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Wesley Peterson #13
A Perfect Death
'A beguiling author who interweaves past and present' The TimesWhen a woman is burned to death in Grandal Field in Devon, it looks like it could be a case of mistaken identity. Until DI Wesley Peterson learns of a legend involving a woman who died in similar circumstances in the thirteenth century.It seems clear that there is a link between the mysterious legend and the recent murder when Wesley discovers that records of a previous site excavation have vanished, and two archaeologists involved in the dig died tragically.The case echoes a story of twisted love and obsession from many centuries ago, and Wesley realises that edging closer to the truth brings unexpected danger . . .Whether you've read the whole series, or are discovering Kate Ellis's DI Wesley Peterson novels for the first time, this is the perfect page-turner if you love reading Elly Griffiths and Ann Cleeves.PRAISE FOR KATE ' I loved this novel . . . a powerful story of loss, malice and deception ' Ann Cleeves'Haunting' Independent'Unputdownable' Bookseller'The chilling plot will keep you spooked and thrilled to the end' Closer'A gripping read' Best'A fine storyteller, weaving the past and present in a way that makes you want to read on' Peterborough Evening Telegraph
430 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2009
136 people are currently reading
384 people want to read
About the author
Kate Ellis
120 books606 followersKate Ellis was born and brought up in Liverpool and she studied drama in Manchester. She worked in teaching, marketing and accountancy before first enjoying writing success as a winner of the North West Playwrights competition. Crime and mystery stories have always fascinated her, as have medieval history and archaeology which she likes to incorporate in her books. She is married with two grown up sons and she lives in North Cheshire, England, with her husband. Kate was awarded the CWA DAGGER IN THE LIBRARY award in 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
November 23, 2023
Note: I don’t like the author’s use of the term prostitute. To describe some Eastern European girls who have been persuaded to go to England with the promise of wellpaid jobs, but instead are forced to serve (I won’t call it work as they are not there of their own free will nor do they earn a decent payment) in brothels with no chances of escape, prostitutes is not the right term as it signifies something you have chosen, in my eyes it equals sexworker, and this is not the case here. These girls are victims and should be named as such.
Apart from that, I’m happy to be back in the company of Wesley Peterson and his colleagues and family😀
Didn’t take long to read. 3 stars are appropriate
Apart from that, I’m happy to be back in the company of Wesley Peterson and his colleagues and family😀
Didn’t take long to read. 3 stars are appropriate
April 27, 2021
This story outgrew itself. My head is spinning having to keep track of so many side shoots. Oh well, some of the things I did like about it is the regular cast of characters, the way Wesley and wife are getting along well and the manner in which Wesley comports himself as a reliable, honest and brave sort. I also liked the visit to Carcassonne, a city I had the good fortune to spend time exploring myself. Of course the history of the Cathars was one of the side shoots in connection to a dig. Neil is managing a new dig and up against opposition from a couple fronts: the builder/developer folks and the environmentalist splinter group that uses violent tactics including fire.
That's enough to say and only skims the surface. It was like inviting too many people to a party!
Nevertheless, I continue to enjoy this series.
That's enough to say and only skims the surface. It was like inviting too many people to a party!
Nevertheless, I continue to enjoy this series.
March 26, 2015
A woman suffers a grisly death and a bunch of middle-class people stand around wittering inanities, while the sawdust filler builds up in drifts around their feet.... actually this did develop into a reasonably complex mystery by the end and the motif that runs through all the many deaths is, though contrived, not a complete waste of effort. Quite weak storytelling though and zero atmosphere.
The English don't come across as a very nice race; several times people had to 'arrange their features into a suitable expression of sympathy', because they just don't give a toss about anyone else, and there is a lot of class snideyness, including from our hero copper. At one point, as they're still trying to work out who the body is, there is a distinct suggestion that an innocent Lithuanian victim of trafficking would have been unfortunate to suffer the grisly death, but WHAT ON EARTH could the nice middle-class academic have POSSIBLY done to deserve it. It's probably just weak writing but really this wouldn't make you want to visit Devon any time soon.
Resolution: to choose my audiobooks with much more care.
