Third Inspector Thanet Omnibus: "Element of Doubt", "Suspicious Death", "Dead by Morning" (Inspector Thanet S.) by Dorothy Simpson

Inspector Thanet #7-9 omnibus

by Dorothy Simpson

The third trio of mysteries in the “beautifully crafted,” Silver Dagger Award–winning police procedural series set in Kent, England (TheWashington Post). Det. Inspector Luke Thanet may be a family man with a soft heart and bad back, but he also has a bloodhound’s nose for murder. With Sgt. Mike Lineham at his side, no case is too tough, in these mysteries from the “dependably pleasing” Dorothy Simpson (Boston Globe). Element of Nerine Tarrant, a notorious woman with a taste for married men, is found dead on her patio, her neck broken by the fall from the second floor. The wall was too high for an accidental tumble, and a woman with Nerine’s lust for life would never have committed suicide. Many in the village of Ribbleden wanted her dead—but it’s up to Inspector Thanet to determine who gave her the final push. “Solidly charming.” —Publishers Weekly Suspicious The Sturrenden police station is in chaos. The superintendent has retired, and a brusque, ambitious upstart has been promoted. Thanet is almost relieved to get away to investigate a drowning. Powerful businesswoman Marcia Salden has been found in the river, and the autopsy suggests foul play. It’s up to the inspector to unravel the tangled web of conspiracy that ensnared the victim in a watery grave. “Pace, plot and subtle characterization all combine to make this a cracking good read.” —The Sunday Telegraph Dead by Leo Martindale has returned to Sutton-in-the-Weald after twenty years to claim his inheritance. The morning after a heavy snowstorm, his body is found. Was his death an accident, a hit and run caused by icy roads—or was it murder? Inspector Thanet will have to ignore Superintendent Draco breathing down his neck and plow through the clues to uncover the chilling truth. “Skillfully plotted . . . vivid characters.” —Publishers Weekly

Genres: Mystery

Paperback

First published January 15, 1998

About the author

Dorothy Preece Simpson writes...

"I was born and brought up in South Wales, went to Bridgend Grammar School and then on to Bristol University, where I read modern languages before moving to Kent, the background of the Thanet novels, to teach French at Dartford and Erith Grammar Schools.

Moving to the Maidstone area on my marriage, I then spent several years devoting myself to bringing up my three children. During that time I trained as a marriage guidance counsellor and subsequently worked as one for thirteen years.

You may think that marriage guidance counsellor to crime writer is rather a peculiar career move, but although I didn’t realise it at the time, of course, the training I received was the best possible preparation for writing detective novels. Murder mysteries are all about relationships which go disastrously wrong and the insights I gained into what makes people tick, into their interaction and motivations, have been absolutely invaluable to DI Thanet, my series character, as have the interviewing skills I acquired during my years of counselling.

I began to write after a long illness in 1975. The success of my first book, a suspense novel called HARBINGERS OF FEAR, gave me sufficient impetus to carry me through the two rejections which followed - very disheartening at the time, but invaluable in retrospect.

It was during this period that I realised that the crime novel is of such diversity that it offers enormous scope to the writer and decided to attempt to lay the foundation for a series of detective novels in my next book. This was the THE NIGHT SHE DIED." This was the first in a 15 book series starring Detective Inspector Luke Thanet. Severe repetitive stress injury caused her to stop writing in 2000.

She is an award winning author, receiving a Silver Dagger Award from the Crime Writers' Association of Great Britain.

Reviews

[Cookie M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed these three Inspector Thanet procedural novels by Dorothy Simpson. She doesn't get as big of a flash as some of the other British mystery writers these days. I don't think they ever turned her books into a TV series, and that may be why.

[Margaret Sweet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good police procedural

I have enjoyed Simpson's Luke Thanet mysteries ever since I made their acquaintance back in the 1980s. I like the exchanges between Thanet and his sidekick and have enjoyed reading about his family life too. Very good solid police procedural for the era the books were written. I think the British write the absolute best mysteries.

[Jeffrey Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

They are entertaining police procedurals. The introduction of family subplots and drama is well done. However, the mysteries are becoming more and more complicated and the denouements are becoming almost mystical in the associations Thanet makes. It is still a good series, but I think they are slowly going downhill.

[Kenneth W Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detailed, yet intriguing.

Good read for those who enjoy digging into the nitty gritty of solving cases. Not big on action but follows the mind of the detective as he solves the case.

[Kelly Kirkland · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of the are great! I didn't guess any of the endings.

[David Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

This is the second story in the series that I have read. The stories are captivating and well written. I recommend these to anyone who enjoys a good story.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually only read Element of Doubt. My library had it in the orignal publishing. Good book

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved her series, but she stopped writing. Nowhere have I found an obituary, so I still keep hoping.