Killed at the Whim of a Hat - Collected at Axminster station

Killed At The Whim Of A Hat

By Colin Cotterill

Book Cover Judgement: If I am honest everything about the cover said British Colonialism, which was almost enough to make me ignore it. But there wasn't much on the shelf, and the book review is not about just reading good books.

In the first few pages there is a map, now call me a sucker, but I have a theory, almost every good book that I have read has a map in the cover...(please feel free to prove me wrong on this one, I do like to be proven wrong occasionally... along with being right of course!!).

So at this point I am a little more intrigued.

First 'chapter' was headed with a George Bush quote, I am starting to feel a little uncomfortable right here, because I am no Bush fan, and I am not sure if this will be politically focused or taking the satirical path. (To be fair I am not 100% of their relevance to the book, and I kind of ended up ignoring them).

This book is part of a 'detective series', though this is the only one that I have read. Dropped straight into the dry heat, in the dusty fields, the first chapter had me interested,thougg felt a little stereo typical, and I disliked 'Old Mel's' thoughts on the nephew, at this point I felt sure of a predictable story. 

But the first twist told me to stop all assumptions and to read on to be impressed. 

I was sceptical when I discovered that the lead character (Jimm Jurree) was a woman (written by a man), but to be totally fair I think he did it justice, and occasionally I even forgot it was a man who was really the narrator!!!!

Not to mention the invention of the character Sissi, Jimm's Transexual sister who I felt was written with some feeling. I adored her, as well as the rest of Jimm's family and the many other characters of depth. 

Jimm's younger brother, so vulnerable and gentle, that he struggled to fit the gender stereotype as a man.

It seemed to me that Cotterill challenged a few stereo types in this book, and it was rather refreshing. I really enjoyed this read, but struggled to put it down.

A full bodied and believable picture was conjured of the village and towns of the setting. I could smell the fish, and hear the mopeds, I could feel the stifling humidity and sense the bustling in the city, for an author that is a true art, and for transporting me to another world in such a way I would like to thank Mr Cotterill!

Great for: Long train journeys, with not too many changes (you may get so sucked in you may miss your connection!).

This book will be left in Basingstoke station today.
26th April 2018.
It will be in the box in the waiting room in-between platforms 2 & 3.

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