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Wesley Peterson #15
The Jackal Man
When a teenage girl is strangled and left for dead on a lonely country lane, by an attacker she describes has having the head of a dog, the police are baffled. But when the body of another young woman is found mutilated and wrapped in a white linen sheet, DI Wesley Peterson suspects that the killer is performing an ancient ritual linked to Anubis, the jackal-headed Egyptian god of death and mummification.
Meanwhile, archaeologist Neil Watson has been called to Varley Castle to catalogue the collection of Edwardian amateur Egyptologist, Sir Frederick Varley. However, as his research progresses, Neil discovers that Wesley's strange murder case bears sinister similarities to four murders that took place near Varley Castle in 1903 - murders said to have been committed by Sir Frederick's son.
As the Jackal Man's identity remains a frustrating enigma, it seems that the killer has yet another victim in mind. A victim close to Wesley Peterson himself . . .
Meanwhile, archaeologist Neil Watson has been called to Varley Castle to catalogue the collection of Edwardian amateur Egyptologist, Sir Frederick Varley. However, as his research progresses, Neil discovers that Wesley's strange murder case bears sinister similarities to four murders that took place near Varley Castle in 1903 - murders said to have been committed by Sir Frederick's son.
As the Jackal Man's identity remains a frustrating enigma, it seems that the killer has yet another victim in mind. A victim close to Wesley Peterson himself . . .
400 pages, Paperback
First published February 3, 2011
82 people are currently reading
403 people want to read
About the author
Kate Ellis
119 books603 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 78 reviews
September 22, 2022
I enjoy the Wesley Peterson series, but this one book I had somehow missed. Timing was great for me, because this book is on sale right now for just 99 cents.
There is a dangerous murderer carrying out heinous acts tied up with Egyptian rituals and Wesley and Gerry are working nonstop to discover identity of perpetrator. The threat hits close to home.
This is one you don't want to miss reading.
There is a dangerous murderer carrying out heinous acts tied up with Egyptian rituals and Wesley and Gerry are working nonstop to discover identity of perpetrator. The threat hits close to home.
This is one you don't want to miss reading.
September 13, 2023
Another in the Wesley Peterson series, with its mix of crime and archaeology. This had an Egyptian twist and a series of gruesome murders, possibly a little over the top.
February 19, 2018
A teenage girl is attacked and left for dead. She describes her attacker as having a dog's head. It doesn't take Wesley long to realise that her attacker was wearing a mask of the Egyptian god Anubis. Then the next victim turns up dead...and disembowelled.
Meanwhile, Neil is visiting the castle of an eccentric collector of Egyptian artifacts, and where several girls were murdered many years ago in circumstances similar to the current crimes.
Well written, and well researched. Anubis has always been my favourite of the Egyptian gods and the research relating to him is spot on.
The crimes are interesting and unique. Kate Ellis blends history and crime in a delicious manner.
Highly recommended.
Meanwhile, Neil is visiting the castle of an eccentric collector of Egyptian artifacts, and where several girls were murdered many years ago in circumstances similar to the current crimes.
Well written, and well researched. Anubis has always been my favourite of the Egyptian gods and the research relating to him is spot on.
The crimes are interesting and unique. Kate Ellis blends history and crime in a delicious manner.
Highly recommended.
July 25, 2019
This was one of my favorites in the series. The modern-day story begins with a young woman being attacked by a person wearing a strange mask. And the "old" story, set in 1903, begins with the diary of a governess sent to work for a single father with an interest in Egyptology. I felt drawn to that story particularly because my great grandmother was a governess for a wealthy family in Liverpool in the mid 1800s. Within a few chapters in the modern-day story, we learn that the mask is that of Anubis, the ancient Egyptian god of the afterlife and the second time a woman is attacked she is killed in a very grisly way. There are enough suspects to keep you guessing and all of them are quite plausible. I thought I knew who the murderer was halfway through but I was only partially right ;) It really was quite a satisfying puzzle.
By now I am very familiar with the usual characters, Wesley the detective, Gerry the inspector, Pam Wesley's long-suffering wife and Neil the archaeologist. They are all on form in this book and I can see why it took Wesley and Gerry as long as it did to unravel this particular mystery.
By now I am very familiar with the usual characters, Wesley the detective, Gerry the inspector, Pam Wesley's long-suffering wife and Neil the archaeologist. They are all on form in this book and I can see why it took Wesley and Gerry as long as it did to unravel this particular mystery.
