A peculiar sort of mortality tontine unfolds under Bessie's nose; as its details emerge, sh feels horrified that such a dreadful, and (to her) heartless scheme could've been hatched and executed (!) in civilized society.

While I disliked the driving force behind the agreement, I completely understand why it would occur to and appeal under thee circumstances as they come to be explained to us, and to Bessie, in the last few pages of the book. That's why I only give the book three and a half stars. There's no chance, based on the evidence we're given, for us, or for Bessie, to work out what's happening. The real reason's that the what and the why are inextricably linked together. Until one gets deeply enmeshed with the why, the what makes no sense whatsoever.

As always, the setting—and the eating—are the main appeals to the read. I can't pinpoint exactly why it is so irresistible to delve into Bessie's Scoobygroup's mass psychology and how it informs the whole Isle of Man's public life.the Constabulary, after all, is an integral part of the Bessieverse...it's true that no actual meatspace policing entity would ever behave in this fashion, but it does make for a fun story.

I'm perhaps second-findest (after the food descriptions) of the way Author Xarissa grows the characters into new and more complete roles as the series goes on: eg, Hugh Waterson's evolving role in the Constabulary, and his shifting relationship with Grace. It allows time to pass without feeling as obtrusive as more concrete, outer-world-event linked means would feel. Visit this self-contained bubble of bonhomie and kitchen-centered action for a respite from ick-ptui reality. ( )