Wrong Place

DI Sally Parker and her partner DS Jack Blackman have been called out to a graveyard where the body of a naked woman has been found.  The following morning there is another murder of a woman.

Although the murders were only five miles apart, they were different.  Could this be two different killers or just happenstance?

It is a week before another woman is found dead in similar circumstances to the first, however this time the body was left in a disused warehouse.  Parker and Blackman come to the realisation that the women all have bartending in common.

When DNA evidence is presented, they have a suspect and he is quickly arrested.  He naturally denies everything, and is kept in custody.  However, later there is another murder, and his DNA is found on the victim. How can this be?  Is he being set up?

Are there going to be more murders?  Author M. A. Comley has crafted a short, fast paced thriller, which makes the reader wonder how the police will be able to find the true killer.  The first in a new series by this author leaves the reader wanting to read more of Parker’s and Blackman’s investigations.

The Devil’s Novice

A new oblate has just joined Cadfael’s abbey.  When Cadfael first saw the nineteen year old, he felt that the lad was at odd with his father who had accompanied him.  Cadfael doesn’t know what to make of the new novice, Meriet.

After an accident to another novice, in the middle of the night, Meriet has a disturbing dream, which causes him to scream out in terror.  Cadfael finds him still asleep, although obviously disturbed.  Not waking the lad, he comforted him back to sleep.  A few days later, Meriet talks loudly in his sleep.  Does a devil possess him in his sleep?

Later Deputy Sheriff Hugh Beringar informs Cadfael that a cleric, who was on a mission to gain support for the king, has disappeared.  It appears that he disappeared after visiting the home of Meriet.  The man’s horse is found riderless not far away.  When Hugh brings the horse to the abbey, Meriet blanches at the sight of it.  Only Cadfael notices his reaction.

Meriet reacts violently when one of the brothers takes a ribbon wrapped around a bit of hair that belongs to him and burns it.  He is punished as a result.  Cadfael offers to go to the home of Meriet to learn more about him.  He does learn more, but it is from a girl who wants to be Meriet’s girl.

Having served his punishment, Meriet is sent to work with Brother Mark and the lepers.  While they are in the forest gathering wood, Mark and Meriet discover the body of a man.  Beringar and Cadfael investigate, with Beringar firmly sure that Meriet knows something.  Later, he confesses to Brother Mark, however Mark disbelieves him.

What author Ellis Peters presents to the reader is a story of murder, treachery and treason.  If Meriet isn’t the killer, who is?  It a girl and the discovery of a jewelled pin that leads to the outing of the killer, but not before more damage is done.  A good quick read.

The Coldest Blood

Ely has experienced a cold snap and a number of people have died as a result.  One fellow still has money in his electrical meter.  For experienced journalist Philip Dryden the devil is in the details.

As his investigation progresses, Dryden is sure that there is more to the death than what has been ascertained to this point.  However, the police aren’t overly concerned.  Dryden also learns that the dead man had attended the local Catholic orphanage, which, although closed for some time is under investigation for abuse of the boys who grew up there.

Later, following a man he suspects of dealing dope to kids, Dryden manages to confront the man.  The man tells Dryden that he is delivering dope to a friend who needs it to help suppress the discomfort of throat cancer.  He suggests that Dryden come and meet his friend.  However, they discover that he is dead, frozen to death outside his home.  Could this be another suicide?

Dryden also learns that the second victim was a ward of the orphanage and knew the first victim.  He finds out that they were potential witnesses who could free a man from jail.  When he is shown a picture of the men, he realises what they had seen because he is also in the picture.  Is he the next one in the killer’s sight?

There is more death to come in Jim Kelly’s thriller.  Will he and his wife Laura come out of it alive?  Kelly once again has his reader on the edge of their seat as this thriller moves to its conclusion.  Another good read by this author.

Murder at Kensington Palace

Young Raven and Hawk have just informed Charlotte Sloane of a very gruesome murder of a nobleman.  Apparently the “Bloody Butcher” has struck again.  Charlotte wishes to know more and sends a message via the boys to The Earl of Wrexford to find out more.  It doesn’t take long for him to arrive at her home to discuss it.  

When Wrexford names the victim, Charlotte collapses in a faint.  Sent away, Wrexford is left to wonder why she fainted.  Having learned that the victim’s twin brother has been charged with the murder, returns to tell Charlotte.  She immediately denies that the brother would have done it.

Wrexford arranges for the pair to visit the incarcerated brother, who gives them a couple of leads, plus a plausible alibi.  Charlotte’s contacts indicate that the killer is someone of the upper crust.  Yet, at the same time, her questions only raise more questions.

