I'm sucker for a good story idea, so when someone recommended a book about a vicar who also happened to be a serial killer, it certainly got my attention. I had to read 'The Reaper' by Peter Lovesey.
Oh, Joy!
The unlikely-named Otis Joy is the new-ish vicar of Foxford, a traditional village in Wiltshire. Charismatic, an engaging orator, and a central pillar of the small community, he's too good to be true. Almost. When financial irregularities come to light in his previous parish, the Bishop visits Joy to insist he resigns from his ministry. But Joy has other ideas. Soon afterwards the Bishop's body is found at the bottom of a quarry in circumstances that the Church would rather not came to light. Joy is safe for now, but little do he or his gossipy parishioners know that this is just the first of a number of suspicious deaths about to affect Foxford. Could there really be a serial killer on the loose in this quiet corner of the English countryside? And is anybody safe?
Welcome to Foxford
I really enjoyed 'The Reaper'. It's quite comical to begin with, in a mischievous and tongue-in-cheek way, but as the plot progresses it slips smoothly into darker corners, revealing that it's not just Joy who is more than he seems. It's hard to say more without giving anything away, but, just as in real life, still waters run deep in the community, and the lives people live behind cottage doors can seem a long way from the sunny days of summer fetes and joyous bounty of harvest festival.
Ripley's Cousin
In some ways, Joy is similar to Tom Ripley, Patricia Highsmith's poor petty criminal and sociopath who, having inveigled his way into high society, killed to keep himself there. Five books later, he was still at it. Highsmith's skill was such that many readers find themselves rooting for her character at the end of 'The Talented Mr Ripley', the (albeit deadly) underdog who had made it to the top in the only way he knew how. Lovesey keeps us guessing about Joy's background to such an extent that it's harder to feel this way about Foxford's vicar, but those gaps in his story are enough to keep you reading.
Overall
'The Reaper' feels like what would've happened if Patricia Highsmith had set a Tom Ripley novel in St Mary Mead (after Miss Marple had left, of course. As we know, nothing gets past her!). It's dark but intriguing and keeps you on tenterhooks throughout.
Now, what next..?
'The Reaper' by Peter Lovesey was published in 2004 by Little, Brown in the UK. Find out more on the author's website.
