The Affliction: A Novel

Prolific author Beth Gunderson serves up her second Maggie Detweiler mystery in a decidedly Miss Marple/J.B. Fletcher tone. Of course, this being a mystery novel, someone is murdered. There are subplots of unrest among the students at a private girls’ school. Various members of the Rye-on-Hudson community where the school is located have been plotting their own schemes. The infusion of developer capital to the otherwise bucolic community energizes the action.

Maggie and her buddy Hope insinuate themselves into the community after a call for assistance. Initially, Maggie arrives as leader of an Independent School Association evaluation team. The school, Rye Manor for Girls, is facing the likely loss of its accreditation.

Ms. Gutcheon seamlessly brings her reader along on Maggie and Hope’s quest for the killer. Along the way, the faculty, students, and campus of the school fill in a privileged New England experience around the wonderful dialogue. There’s no lack of finger-pointing and accusations to make solving the murder a challenging effort for Maggie and Hope.

The Affliction is consistent with its predecessor, Death at Breakfast. Hopefully, Ms. Gutcheon will serve up more engaging adventures for her readers.

Well recommended.