While Charlotte sends Raven and Hawk into the stews of London, Wrexford and his friend Sheffield attend a brothel to question a woman the alleged killer spent the night with.  The latter come up with some surprising information.  But Charlotte has her own sources, too.

Wrexford learns that the victim had been experimenting with electricity.  He also learns that he had been engaged in experiments with electricity on his own body.

Charlotte comes to the conclusion that she must return to society, which means informing those closest to her of her past.  It also means, hopefully the help of an elderly aunt.  Will that help be forthcoming?

Author Andrea Penrose throws up a number of potential killers for Charlotte and Wrexford to investigate, however as they are killed or disappear, new prospects appear.  So, who is the killer and how will these amateur sleuths find out?  One has to read this historical murder mystery to find out.  A good quick read, and fast paced at the end.

Marbeck and the Double-Dealer

Marbeck has been kicking his heels for too long in his own mind.  Fortunately, Sir Robert Cecil, Master Secretary to Queen Elizabeth, wants him to gather intelligence from someone at Marshalsea Prison and bring it to him.  The man who torturers prisoners tells Marbeck that before he died, the prisoner told him that the Master Secretary has a double agent in his service, working for the Spanish by the name of Morera.

Cecil wants this Morera, which means Mulberry in English, flushed out as soon as possible.  Cecil has his suspicions and provides Marbeck with two names.  After questioning them, he feels that they are not the traitors.  So, the following morning he heads to Dover to check on another man.

Joseph Gifford tells Marbeck of rumours of a Spanish invasion coming from the Low Countries.  The following day Marbeck receives orders to travel to France.  From Dover, Marbeck heads to Plymouth to make the crossing.

There, from Edmund Trigg, he learns of more rumours of Spanish invasion.  This time from the west.  Finally, in Brest, Marbeck finds that his contact is on his deathbed.  The man sends Marbeck further south to his source, the Comtesse de Paiva.

At that point things go south for Marbeck.  He finds himself in a right nasty situation, which is difficult for him to extract himself from.  But a trick he learned as a child helps.  Then he is off to Paris and finally back to London.

Author John Pilkington has more dangerous events awaiting Marbeck in London, and despite the help from Gifford he is almost killed a couple of times.  There is double dealing aplenty.  Pilkington has written a rollicking good historical thriller in this, the first of a series, which I look forward to reading.

Shadow of the Past

Lady Chase has recently taken up residence in Pastor Campion’s area at Moreton Hall.  She is bent on doing good works like helping with a school.  Her nephew Sir Marcus Bramwell and his family have come for a stay.  Campion is not impressed with him.

While out walking one day, Campion comes across the governess employed by Bramwell and her two charges.  Moments after departing from them he hears screams.  Running back he finds the governess in the nearby stream pointing to the body of a man in the water.  Later, when he goes to check on the governess, Campion finds that she is missing.

Dr. Toone, a good friend of Dr. Hansard examines the body and determines that he had been suffocated.  Who was he, and why did he have the ring of the late Lord Chase?  Hansard’s wife Maria manages to execute a fair likeness of the dead man in a sketch.

Campion and his groom set off to London in search of information on the dead man and Lady Chase’s missing son.  The day after, Hansard also travels to London.  What will they find there or will they get into more trouble?

Author Judith Cutler’s second in the series about Pastor Campion is full of mystery and action.  Success also leads to disaster, which in turns leads to the unravelling of the mysteries.  A good, quick read.

Nothing Ventured

Ever since the age of eight, William Warwick  had wanted to become a detective, while his father wanted him to study law and join the firm.  In 1982, William reported to Hendon Police College.  Sixteen weeks later he was in uniform.  However, it would be some time before he could write the detectives exam.

Pass the exam and an invitation to Scotland Yard.  William has been invited to meet Commander Jack Hawksby.  Hawksby sends William to learn the ropes in Peckham.  However, moments after his interview, Hawksby has changed his destination; he will now be working in Arts and Antiques.  However, he still has some time to complete in uniform and it isn’t going to end well.

Newly minted DC William Warwick’s first case with the Art and Antiques team involves a man who steals art and then makes deals with the insurance company to return the item.  He has quite a team to aid and abet the crimes.  Two have been caught, but refuse to give up their leader.  While in jail, their loved ones are well looked after.

That isn’t the only case on the detectives plates, and William is given a couple of cases to solve.  Unexpectedly, William finds himself on the way to Rome following a forger.  Based on pictures they have, it is assumed that he has been forging old Spanish silver coins.  The team also assumes that the money man behind this scheme is the same who is behind the art thefts.

Meanwhile the investigation into the Art thief continues with unexpected help.  Will the team finally get their man?  Author Jeffrey Archer’s first mystery in this series is full of excellent investigative work, court room drama and a few surprises with a complete plot twist on the final page.  This was an extremely top notch read, and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.