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The Gye Journals #1
Tripletree
On a sultry summer night in 1994, Nathaniel and Katherine Gye are guests at a Civil War fancy-dress party. The theme of the occasion is apt because Tripletree, the Jacobean manor house in the heart of the Cotswolds where the event is being held, is steeped in history and enjoys a colorful past. But at the end of a glittering evening tragedy strikes, and the body of a woman is dragged from the lake.
This is merely the first of a catalog of misadventure that befalls the introverted rural community, dominated by a legacy of witchcraft and feuds. As he tries to unravel the truth, Nathaniel Gye, a parapsychic investigator, finds himself drawn back to the 17th century and the time when the hill above Tripletree manor was the place where the gallows once stood.
This is merely the first of a catalog of misadventure that befalls the introverted rural community, dominated by a legacy of witchcraft and feuds. As he tries to unravel the truth, Nathaniel Gye, a parapsychic investigator, finds himself drawn back to the 17th century and the time when the hill above Tripletree manor was the place where the gallows once stood.
- GenresMystery
272 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2004
31 people want to read
About the author
Derek Wilson
125 books98 followersDerek Wilson has been a writer of historical fiction and non-fiction for 50 years. His much acclaimed prize-winning works have largely centred on 16th and 17th century Europe. He has used various pen names for his fiction, his current Thomas Treviot Tudor crime series being written under the name D.K. Wilson. The first 2 books in this series - The First Horseman and The Traitor's Mark are based on real unsolved Tudor mysteries and have received enthusiastic plaudits. Readers have favourably compared this innovative series with the books of C.J. Sansom and S.J. Parris.
Recent non-fiction triumphs include The Plantagenets, Holbein: Portrait of an Unknown Man, and Charlemagne: a Biography.
Derek Wilson graduated from Cambridge and spent several years travelling and teaching in Africa before becoming a full-time writer and broadcaster in 1971. He has frequently written and appeared on radio and television and is popular as a public speaker having appeared at several literary festivals,British Museum, Hampton Court Palace, The British Library and other prestigious venues.
Recent non-fiction triumphs include The Plantagenets, Holbein: Portrait of an Unknown Man, and Charlemagne: a Biography.
Derek Wilson graduated from Cambridge and spent several years travelling and teaching in Africa before becoming a full-time writer and broadcaster in 1971. He has frequently written and appeared on radio and television and is popular as a public speaker having appeared at several literary festivals,British Museum, Hampton Court Palace, The British Library and other prestigious venues.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 24, 2008
First in a series featuring paranormal investigator Nathaniel Gye. In this opener, Gye is visited by one Sheldon Myles, who made his fortune in law. His wife, June, it seems, is ready to go to the police to confess to a murder that the police had ruled an accidental death. The death had occurred at a rather flamboyant party held by Sheldon & June at their home, and now June is ready to go and turn herself in. Why? Well, it seems that she's been listening to a hypnotist who took her back in time and now she can "remember" that she killed someone; Myles wants Gye to investigate this hypnotist and convince his wife she killed no one. But once Nat starts his investigation, things heat up with all concerned and there are those who do not want him nosing around. Nat must find out what the heck is going on here.
Not too bad for a series opener; I'd have liked it better without all the turmoil between Nathaniel and his wife in their private life, but that's just me. I'm one of those readers who just want to get to the point. There's a lot of clues, a lot of red herrings, a lot of suspects and to his credit, I thought I had the mystery all figured out early on but I was wrong. The writing is pretty good and the mystery will take you on a very winding road until you get to the finish.
Recommended for those who like mysteries in general, British mysteries, and mysteries that add a wee bit of the supernatural into the mix.
Not too bad for a series opener; I'd have liked it better without all the turmoil between Nathaniel and his wife in their private life, but that's just me. I'm one of those readers who just want to get to the point. There's a lot of clues, a lot of red herrings, a lot of suspects and to his credit, I thought I had the mystery all figured out early on but I was wrong. The writing is pretty good and the mystery will take you on a very winding road until you get to the finish.
Recommended for those who like mysteries in general, British mysteries, and mysteries that add a wee bit of the supernatural into the mix.
March 21, 2013
I liked this book enough to finish it but I had a few problems with it. SPOILERS!
I spent a lot of the book wondering a) what Dr Gye's job *actually* involved day-to-day and B) who was looking after their kids for a lot of the time. There was also some questionable dialogue and Barny came very much from the stock character cupboard.
Spoiler here - how did nobody notice Sheldon Myles was actually Henry Baker? If he was this famous judge surely his parents would have seen his face in the paper, or the original Sheldon's parents would have heard the name and job title and suspected something - it's not like it's a common name!
That aside, it was an enjoyable read.
I spent a lot of the book wondering a) what Dr Gye's job *actually* involved day-to-day and B) who was looking after their kids for a lot of the time. There was also some questionable dialogue and Barny came very much from the stock character cupboard.
Spoiler here - how did nobody notice Sheldon Myles was actually Henry Baker? If he was this famous judge surely his parents would have seen his face in the paper, or the original Sheldon's parents would have heard the name and job title and suspected something - it's not like it's a common name!
That aside, it was an enjoyable read.
July 23, 2008
This was a really good mystery. My only problem with the book was the side story with his family. The wife was important, but the kids and her job took away from the story a bit.
Dr Nathaniel Gye is a professor who studies, and discredits paranormal occurrences. He ends up at a party which is being hosted in a supposedly haunted house. There is a murder, and the mystery begins.
This story definitely has a lot of twists and turns, and you really have to pay attention.
Dr Nathaniel Gye is a professor who studies, and discredits paranormal occurrences. He ends up at a party which is being hosted in a supposedly haunted house. There is a murder, and the mystery begins.
This story definitely has a lot of twists and turns, and you really have to pay attention.
September 29, 2011
This reads like the author was hoping it would be made into one of those cosy Sunday night ITV dramas. The dialogue was quite hard going (can't believe anyone really speaks like these characters) and the story is neither horror nor crime drama, but stuck somewhere between the two.
Want to read
October 27, 2007rec 10/26 via bookmooch
September 20, 2014
This was a different read for me, it was about witchery and paranormal activities. Takes place in
Britain, haunted mansion, greed, and crazy people. Kept you on the edge of your chair.
Britain, haunted mansion, greed, and crazy people. Kept you on the edge of your chair.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews