1847 Edinburgh, where Will Raven has just finished his training to be a
doctor. However, the night before he is to start working as an
apprentice with Dr. Simpson, he is beset upon by two goons who work for a
man to whom Raven owes money. His face is slashed in the encounter.
Fortunately, Dr. Simpson takes it in stride.
The night before Raven had discovered his friend had died. Although she was a prostitute, she was still his friend.
Working for Dr. Simpson, Raven finds the maid, Sarah Fraser, who brings
him his patients to be somewhat impertinent. In turn, she is not overly
impressed by him. She is fortunate to work for Dr. Simpson, because he
so sympathetic to helping her learn more.
Raven decides to do some amateur sleuthing about his friend’s death. He
learns from a neighbour that the last person with her was a woman.
When a former maid is found dead near where Raven and Dr. Simpson are
attending a patient, Raven notices that she is in the same contorted
condition his friend was in. He later learns that Sarah knew the
victim. He asks if she will help him find out more. She will for a
price.
They discover that both young women had been pregnant. Could they have
taken something to rid themselves of the baby? Sarah learns that
strychnine causes the body to contort as it did for the two young
victims. While working at the maternity hospital, Raven observes
another young woman die in the same manner. Who is providing them with
this? How can Raven and Sarah find out?
Author Ambrose Parry’s novel has intriguing insights into the medical
world of the early Victorian era. Raven and Sarah are in jeopardy as
their investigation progresses. What will the future hold for them?
Read on!
Friday, March 15, 2019
Thursday, March 14, 2019
The Betrayal of Trust
A massive rainfall has resulted in the bones of a young girl who had
disappeared several years ago being washed clear of her burial site.
Simon Serrailler is on his way to tell the father of the missing girl
that her remains have been found when he is called back to where she had
been found. Another grave has been found nearby. In it is the body of
another woman.
Simon Serrailler will have to work both cases, which could be related, or separate cases on his own as the powers that be have declared that they will not be hiring a new DCI due to budget constraints.
Fortunately, the pathologist, Gordon Lyman, has a friend who is able to generate a computer model of what the second woman might have looked like. Will it be enough to identify her?
Serrailler has two cold cases on his hands, but he is relentless. Author Susan Hill’s murder mystery has three other threads going on throughout, and the reader wonders what connection they have to the story, however she binds those threads neatly together leading to a surprising conclusion. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
Simon Serrailler will have to work both cases, which could be related, or separate cases on his own as the powers that be have declared that they will not be hiring a new DCI due to budget constraints.
Fortunately, the pathologist, Gordon Lyman, has a friend who is able to generate a computer model of what the second woman might have looked like. Will it be enough to identify her?
Serrailler has two cold cases on his hands, but he is relentless. Author Susan Hill’s murder mystery has three other threads going on throughout, and the reader wonders what connection they have to the story, however she binds those threads neatly together leading to a surprising conclusion. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
Sunday, March 10, 2019
The Shining Skull
The police in Tradmouth have been dealing with the strange case of a
fake taxi driver who picks up unsuspecting women, and then drives them
into the country where he binds them up, cuts their hair off, and then
takes them to their destination otherwise unharmed. How long will this
go on before he does something more serious?
Another case that DCI Gerry Heffernan and DI Wesley Peterson have on their plate is that of a lad who was kidnapped thirty years earlier. He has suddenly shown up on his half-brother’s doorstep. Is he who he says he is or is he an imposter?
A few days later, Heffernan takes a call from the manager of a seventeen year old singer. Her mother has received a phone call and a note telling her that she has been kidnapped. They are not to go to the police or her throat will be slashed. Upon seeing the note, Peterson thinks that the paper is the same that was used in the earlier kidnapping.
When the Barber strikes again, he makes a mistake and stabs his victim. She ends up in the hospital. Not long after this the kidnapping victim is found floating in the river. Who could the killer be? The police have one suspect in mind, but how can they catch him?
Heffernan and Peterson seem to be floundering about with their investigation, getting nowhere. Author Kate Ellis has several trials and tribulations awaiting for them before they can solve the case with numerous twists to the plot. This murder mystery was quite an enjoyable and quick read.
