Additional subplots revolving around Ifor Llewelyn’s presence in Llanfair include his singing at full volume — a nice treat for those villagers who love opera. And Ifor and his wife fighting at the same volume — and after 9 pm too! There’s a strange girl who has been coming round — once when Evans was out hiking and whom he has to rescue from her vehicle after it rolls into the lake; the strange young man seen in her company twice; and, then there’s the Mafia-like visitor.
The Story
Llanfair is privileged to have a former son return, a world-famous opera singer who rents the Powell-Jones house for the summer. Mrs Powell-Jones is over the moon as she can kill two birds with one stone: take care of mummy who can finally have her hip operation and buy a new three-piece suite!
Only Mrs. Powell-Jones plans will force Evans out of his rooms and off to the pub now that the meals have become too bloody healthy.
The greatest impact is on Austin Mostyn, Llanfair’s choir director. He is determined to win at the eisteddfod this year, and if Ifor were to join the choir…well.
The Characters
Constable Evan Evans is the one policeman in Llanfair. He usually rooms with Mrs. Williams.
Mr. and the redoubtable Mrs. Powell-Jones. Austin Mostyn in the village choir director.
Ifor Llewelyn is a world-famous opera singer who was originally from Llanfair.
The Cover and Title
It’s a lovely cover with its view from inside the pub through a huge picture window overlooking an autumnal setting with two two-story stone houses and a sheep wandering the road against a backdrop of the Welsh mountains.
The title is the Evanly Choirs resounding throughout the village.
