Bryant relies on all sources of information available to him including white witch Maggie Armitage. In fact, Maggie has asked Bryant to carry a “spirit tracer” ball in his pocket for a month. Now she claims to be able to track his movements with this ball like some kind of psychic GPS. May, although much more of a skeptic than Bryant, has more psychic capability than Bryant

In keeping with his spirituality, Bryant talks May into accompanying him on a trip to Plymouth to attend the International Spiritualists’ Convention. Though there are warnings of bad weather in the Devonshire countryside, May agrees to accompany his friend. They leave Detective Sergeant Janice Longbright in charge of the unit. As luck would have it they run into a severe snowstorm which has blocked the road, leaving the duo stranded along with about twenty-five other vehicles on the highway. The following day Longbright is informed by Giles Kershaw, a forensic scientist, that he has discovered the unit’s pathologist, Oswald Finch, dead in the autopsy lab. Though Finch was not a well man it is not obvious that he has died of natural causes. Longbright is immediately on the phone to Bryant seeking advice on how to proceed with the investigation especially since Finch is the unit’s only pathologist. Bryant asks a few questions and tells Longbright to interview a few witnesses.

To make their own lives a bit more exciting, Bryant and May venture out of their vehicle to see how the other stranded are faring. In a truck they find their own variation of a locked room mystery. A truck driver is slumped over the wheel of his vehicle with his throat slashed. Simultaneously working on the mystery at hand and the mystery at home, Bryant shows the breadth of his investigative skills operating at their fullest.

Christopher Fowler has combined many elements to produce a first class mystery in White Corridor. The puzzles themselves are worthy of consideration. Although Bryant admonishes Longbright to look carefully and don’t miss what is in front of you, it is an equally difficult task for the reader. Modern forensic techniques and pharmacology are not any more important than knowledge of Greek mythology. The role that each play in the resolution of the mystery is critical.

In addition, one gains insight into the unique class structure in England. How each segment of the population (from royalty on down) views the others gives a perspective not easily recognized by those of us on the other side of the pond. Many Americans might not understand the meaning of the word deportment which the author so graciously explains.

Humor is an important part of the novel as well. Bryant’s navigational assistance on the trip to Plymouth is a map printed before World War I. Did they even mark the roads by route number then? In addition his description of the beliefs and practices of the occult, while delivered in a serous tone are a bit outlandish to nonbelievers.

Fowler chooses his words carefully and is not afraid to use those not found in everyday parlance. Be prepared to expand your vocabulary and keep a dictionary handy. This novel will educate as well as entertain. While entirely self contained with only a few references to incidents that occurred in previous novels in the series, this taste of Christopher Fowler’s talents will probably cause readers to try his previous novels, The Water Room, Seventy-Seven Clocks, b>Ten Second Staircase and Full Dark House. White Corridor earns its five star rating.

--Andy Plonka