May 6, 2017
I know I said that I wasn't going to read any more Kate Ellis, but there is so much dark crime writing out there, that it was a relief to return to good-natured Gerry Heffernan and Wesley. The plot in this one was a bit slow, but there's always a surprise at the end, and you really do want to know "who dunnit".
March 14, 2017
A pretty preposterous plot but an easy, enjoyable read.
July 12, 2018
Quite good, I very nearly worked it out! I enjoy this sort of novel with a recurring cast of characters. their personalities evolve over time.
October 13, 2022
A bit of old Egypt is mixed into this mystery to give a different feel from the English archaeology of the previous books. It is a bit of a weird story because of that mash up.
November 28, 2025
Another satisfying novel in the series. Loved the Egyptian angle and the familiar weaving of past and present in the narrative. Great plot, red herrings and characters. Altogether really enjoyable.
August 31, 2012
‘The Jackal Man’ by Kate Ellis
Published by Piatkus, August 2011. ISBN: 978-0-7499-5593-9
A teenage girl walking home along a country lane is attacked, and but for the timely arrival of a van would have been strangled to death. Although she survives she cannot identify her attacker, ‘he wore a dog’s head’ is all she can say. But within a short time another girl is attacked and this time killed.
Investigating is DI Wesley Peterson along with his rather loveable boss DCI Gerry Heffernan who with his new lady love Joyce away, had reverted to type - gravy and baked bean stains abound.
Meanwhile Wesley’s university friend Neil Watson has been summons to the huge edifice Varley Castle to look at the collection of artefacts belonging to the late amateur Egyptologist Sir Frederick Varley. Sir Frederick’s heir Caroline Varley has asked Neil to have a look at the artefacts with a view to valuation. Already in situ is Robert Delaware who is writing a biography of Sir Frederick Varley. Neil doesn’t take to Robert, but I suspected he has a yen for Caroline and Robert had got there first. Not being an expert on Egyptologist Neil calls in an expert in the Dr Andrew Beredace from the British Museum.
This is a multilayered tale. Interspersed with the current investigation is the narrative of an unidentified person who relates the story of the life surrounding Egyptologist Sir Frederick Varley, in the early nineteen hundreds. As Wesley investigates the current murders we are privy albeit, clandestinely, to series of murders in 1903.
As the current spate of murders continue, at one point Wesley seems awash with suspects, but following his nose he delves back into the past with surprising results.
This is my kind of mystery, the twists and turns had me jotting as in solving a cryptic crossword, to say I loved it is an understatement – for all you puzzle solvers out there this is for you. Kate Ellis just gets better and better, the slow unfolding of the past as the current investigation proceeds is masterly. And also the characterisation as we follow the lives of DS Rachel Tracey and DC Trish Walton, and a visit from the past of Wesley’s old boss Ian Petrie, but more frighteningly is that this investigation touches Wesley very close to home. Highly recommended.
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Reviewer: Lizzie Hayes
Published by Piatkus, August 2011. ISBN: 978-0-7499-5593-9
A teenage girl walking home along a country lane is attacked, and but for the timely arrival of a van would have been strangled to death. Although she survives she cannot identify her attacker, ‘he wore a dog’s head’ is all she can say. But within a short time another girl is attacked and this time killed.
Investigating is DI Wesley Peterson along with his rather loveable boss DCI Gerry Heffernan who with his new lady love Joyce away, had reverted to type - gravy and baked bean stains abound.
Meanwhile Wesley’s university friend Neil Watson has been summons to the huge edifice Varley Castle to look at the collection of artefacts belonging to the late amateur Egyptologist Sir Frederick Varley. Sir Frederick’s heir Caroline Varley has asked Neil to have a look at the artefacts with a view to valuation. Already in situ is Robert Delaware who is writing a biography of Sir Frederick Varley. Neil doesn’t take to Robert, but I suspected he has a yen for Caroline and Robert had got there first. Not being an expert on Egyptologist Neil calls in an expert in the Dr Andrew Beredace from the British Museum.
This is a multilayered tale. Interspersed with the current investigation is the narrative of an unidentified person who relates the story of the life surrounding Egyptologist Sir Frederick Varley, in the early nineteen hundreds. As Wesley investigates the current murders we are privy albeit, clandestinely, to series of murders in 1903.
As the current spate of murders continue, at one point Wesley seems awash with suspects, but following his nose he delves back into the past with surprising results.
