In 1966, Catherine Aird introduced her series character, Inspector C.D. Sloan of the Calleshire C.I.D., and his supporting cast in the police department in The Religious Body. At the time, The New Yorker “recognized that she was writing an updated version of the classic British mystery.” As a fan of traditional mysteries and police procedurals, I loved this mystery. The series was new to me.
How do you deal with a murder when there are over fifty suspects? When Sloan is called to the Convent of St. Anselm, the nuns suspect Sister Anne fell down the cellar stairs. But, Sloan and the doctor agree she was killed elsewhere and thrown down the steps. Now Sloan and Detective-Constable William Crosby have an entire convent filled with suspects.
They also have to deal with problems at the Agricultural Institute across from the convent. On Guy Fawkes Night, Sloan rescues the effigy from the students’ bonfire. It’s wearing a nun’s habit and Sister Anne’s glasses. Someone from the instittue was in the convent on the night the nun died.
I can’t wait to read the next in this series. This one worked for me as a traditional British mystery. The police successfully worked the murder investigation. Although there were a number of nuns, only a few were identified by their role at the convent. There was a cast of main characters listed at the beginning of the book. And, there was a resolution in which Sloan revealed how they discovered the solution, but, it differed from many reveals because it took place with just the police team. That seemed perfect. And, I like the length of the book. It was written before publishers and authors thought mysteries had to be bloated.
I have twenty-one more books to read about C.D. Sloan, and one standalone by Aird. So satisfying to know those books are waiting for me.
The Religious Body by Catherine Aird. Rue Morgue Press, 1966. ISBN 9781601870124 (paperback), 160p.
FTC Full Disclosure – Library book
Glad you enjoyed it so much. I first read her books in the early ’70s, I think, and read a bunch of the early ones, though it has been years since I read one of the novels. I have – as, I daresay will not surprise you – read her collections of short stories, many of which feature the long-suffering Sloan and the dim Crosby. They are INJURY TIME, CHAPTER AND HEARSE, and LAST WRITES. She died last December at 94, and her last book was published the year before that, an amazingly long run.
I did, Jeff. I have the next one in the series on order at the library, and had to order the standalone so I could read it. Thank. you for the background! I appreciate it, Jeff.
Thanks for introducing me to this series! It sounds like an interesting setting and cast.
I hope you have the chance to try one or two, Kate!
My mother loved Catherine Aird–thanks for reminding me about her books, Lesa!
You’re welcome, Kim. I really enjoyed that first one.
I just read this last week!! Who knew we are so in tune with our reading choices. I really enjoyed this too. I will read on in the series and suggest it to both of my reading groups.
My friend, Aubrey Hamilton, has been suggesting this to me, Karen. I’m looking forward to the second one, too, and the others in the series.