Open and Closed

A Don Packham and Frank Mitchell Mystery

There’s a body in the library. The Bath Street public library in the London suburb of Cowden, that is—an impressive, modern facility that was only recently opened. Now, the borough council wants to close it as part of a “rationalisation” package. So, one autumn night, militant library-lovers enter the building and begin unfurling their banners arid bedrolls. The branch librarian locks the doors behind them … and the occupation of Bath Street library is underway. The mood is buoyant, full of hope and solidarity—at least, until a garroted corpse is found sitting in the librarian’s office. Bert Rosen was a much-loved Cowden character. Plenty opposed his politics, but it’s hard to find anyone to say a bad word for the man himself. So who, amongst those gathered in the library that night, might have killed him? With so few leads and a host of unlikely suspects, DI Don Packham reckons they should forget about the murder, and just arrest the council on a charge of cultural vandalism. DC Frank Mitchell, meanwhile, despite everyone telling him that community pressure groups are an essential part of a healthy democracy, is increasingly convinced that the lunatics have taken over the asylum. And the whole investigation is complicated by the astonishing object found in the dead man’s pocket… Reviews of the hardback edition: “Open and Closed is an entertaining, light and very funny take on the traditional English mystery. Coward’s breezy style guides the reader willingly through the twists and turns of this clever, witty novel.” - Crimespree Magazine. “Readers who have not yet sampled this quirky and entertaining series should be vehemently encouraged to do so, with all haste.” - Booklist. “RECOMMENDED.” - www.iloveamysterynewsletter.com. “The characters come alive … I highly enjoyed this novel.” - LoveRomances.com. “Coward’s infectious sense of fun and his clear, flowing prose make this a fun, divertingly entertaining and pleasant read.” - Crime Scene Scotland.