Reunited in Death

Pitkirtly Mysteries #2

by Cecilia Peartree

This is the second in a series of quirky mystery novels set in a small town in Scotland. When Jemima Stevenson helps to organise a Pitkirtly Homecoming day she has no idea that she has invited some of her long-lost cousins into danger. Reunited in Death is a cautionary tale for family historians and an entertaining read for others. Don't forget, there are some family occasions you won't want to put in your scrapbook! A local librarian goes missing. Just as family researchers from across the world gather in Pitkirtly, news arrives that her body has been found in the river. The Homecoming day must go ahead as it's too late to cancel, but before long a murder takes place. As the police investigations get under way, Jemima and her friends race to do the research that they hope will uncover the secret behind the deaths before the murderer catches up with Jemima herself. A Publisher's Weekly review said of this 'An unlikely cast of endearingly eccentric characters distinguish this offbeat mystery set in Pitkirtly, an appropriately quirky town on the Scottish coast....Memorable characters, delightful word pictures -- an assistant librarian "looked like a piece of chewed string" -- and understated humor highlight a novel with real promise.'

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

216 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 15, 2011

About the author

Cecilia Peartree is the mystery writing pen name of a former database manager who lives in Edinburgh. She is a history graduate and as well as writing, she uses her spare time to research family history, serve on a local committee and look after cats.
In real life, Cecilia has two sons, one a computer consultant and one a writer, film-maker and social media specialist.
Incidentally, there are now 27 books in the Pitkirtly Mystery series, and 6 in the Adventurous Quest series, but who's counting? (Apart from me, of course) Recently published work includes six historical novels (with more in progress) and 3 mysteries in a new series, as well as some random odds and ends.

Reviews

[Elizabeth Ducie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second in the series of Pitkirtly Murder Mysteries and the characters are starting to develop a bit more depth. The story is quite straightforward in the end, and is similar to any plot for Midsomer Murders or similar cosy murder story. I was distracted by the number of typos I spotted, and hope the editing gets better as the series proceeds. But a fun read nevertheless; I will be continuing with the series.

[Roddy Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second outing for the awkwardly named Amaryllis Peebles and her gang sees murder at a genealogical event hosted by Mrs Stevenson, an elderly member of Amaryllis' circle of friends.
Someone seems intent on murdering Mrs Stevenson's newfound relatives, which has everyone wondering if Mrs Stevenson herself is next on the list.
The author could be a little more obscure with her clues since the identity of the murderer is painfully obvious from quite early on.
I am of the opinion that one needs to read these books in a particular way. They are very much on the 'light-hearted murder' shelf and undeniably entertaining. They are well written, laced with a wry humour, with well crafted characters and a good dollop of human interest.
The issues for me are that the locals never really evoke the spirit of the area and that the central figure, Amaryllis Peebles has a name so at odds with her character that the juxtaposition works against the reader accepting her as real. It is difficult enough to accept that a part time (we assume) Secret Service agent is living happily among a selection of misfits in the coastal town of Pitkirtly without the additional problem of giving her a name that makes one wince when reading it.
However, apart from these points, this is a far better piece than the first novel and boasts the additional feature of a subplot involving Tibetan teenagers and wheelie bins.
I'll be reading more.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Pitkirtly mysteries series and basically the same characters as in the first are back (aside from one who is unfortunately detained at Her Majesty's Pleasure!) and I think if you liked the first you will enjoy the second as well.

I like the dash of humour that is threaded through the narrative and the characters knit well together but not always seeing eye to eye as people do. Cecilia has mixed it up a little with a different perspective as they are not all back in the pub this time but getting involved in a Homecoming Project basically a family history day at the Cultural Centre which enables Cecilia to bring in a new cast of external characters who are from "all over the place". Cecilia is topical as she makes use of social networking and the often touchy subject of immigrants. It is nice that an elderly character Jemima becomes a bit more centre stage in the story but, of course, Amaryllis has her own agenda and enjoys meddling. Before long a murder is committed and matters escalate from there.

I will definitely be reading more on the Pitkirtly stories.

[Joo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reunited in Death is the second of the Pitkirtly series of books (Crime in the Community being the first.

Yet again Cecilia has set a wonderfully quirky story. This time it revolves around a gathering of amateur genealogists in the town to investigate the Pitkirtly (and Scottish) parts of their family trees. The local villagers then have to investigate some deaths (as you do )

I suppose these books are classed as "cosy mysteries". Kind of like the type of murders you get in Midsommer Murders rather than the CSI kind of deaths. "Oh, someone's died over there, lets have a cup of tea" type of thing.

I find Cecilia's writing superb and very enjoyable. She has set up these great characters that you want to read more about. The stories are very easy reads and I think I liked this one better than Community. I look forward to reading the next one, A Reformed Character

[Kath Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who'd have thought researching your family history could be dangerous? Jemima Stevenson, a nice little old lady, organises a Homecoming Day in Pitkirtly and the bodies start piling up. Amaryllis is looking after three young Tibetans and everyone's looking for a mud-coloured man. It could only happen in Pitkirtly.

This second book set in a Scottish village benefits from the fact that the characters are now familiar friends. I love the strong and sassy Amaryllis, the supportive but self-effacing Christopher, the solid, dependable (but maybe a bit dodgy?) Dave and the dotty and surprising Jemima. I also very much enjoyed the humour again. There are some luscious phrases - I particularly enjoyed Amaryllis's 'expiatory attack of niceness'. This is a series that's so easy to sink yourself into. I've started the next!

[Philip Whiteland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, ok, I know that it's just me. After all, this is a series of books which runs to seven titles now and is clearly very popular. I just don't think I'll be pursuing the rest of the series. For me, the characters lack some depth and the stories are a little too bizarre for me to suspend my disbelief successfully. In this particular story, I found the idea that Jessica had managed to organise an international gathering in the town, almost by accident and with very little involvement of anyone else, somewhat difficult to accept. I wish Cecilia Peartree every success with this series and I'm sure many will get a great amount of pleasure from these stories, they just don't quite work for me and that's my loss.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The whodunnit was predictable but the characters are tremendously good fun. (Enough so that I am now reading the first in the series.)

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining story of murder in a rural "cultural centre" (library) featuring the enigmatic Amaryllis Peebles amongst many other interesting characters.