A Fall From Grace Robert Barnard Scribners ISBN 0-7432-7220-x $24.00

Award winning author Robert Barnard's newest novel: A Fall From Grace has Detective Inspector Dexter, always called Charlie, Peace and his wife, Felicity, moving to the village of Slepton Edge. Unfortunately, along come Felicity's father; leaving his comfortable home rather quickly. Felicity and Charlie insist, as neither have much patience for the overbearing man, that he buy a cottage rather than move in with them. The Peace's settle in but another new family has been harassed by a group of teens and pre-teens. Charlie arranges with the local police to 'lecture' the students of the schools acting 'stream.'

Meanwhile the real reason for Charlie's father in law's sudden move becomes known. Is his sudden death related? It's not for Charlie to say as for obvious reasons its not his case. But it does come down to Charlie and Felicity to push the possible homicide aspect.

This is a traditional British village mystery drawn by a master's hand. Mr. Barnard gives you a smooth and easy read. He drops his clues fairly and pulls the subplots together into a satisfying conclusion. If you'll forgive the pun, A Fall From Grace is worth a plunge.

Dave Biemann