Hot on the heels of my first post for the #Dewithon comes my second! And it’s perhaps a slightly unexpected one, but when it popped through the door recently it immediately bypassed Mount TBR as I knew it would be the perfect choice! The book is “Impact of Evidence” by Carol Carnac, and it’s a new title in the British Library Crime Classics range. Although Carnac (also known as E.C.R. Lorac) did not hail from Wales, the subtitle of the book is “A Welsh Borders Mystery” and Paula at Book Jotter confirmed it would qualify! A short read at 221 pages, it was a wonderful way to while away a few hours whilst ticking another box for the #Dewithon!
Lorac/Carnac were pseudonyms of Edith Caroline Rivett, and she’s made a good number of appearances on the Ramblings under the Lorac guise. Only one of the Carnac titles has been reissued by the BL so far, “Crossed Skis“; however, I thought that was a standout, with a wonderfully evoked post-WW2 setting and a really clever mystery. So I was very keen to read this new reissue, one which features regular Carnac sleuths in the form of Chief Inspector Julian Rivers and Inspector Lancing. They were an entertaining pairing in “Crossed…”, and proved so once more when dispatched to Wales!
First published in 1954, “Impact” is set deep in the countryside, in a part of the Welsh Borders which is being subject to some very extreme weather. Heavy snows are followed by rain and rapid thaws, leading to flooding, broken bridges, blocked roads and isolated villages/farmsteads. The Lambton family, long-time local farmers, hear a crash in the distance; and after fighting through the elements, they find that another resident, Bob Parsons, has collided with the car of Dr. Robinson, an old retiree who should never have still been driving. Doddery and with bad sight, all agree that he shouldn’t have pulled out in front of Parsons’ jeep, and frankly it’s a miracle that the latter is still alive. The doctor, unfortunately, was not so lucky, but when the Lambtons and a local couple, the Derings, manage to retrieve his body from the bottom of a gulch, the plot thickens.
In the back of the doctor’s car is another dead body, and nobody knows who it is. In fearsome weather conditions, the rescuers manage to retrieve the remains of this man too, and both are taken off to higher ground, along with Parsons, who’s suffering from concussion. Obviously, some official involvement is required, but with the area cut off by the flooding, the decision is made to approach Colonel Wynne, the local magistrate. Fortunately, he’s able to pull strings and get a local inspector in to investigate. However, when the inspector suffers a mysterious fall, there’s no option but to call in Scotland Yard and so enter Rivers and Lancing, ready to investigate. Fortunately, Wynne can arrange with the army to get them transported in, and it’s here that the fun really begins. With a number of suspects, a mystery corpse, some hostile neighbours, hints of blackmail and interesting backgrounds being revealed, we’re all set for a cracking mystery!
I won’t say more about the plot, but “Impact” is certainly another cracking mystery from Carnac. There are twists and turns aplenty, and as usual with the best crime books I ended up suspecting everyone! The eventual solution was totally unexpected as far as I was concerned – I didn’t anticipate the guilty party at all! – and the end of the books was very satisfying.
However, as with all of Carnac’s writing, which struck me strongly was the scene setting and the atmosphere. She captures brilliantly the isolated Welsh landscape and a world with limited technology. Phone lines are physical and so often down because of the extreme weather; transport is often limited and many of the country folks rely on going by foot or very primitive and erratic cars; when a farm is cut off, it’s often only a neighbour with a tractor who can get through with supplies; and although there is a sense of community becauses of the isolation of these areas, there’s also the feeling of underlying tensions… As usual, Carnac conjures all this vividly and the quality of her writing adds to the enjoyment of the book.
As I mentioned, “Impact” is not a long book but it does pack so much into its 221 pages. There’s a lovely cast of characters, from the Lambton family, a traditional band of farmers, through the Derings, a nice and sensible young couple who you really don’t want to be involved in the crime, to the Evanses, a rather dubious and sloppy pair of farmers. The detecting duo of Rivers and Lancing are wonderfully painted, and I really enjoyed their interactions, and their leaps of intuition. There’s plenty of tension at points, particularly as the action moves to its climax, and this really is an atmospheric read.
So “Impact of Evidence” was a thoroughly enjoyable read from start to finish, and I absolutely loved it as you might be able to tell. Carnac is one of my favourite discoveries from the BL Crime Classics range, and I really hope that more of the books featuring her two series detectives are reprinted. On the strength of the two I’ve read they’re remarkably good and really memorable – highly recommended from me!
Reading Wales 2024 – Book Jotter
Mar 18, 2024 @ 08:49:12
Paula Bardell-Hedley
Mar 18, 2024 @ 08:57:03
Glad you enjoyed this one, Kaggsy. Thank you so much. 😊👍
kaggsysbookishramblings
Mar 18, 2024 @ 08:58:14
It was a brilliant read, Paula – glad to have the excuse to pick it up straight away!! 😀
Elle
Mar 18, 2024 @ 10:11:20
I really have to read some Carnac/Lorac—every one of her books seems like a winner.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Mar 18, 2024 @ 10:58:34
I’ve found them to be so – she really weaves wonderful stories and mysteries, and it’s puzzling why her books were so neglected!
Margot Kinberg
Mar 18, 2024 @ 11:08:54
I do agree with you about Lorac/Carnac’s ability to set the scene. I like that about her writing. And I do like a Welsh setting for a novel. I’m glad you mentioned the detective duo, too; I liked the way they worked together in Crossed Skis, and it sounds as if the pairing works here, too! So glad the BL has resurrected these books!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Mar 18, 2024 @ 15:48:58
She’s good at setting, isn’t she Margot? And I loved this particular pair of sleuths, really appealing charactes. I do hope the BL brings out more of their adventures!
Janakay | YouMightAsWellRead
Mar 18, 2024 @ 12:24:32
This sounds like a good one, for one of those lazy summer afternoons that’s shortly headed my way (hot weather starts early in my part of the world!). I love mysteries that are heavy on setting and atmosphere and, as a result of one of your earlier reviews, already had Crossed Skies on my TBR. It now has company!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Mar 18, 2024 @ 15:47:07
Definitely the perfect lazy comfort read – nothing like GA crime as far as I’m concerned. And yes, Carnac is brilliant on setting as well as plotting – I recommend both of her BL titles!
neeruahcop
Mar 18, 2024 @ 12:27:37
KBR, you make it seem so tempting. I have enjoyed the Carnacs read so far. This also seems a strong entry.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Mar 18, 2024 @ 15:46:19
It is, it’s a wonderfully clever and atmospheric read. I was nowhere near getting the solution!
Jane
Mar 18, 2024 @ 14:23:31
Another great sounding title from Lorac/Carnac and with brilliant timing, what are the chances of that?!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Mar 18, 2024 @ 15:45:49
I know – absolutely the perfect book to come through the door! As for Lorac/Carnac, I think she’s a wonderful author – so glad she’s been rediscovered!!
mallikabooks15
Mar 18, 2024 @ 14:30:22
I’m yet to read any of her Carol Carnac titles but even as ECR Lorac I’ve loved her descriptions of the countryside (and indeed the city, when the setting takes us there).
kaggsysbookishramblings
Mar 18, 2024 @ 15:45:10
She’s just so good at setting and atmosphere, whichever alias she’s using! I like these two detectives, as well, so I hope more of the Carnacs get reissued.
Helen
Mar 18, 2024 @ 16:02:31
I’m in the middle of this book now and enjoying it so far, particularly those descriptions of the landscape and the isolation. I haven’t read Crossed Skis, so still have that one to look forward to!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Mar 18, 2024 @ 16:05:19
Yes, I’m not sure I emphasised how important the isolated setting is to the book. It’s so wonderfully done! Crossed Skis is quite different, but I loved it too – captures the setting brilliantly as well.
madamebibilophile
Mar 18, 2024 @ 21:38:29
This sounds a really cracking read! And so atmospheric – perfect for Dewithon!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Mar 19, 2024 @ 11:39:14
It was – the perfect book at just the right time!! 😀
JacquiWine
Mar 19, 2024 @ 10:22:22
Brilliant. I loved Crossed Skis, so it wonderful to hear that Rivers makes a reappearance here! (I’m struggling to place Lancing right now, but no doubt that will change once I get into the book.) Rivett is so good at evoking a memorable sense of place, isn’t she? It’s one of the most enjoyable aspects of her mysteries, I think. A great choice for this event!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Mar 19, 2024 @ 11:38:24
IIRC Lancing was in Crossed Skis as Rivers’s sidekick and Watson, basically. I think she used them in a good number of books and I do hope more get reprinted. I love her settings and atmosphere, so was very glad that this Welsh mystery turned up at just the right time!!
Liz Dexter
Mar 20, 2024 @ 07:28:01
Great to have this arrive at just the right time, and the scene setting does sound excellent, too. I am in the middle of my one and only Dewithon book but it is a good one!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Mar 20, 2024 @ 11:41:13
It was indeed perfect timing, and it’s a great read. Glad you’re enjoying your Dewithon read too – look forward to your thoughts!
heavenali
Mar 20, 2024 @ 11:25:49
I am hoping to start this book after my current read. It does indeed sound like a cracking mystery. I too loved Crossed Skis.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Mar 20, 2024 @ 11:40:44
It’s great, and I think if you loved Crossed Skis, you’ll enjoy this too!
Calmgrove
Mar 20, 2024 @ 17:01:35
Heh, Welsh weather, eh? Land of Soggy more than Land of Song at the moment! Trite comments aside, this sounds fun, and though from the names I suspect it’s envisaged as being set more on the Shropshire or Herefordshire side of the border than in Wales itself the ‘frontier’ is of course a rather porous concept in this part of the world… 😁
kaggsysbookishramblings
Mar 20, 2024 @ 19:06:35
LOL, I’ve known it to be soggy. And yes, perhaps not completely set in Wales but nevertheless the Welsh influence is there and Paula said I could count it! It’s a fun read!!
Marcie McCauley
Mar 26, 2024 @ 22:25:08
I did finish my Dewithon read but I also finished watching Hinterland, a mystery series on TV, inspired by Paula’s event: that scenery! Haunting. Currently living among a lot of water and trees and rocks myself, but it never gets old apparently.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Mar 27, 2024 @ 11:40:36
Yes, Welsh scenery is stunning – I miss it, actually, it’s a while since I’ve been!!!
BookerTalk
Apr 07, 2024 @ 11:23:31
That was a lucky find for Dewithon, a good twist on the locked room approach!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 07, 2024 @ 15:52:34
It was! It arrived at the perfect time and I so enjoyed it!