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Inspector Rudd #12
The Dark Stream
The death of Stella Franklin, the barmaid in tight jeans and spiked heels, is investigated by Detective Chief Inspector Rudd, diligent, cunning, and devious
- GenresMystery
182 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1986
16 people want to read
About the author
June Thomson
70 books22 followersJune Thomson, a former teacher, has published 24 crime novels, 18 of which feature Detective Chief Inspector Jack Finch and his sergeant, Tom Boyce. She has also written six short story collections of Sherlock Holmes pastiches. Her books have been translated into many languages. She lives in St Albans in Hertfordshire.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 2, 2018
A really poor ending so only two stars from me.
May 4, 2020
"June Thomson's popular Detective Chief Inspector Rudd is a complex man of many talents. He can be as devious as he is diligent, as cunning as he is courteous. And he takes murder in his jurisdiction very seriously indeed.
"Rudd's jurisdiction includes the picturesque village of Wynford, one of those small English towns where everyone knows everyone else --perhaps too well. While the inhabitants may have no secrets from one another, they certainly have their share of jealousy and envy simmering beneath the surface. And an attractive, mysterious stranger like Alec Lawson is just the type to bring everything to a boil, along with the afternoon tea kettle.
"In no time at all, Lawson becomes an object of intense interest to the locals --particularly the female residents. Joanna, his wife of fifteen years and bitter about their recent separation, has followed him, determined to make him suffer as she has. Madge Bingham, the perfectly respectable and perfectly bored doctor's wife, comes to Alec looking for excitement and a taste of danger. And Stella Franklin comes looking for a friend. A barmaid in tight jeans and spiked heels, Stella is the kind of girl who never has to seek danger; it always finds her.
"And sure enough, danger pays Stella one final visit, leaving her dead on the bank of a muddy stream, and leaving Alec Lawson as the prime suspect. After all -- as everyone in Wynford knows -- Stella was visiting Lawson on the fateful evening. Or could it be that the outspoken young woman knew one local secret too many ... one worth killing for?"
~~front & back flaps
I do love these older mysteries -- the ones written with such style and class, and plots set in small English villages where "everyone knows everyone else" and there's no shortage of suspects. I started reading last night and couldn't put it down until I'd finish (granted, it's a short book.) All these components add up to a wonderful read, that you can just dive into and make the world go away (the world is particularly acrimonious these days due to the corona virus.)
Since I'[m keeping all the June Thomson mysteries, with the intention of a reread someday, I've given it 4 stars.
"Rudd's jurisdiction includes the picturesque village of Wynford, one of those small English towns where everyone knows everyone else --perhaps too well. While the inhabitants may have no secrets from one another, they certainly have their share of jealousy and envy simmering beneath the surface. And an attractive, mysterious stranger like Alec Lawson is just the type to bring everything to a boil, along with the afternoon tea kettle.
"In no time at all, Lawson becomes an object of intense interest to the locals --particularly the female residents. Joanna, his wife of fifteen years and bitter about their recent separation, has followed him, determined to make him suffer as she has. Madge Bingham, the perfectly respectable and perfectly bored doctor's wife, comes to Alec looking for excitement and a taste of danger. And Stella Franklin comes looking for a friend. A barmaid in tight jeans and spiked heels, Stella is the kind of girl who never has to seek danger; it always finds her.
"And sure enough, danger pays Stella one final visit, leaving her dead on the bank of a muddy stream, and leaving Alec Lawson as the prime suspect. After all -- as everyone in Wynford knows -- Stella was visiting Lawson on the fateful evening. Or could it be that the outspoken young woman knew one local secret too many ... one worth killing for?"
~~front & back flaps
I do love these older mysteries -- the ones written with such style and class, and plots set in small English villages where "everyone knows everyone else" and there's no shortage of suspects. I started reading last night and couldn't put it down until I'd finish (granted, it's a short book.) All these components add up to a wonderful read, that you can just dive into and make the world go away (the world is particularly acrimonious these days due to the corona virus.)
Since I'[m keeping all the June Thomson mysteries, with the intention of a reread someday, I've given it 4 stars.
August 8, 2011
This one was not up to her usual standard. I just really didn't care about the characters much...except for the guy who was going to open up a second-hand bookstore. But then at the end it looks like he won't. Boo. And the "culprit"? (If you read it, you'll realize why the quotes.) Just didn't sell me on that one. Not enough drama; not believable
October 13, 2014
June has written far better books, but it is still worth a read.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews