The Coroner by M.R. Hall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The heroine of M.R.Hall's "The Coroner" is Jenny Cooper, a temazepam-dependent middle-aged lawyer with history of traumatic childhood and difficult recent divorce. She is appointed a District Coroner near Bristol, U.K. Instead of leading a quiet country life she undertakes a crusade against corporate corruption that was in the background of three deaths.

"The Coroner" pushes many of my buttons. Corporate greed is, to me, at the very top of repulsive traits of modern business environment, and I view the urge to make more and more money as a severe illness on par with alcoholism or other drug addiction. So I may be biased in liking this book so much.

"The Coroner" is well written and somewhat believable (perhaps except having Ms. Cooper appointed as the Coroner). Ms. Cooper is a wreck, but then who wouldn't be after having been married to a heart surgeon prick of a man. The plot is interesting, and the supporting cast well shown, if a little stereotypical. A little too much is happening towards the end, like in an average thriller, but it never reaches the level of ridiculousness.

"The Coroner" is a very good cross of a "coroner procedural" with a legal thriller. I am looking forward to reading more novels by Mr. Hall.

Full four stars, maybe even four and a quarter.


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