Another case that DCI Gerry Heffernan and DI Wesley Peterson have on their plate is that of a lad who was kidnapped thirty years earlier. He has suddenly shown up on his half-brother’s doorstep. Is he who he says he is or is he an imposter?
A few days later, Heffernan takes a call from the manager of a seventeen year old singer. Her mother has received a phone call and a note telling her that she has been kidnapped. They are not to go to the police or her throat will be slashed. Upon seeing the note, Peterson thinks that the paper is the same that was used in the earlier kidnapping.
When the Barber strikes again, he makes a mistake and stabs his victim. She ends up in the hospital. Not long after this the kidnapping victim is found floating in the river. Who could the killer be? The police have one suspect in mind, but how can they catch him?
Heffernan and Peterson seem to be floundering about with their investigation, getting nowhere. Author Kate Ellis has several trials and tribulations awaiting for them before they can solve the case with numerous twists to the plot. This murder mystery was quite an enjoyable and quick read.
Friday, March 8, 2019
The Marriage Hearse
The church was ready, friends and family awaited as did the groom, but
there wasn’t going to be a wedding today because the bride was lying on
her bed - dead!
DI Wesley Peterson and DCI Gerry Heffernan set about getting to know the victim by interviewing the people who knew her best. However, as much as they have learned about her, Peterson feels that he still really doesn’t know her.
Two days later Peterson has to go to a farm where a skeleton was discovered by a treasure seeker. That same day DC Steve Carstairs discovers that the victim was being watched by private investigators on behalf of a man who claimed to be her fiancé. They have two potential suspects and both seem to have disappeared.
Dr. Neil Watson, Peterson’s archaeologist friend, examines the skeleton in situ and declares it to be an old burial. However, the police have another body on their hands. A man has been found murdered in his hotel room.
Despite having caught the killer of the girl, Peterson has doubts. There seems to be more to the case, and it could be connected to the death of the man.
Peterson and his team need to gather evidence yet, as author Kate Ellis leads the reader by the nose hinting at perpetrators, each with their own valid reason for being the killer. She then provides a surprising twist to the plot, which leaves the reader both surprised and shocked. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
DI Wesley Peterson and DCI Gerry Heffernan set about getting to know the victim by interviewing the people who knew her best. However, as much as they have learned about her, Peterson feels that he still really doesn’t know her.
Two days later Peterson has to go to a farm where a skeleton was discovered by a treasure seeker. That same day DC Steve Carstairs discovers that the victim was being watched by private investigators on behalf of a man who claimed to be her fiancé. They have two potential suspects and both seem to have disappeared.
Dr. Neil Watson, Peterson’s archaeologist friend, examines the skeleton in situ and declares it to be an old burial. However, the police have another body on their hands. A man has been found murdered in his hotel room.
Despite having caught the killer of the girl, Peterson has doubts. There seems to be more to the case, and it could be connected to the death of the man.
Peterson and his team need to gather evidence yet, as author Kate Ellis leads the reader by the nose hinting at perpetrators, each with their own valid reason for being the killer. She then provides a surprising twist to the plot, which leaves the reader both surprised and shocked. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Gentleman Captain
Twenty year old Matthew Quinton is a gentleman and an inexperienced
captain of “Happy Restoration”. It doesn’t take him long to wreck the
ship on the shore of Ireland. Fortunately, Quinton is saved by the
ship’s master, Kit Farrell. They make a bargain once recovered on
shore; Farrell will teach Quinton about sailing while Quinton will teach
Farrell to read.
When King Charles demands your attendance, you don’t hesitate. Such was Quinton’s reaction when he was called to Whitehall. There the king appoints Quinton captain of the “Jupiter”. His mission is to sail to Scotland to forestall a shipment of guns arriving.
Arriving in Portsmouth, Quinton is in no doubt that the men of the “Jupiter” are loyal to their dead former captain. In fact the ship’s lieutenant tells Quinton that he is sure the former captain was murdered.