This is my kind of mystery, the twists and turns had me jotting as in solving a cryptic crossword, to say I loved it is an understatement – for all you puzzle solvers out there this is for you. Kate Ellis just gets better and better, the slow unfolding of the past as the current investigation proceeds is masterly. And also the characterisation as we follow the lives of DS Rachel Tracey and DC Trish Walton, and a visit from the past of Wesley’s old boss Ian Petrie, but more frighteningly is that this investigation touches Wesley very close to home. Highly recommended.
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Reviewer: Lizzie Hayes
August 10, 2012
I probably woulnd't recommend this book to a friend as though I did read it all I really struggled and didn't enjoy it. The characters fell a bit flat for me, though I'm not sure if this because of the writing style in general or because they were all a bit false and undeveloped.
The murder was unique and I enjoyed the flashbacks to 1901 in Varley Castle aligning with the main plot but actually the whole thing was undermined by the unsubtle writing style. When there was a piece of evidence, Ellis pointed it out with neon signs rather than giving the reader credit of keeping up and working it out (I think this is the best part of reading crime novels?!) Also, she seemed to add things to the story when she pleased in order to make things fit a bit better. E.G.
The main suspect Jakes was a mechanic, and one of the victims smelt oil on her attacker, thus the mechanical oil and a connection which was noted by the leading detective. But further on, when they are told that the murderer needed some basic knowledge of mutilation, like a butcher, there was a single line which said something like, "Before he was a mechanic, Jakes was a Butcher." WELL THAT'S HANDY!! Instead I would have liked a briefing of some kind where his entire history is given, then the reader can put 2 and 2 together themselves, rather than Ellis adding this never before mentioned fact in when it suits.
I don't know, the whole thing was too heavy handed and flat for me to enjoy it beyond the acknowledgement that the plot was very unique.
The murder was unique and I enjoyed the flashbacks to 1901 in Varley Castle aligning with the main plot but actually the whole thing was undermined by the unsubtle writing style. When there was a piece of evidence, Ellis pointed it out with neon signs rather than giving the reader credit of keeping up and working it out (I think this is the best part of reading crime novels?!) Also, she seemed to add things to the story when she pleased in order to make things fit a bit better. E.G.
The main suspect Jakes was a mechanic, and one of the victims smelt oil on her attacker, thus the mechanical oil and a connection which was noted by the leading detective. But further on, when they are told that the murderer needed some basic knowledge of mutilation, like a butcher, there was a single line which said something like, "Before he was a mechanic, Jakes was a Butcher." WELL THAT'S HANDY!! Instead I would have liked a briefing of some kind where his entire history is given, then the reader can put 2 and 2 together themselves, rather than Ellis adding this never before mentioned fact in when it suits.
I don't know, the whole thing was too heavy handed and flat for me to enjoy it beyond the acknowledgement that the plot was very unique.
November 4, 2013
I love the Wesley Peterson books and i think this one is my favourite.I enjoyed both the past and present story lines and i always think that Kate Ellis is so clever the way that she gets the two stories to connect together by the end of the book.I love how Wesley and the rest of the team can all work together,in so many crime books the lead detective is constantly banging heads with his bosses who never listen to a word he says.The Jackal Man is a gripping book that keeps you guessing right to the end,i would gladly recommend it to anyone who likes a very good mystery with lots of suspects and plot twists.
February 23, 2020
Not her best by a long chalk. There's always an inventive plot with Kate Ellis but this stretched credibility beyond acceptance for me.
The book doesn't get off to the best of starts with a mistake on line 2 of the first page when she writes, 'neither fish nor foul'. Later in the book a family named Crest becomes Croft before reverting to Crest again. This sloppiness always bugs me.
The characterisation is poor with people just disappearing out of the story with no explanation.
I've got another half dozen books in this series on my TBR and hopefully this will be a lone aberration and the next instalment will be better.
The book doesn't get off to the best of starts with a mistake on line 2 of the first page when she writes, 'neither fish nor foul'. Later in the book a family named Crest becomes Croft before reverting to Crest again. This sloppiness always bugs me.
The characterisation is poor with people just disappearing out of the story with no explanation.
I've got another half dozen books in this series on my TBR and hopefully this will be a lone aberration and the next instalment will be better.
December 29, 2018
SO totally didn't solve this one on my own!! Thank goodness for Wesley Peterson!! Plenty of red herrings. Plenty of history (all those wealthy Brits invading Egypt in the early 20th century and scavenging the ancient tombs and bringing back treasures). The counterpoint chapters from the early 20th century added background and mystery. The mystery of ancient Egypt. The mystery of the human psyche. Mysterious human nature in multiple characters. Stir all those up and death and mystery result.
October 6, 2011
Kate Ellis is back on form! I tend to prefer her Wesley Peterson stories to her Joe Plantagenets, but I was disappointed with the last in the former series.
This story brought back all the elements I love, with some truly creepy suspects, and excellent use of almost all the regulars (some were away from Devon for one reason or another).
My one quibble is that poor Neil just never seems to meet anyone that's a keeper.
This story brought back all the elements I love, with some truly creepy suspects, and excellent use of almost all the regulars (some were away from Devon for one reason or another).
My one quibble is that poor Neil just never seems to meet anyone that's a keeper.
October 17, 2011
I enjoyed this, murders with Egyptian mythology ties. There's a lot of twists and turns in this book. It even has a spooky old castle, with an old serial killer story. You don't have to have read any of the series to enjoy this book. It's just a good page turning mystery.
August 31, 2020
A good tale but a little to unbelievable and the ‘evil’ one didn’t have much depth.
August 12, 2023
This was pretty much your bang average thriller, entertaining enough but never quite good enough to get me really exciting. The link with Ancient Egypt was something that made me really want to read this book, but I think this part of the story wasn’t used as well as it could have been, especially towards the end.
The dual timeline was also not particularly well done, with the flashback chapters being very short (not in a good way) and basically only being used to confirm a theory that you will likely suspect from the start.
I did however enjoy the big cast of characters, considering there were so many different policemen and suspects, everyone seemed to get a little bit of characterisation. It was also very hard to pinpoint a suspect until right near the end which was good as all the small twists succeeded in keeping you guessing.
I might have to read some other books from this series to see if they are any better. This book did have a lot of potential, and was good, but just not anything special
The dual timeline was also not particularly well done, with the flashback chapters being very short (not in a good way) and basically only being used to confirm a theory that you will likely suspect from the start.
I did however enjoy the big cast of characters, considering there were so many different policemen and suspects, everyone seemed to get a little bit of characterisation. It was also very hard to pinpoint a suspect until right near the end which was good as all the small twists succeeded in keeping you guessing.
I might have to read some other books from this series to see if they are any better. This book did have a lot of potential, and was good, but just not anything special
June 6, 2025
As with all books in this series, there is a certain formula which is followed where the modern crimes reflect events of past years. That is no criticism and makes the stories unique.
This time, Wesley and co begin an investigation of an attack on a young woman by an attacker, seemingly wearing a dog like mask. Soon, another attack occurs with this time fatal results and it soon becomes apparent that the perpetrator is following ancient Egyptian death rites. Wesley's friend Neil becomes involved when it transpires that the attacks are mirroring events that took place over one hundred years ago.
As ever, the story is fast-paced with red herrings and suspects a plenty. I didn't see the end coming and the teaser at the conclusion hints of more to this story line - perhaps there will be a follow-up.
This time, Wesley and co begin an investigation of an attack on a young woman by an attacker, seemingly wearing a dog like mask. Soon, another attack occurs with this time fatal results and it soon becomes apparent that the perpetrator is following ancient Egyptian death rites. Wesley's friend Neil becomes involved when it transpires that the attacks are mirroring events that took place over one hundred years ago.
As ever, the story is fast-paced with red herrings and suspects a plenty. I didn't see the end coming and the teaser at the conclusion hints of more to this story line - perhaps there will be a follow-up.
September 1, 2022
A teenage girl strangled and left for dead on a lonely country lane in Devon. The police are baffled when she describes her attacker as having the head of a dog, but when the body of a woman is found mutilated and wrapped in a sheet, DI Wesley Peterson suspects the killer may be preforming an ancient ritual linked to the jackal-headed Egyptian god, Anubis.
This one gets 4.5* stars from me.
Murder mystery plus Egyptian lore. I really enjoyed this one. And as always, Kate Ellis kept me guessing until the end. I am however, starting to think Wesley is a bit of a d*&k. His job comes before everything, neglectful of his family to the point his wife fell prey to the killer, but thankfully had a lucky escape and he isn't very nice to his good friend Dr. Neil Watson. He seems to really take him for granted, even when he has useful information pertinent to his current case.
This one gets 4.5* stars from me.
Murder mystery plus Egyptian lore. I really enjoyed this one. And as always, Kate Ellis kept me guessing until the end. I am however, starting to think Wesley is a bit of a d*&k. His job comes before everything, neglectful of his family to the point his wife fell prey to the killer, but thankfully had a lucky escape and he isn't very nice to his good friend Dr. Neil Watson. He seems to really take him for granted, even when he has useful information pertinent to his current case.
September 4, 2025
This book was okay, and I liked that it had something different to it than other crime books in the fact that it incorporated lots of Egyptian history. I liked the flashbacks to the governess sprinkled throughout the book. I did feel however that all the characters felt VERY flat. Wesley, who is supposed to be the main character I guess, as it’s part of the Wesley series, had no personality whatsoever. Neither did his wife. The only character with a bit of depth was the mother in law as she actually had a personality different to the others. All the men in this series kind of mushed into one in my head and I often found myself confused about who we were talking about, considering that none of them had any defining characteristics to separate them.
May 19, 2020
One of my favourites! There's a serial killer on the loose indulging in squeamish Ancient Egyptian post-mortem rituals and Wesley and the team are engaged in a race against time to find this 'Tradmouth Ripper'. It soon becomes clear that the killer is copying a series of gruesome murders at the turn of the century. I loved the Egyptology theme and really enjoyed the 1903 narrative by Eleanor, a governess, working for Sir Frederick Varley in his castle. This initially reminded me of 'Jane Eyre' but veered off in a very different direction...... There were so many intriguing plotlines and twists and turns and suspects and it kept me guessing right until the end.
November 30, 2023
I am reading this series in order and am now more than half the way through it. Basically, I enjoy reading these Wesley Peterson novels; so I will continue on through the series. My one problem is that the plots are a bit too unrealistic ("over the top") for me. This one (The Jackal Man) was really *extremely* unrealistic.
Does anyone else who likes the Wesley Peterson series have this problem?
Does anyone else who likes the Wesley Peterson series have this problem?
July 31, 2025
Murder mystery. A teenage girl is strangled but survives to describe her attacker as having a head like a dog. When another body is found mutilated and wrapped in a white sheet, DI Paterson suspects that the killer is performing an ancient ritual linked to Anubis, the jackal headed Egyptian God of death. The murders bear resemblance to four murders committed at Varley Castle in 1903 by Sir Frederick's son. However, the killer then attacks someone close to DI Patterson
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2025
Anothe good one, but too many names to keep track of this time around.
I almost guessed right, but you'll see. The clues are there
Gonna take a break from this series. Got my eye on starting some new ones, and although the whodunit changes in each of these, it's kinda the same old characters going through some of the same old motions.
But that's just me.
If this had been my intro into this series would have loved it
I almost guessed right, but you'll see. The clues are there
Gonna take a break from this series. Got my eye on starting some new ones, and although the whodunit changes in each of these, it's kinda the same old characters going through some of the same old motions.
But that's just me.
If this had been my intro into this series would have loved it
August 20, 2021
My plan was to read through the series this summer. Beach reading without the beach. However, the author changed her approach to the backstory ( not archeology based but more gruesome story) and the characters haven't evolved.
I haven't totally given up on the series and may come back to it again when I'm in between favorites.
I haven't totally given up on the series and may come back to it again when I'm in between favorites.
December 1, 2022
I know its fiction, but.....
Maybe I have read too many of these books - I usually enjoy the historical connections but not in this one. The story ( I almost had it right!) was a little too out there for me, and the historical part was not interesting to me. The mystery part was ok, lots of suspects to make lots of work. Ill try the next one & hope this isn't a trend.
Maybe I have read too many of these books - I usually enjoy the historical connections but not in this one. The story ( I almost had it right!) was a little too out there for me, and the historical part was not interesting to me. The mystery part was ok, lots of suspects to make lots of work. Ill try the next one & hope this isn't a trend.
October 9, 2023
This was a much better book than The Bone Garden. The plot moved the reader steadily and believably forward. The characters did not descend into type and each fulfilled their role in this police procedural.
I always enjoy a mystery set in small villages. As Miss Marple has taught us, strange and nefarious deeds occur under the cover of ordinary life.
I always enjoy a mystery set in small villages. As Miss Marple has taught us, strange and nefarious deeds occur under the cover of ordinary life.
April 11, 2018
Stepping into the world of DI Wesley Peterson is always easy, one of my go-to series when I need something familiar to get lost in. Like Ellis's other books in the series, history meets the present in a clash of murder and secrets at Varley Castle.
July 28, 2022
This book is way way too long. I honestly found the overall plot to be compelling but it’s so full of extraneous characters and side plots that it gets bogged down. If it had been half the length it would have been twice as enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews