The Footsteps at the Lock

Rating:
Summary: Footsteps In History
Review: The story was set in contemporary time when written in 1928. Hard to believe how remote was the countryside of England then. Hard to believe the class system was so ingrained in every aspect of life--especially manners and the maintenance thereof despite circumstances. For example, a suspect was left alone and unguarded in his hotel room because he was not allowed attire appropriate to being seen in public.

Solving the mystery of a disappeared wastrell develops in a series of conversations between the main actors. There is very little action and lots of dialog--some of it very long. It is a drawing room comedy moved to the countryside near Oxford where time passes along an idyllic stream. Everyone is sensible and well mannered, cooperative and companionable, even intelligent and humorous. Occasionally the banter is interrupted by a pithy reference to setting or a beautifully crafted description of the season. At center is the mystery itself which is quite convoluted, though not a monstrous crime or even extraordinary circumstance.

Understated and quite a good read--bit of recent "history".