I’ve read several books by Ann Cleeves. So when I saw that A Lesson in Dying: The First Inspector Ramsay Novel by Ann Cleeves was available on Netgally, I immediately jumped om the chance to read it.
This was one of her earlier books and published in he 1990a and in print for the first time in the US. I thank Netgalley and St. Martins Press for the chance to read this before US publication. This anncleeves.com page will give you more details on the Inspector Ramsay series.

The book starts slowly, giving you some detail about the village and developing the characters. It is so slow I almost gave up but I am glad I did not. After this, we have the first hanging. Actually it is the only hanging but solving this is at the center of the story and there are more deaths ahead.

It was an enjoyable book. A story well told. And a mystery that kept me guessing. Ann Cleeves is a master of the British Mystery. Those who enjoy her newer books might want to try one of the older ones.