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Devil's Den: A Novella
The leaves are falling, Hallowe'en is approaching and Jack Johnson has found a temporary mooring for his narrowboat on the Staffs & Worcs Canal near Kinver. His on-off relationship with the young army widow, Nina Wilde, is mending slowly after the heartache of their time in Oxford. But a chance encounter and an overheard conversation in a local pub kicks off a perilous sequence of events - some of which are distinctly other-worldly.
Jack reluctantly has his tarot cards read by Heloise, another boater, although he remains more interested in spirits of a different kind. He finds comfort in a bottle of whisky when Nina makes a short trip home to see her mother. Bored and frustrated, he explores his surroundings and discovers an old boat house carved into a cliff. Intriguingly, it is called The Devil's Den.
On her return, Nina is invited to a seance in some underground tunnels and jumps at the possibility of talking to her dead husband. She persuades a highly sceptical Jack to go along. But why is Nick, the boyfriend of Heloise, so implacably opposed to them going? What has he got to hide?
Jack and Nina quickly find out when their illicit seance is rudely interrupted and a night-long ordeal begins. The odds are stacked against Jack and Nina as they are forced to work into the early hours at gunpoint. But there are other forces at work in the subterranean tunnel complex and they play a deciding factor in the outcome.
Devil's Den is a novella and the fourth book in the Johnson & Wilde crime mystery series which follows Jack, Nina and Eddie, their border terrier, across England's canals and rivers on their narrowboat, which is called Jumping Jack Flash. This atmospheric and fast paced tale will delight followers of the series and also be an excellent introduction to new readers.
Jack reluctantly has his tarot cards read by Heloise, another boater, although he remains more interested in spirits of a different kind. He finds comfort in a bottle of whisky when Nina makes a short trip home to see her mother. Bored and frustrated, he explores his surroundings and discovers an old boat house carved into a cliff. Intriguingly, it is called The Devil's Den.
On her return, Nina is invited to a seance in some underground tunnels and jumps at the possibility of talking to her dead husband. She persuades a highly sceptical Jack to go along. But why is Nick, the boyfriend of Heloise, so implacably opposed to them going? What has he got to hide?
Jack and Nina quickly find out when their illicit seance is rudely interrupted and a night-long ordeal begins. The odds are stacked against Jack and Nina as they are forced to work into the early hours at gunpoint. But there are other forces at work in the subterranean tunnel complex and they play a deciding factor in the outcome.
Devil's Den is a novella and the fourth book in the Johnson & Wilde crime mystery series which follows Jack, Nina and Eddie, their border terrier, across England's canals and rivers on their narrowboat, which is called Jumping Jack Flash. This atmospheric and fast paced tale will delight followers of the series and also be an excellent introduction to new readers.
158 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 23, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 25, 2023
A cracking great tale of mystery and danger
I'd never heard of Mr Griffee or his work, but a chance encounter with a Tweet featuring his border terrier caught my attention. I'm a border mum myself, and someone who loves a good mystery, and this book certainly fit the bill. Jack is a journalist who likes a wee drop of drink and prefers moving about England on his canal boat. When he and his companion Nina along with border terrier Eddie discover a hidden mine in the leafy English countryside, they can't imagine the very real danger waiting for them. This book is a perfectly balanced mixture of mystery, travel, and gentle romance that will keep you turning pages. Griffee's writing style reminded me of Alastair Maclean, with that same taut, tense energy that guarantees action and danger. There is a supernatural element that meshes beautifully with the main plot. This was a very satisfying read, and one I highly recommend.
I'd never heard of Mr Griffee or his work, but a chance encounter with a Tweet featuring his border terrier caught my attention. I'm a border mum myself, and someone who loves a good mystery, and this book certainly fit the bill. Jack is a journalist who likes a wee drop of drink and prefers moving about England on his canal boat. When he and his companion Nina along with border terrier Eddie discover a hidden mine in the leafy English countryside, they can't imagine the very real danger waiting for them. This book is a perfectly balanced mixture of mystery, travel, and gentle romance that will keep you turning pages. Griffee's writing style reminded me of Alastair Maclean, with that same taut, tense energy that guarantees action and danger. There is a supernatural element that meshes beautifully with the main plot. This was a very satisfying read, and one I highly recommend.
May 1, 2023
Johnson and Wilde do it again with a supernatural twist which I loved. Love Andy’s writing and each book keeps getting better and better! If you haven’t read his books start at the beginning and work your way through you won’t be disappointed.
March 12, 2023
Read this gripping novella in a single sitting and loved it! Andy continues to blend the peace and tranquility of the waterside setting he describes so lovingly with taut and well paced drama. Clever contemporary references to covid and refugees help place the story, bring it alive. Place, space and pace delivered with a gentle human touch. And, perhaps best of all, is Andy signaling a new adventure for Jack, Nina and Eddie? I do hope so!
March 18, 2023
Andy Griffee just doesn’t let you down with the continuing adventures of Johnson & Wilde. This time set on the Worcestershire & Staffordshire Canal we find ourselves immersed in human trafficking, smuggling and downright skulduggery.
Could you read it as a stand alone? Yes, you could but I’d thoroughly recommend going back and reading the three previous books in order as the backstories to Jack and Nina (and Eddie) are so important. Nice work Andy, what’s next?
Could you read it as a stand alone? Yes, you could but I’d thoroughly recommend going back and reading the three previous books in order as the backstories to Jack and Nina (and Eddie) are so important. Nice work Andy, what’s next?
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews