What do you think?
Rate this book
Mike Stanhope Mysteries #6
Not Exactly True: Substance or Illusion
An empty field is suddenly full of trucks; an old building has inexplicably disappeared; and a dead body mysteriously vanishes. Nothing is quite what it seems.
When journalist Mike Stanhope is threatened with libel action over an article he’s written, he’s determined to clear his name, and travels to the Wiltshire town where the story began. Yet the deeper he probes, the harder he has to struggle to filter fact from illusion.
Trish, beguiling but enigmatic, seems willing to help him, but what is her real agenda? He tries to take her good will at face value, but he knows he’s putting his relationship with his girlfriend at risk.
Meanwhile, a chance request for advice on photo restoration alerts Mike to a bigger and older mystery in the town. It promises to give him a major scoop; but will he ever be allowed to publish it?
The familiar mix of features from this series is back in abundance: likable characters, lively dialogue, fast pace and fascinating mystery, along with some moral dilemmas and emerging story that’s bigger than anyone imagined.
When journalist Mike Stanhope is threatened with libel action over an article he’s written, he’s determined to clear his name, and travels to the Wiltshire town where the story began. Yet the deeper he probes, the harder he has to struggle to filter fact from illusion.
Trish, beguiling but enigmatic, seems willing to help him, but what is her real agenda? He tries to take her good will at face value, but he knows he’s putting his relationship with his girlfriend at risk.
Meanwhile, a chance request for advice on photo restoration alerts Mike to a bigger and older mystery in the town. It promises to give him a major scoop; but will he ever be allowed to publish it?
The familiar mix of features from this series is back in abundance: likable characters, lively dialogue, fast pace and fascinating mystery, along with some moral dilemmas and emerging story that’s bigger than anyone imagined.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 18, 2023
39 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Peter Rowlands
9 books10 followersPeter Rowlands is an author whose mystery thrillers “are about ordinary people getting thrust into challenging, sometimes dangerous situations.” His leading characters don’t have special skills, and are forced to reach deep into themselves and find the resources they need.
He says character and plot have equal importance for him, and he aims to make his main participants jump off the page as believable, fleshed-out individuals. His objective at all times, he says, is to deliver clear, lucid prose and vibrant natural dialogue.
His keynote series of loosely-connected mysteries features downbeat journalist Mike Stanhope, who works in the superficially unpromising world of logistics journalism. However, his job brings him into contact with all kinds of demanding situations, from corporate corruption to kidnapping, theft and even murder. Along the way he has to weave his way through a tangled love life, trying to do the right thing even when he can’t work out quite what that is.
Mike has aspirations to be a thriller-writer himself, so the series also provides some revealing and occasionally ironic insights into the tribulations of a self-published author.
Peter picked up his background knowledge from editing and contributing to UK business magazines covering transport and logistics. He has also achieved a minor status as a photographer of commercial vehicles – especially British buses – and co-published his first hardback book in that field, Twenty Turbulent Years, in 2022.
He was born in Newcastle upon Tyne in north-east England, but has lived all his adult life in London. He has travelled widely in Europe and North America, and makes use of that experience in some of his novels.
He has also published a thriller under the pen-name Anders Teller.
He says character and plot have equal importance for him, and he aims to make his main participants jump off the page as believable, fleshed-out individuals. His objective at all times, he says, is to deliver clear, lucid prose and vibrant natural dialogue.
His keynote series of loosely-connected mysteries features downbeat journalist Mike Stanhope, who works in the superficially unpromising world of logistics journalism. However, his job brings him into contact with all kinds of demanding situations, from corporate corruption to kidnapping, theft and even murder. Along the way he has to weave his way through a tangled love life, trying to do the right thing even when he can’t work out quite what that is.
Mike has aspirations to be a thriller-writer himself, so the series also provides some revealing and occasionally ironic insights into the tribulations of a self-published author.
Peter picked up his background knowledge from editing and contributing to UK business magazines covering transport and logistics. He has also achieved a minor status as a photographer of commercial vehicles – especially British buses – and co-published his first hardback book in that field, Twenty Turbulent Years, in 2022.
He was born in Newcastle upon Tyne in north-east England, but has lived all his adult life in London. He has travelled widely in Europe and North America, and makes use of that experience in some of his novels.
He has also published a thriller under the pen-name Anders Teller.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 1, 2023
This is another complex mystery of several interwoven threads that keep transport journalist Mike Stanhope on his toes in the sixth adventure of the series. It’s different, colourful, imaginative and infectious, drawing you into a world where you’re never quite sure what’s happening or how it will end.