How can the new captain go about earning the respect of his crew? And will Kit get to the ship before it sails? Fortunately Kit just makes it and their mutual teachings begin. Also, Quinton sails close to the Cornish coast so that news from families there can be shared with the sailors of the “Jupiter”. One such piece of news provides further evidence that the previous captain was indeed murdered.
Off the coast of Scotland, the captains of the two ships are invited to join General Campbell for a meal at his abode. The following day they meet the powerful Lady MacDonald. Both wonder why there are two English ships in their waters. They provide the excuse of stopping Dutch ships from being in the same area.
However, all is not as it seems. Author J. D. Davies has ambition, treachery and a wild battle awaiting our hero. What will be the outcome? This is a good read for fans of historical fiction.
When King Charles demands your attendance, you don’t hesitate. Such was Quinton’s reaction when he was called to Whitehall. There the king appoints Quinton captain of the “Jupiter”. His mission is to sail to Scotland to forestall a shipment of guns arriving.
Arriving in Portsmouth, Quinton is in no doubt that the men of the “Jupiter” are loyal to their dead former captain. In fact the ship’s lieutenant tells Quinton that he is sure the former captain was murdered.
How can the new captain go about earning the respect of his crew? And will Kit get to the ship before it sails? Fortunately Kit just makes it and their mutual teachings begin. Also, Quinton sails close to the Cornish coast so that news from families there can be shared with the sailors of the “Jupiter”. One such piece of news provides further evidence that the previous captain was indeed murdered.
Off the coast of Scotland, the captains of the two ships are invited to join General Campbell for a meal at his abode. The following day they meet the powerful Lady MacDonald. Both wonder why there are two English ships in their waters. They provide the excuse of stopping Dutch ships from being in the same area.
However, all is not as it seems. Author J. D. Davies has ambition, treachery and a wild battle awaiting our hero. What will be the outcome? This is a good read for fans of historical fiction.
Monday, March 4, 2019
Blood on the Sand
The English have Calais under seige. Archibald Tanner is preparing his
guns to bombard the city. Meanwhile Berenger Fripper and his vintaine
of archers have been captured at sea before they could arrive at Calais
to aid the English army. They were taken to prison in Dunkirk. Their
only prospect is torture and death.
Surprisingly, the same man who captured the vintane, also rescues them from certain death. He had not liked being overruled by the French on his promise of good treatment for the captives. On the return trip, Berenger noticed a fleet of ships awaiting to sail in a nearby river. After he reported it to Sir John de Sully, it was discovered that they had disappeared. If they weren’t bringing soldiers to lift the siege at Calais, could they have been sent to help the Scots prepare for an invasion of England?
Berenger is under suspicion for being in the pay of the French because he and his vintane escaped from the French. Also, how could he have an idea that the French fleet was headed to Scotland?
Berenger and his vintaine are then sent to the Northern Marches to warn of a potential invasion. They are to guard the actual messenger being sent. He is warned that if the messenger doesn’t make it, he will be regarded as a traitor.
The messenger, Andrew Retford, is only a fifteen year old boy, but he is cocky. Berenger warns him that he is to follow his orders, for his own safety. But, can they make it to deliver the message without any casualties? Unfortunately, they are ambushed twice and lose three men including Retford. Is there a traitor amongst the vintaine?
Having delivered the message to the Archbishop of York, the vintaine is now sent to the north to help stop the Scottish invasion. At Barnard’s Castle Berenger is appointed captain of all the archers. Fortunately, the English were victorious over the Scots. Now the vintaine can return to Calais.
Breaking into Calais is not going to be easy, though, even with siege guns. Men must bend to the will of kings, and so it is for the vintaine and the soldiers of France. Author Michael Jecks historical novel is based on events in the past, and is full of action, treachery, spies, injuries and deaths. Well written, the reader feels that they are a part of the action. A very good read.
Surprisingly, the same man who captured the vintane, also rescues them from certain death. He had not liked being overruled by the French on his promise of good treatment for the captives. On the return trip, Berenger noticed a fleet of ships awaiting to sail in a nearby river. After he reported it to Sir John de Sully, it was discovered that they had disappeared. If they weren’t bringing soldiers to lift the siege at Calais, could they have been sent to help the Scots prepare for an invasion of England?
