1st in series of cozy mystery involving Mrs Pargeter, a widow of a criminal mastermind. She retires to a hotel by the sea and finds herself solving murders. A fun read. Reader review: Really fun read, typical British Cozy. Was the first book in a 6 book series, a great set up for a very enjoyable ride. Lots of twists and turns, very endearing "retired" villians, with Mrs. P using the inheritance of her late "mastermind businessman" husband to solve unjustice. Just Plain FUN!

The intrigue of the mystery began with a diary entry before even "meeting" the characters by name. A diary entry plotting murder. Who is the diarist?

Mrs. Melita Pargeter is the newest arrival to become a resident at the Devereux Hotel in Littlehampton, England. Miss Naismith is quite particular in accepting new residents not merely due to the small quantity of 8 guest rooms for long-term residents with an extensive waiting list but she wishes to ensure every resident is a "a nice class of person." Hotel staff includes Mrs. Ayling and Mrs. Denyer, Newth and Loxton. Newth and Loxton have a wide range of roles to ensure the residents are provided quality service within the confines of Miss Naismith’s preferences and the "hotel’s unwritten rules."

Mrs. Pargeter is delightful! She’s generous, kind, and not given to formality. She quickly becomes a sleuth and it’s a fun twist that she always credits the late Mr. Pargeter for her investigative techniques. With diary entries continuing and events escalating there was also no shortage of red herrings.

I look forward to more of Mrs. Pargeter’s investigations. With her attention to detail, lively spirit, and inquisitive nature I think her sleuthing is just getting started.

"A glossary of English usage for US readers" is provided at the end of the cozy and is discoverable if needed from the "Table of Contents." ( )

An amusing light read. Mrs. Pargeter, a lady with a curious past, moves into a residential hotel. Murder and jewel theft soon occur. Mrs. P., who is naturally interested in these events, threads her way through some plot surprises.
This book is just okay, but is a pleasant way to spend a few hours. No on-stage gore. ( )

Brett, Simon. A Nice Class of Corpse. Mrs. Pargeter No. 1. Scribner, 1986.
The recently widowed Melita Pargeter moves into a hotel catering to “active” senior citizens. The owner of the place is genteel in the extreme. By active, she means able to control one’s bowels and bladder. Her guests are members of the middle class or lower nobility. Mrs. Pargeter does not quite fit in. She has money, but she has the effrontery not to be awed by her new experience. Her husband was a man who loved her dearly and left her well off, but his sources of income might not have been approved by the police. All her husband’s old friends and “business” associates promised him they would look after her. When she sets out to solve series of murders at the hotel, she has lots of help. If, for example, she needs the combination to the hotel safe, she knows just who to call. The satire aimed at English gentility is more biting than in some of Brett’s other series. Fun stuff. 4 stars. ( )

A perfectly adequate book, but not particularly lovable. Mrs. Pargeter is a bit hard to believe--I suppose there must be widows of criminals out there, but I don't think they'd be a bit like her. None of the other supporting cast were terribly interesting or well-realised, and the motives/psychology of the murderer seemed awfully suspect. There was a bit of an interesting twist at the very, very end, but not enough to up the score to three.

Bland? Yes, I suppose that's the word. Bland. It should have been fun! The premise promises fun, some modern day Snoop Sister, but no, it just sort of lay there for me.

(Note: 5 stars = rare and amazing, 4 = quite good book, 3 = a decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. There are a lot of 4s and 3s in the world!) ( )