In this second book in the Alice Rice series, the mystery is less intriguing, and the ending somewhat flamboyant. Alice's personal life takes an unexpected and rather improbable turn.The author's writing style has improved over the last book, with much less passive voice and more evocative descriptions of place. What hasn't changed, unfortunately, is the author's liberal use of stereotypes, and worse yet, stereotypes that tell us more about the author's own biases than anything else. I just don't find it realistic that a middle class couple who had inherited a fine antique cabinet would use it to display figurines of donkeys or kittens with balls of yarn -- made in China, no less -- or that this should without question signify that they are uncouth people. Another ugly bias: the author gave as evidence that a down-on-their-luck family was once more well-to-do that unfortunately they must now shop at IKEA and DIY places instead of the proper stores they would naturally shop at if they were better off. As if no one would choose to shop at IKEA if they didn't have to for financial reasons!Alice Rice is lovely, though. I like her wry observation that, after a public meeting in which there was a short break, the people on either side of her moved to different seats. (She had been eating fish and chips at her seat during the meeting.) Also, after a noble decision not to abandon an undesirable companion at a social event, how that person had no qualms moments later about abandoning her. She has a bit of Bridget Jones about her, facing pleasant and unpleasant situations at home and at work with equanimity. Her boss, DCI Elaine Bell is also a likeable character. It is these characters that make up for other shortfalls and make the books worth reading.