The English don't come across as a very nice race; several times people had to 'arrange their features into a suitable expression of sympathy', because they just don't give a toss about anyone else, and there is a lot of class snideyness, including from our hero copper. At one point, as they're still trying to work out who the body is, there is a distinct suggestion that an innocent Lithuanian victim of trafficking would have been unfortunate to suffer the grisly death, but WHAT ON EARTH could the nice middle-class academic have POSSIBLY done to deserve it. It's probably just weak writing but really this wouldn't make you want to visit Devon any time soon.
Resolution: to choose my audiobooks with much more care.
March 8, 2019
Good but convoluted
I have read all of the Wesley Peterson series; this one seemed to drag a bit.
Wesley meets an old schoolmate while he and his wife are on holiday in France. The man asks Wesley to find a female friend of his back in Devon who he is worried about. Then, in Devon, a woman is set on fire at an archaeological dig that has a legend about a “burning bride” associated with it. Who is the woman? And in the meantime, Wesley’s friend from France has disappeared and another body, male this time, is found in a burned-out cottage. Is it Wesley’s friend? The story only gets more complicated from there and it took me over a week to wade through it to the conclusion.
I still like the series, I will continue to read the series because I have somehow become invested in the Tradmouth police station and Wesley and Gerry and their personal lives. But the books aren’t exactly page turners in terms of suspense.
I have read all of the Wesley Peterson series; this one seemed to drag a bit.
Wesley meets an old schoolmate while he and his wife are on holiday in France. The man asks Wesley to find a female friend of his back in Devon who he is worried about. Then, in Devon, a woman is set on fire at an archaeological dig that has a legend about a “burning bride” associated with it. Who is the woman? And in the meantime, Wesley’s friend from France has disappeared and another body, male this time, is found in a burned-out cottage. Is it Wesley’s friend? The story only gets more complicated from there and it took me over a week to wade through it to the conclusion.
I still like the series, I will continue to read the series because I have somehow become invested in the Tradmouth police station and Wesley and Gerry and their personal lives. But the books aren’t exactly page turners in terms of suspense.
July 19, 2016
While I enjoyed this murder mystery for the most part, it paled in comparison to previous books in the series. Far too many suspects! Three burned dead bodies in quick succession and far too many folks who could have done it and why they did it got very confusing. Cathars, crusades from the 1200's to current archaeological digs in the same place one body of a woman found burned and on the same land to be a developer's dream come true...too many possibles, too many suspects past and present and a very, at times, convoluted plot. Still liking the main characters, Wes, Gerry, Trish, and Rachel but not so much Wes' wife Pam or his friend Neil who are a little two dimensional at times. This mystery would have been improved with 100 fewer pages and some editing. Still love the setting. Will put some space between the next book in the series and these last two.
April 25, 2019
Kate Ellis gets better with each book. This is the 13th in her Wesley Peterson series, and is the best one yet in my opinion. A great mix of whodunnit and archaeology/medieval history, it was hard to put down.
December 16, 2011
Not one of her best but still quite a good story although I guessed a good bit of the twists and that spoils a book for me. I like to be surprised by an ending.
April 11, 2023
As a person who once studied history and took part in an archaeological dig (many years ago), found it interesting how Kate Ellis managed to intertwine a modern murder mystery with a historical legend and a dig on the supposed site it took place on. The story was slightly predictable in its eventual outcomes, but held enough twists to keep me guessing for the majority of the book. I did smirk at the references to what a historian/archaeologist may classify as a treasure versus what others consider a treasure to be. This was only a pseudo-passing reference in the novel, but it did make me smile.
This is a good book to take on a weekend trip to the cottage…unless you are like me and want to do some web searching on the historical references to find out more background. If the cottage has good internet though…all the better 😉
This is a good book to take on a weekend trip to the cottage…unless you are like me and want to do some web searching on the historical references to find out more background. If the cottage has good internet though…all the better 😉
March 8, 2019
I saw on the cover it was part of a series, but I decided to read it anyway.
