Fatal Undertaking: A Buryin' Barry Mystery

Mark de Castrique
Poisoned Pen Press (2010)
ISBN 9781590588031
Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (08/10)


Part-time Sheriff Barry Clayton (also funeral director) is the lead investigator on the initial murder case where there are no clues and no motive.  The uncanny incident involves the president of the Jaycees being murdered while in a casket in a haunted house set up as a fund raiser during Halloween.   To further complicate the situation a shot is fired at Archie Donovan.  During the investigation Clayton suspects the casket murder victim may have not been the intended target.

As the plot unravels Clayton’s life and work is complicated by his ex-wife arriving in town in hopes to use the story to launch her journalism career. During her investigation she creates a reaction in the community and another murder victim is discovered.

As the plot continues with twists and turn it is very difficult to figure out who the murderer is or even if all the murders are interconnected. Clayton’s investigation takes its course to Christmas tree farms in the area. The end result was a definite surprise because the plot didn’t have any indication of who the culprit was until the very end.

Author de Castrique’s writing is superb.  The plot line is interesting and always surprising.  His character development is at the utmost best.  Many times I felt I was right there at the scene, yet I wasn’t able to figure out the “who dun it.”  I look forward to continuing the saga of Buryin' Barry in future books.

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