Remodelling Murder by Nic Scanlan-Dyas

Nic Scanlan-Dyas’s Remodelling Murder positions itself firmly within the tradition of the classic locked room mystery, while attempting to refresh the form with a contemporary sensibility and an intriguing cross-cultural dimension. Set in the imposing Sibson Hall, a country estate near Royal Tunbridge Wells, the novel opens with the discovery of a body during renovation work. What initially appears to be a straightforward suicide quickly becomes something more perplexing. A sealed room, a missing key, and a handful of incongruous details invite both the characters and the reader into a carefully constructed puzzle.

At the centre of the investigation is Detective Inspector Pat Hound, a figure who resists the polished archetype of the infallible sleuth. Instead, she is presented as a seasoned and somewhat weary investigator, balancing professional intuition with the practical irritations of everyday life. Her perspective provides a grounding presence amid the setting's eccentricities. The narrative follows her gradual unpicking of the case, as each clue reveals further complications rather than resolution.

The household at Sibson Hall offers a gallery of potential suspects, each carrying secrets that may or may not relate to the crime. The arrival of a Japanese design firm, Yukiko Curiosity Design, adds another layer of intrigue. Their presence is not merely decorative. It brings with it whispers of cultural tension, inherited mythologies, and hints of criminal associations that sit uneasily within the English country house tradition. The interplay between these elements gives the novel a distinctive flavour, even if the balance between them is not always entirely seamless.

Scanlan-Dyas leans into the pleasures of puzzle-driven storytelling. The plot is rich with misdirection, red herrings, and carefully placed clues designed to reward attentive readers. At times, this abundance can feel excessive, creating a sense of narrative congestion that risks diluting the central mystery. Yet for readers who enjoy the intellectual game of deduction, the density of possibilities is part of the appeal.

The tone shifts between light irony and more reflective passages that consider ageing, identity, and the emotional residue carried by the characters. This oscillation produces an uneven rhythm, though it also suggests an ambition to expand the genre's boundaries beyond mere entertainment. Pat Hound herself embodies this tension. She is written with a range of personal details that aim to create depth, though not all of these facets integrate smoothly into the narrative.

The novel adopts an omniscient narrative voice that allows access to multiple perspectives. This approach enhances the sense of a closed circle of suspects, but it occasionally undercuts the suspense by dispersing attention too widely. Even so, the setting remains vividly realised, with Sibson Hall functioning as both a physical and psychological space in which the mystery unfolds.

Remodelling Murder ultimately succeeds as an engaging homage to the Golden Age tradition. It demonstrates a clear affection for the mechanics of classic detective fiction while experimenting with tone and cultural layering. As the first instalment in a planned series, it establishes a foundation that will become more assured in future entries.

Reviewer: Chris Reed

Newman House Publishing