It starts with a tip off about a failing transport company in Wiltshire. His article prompts a libel claim that leaves him mystified and a little shaken. Forced to return to visit the factory to see what’s really going on, he meets Trish, the owner’s daughter, who seems less than enamoured with the way her mother operates.
Then there’s the favour for a friend who wants to self-publish a book about old postcards. One of these postcards relates to the town where the factory operates. It’s another chance to see Trish. To further complicate matters, there’s a dead body that disappears, hints of a connection with nearby Porton Down, where chemical weapons may once have been made during the Second World War, a beating and trouble with existing girlfriend, Sam.
Nothing is simple or straightforward when Mike gets his teeth into something. He’s an eminently likeable character who wants to do things right. He has a strong moral streak, which means he gets involved where perhaps he should exercise discretion, and there’s always a hint of a romance to tempt and distract him.
It’s all extremely well crafted and skilfully blended into an engaging mystery where each strand is neatly woven into a comprehensive thread that explains and accounts for every detail. There’s always a woman, or two, to tempt him off the straight and narrow, lots of humour and adventure, plus plenty of puzzles to keep you reading.
Not Exactly True works on its own, but will mean much more if you’ve read the rest of the series first.
It starts with a tip off about a failing transport company in Wiltshire. His article prompts a libel claim that leaves him mystified and a little shaken. Forced to return to visit the factory to see what’s really going on, he meets Trish, the owner’s daughter, who seems less than enamoured with the way her mother operates.
Then there’s the favour for a friend who wants to self-publish a book about old postcards. One of these postcards relates to the town where the factory operates. It’s another chance to see Trish. To further complicate matters, there’s a dead body that disappears, hints of a connection with nearby Porton Down, where chemical weapons may once have been made during the Second World War, a beating and trouble with existing girlfriend, Sam.
Nothing is simple or straightforward when Mike gets his teeth into something. He’s an eminently likeable character who wants to do things right. He has a strong moral streak, which means he gets involved where perhaps he should exercise discretion, and there’s always a hint of a romance to tempt and distract him.
It’s all extremely well crafted and skilfully blended into an engaging mystery where each strand is neatly woven into a comprehensive thread that explains and accounts for every detail. There’s always a woman, or two, to tempt him off the straight and narrow, lots of humour and adventure, plus plenty of puzzles to keep you reading.
Not Exactly True works on its own, but will mean much more if you’ve read the rest of the series first.
May 15, 2023
Most enjoyable
I found this story to be fairly current, during and just after lockdown. Relatable too, since lockdown adversely affected all our finances, and it is well-written too.
As readers, we were included in Mike Stanhope's journalistic investigations. He showed moral integrity both in his reporting and in his personal life despite temptations.
He ploughed on against all odds, using his high intellect to uncover buried secrets.
We shared his frustrations and pain.
We celebrated his progress and victories.
Thanks Peter Rowland. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the next one.
Try this book! I think it will suit adults of both genders.
I found this story to be fairly current, during and just after lockdown. Relatable too, since lockdown adversely affected all our finances, and it is well-written too.
As readers, we were included in Mike Stanhope's journalistic investigations. He showed moral integrity both in his reporting and in his personal life despite temptations.
He ploughed on against all odds, using his high intellect to uncover buried secrets.
We shared his frustrations and pain.
We celebrated his progress and victories.
Thanks Peter Rowland. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the next one.
Try this book! I think it will suit adults of both genders.
September 21, 2023
Excellent foray into industrial shenanigans!
I'm terribly sad that book 6 has come and gone so quickly!
I've devoured books 1 to 5 with increasing respect and book 6 did not disappoint.
Peter's characters are so real and his insight into the trucking and transport business so accurate that the reader is immersed in reality.
Excellent series.
I'm terribly sad that book 6 has come and gone so quickly!
I've devoured books 1 to 5 with increasing respect and book 6 did not disappoint.
Peter's characters are so real and his insight into the trucking and transport business so accurate that the reader is immersed in reality.
Excellent series.
December 5, 2023
A Great Series
Although there is not an abundance of action, the plot twist are ample and interesting. How someone can make the trucking Industry interesting is beyond me. Great job.
Although there is not an abundance of action, the plot twist are ample and interesting. How someone can make the trucking Industry interesting is beyond me. Great job.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews