Hawke's Tor

Amos Hawke #3

by E.V. Thompson

The brutal murder of a promiscuous young wife and the disappearance of her baby son bring Superintendent Amos Hawke and Sergeant Tom Churchyard to a tiny moorland village in nineteenth-century Cornwall, where the residents harbour dark secrets. The two policemen believe the murderer will be found within the isolated and insular community, but unravelling the tangled web of lies and deceit proves frustrating. Is the answer to the mystery held by the young gypsy girl whose appearance on the scene has disturbing ramifications for Tom Churchyard?

Genres: Historical Fiction

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Ernest Victor Thompson was born in London and spent nine years in the Navy before joining Bristol police. He moved to Hong Kong, then Rhodesia and had over 200 stories published before returning to England in 1970 to become a full-time award-winning writer.

He settled in Cornwall, living at Idle Cottage in Sharptor.

He wrote 42 historical novels, mostly set in Cornwall, beginning with 'Chase the Wind' in 1977, a book that was voted the best historical novel of the year, with detectives Churchyard and Hawke two of his main characters.

He was awarded the MBE in the 2012 New Years' Honours list for services to literature and the community in Cornwall. He was also a Bard of the Cornish Gorsedd (Gorsedh Kernow). This is an individual honoured for significant contributions to the Cornish language, culture, or heritage.

He also wrote the Scottish historical epic 'Homeland' in 1991 under the pseudonym James Munro.

He died peacefully, with his wife, Celia, and two sons, Nathan and Luke, by his side, at his home in Launceston, Cornwall, on 19 July 2021, shortly after his 81st birthday.

Reviews

[Terriamn Murrin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always a good story from E V Thompson. Can also expect historical facts which makes you want more.

[Ruth · Rating 2 out of 5]

c2011. FWFTB: murder, promiscuous, Cornwall, gypsy, secrets. Vintage EV Thompson managing to blend an interesting murder with a gentle love story and tales of woe in the Colonies. Glimpses of Cornwall are woven throughout the story and clearly E V loved the county. I have only just discovered that Mr Thompson passed away in July 2012 so this may have been one of his last books published. Recommended for those times when concentration is not really required and a comfort read is the best medicine. "'A body?' This time it was Tom who spoke. 'Do you have any idea who it is?' The farmer gave Tom a disdainful look, 'It may not be a very deep well, but we don't have lanterns down wells here in Cornwall so I can't say as I recognized him,,'"

[The Twins · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good solid read, nothing spectacular - a little bit of romance , likeable characters and believable story. More Agatha Christie than Nicci French when it comes to crime novels. I really didn't like the cover!!

[Karen Lowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

A delightful old-fashioned murder mystery.

[Mr C COOK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good read from a good author

Once again we have a murder investigation by a great detective and his faithful assistant A tale of twists and turns .

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think E.V. Thompson had loads more in store for Churchyard and Hawke - but we will never read those tales.

Loved this book as much as all his other books