I didn't realize this was book #13 in the series until I added it to my Goodreads list. I'm happy to report that it didn't seem to matter (except for the ending). There were only about 3 small references to the previous books that I picked up on, but it didn't affect the storyline or characters much. However, the ending was very open-ended and kind of abrupt. That was the biggest indication there is another book that follows up the storyline where it ended here. That was my least favourite part of this book. Otherwise, its not that big a deal if you read these out of order.
I didn't have any real issues with the characters, but I did find the main inspectors were consistently disrespectful with certain characters that I didn't think was necessary to the plot. (Of course this could be interwoven with a storyline from a previous book now that I think of it...)
There was a lot going on in the story and the author had a nice way of re-stating the facts by using the conversation between two characters to sum up the case so far. I really enjoyed this style (though I didn't necessarily need all these "case so far" reminders to keep up with the story).
Following this writing style, it was like watching a crime show. It made me think of Matlock to be more specific, which is why I'm passing it on to my sister to read, too.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and thought the writing style was a nice change from the more common technique of murder mysteries I usually read.
First time reading this author, and will likely read more (within the series or not).
I didn't realize this was book #13 in the series until I added it to my Goodreads list. I'm happy to report that it didn't seem to matter (except for the ending). There were only about 3 small references to the previous books that I picked up on, but it didn't affect the storyline or characters much. However, the ending was very open-ended and kind of abrupt. That was the biggest indication there is another book that follows up the storyline where it ended here. That was my least favourite part of this book. Otherwise, its not that big a deal if you read these out of order.
I didn't have any real issues with the characters, but I did find the main inspectors were consistently disrespectful with certain characters that I didn't think was necessary to the plot. (Of course this could be interwoven with a storyline from a previous book now that I think of it...)
There was a lot going on in the story and the author had a nice way of re-stating the facts by using the conversation between two characters to sum up the case so far. I really enjoyed this style (though I didn't necessarily need all these "case so far" reminders to keep up with the story).
Following this writing style, it was like watching a crime show. It made me think of Matlock to be more specific, which is why I'm passing it on to my sister to read, too.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and thought the writing style was a nice change from the more common technique of murder mysteries I usually read.
First time reading this author, and will likely read more (within the series or not).
March 13, 2020
#13 in Kate Ellis' Wesley Peterson series. A Perfect Death
Enjoyed #12 so decided to just go ahead and read #13 now. Not a bad choice at all. Current crimes and history linked to archaelogical dig always make for a good read for me.
This story was more complex than some of the earlier plots, with people being or not being who they were thought to be, or how they might relate to people from the same area that were part of a far earlier dig in the same vicinity. Some taut moments at times, with many in danger. There was much at stake for the killer and they were not shy about applying violence. Absolutely speed read this book!
Enjoyed #12 so decided to just go ahead and read #13 now. Not a bad choice at all. Current crimes and history linked to archaelogical dig always make for a good read for me.
This story was more complex than some of the earlier plots, with people being or not being who they were thought to be, or how they might relate to people from the same area that were part of a far earlier dig in the same vicinity. Some taut moments at times, with many in danger. There was much at stake for the killer and they were not shy about applying violence. Absolutely speed read this book!
November 1, 2017
Good
Enjoyable story yet again but as I had read this book, number 13, before number 12 I was a little confused when things which happened in 12 were commented on. Therefore read them in order!!!
Enjoyable story yet again but as I had read this book, number 13, before number 12 I was a little confused when things which happened in 12 were commented on. Therefore read them in order!!!
January 30, 2020
Another interesting story
January 22, 2021
Another cracking good story from Kate Ellis who really does have the knack of weaving a really good plot
Thoroughly enjoyed this book
Thoroughly enjoyed this book
March 22, 2024
DI Wesley Peterson and his wife are enjoying a short holiday in France, with nothing more important to do other than decide which restaurant to enjoy their next meal in. But while out on one of their walks Wesley bumps into Ian Rowe, a former fellow student from his archaeology days, and Ian seeks Wesley’s help with a missing friend. When Wesley returns to Devon he discovers there’s a far bigger mystery surrounding this situation. Can Wesley and his team discover what’s really going on?
I enjoyed this addition to the series and found the usual blending of current police procedural crime linked with the archaeological history as gripping as ever. The main thing that stood out for me personally, however, was that the author slid into the main storyline a very good way to finally bring Pam – Wesley’s wife – around and somewhat redeem her character. I feel with the author having Pam invested and interested in the mystery Ian brings Welsey on their vacation, as well as her continuing enthusiasm and curiosity bodes well for her being more invested in Wesley’s police career. Pam’s impatience with Wesley’s divided attention – even though he clearly makes a concentrated effort to spend as much time as possible with his family and children – has rankled me for a while now. I am very hopeful this might be Pam finally turning a corner here.
Outside of this rather large character arc change, the mystery itself was very well handled I felt. I was pleased that it took the police quite some time to identify the woman who was murdered and burned, and there were a number of different events surrounding the death that muddied the waters to a good degree. I feel readers who enjoy a complicated mystery and a lot of police procedural detective work should enjoy this plot and pacing. While there is a good element of archaeology in this story – as there usually is within this series – I did feel this took somewhat more of a back seat and so readers who prefer the archaeological side to these books might feel that this is lacking somewhat in this particular book.
With a strong and interesting plot and a cast of well known and long-standing characters this is a good read and a strong mystery book.
I enjoyed this addition to the series and found the usual blending of current police procedural crime linked with the archaeological history as gripping as ever. The main thing that stood out for me personally, however, was that the author slid into the main storyline a very good way to finally bring Pam – Wesley’s wife – around and somewhat redeem her character. I feel with the author having Pam invested and interested in the mystery Ian brings Welsey on their vacation, as well as her continuing enthusiasm and curiosity bodes well for her being more invested in Wesley’s police career. Pam’s impatience with Wesley’s divided attention – even though he clearly makes a concentrated effort to spend as much time as possible with his family and children – has rankled me for a while now. I am very hopeful this might be Pam finally turning a corner here.
Outside of this rather large character arc change, the mystery itself was very well handled I felt. I was pleased that it took the police quite some time to identify the woman who was murdered and burned, and there were a number of different events surrounding the death that muddied the waters to a good degree. I feel readers who enjoy a complicated mystery and a lot of police procedural detective work should enjoy this plot and pacing. While there is a good element of archaeology in this story – as there usually is within this series – I did feel this took somewhat more of a back seat and so readers who prefer the archaeological side to these books might feel that this is lacking somewhat in this particular book.
With a strong and interesting plot and a cast of well known and long-standing characters this is a good read and a strong mystery book.
June 15, 2023
After reading John Banville, I was looking for something that I could read quickly and was more about the hunt for the murderer. I had library books to pick up and didn't want to go just yet so I checked my Kindle and decided on this one. I'm glad I did. This is book 13 in the series and, if you've read my other reviews, you know I've given up trying to read them in order because I started reading them so late. So I just dip in and out and try to read the latest one as it comes out. There is a new one coming out in November 2023, but, interestingly, it's being released on Kindle in August. In the meantime I have two left on my kindle that I bought for under $5 and I'll just read them as I can find them. Our library system doesn't carry this author. So I go for interlibrary loan.
Meanwhile I read this book quickly. I was in a reading mood today and finished it in a few hours. A woman is burned alive in a field that is part of a legend of a woman who was burned alive. Mysterious fires happen. Ian, former student, who was in University with Wesley suddenly appears when Wesley and Pam are on vacation. He knows Wesley is a police officer and he asks for help. He doesn't show up for their meeting. It's nearly time for Wesley and Pam to go home so he shrugs it off. Then a cottage burns and Ian's possessions are found in the cottage along with a badly burned body.
Meanwhile there is a dig on a potentially archaeology-rich site led by Neil, Wesley's friend from University. The owner of the property, a developer, is anxious to get this over with but the dig has to curtail some of their activities because of the burned body in the field. This one was full of surprises and kept me reading - the sign of a good book. I'm looking forward to her new one in November. In the meantime I'll read more of the older ones.
Meanwhile I read this book quickly. I was in a reading mood today and finished it in a few hours. A woman is burned alive in a field that is part of a legend of a woman who was burned alive. Mysterious fires happen. Ian, former student, who was in University with Wesley suddenly appears when Wesley and Pam are on vacation. He knows Wesley is a police officer and he asks for help. He doesn't show up for their meeting. It's nearly time for Wesley and Pam to go home so he shrugs it off. Then a cottage burns and Ian's possessions are found in the cottage along with a badly burned body.
Meanwhile there is a dig on a potentially archaeology-rich site led by Neil, Wesley's friend from University. The owner of the property, a developer, is anxious to get this over with but the dig has to curtail some of their activities because of the burned body in the field. This one was full of surprises and kept me reading - the sign of a good book. I'm looking forward to her new one in November. In the meantime I'll read more of the older ones.
February 18, 2024
You know how some books start with a dramatis personae so that you can keep track of who’s who? This book doesn’t have one. It really needs one.
I love this series so I can forgive be being not quite up to the standard of the others, but wow, was there a lot of stuff packed in.
Sadly, the human trafficking story, which could have served a purpose in raising awareness of the issues around modern slavery, was very much pushed into the background, used merely as a decoy to confuse the main investigation. This should either have been the main plot, or left out completely. As it is, it comes across as if these characters are dispensable once they have served their purpose. I’m sure this isn’t the intention, but it did feel that way. It made me a bit uncomfortable.
I love this series so I can forgive be being not quite up to the standard of the others, but wow, was there a lot of stuff packed in.
Sadly, the human trafficking story, which could have served a purpose in raising awareness of the issues around modern slavery, was very much pushed into the background, used merely as a decoy to confuse the main investigation. This should either have been the main plot, or left out completely. As it is, it comes across as if these characters are dispensable once they have served their purpose. I’m sure this isn’t the intention, but it did feel that way. It made me a bit uncomfortable.
November 23, 2025
More familiar territory than the historical Albert Lincoln trilogy in which DI Peterson and DCI Heffernan are investigating the mysterious burnings of two apparently unrelated people, a young woman and a middle aged man in two entirely separate locations. South Devon is in the grip of an anti outsider wave - the fictitious Pure Sons of the South West (possibly based on Meibion Glwndwr from the 80s and 90s) are sending anonymous letters threatening to burn holiday homes and lets and anyone connected with them.
Once again Neil Watson's historical case is linked as he is involved with the case of a medieval French woman who becomes known locally as the Burning Bride, apparently burnt alive by her jealous husband.
Engaging and well written - kept this reader awake till 2am finishing it!
Once again Neil Watson's historical case is linked as he is involved with the case of a medieval French woman who becomes known locally as the Burning Bride, apparently burnt alive by her jealous husband.
Engaging and well written - kept this reader awake till 2am finishing it!
December 4, 2024
Whilst I did enjoy this mystery involving Wesley Peterson & Co, I did feel it became somewhat convoluted and confusing in the details.
Whilst on holiday in France, Wesley and his wife meet up with an old friend from his university days who asks Wesley to help him find a friend of his missing in England. However, once he returns to England, DI Peterson is involved with the investigation of the grisly murder of a woman burned to death in a field. There are, as ever, links with an archaeological dig his friend Neil is working on and soon there is more than one death by burning.
There are lots of coincidences in this story and quite a number of different characters, so it all felt a bit convoluted.
Whilst on holiday in France, Wesley and his wife meet up with an old friend from his university days who asks Wesley to help him find a friend of his missing in England. However, once he returns to England, DI Peterson is involved with the investigation of the grisly murder of a woman burned to death in a field. There are, as ever, links with an archaeological dig his friend Neil is working on and soon there is more than one death by burning.
There are lots of coincidences in this story and quite a number of different characters, so it all felt a bit convoluted.
August 25, 2022
When a woman is burned to death in Grendal Field in Devon, it looks like it could be a case of mistaken identity. Until DI Wesley Peterson learns of a legend involving a woman who died in similar circumstances in the thirteen century.
I gave this book 4* Stars. This one started HOT and I got into the story from page 1. For me the books in the DI Peterson series just get better with each one I read. I also love how Kate Ellis manages to spin the story so the guilty party winds up being a person or persons you never expected.