Berenger is under suspicion for being in the pay of the French because he and his vintane escaped from the French. Also, how could he have an idea that the French fleet was headed to Scotland?
Berenger and his vintaine are then sent to the Northern Marches to warn of a potential invasion. They are to guard the actual messenger being sent. He is warned that if the messenger doesn’t make it, he will be regarded as a traitor.
The messenger, Andrew Retford, is only a fifteen year old boy, but he is cocky. Berenger warns him that he is to follow his orders, for his own safety. But, can they make it to deliver the message without any casualties? Unfortunately, they are ambushed twice and lose three men including Retford. Is there a traitor amongst the vintaine?
Having delivered the message to the Archbishop of York, the vintaine is now sent to the north to help stop the Scottish invasion. At Barnard’s Castle Berenger is appointed captain of all the archers. Fortunately, the English were victorious over the Scots. Now the vintaine can return to Calais.
Breaking into Calais is not going to be easy, though, even with siege guns. Men must bend to the will of kings, and so it is for the vintaine and the soldiers of France. Author Michael Jecks historical novel is based on events in the past, and is full of action, treachery, spies, injuries and deaths. Well written, the reader feels that they are a part of the action. A very good read.
Sunday, March 3, 2019
No Safe Place
Detective Superintendent Corrigan has been informed that there is a
tumour on his optic nerve. He is going on leave, but DI Lottie Parker
is not going to be serving as his replacement. That honour goes to DI
McMahon, which does not go down well with Parker.
Frustrated, Parker attempts to leave the station, however before she can get away, a woman stops her and tells her of screaming out at the cemetery. Parker takes DS Mark Boyd with her to check things out. They are shocked to find a body in the bottom of a freshly dug grave.
Lightly buried is a young woman who had been reported missing 48 hours earlier. Back at the station, Corrigan tells Parker that he remembers an earlier case of similar circumstances, which was never solved.
The next thing Parker finds out is that her witness has been badly beaten and threatened.
That evening, Boyd’s sister tells him that a girl she had met on the train the previous day didn’t show up. He doesn’t make anything of it, but when DC Kirby and his girlfriend show up to report the same girl missing, he has to take notice. Late that night another body is found.
A fire breaks out in the home of the witness, but unfortunately she is u able to get out with her baby. Was the fire set to keep her from telling the police any more or was she killed because of mischief her husband was involved in?
It turns out that the body recently found is that of a missing woman from ten years ago, but she hadn’t been dead that long! Parker’s life is about to slide into a shambles, and there is nothing she can do to stop that from happening.
Author Patricia Gibney’s closing pages of this murder thriller have several twists and surprises with an unusual conclusion. This page turner is a very good read.
Frustrated, Parker attempts to leave the station, however before she can get away, a woman stops her and tells her of screaming out at the cemetery. Parker takes DS Mark Boyd with her to check things out. They are shocked to find a body in the bottom of a freshly dug grave.
Lightly buried is a young woman who had been reported missing 48 hours earlier. Back at the station, Corrigan tells Parker that he remembers an earlier case of similar circumstances, which was never solved.
The next thing Parker finds out is that her witness has been badly beaten and threatened.
That evening, Boyd’s sister tells him that a girl she had met on the train the previous day didn’t show up. He doesn’t make anything of it, but when DC Kirby and his girlfriend show up to report the same girl missing, he has to take notice. Late that night another body is found.
A fire breaks out in the home of the witness, but unfortunately she is u able to get out with her baby. Was the fire set to keep her from telling the police any more or was she killed because of mischief her husband was involved in?
It turns out that the body recently found is that of a missing woman from ten years ago, but she hadn’t been dead that long! Parker’s life is about to slide into a shambles, and there is nothing she can do to stop that from happening.
Author Patricia Gibney’s closing pages of this murder thriller have several twists and surprises with an unusual conclusion. This page turner is a very good read.
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