Since I began looking at overlooked or forgotten authors, I have found one writer after another whose work was popular during his or her lifetime and then at death it promptly vanished from discussions about favorite books and must-reads. I fear that Robert Barnard (1936-2013) is well on his way to become another name on that list. A mere 12 years after he left, this Diamond Dagger winner and author of more than 40 novels seems to be as forgotten as last week’s emails. Perhaps his cerebral style is out of fashion but literate narratives, original characters, and plot twists are always welcome, whether in introspective psychological suspense, police procedurals, or action-filled thrillers with high body counts. I am doing my part in keeping his name in front of contemporary mystery readers today.
Barnard had multiple series characters: Idwal Meredith, Perry Trethowan, Charlie Peace, and John Sutcliffe. Under the name Bernard Bastable, he transformed composer Amadeus Mozart into an unlikely detective. However, I find some of his best work in his stand-alones. Barnard’s skill in satirical characterization shines in Death of a Perfect Mother (Scribner, 1981) which showcases an unpleasant family, led by Lill Hodsen, a loud and crass bully who doted on her two sons and berated her husband and daughter. Husband Fred largely ignored her and daughter Debbie led her own life unbeknownst to her mother. Sons Brian and Gordon did not return her devotion by any means. In fact, in an early chapter Gordon explains his plot to kill their mother to Brian, whose assistance he needs to establish an alibi. Subtle wit and incisive dialogue reveal a good deal about the unlikeable group.
Lill’s unpopularity extended beyond the walls of her home. Her mother who lived next door deeply regretted relocating to be near her only child, whom she disliked. The village of Todmarsh shied away from direct contact with Lill but she was oblivious to the residents’ aversion. Her neighbors resented her intrusion into their affairs and the shopkeepers dreaded her visits to their stores.
So when Lill is found strangled in a dark alley, people who knew her are simultaneously shocked and relieved. The plot is as much about how the family forms new operating rules once the bossy Lill is gone as it is the police investigation of an anonymous crime with no clues. Inspector McHale isn’t the least interested in the case and looks hard until he finds someone he can hang the crime on to chalk up another win to his gleaming record, which he is polishing assiduously. Barnard’s signature last-minute surprise reveals the killer and shows just how much has changed with Lill’s death.
Barnard’s books are readily available on the secondary market, at least so far. Many of them have the usual limitation of changing titles between UK and US publishers. This particular title was published in the UK by Collins under the name Mother’s Boys. Barnard’s books are a definite must-read for any serious student of crime fiction.