This week Karen of Kaggsy’s Bookish Ramblings and Simon of Stuck in a Book are hosting another of their club weeks, where we all read and write about books published in the same year. This time, the year is 1962 and what a great year for publishing it has turned out to be! There were lots of tempting books to choose from, but I decided to start with one from the British Library Crime Classics series by an author who is new to me: Mary Kelly.
Due to a Death is a very different kind of BLCC book; it’s not really a detective novel, not really a thriller, not a country house or locked room mystery – not even much of a mystery at all. Although there is an element of crime, I would describe this more as a character study and an exploration of the lives of women in a small community in the early 1960s.
Our narrator, Agnes, lives in Gunfleet, a fictional village in the marshlands of Kent. Agnes used to be a teacher but her marriage to Tom meant she was no longer expected to work. It’s not a very happy or satisfying marriage and Tom, who works in a museum, spends most of his free time with his friends, Ian (who is also his stepbrother) and Tubby. Agnes appears to have no friends of her own so Tubby, Ian, and their wives Carole and Helen (whom she doesn’t particularly get along with), form her entire social circle. When Hedley Nicholson, a newcomer to the village, joins their little group he seems to sense that Agnes is lonely and bored and begins to spend more and more time with her, teaching her to drive – something she hopes will provide independence and freedom.
In the opening chapter, we learn that the body of a young woman has been found in the marshes. The rest of the novel is then told in the form of a flashback as Agnes sits in a church, thinking back over the events of the summer. The identity of the dead woman and her connection with the other characters is slowly revealed, but the focus of the book is always on Agnes and her relationships with Hedley, Tom, Ian and Tubby. It’s an interesting study of how, despite living in a small, claustrophobic community where everybody knows everybody else’s business, it’s still possible to feel isolated and alone.
I was very impressed with this book and although it has a slow pace, I found it difficult to put down. However, everything about it is relentlessly bleak, from the desolate marshland setting to the dreary lives of the characters and the tragic motive behind the young woman’s death. I liked it but, as I’ve said, it’s not a typical crime novel, so be prepared!
I hope to have at least one more 1962 review for you later in the week. Meanwhile, here’s my list of other 1962 books previously read and reviewed on my blog.
She Reads Novels 
This looks a satisfying read. I’ll look out for it.
Yes, I enjoyed it, despite it being a bit depressing!
Me too!
I think you would like it, Sandra.
This sounds quite unusual for the BLCC series, and very intriguing.
It wasn’t really what I had expected, but it turned out to be an interesting read anyway.
I am very intrigued by this one–not typical is always interesting to explore. Thanks for highlighting this, Helen.
It’s very different from most of the other BLCC books I’ve read but I really enjoyed it. It’s good that they publish such a variety of books in that series.
I have a copy of this, although I’ve not yet picked it up as I’ve heard that it *is* indeed bleak. Rather wish I’d got to it this week, though!
I think you would like it as long as you’re in the right mood, as it’s definitely a bit depressing!
I love the sound of this, I’m always amazed that women had to give up their jobs when they married, and that tiny circle of friends. . .
Yes, we’re fortunate that so much has changed now, even since the 1960s. This is a great book – I really enjoyed it, despite the bleakness!
I like atmospheric mysteries, even if this doesn’t fit the usual patterns of the genre.
It wasn’t quite what I’d expected – the crime element was surprisingly small – but it was certainly an interesting book.
Good review. I like it when a slower-paced book isn’t a disappointing book.
Yes, this was a great book. The slower pace meant more time for character development and atmosphere.
I must read more BLCC books next year, I must read more BLCC books next year, I must read more BLCC books next year…… [grin]
There are so many in the series now it’s impossible to keep up! I’ll be interested to see which ones you read next year!
I’m working my way backwards through your reviews, because I was right. I haven’t received any emails from your site in ages.
I really enjoyed this one too. It is different to many of the BLCC but so atmospheric and very memorable I’ve found.
Yes, it really stands out from most of the other BLCC books I’ve read. I’m glad you enjoyed it too.