View source for Scandal at Six: A Lois Meade Mystery by Ann Purser

{{infobox1
|title=Scandal at Six: A Lois Meade Mystery
|author=Ann Purser
|reviewer=Sue Magee
|genre=Crime
|summary=The thierteen book is this easy-read series works perfectly as a standalone.  engaging characters and a good location.
|rating=3
|buy=Maybe
|borrow=Yes
|pages=336
|publisher=Prime Crime
|date=January 2014
|isbn=978-0425261767
|cover=042526176X
|aznuk=042526176X
|aznus=042526176X
}}

Lois Meade leads a busy life.  As if running her own cleaning company isn't sufficient she can never resist doing a bit of ''ferretin' '' when something strange happens in the village of Long Farnden.  She's so good that local police inspector Hunter Cowgill is only too pleased to involve her as his assistant.  Mind you, it probably helps that Cowgill is very fond of Lois and his nephew (also a policeman) is married to Lois' daughter, Josie.  This time, local zookeeper, Robert Pettinson and his nephew, Justin Brookes are involved in trading endangered animals and they'd prefer that Lois and her family kept their noses out of their business.

Josie Meade has another problem.  You could call it an infestation but that doesn't really seem to cover finding a King Cobra in your storeroom, or the box of very dodgy spiders.  On the other hand, the rat just might have been bad luck.  If it's all intended to put Lois off then it has failed - particularly when there's a suspicious death at the zoo.  She's quick to bring  in her trusty team of helpers to get to the bottom of what's going on. 

This is the thirteenth book in the Lois Meade mysteries and it's the first that I've read.  I didn't feel that I was at a disadvantage as we're quickly brought up-to-date with all that we need to know.  It's a typical village mystery in the Miss Marple genre.  I like to think that in villages people are concerned for those who live about them rather than nosy and the cleaners from New Brooms do, generally (well, occasionally...) stay on the right side of 'intrusive'.  If you live in a village you'll be able to put your own names to just about all of them.  Well, the married lady who is the exclusive mistress of the zoo keeper might be just a little bit of a challenge...

You'll have to suspend disbelief when it comes to the way that Lois is taken into the police's confidence, but it's fun fiction rather than heavyweight crime.  The location is good, the characters are endearing (well, apart from the snake...) and it made for an enjoyable read.  I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag.

If this book appeals then you might also enjoy [[Cherringham - Murder on Thames: A Cozy Crime Series by Matthew Costello and Neil Richards]].

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