A Deadly Coincidence is the first book in a historical cozy mystery series by Keith Finney. Released 15th July 2021 by Lume Books, it's 252 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free along with the other books in the series.
This is a light WW2 cozy historical adventure set in Norfolk. The main protagonists, the local vicar's daughter and a US volunteer pilot "doing his bit" before the USA officially entered the war, are untangling the suspected murder of the local postman. There are elements of romance (but nothing at *all* scandalous in the book or more egregious than strictly platonic, nearly maternal, kisses on foreheads). The author has taken some pains with historical and geographic research. He does quite a good job of evoking the time period through quaint dialogue and background descriptions (flyovers, ration coupons, the Women's Land Army, etc).
The narrative is well written but slow-paced and readers used to hastier writing might find their attention wandering. All in all, I found it charmingly nostalgic if possibly a bit unrealistically saccharine. The spelling and vernacular are true to the area and location. The author has included a handy short glossary of terms for readers who might be unfamiliar.
Three and a half stars. Worth a look for fans of the time period. It's squeaky clean and there's nothing in the writing or language which would startle anyone's maiden aunt.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
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