A couple hiking in the snow in winter in the Pennine mountains in Lancashire stop for shelter in a derelict farm building, only to discover mummified human remains within. Chief Inspector Peach and Detective Sergeant Blake soon discover that there are (as to be expected in the Peach/Blake series) 6 suspects: 3 men and 3 women. The victim is a 23 year old woman named Annie Clark.
There are a number of elements that you can expect from a Peach/Blake mystery: 6 suspects; a set of canned statements by Peach and/or Blake that they must get a full picture of the murder victim and that the only way they can do that is by witnesses telling all they know, and that it is the duty of anyone with knowledge of the murder to come forward; suspects who all conceal something; a roasting of Superintendant Tommy 'Bloody' Tucker in his office and another on the golf course; a corpse decomposed beyond recognition; and several mentions of Peach's cricket prowess.
This book delivers on all counts. Sadly, it also relies on a very difficult to accept red herring concerning the discovery of the body and the relationship of the discoverer to the victim.
In all, an enjoyable read, but not among the best in the series.
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