I gave this book 4* Stars. This one started HOT and I got into the story from page 1. For me the books in the DI Peterson series just get better with each one I read. I also love how Kate Ellis manages to spin the story so the guilty party winds up being a person or persons you never expected.
November 19, 2022
A Perfect Death
By Kate Ellis
Two stories intertwined - the story of a lord who finds a bride in the far east and brings her home to live with him. once married the green horn of jealously raised his head and rumour of a bride burned for infacility.
Wes Peterson is on holiday with his wife, and they run in to someone Wes was at archelogy college with, Ian Rowe, who is worried about a friend.
I found the book a little hard to read but I have done it I got to the end, and I enjoyed it to a point.
By Kate Ellis
Two stories intertwined - the story of a lord who finds a bride in the far east and brings her home to live with him. once married the green horn of jealously raised his head and rumour of a bride burned for infacility.
Wes Peterson is on holiday with his wife, and they run in to someone Wes was at archelogy college with, Ian Rowe, who is worried about a friend.
I found the book a little hard to read but I have done it I got to the end, and I enjoyed it to a point.
August 8, 2024
On se laisse totalement embarquer par cette enquête qui est drôlement bien menée. J’ai beaucoup aimé que Pam, l’épouse de Wesley, se retrouve aussi intéressée par cette histoire puisqu’elle y a touché de près lors de leurs vacances en France et qu’elle brûle (sans mauvais jeu de mots) de savoir la fin de cette affaire !
Ma chronique : https://mellecupofteabouquine.wordpre...
Ma chronique : https://mellecupofteabouquine.wordpre...
August 31, 2017
Enjoyed the archeological links with the current crimes, but those links were even better than usual and turned out to not be as obvious as presumed. Pam Peterson was pleasant on the whole this time out, only brief flashes of her conflict with being a policeman's wife. However, it WAS the school holidays....
April 24, 2020
Death by burning, past and present, is the grisly theme of this Wesley Peterson novel. We move from the Cathars in Carcassonne to C13th Devon to related complex fiery crimes being investigated by the team. Not one of my favourite instalments (a bit slow to begin with) but as usual the clever plotting and surprise twists kept me turning the pages.
August 8, 2020
Maybe not quite as good as the last few in this excellent series. The historical story about the Cathars was interesting-didn't know much about any of it before. The plot started very well but one of the main strands became a bit of a cul de sac which was solved earlier than the rest. Still very good though.
July 26, 2025
Another good one.
Multiple deaths creating confusion about whodunwhatwhen.
A bit less of the characters 'love' life, which is okay to have in there, but not the same issue over and over and over. Be done with it.
Lots of zigs and zags in this one, and of course a parallel historical recollection. My guess was way off base.
Looking forward to the next.
Multiple deaths creating confusion about whodunwhatwhen.
A bit less of the characters 'love' life, which is okay to have in there, but not the same issue over and over and over. Be done with it.
Lots of zigs and zags in this one, and of course a parallel historical recollection. My guess was way off base.
Looking forward to the next.
August 9, 2020
First Of this series I have read and enjoyed the story. Very much in vein of Robert Goddard books, with historical back drop.
As most reviews say this not best in series have ordered number 1.
Also liked main characters
As most reviews say this not best in series have ordered number 1.
Also liked main characters
July 15, 2023
excellent story
A good example of Kate Elis’ craft. Lots of twists and turns - keeps your interest throughout the book. I did guess who the culprit was but it was good fun trying to work it out. Very entertaining.
A good example of Kate Elis’ craft. Lots of twists and turns - keeps your interest throughout the book. I did guess who the culprit was but it was good fun trying to work it out. Very entertaining.
September 16, 2017
Again, another good book in the series. A reliable formula that keeps me coming back for more.
September 30, 2020
The thirteenth Wesley Peterson murder mystery is an engaging police procedural set in Devon and distinguished by the archeological puzzle prompted by a thirteenth century legend.
May 23, 2021
Mysteries abound with multiple deaths current and past. Accidents? Suicides? Murders? Which ones are related? Who has taken on a new identity?
This series is holding up very well.
This series is holding up very well.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews