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Kate Redman Mysteries #15

Muse: A Kate Redman Mystery: Book 15

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Abbeyford, in the West Country of England, is supposed to be a safe and pleasant place to live. But no fewer than four young women have gone missing in the past few years and now another, nineteen-year-old art student Mae Denton, has disappeared.

DI Kate Redman is eager to tie up any loose ends before she goes on maternity leave. But as the case unfolds, a straightforward disappearance becomes more complicated. Who was the mysterious man whom Mae was apparently seeing, and do her friends know more than they are telling? Has she vanished for her own reasons? And who, if anyone, can Kate and her team trust?

Muse is the fifteenth in the bestselling Kate Redman Mysteries series by author Celina Grace.

Praise for the Kate Redman Mysteries series, from Amazon and Goodreads

"Celina Grace gives us not only an unusual and well-built plot, but also a story which talks about too often forgotten humanity... Personal and choral human dramas intersect in a mystery that will keep you glued to the page until the end as it did for me."

"I love the Kate Redman series. At this point, I feel like the characters are old friends and have been through many life changes with them. Celina Grace is a masterful story teller with the ability to set the scenes in such a way that the reader can see them exactly. "

“One of the best I have read this year. I read about a fourth of the book early in the day, then at bedtime, I thought I would read a bit more before sleep. I finished the book at 5:20 AM. Just could not put it down.”

“At last, a mystery that delivers…I found this novel superb because I got all I needed to know and none of what I didn’t.”

“…a gripping detective story but the main character engages you, and as well as wanting to know how the mystery turns out you want to learn more about her too.”

“…amazing book, read it front to back in one visit, couldn`t help myself…”

182 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 28, 2023

18 people are currently reading
18 people want to read

About the author

Celina Grace

63 books455 followers
I’ve been trying to get published as a writer since…. um… er…um…see, it was that long ago I can’t remember. A long time. I make it fifteen years and counting….

I’ve also been writing for as long as I can really remember. I wrote my first story, The Blue Ruby, when I was about seven (if I can find that deathless prose scribbled in an exercise book somewhere, I might upload it here for a bit of light relief). Throughout college and university, I experimented with screenplays and scripts (I was studying Film and English at the time at the University of East Anglia), as well as other more short stories. In my twenties, I started my first novel, finished it, then my second, then my third. In my thirties, I was slightly side-tracked by the birth of my son but, leaving aside that trifling distraction, managed to write my fourth..

I didn’t bother trying to get the first novel published as I saw it as more of a practise run at this business of being an author. With the second, I entered the 2004 Lit Idol competition and got to third place. That was my ticket to publication, I thought, surely? Hah! Just the first in a long line of disappointments, of which every writer must be familiar… hopes built up to then be smacked down again. I had an agent approach me after the competition and on their encouragement, I finished, edited and polished the manuscript, sent it off to them with happy hopes – to be told months later that they didn’t think it was quite right for them..

Gutted, but enthusiasm relatively undimmed, I started on a new novel, inspired in part by the dramatic events of 2005 – the London bombings. I also wrote a short story at the same time on the same subject – it was on my mind a lot that summer (unsurprisingly. Freedom Fighter is the story – available on Amazon as part of The Mourning After short story collection). This novel The House on Fever Street (written under my maiden name Celina Alcock) was shortlisted for the 2006 Crime Writers’ Association Debut Dagger Award. Aha, I thought, a fairly prestigious and industry recognised award. This will get me published. Did it? Did it buggery!.

The House on Fever Street was also longlisted in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award of that year, which garnered me some nice reviews and a much needed ego boost but didn’t advance my career as a published author much further..

So what next for our doughty heroine? She ups and writes her fourth novel, gains an agent and thinks now, now I have finally made it as a published author! And she waits. And waits. And waits some more. And then waits a bit more. And a bit more. Finally, for variety, she waits a bit more..

So, after two years of waiting, reading about self-publishing on Amazon and other platforms, I believe a phrase that ends in ‘…for a game of soldiers’ passed my lips and I decide to publish myself. So I did. And here I am on Amazon, making sales. No publisher. No agent. Just me..

And that makes me VERY happy.

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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Profile Image for Susan.
7,299 reviews69 followers
April 23, 2023
Over the last two years three girls have gone missing from Abbeyford, in the West Country of England, with no trace or body discovered. Now another, this time 19 year old art student Mae Denton has disappeared. Who was she actually meeting that evening. Do her friends really know her. With D.I. Kate Redman soon to go on maternity leave, she and her team investigate but the progress is slow.
An entertaining and well-written modern mystery with its likeable and varied characters. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.
I received a free copy of this book from the author via BooksFunnel and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1 review
April 28, 2023
I love the Kate Redman series - police drama, mystery, strong female characters, intriguing personal stories. This one has all the elements to keep me reading past my bedtime. And poor Kate, very pregnant with twins (no less!). She solves the mystery and at last the people of Abbeyford and surroundings know what has happened to all these girls who have disappeared. Now, we just have to wait for the next book for the arrival of those twins (and the long anticipated marriage to Anderton)!
Profile Image for LooseBoots .
884 reviews6 followers
May 7, 2023
What is there not to like about Kate Redman books. They are all brilliant, this one especially. Even heavily pregnant she still manages to show why she’s one of the best police detectives around.
Once again full of drama and intrigue. More than enough to keep bums on seats till you get to the end.
Always a catch 22 when you get to the end as you miss all the characters, it’s that well written.
Well done Celina for another exciting adventure.
767 reviews3 followers
May 27, 2023
DI Kate Redman wants to tie up loose ends before she goes on maternity leave. At six and one-half months pregnant with twins, she’s not sure how long she’ll be able to keep going. Her boss and close friend, Mark Olbeck, asks her to take on the disappearance of at least four young women. It’s a little beneath her rank, but because the young women are from different parts of the area, Olbeck needs a steady hand to coordinate the cases. Grateful to have something to focus on, Kate agrees to take on the case.

This is one of my favorite series. The stories are well-crafted, with dimensional characters, interesting, complicated, twisty, topical plots, and tight dialogue that keeps the story moving forward. I have been a long-time fan of Kate’s – she started out kind of flawed and rough around the edges, but has grown into an excellent detective and a good boss. I appreciate how she treats everyone with respect, whether they can benefit her or not. One of my favorite relationships is between her and her now husband, then boss, Anderton. Watching their relationship progress has been grand. The mysteries and crime solving are what drew me to this series, but the relationships between the characters are what keeps me coming back.

I do find these are better in order, although you could read them out of order, as the author provides just enough backstory detail to keep you from being lost, but not so much as to make you feel left out. If you like traditional British police procedurals, you’d probably like Kate. I eagerly await the next book in the series.
17 reviews1 follower
May 3, 2023
The 15th book in the Kate Redman series and quite possibly the best. A 19 year old student , Mae Denton goes missing. She is the last in a list of missing young women in the area. At first glance Mae leads an exemplary student life, working and studying hard and surrounded by a group of close friends who claim to know her well... but do they? As the story progresses it transpires that no one knows her as well as they thought they did, because Mae has secrets. For example who was she going to meet on the night of her disappearence?

Meantime Kate Redmond is heavily pregnant with twins and can't wait to embark on maternity leave as she is finding the job stressful in a physical sense. She is in two minds as to how much she will miss the job. Notwithstanding that, she gives her all to the investigation. The story twists and turns and I couldn't put it down. The ending came as a surprise, but mainly I couldn't wait to hear whether or not those twins were delivered safely! I'm afraid I shall have to wait for that!

I have followed the whole series and find the development of the characters and their relationships absolutely true to life and fascinating. They all feel as though they have become friends, which really enhances the story for me.
1,703 reviews35 followers
May 4, 2023
Muse is the 15th book in the Kate Redman series.

Kate and Olbeck have been together for several years now, and they are going through relationship changes that means Kate will very likely be stepping away from her job shortly. At least for a while.

But first.

There is a local missing girl from the art school, and she may be tied to other girls who have disappeared over the last several years.

This is a steady, if not fast paced book that has developed characters and some nice red herrings to keep you guessing.

This is, and has been one of my favorite series for several years now.

Once again, Celina Grace has written a story that was hard to put down and I finished it way faster than I wanted to.
151 reviews
May 6, 2023
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is one of my favorite series. The main character, Kate Redman, as well as all the supporting characters are well developed. Their interpersonal relationships are also well developed and progress throughout the series. The story is interesting. A series of young women have gone missing with no trace of them found. The latest is a talented local art student. Can the police find her alive? Is her disappearance related to the other missing young women?
Profile Image for Elisa.
3,232 reviews44 followers
May 9, 2023
Book 15 !!!!
I’ve been in love with this series from the very beginning. I’m always eagerly awaiting the next Kate Redman mystery. There is just something about a good British police mystery that I’ve always loved and Celina Grace is brilliant at writing them, I just love the way she brings Kate Redman to life.
This mystery tied some lose ends from previous cases and wrapped everything up even with Kates current baby brain hindering her lol.
Profile Image for Silvia Molinari.
Author 7 books8 followers
May 23, 2023
Another mystery by Celina Grace and a further evolution in DI Kate Redman's life.
The abduction of a young art student triggers an investigation that is going to take the last energies from Kate, now close to leave her place in the Abbeyford Police for maternity leave. The more Kate digs into Mae Denton's life, the more the truth becomes blurred and unexpected.
A good crafted mystery with the usual Celina Grace's touch.
Profile Image for Barbara Gillan.
97 reviews4 followers
May 7, 2023
Just love the Kate Redman mysteries. I have been reading this since the first one was published so I have followed Kate's life from the beginning.
These are well-written and a bit humorous at times in contrast with the serious story line. I just love Celina's writing.
Can't wait for the next installment.
48 reviews1 follower
May 12, 2023
Kate Redman is after another suspect. With a lot of complications in the way, both personal and professional.
Are the disappearances of several 20 somethings connected? Read this 15th installment of the Kate Redman mysteries and all will be revealed.
Celina Grace is a wonderful story teller. I am looking forward to the next adventure.
410 reviews3 followers
May 19, 2023
as always, great!

I always enjoy DI Redman books. This one was as always great. Loved the fact of Kate’s pregnancy and twins no less. I was also very happy that Anderson has a successful business, he deserves it. I hope this is not the last book in the series, that would make me very sad. So I will wait for the next one.
Profile Image for Katherine.
535 reviews
August 23, 2023
Like all of Celina Grace’s Kate Redman books this one is splendid! I loved every minute of every page!! It’s really great watching these characters change and develop with time but you could certainly read these out of order and be able to follow along without too much trouble. I can’t wait for the next one!
13 reviews
March 11, 2024
I have loved the Kate Redman series, but this edition was my least favorite. To much commentary and banter around Kate's upcoming birth of twins.. lots of complaining about being pregnant. I thought the story was a little boring and the ending was abrupt. The investigation was going along slowly and then all of sudden Kate solves it single handed with no real explanation of the who the killer was etc.
Profile Image for Kandy.
1,394 reviews13 followers
April 23, 2023
Even extremely pregnant with twins, Kate does her best to solve crimes. Such a great series with wonderful and interesting characters and this book is an excellent addition. I am looking forward to what comes next.
717 reviews5 followers
May 28, 2023
Exceptional!

This book, the whole series, is well written and addictive. I've enjoyed the character development throughout, the plots are full of suspense, humor and excitement of all kinds. I'm hoping to read more of Kate and her crew.
20 reviews
June 15, 2023
Another excellent book in the Kate Redman series. I always enjoy catching up with all the characters and of course the case that Kate is investigating. I'm really interested to know what happens next with her life. The plot is well written and will keep you guessing!
3 reviews
June 18, 2023
An Enjoyable Read

I loved this book. I loved the reconnection with old characters, all the while watching the team mature into a well functioning unit. And I cannot WAIT for Book 16!
4 reviews
May 2, 2023
I don't think it was as good as her other books. Enjoyed it though!
12.7k reviews189 followers
May 3, 2023
DI Kate once again tries to solve mysteries. 5 young women were missing and the truth has to be found before there’s more causalities. Full of suspense, action. Enjoyable.
7 reviews
May 3, 2023
I really enjoyed reading Muse and all the Kate Redman series. Great mystery. Keep going Celina Grace
1,344 reviews14 followers
May 14, 2023
I continue to read these because of the main characters. I do wish the crime mystery was a little more detailed and the books a little longer. It feels like a condensed version.
Profile Image for Nancy.
472 reviews
June 27, 2023
I like the characters and their interactions but the author used”bump” too many times! I got that she was pregnant!
8 reviews
August 15, 2024
Great book

The characters are very believable and honest, a lovely mix of people. Such an enjoyable read..look forward to more like this
32 reviews
September 15, 2024
Another rollercoaster

I’ve grown to love all the different characters. She draws you in to her life and the lives of her colleagues. I will have to get the last book now.
Profile Image for Emma Lavin.
63 reviews2 followers
October 8, 2024
Another great mystery in this series. Really enjoyed it. Make sure you read 'Tasteful' before reading this one!
2 reviews
February 22, 2024
Another good book by Celine Grace. I have the whole series and have enjoyed them all. Great heroine and great supporting characters.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews

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