The Moth Catcher

Travelling back from the pub Percy Douglas needed a brief stop on the way home. He did not expect to find a body in a ditch. Shortly afterwards when Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope arrived to investigate she discovered a second dead body in a nearby house. Who are these men and what did they have in common?

Vera and her team discover that there are many suspects including three retired couples who live in buildings near the big house. As the investigation into the deaths of Patrick Randle and Martin Benton gets underway the initial discovery of what they had in common was their love of moths. Then another body was found revealing that there must be another connection between the victims.

As the plot is revealed the reader learns more of the lives and secrets of those living in the valley and of the past lives of the three people killed. Some members of Vera's team also have concerns regarding policing, particularly Holly.

The Moth Catcher by Ann Cleeves is another good book in the Vera Stonehope series - no. 7. The plot was also used for the Vera television series - no. 3 in series 6.