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Inspector Ramsay #1
A Lesson In Dying
The first crime novel featuring Inspector Ramsay, whose reputation hangs in the balance as he investigates the murder of a headmaster in a close-knit Northumbrian pit village.
202 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
2362 people are currently reading
3154 people want to read
About the author
Ann Cleeves
132 books8,915 followersAnn is the author of the books behind ITV's VERA, now in it's third series, and the BBC's SHETLAND, which will be aired in December 2012. Ann's DI Vera Stanhope series of books is set in Northumberland and features the well loved detective along with her partner Joe Ashworth. Ann's Shetland series bring us DI Jimmy Perez, investigating in the mysterious, dark, and beautiful Shetland Islands...
Ann grew up in the country, first in Herefordshire, then in North Devon. Her father was a village school teacher. After dropping out of university she took a number of temporary jobs - child care officer, women's refuge leader, bird observatory cook, auxiliary coastguard - before going back to college and training to be a probation officer.
While she was cooking in the Bird Observatory on Fair Isle, she met her husband Tim, a visiting ornithologist. She was attracted less by the ornithology than the bottle of malt whisky she saw in his rucksack when she showed him his room. Soon after they married, Tim was appointed as warden of Hilbre, a tiny tidal island nature reserve in the Dee Estuary. They were the only residents, there was no mains electricity or water and access to the mainland was at low tide across the shore. If a person's not heavily into birds - and Ann isn't - there's not much to do on Hilbre and that was when she started writing. Her first series of crime novels features the elderly naturalist, George Palmer-Jones. A couple of these books are seriously dreadful.
In 1987 Tim, Ann and their two daughters moved to Northumberland and the north east provides the inspiration for many of her subsequent titles. The girls have both taken up with Geordie lads. In the autumn of 2006, Ann and Tim finally achieved their ambition of moving back to the North East.
For the National Year of Reading, Ann was made reader-in-residence for three library authorities. It came as a revelation that it was possible to get paid for talking to readers about books! She went on to set up reading groups in prisons as part of the Inside Books project, became Cheltenham Literature Festival's first reader-in-residence and still enjoys working with libraries.
Ann Cleeves on stage at the Duncan Lawrie Dagger awards ceremony
Ann's short film for Border TV, Catching Birds, won a Royal Television Society Award. She has twice been short listed for a CWA Dagger Award - once for her short story The Plater, and the following year for the Dagger in the Library award.
In 2006 Ann Cleeves was the first winner of the prestigious Duncan Lawrie Dagger Award of the Crime Writers' Association for Raven Black, the first volume of her Shetland Quartet. The Duncan Lawrie Dagger replaces the CWA's Gold Dagger award, and the winner receives £20,000, making it the world's largest award for crime fiction.
Ann's success was announced at the 2006 Dagger Awards ceremony at the Waldorf Hilton, in London's Aldwych, on Thursday 29 June 2006. She said: "I have never won anything before in my life, so it was a complete shock - but lovely of course.. The evening was relatively relaxing because I'd lost my voice and knew that even if the unexpected happened there was physically no way I could utter a word. So I wouldn't have to give a speech. My editor was deputed to do it!"
The judging panel consisted of Geoff Bradley (non-voting Chair), Lyn Brown MP (a committee member on the London Libraries service), Frances Gray (an academic who writes about and teaches courses on modern crime fiction), Heather O'Donoghue (academic, linguist, crime fiction reviewer for The Times Literary Supplement, and keen reader of all crime fiction) and Barry Forshaw (reviewer and editor of Crime Time magazine).
Ann's books have been translated into sixteen languages. She's a bestseller in Scandinavia and Germany. Her novels sell widely and to critical acclaim in the United States. Raven Black was shortlisted for the Martin Beck award for best translated crime novel in Sweden in 200
Ann grew up in the country, first in Herefordshire, then in North Devon. Her father was a village school teacher. After dropping out of university she took a number of temporary jobs - child care officer, women's refuge leader, bird observatory cook, auxiliary coastguard - before going back to college and training to be a probation officer.
While she was cooking in the Bird Observatory on Fair Isle, she met her husband Tim, a visiting ornithologist. She was attracted less by the ornithology than the bottle of malt whisky she saw in his rucksack when she showed him his room. Soon after they married, Tim was appointed as warden of Hilbre, a tiny tidal island nature reserve in the Dee Estuary. They were the only residents, there was no mains electricity or water and access to the mainland was at low tide across the shore. If a person's not heavily into birds - and Ann isn't - there's not much to do on Hilbre and that was when she started writing. Her first series of crime novels features the elderly naturalist, George Palmer-Jones. A couple of these books are seriously dreadful.
In 1987 Tim, Ann and their two daughters moved to Northumberland and the north east provides the inspiration for many of her subsequent titles. The girls have both taken up with Geordie lads. In the autumn of 2006, Ann and Tim finally achieved their ambition of moving back to the North East.
For the National Year of Reading, Ann was made reader-in-residence for three library authorities. It came as a revelation that it was possible to get paid for talking to readers about books! She went on to set up reading groups in prisons as part of the Inside Books project, became Cheltenham Literature Festival's first reader-in-residence and still enjoys working with libraries.
Ann Cleeves on stage at the Duncan Lawrie Dagger awards ceremony
Ann's short film for Border TV, Catching Birds, won a Royal Television Society Award. She has twice been short listed for a CWA Dagger Award - once for her short story The Plater, and the following year for the Dagger in the Library award.
In 2006 Ann Cleeves was the first winner of the prestigious Duncan Lawrie Dagger Award of the Crime Writers' Association for Raven Black, the first volume of her Shetland Quartet. The Duncan Lawrie Dagger replaces the CWA's Gold Dagger award, and the winner receives £20,000, making it the world's largest award for crime fiction.
Ann's success was announced at the 2006 Dagger Awards ceremony at the Waldorf Hilton, in London's Aldwych, on Thursday 29 June 2006. She said: "I have never won anything before in my life, so it was a complete shock - but lovely of course.. The evening was relatively relaxing because I'd lost my voice and knew that even if the unexpected happened there was physically no way I could utter a word. So I wouldn't have to give a speech. My editor was deputed to do it!"
The judging panel consisted of Geoff Bradley (non-voting Chair), Lyn Brown MP (a committee member on the London Libraries service), Frances Gray (an academic who writes about and teaches courses on modern crime fiction), Heather O'Donoghue (academic, linguist, crime fiction reviewer for The Times Literary Supplement, and keen reader of all crime fiction) and Barry Forshaw (reviewer and editor of Crime Time magazine).
Ann's books have been translated into sixteen languages. She's a bestseller in Scandinavia and Germany. Her novels sell widely and to critical acclaim in the United States. Raven Black was shortlisted for the Martin Beck award for best translated crime novel in Sweden in 200
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 676 reviews
February 27, 2014
Ironically, I found this book somewhat encouraging. It's an earlier novel by Ann Cleeves and, as mysteries go, it's not really very good. The characters are not well-developed, the setting is less well drawn than the Stanhope or the Shetland books, no real tension. It felt as if she'd just thought up the basic plot and rolled out a story around it.
So why satisfying? Because it was a living example that a mediocre writer can get lots, lots better with more practice! And that's good news, right?
But if you've started with Ann Cleeves later stuff, don't bother with this one. You'll be disappointed.
So why satisfying? Because it was a living example that a mediocre writer can get lots, lots better with more practice! And that's good news, right?
But if you've started with Ann Cleeves later stuff, don't bother with this one. You'll be disappointed.
March 6, 2025
4 stars for book one in a new series by Ann Cleeves. I have read several of her books in her other series and enjoyed them. Harold Medburn, school headmaster in the small village of Heppleburn, in Northern England, is found hanging in the schoolyard. Inspector Ramsay discovers that he was having an affair with a woman not his wife. He arrests the wife. But the school caretaker, Jack Robson, believes that Kitty Medburn is innocent and starts investigating. He discovers other suspects, along with evidence of blackmail, adultery and other secrets.
The mystery is solved, but not before more people die. I found the characters believable and the plot moved along well. This is a short book , 240 pages, and I read it in 2 days.
Thank You St. Martin's Press for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
Pub Date Mar 25 2025 |
The mystery is solved, but not before more people die. I found the characters believable and the plot moved along well. This is a short book , 240 pages, and I read it in 2 days.
Thank You St. Martin's Press for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
Pub Date Mar 25 2025 |
May 31, 2025
This is book one in a series written by Ann Cleeves in the 1990s. This first episode has been rereleased in 2025.
Set in the pit village of Heppleburn, Northumberland, the sudden murder of the local headmaster sends a ripple of disquiet through the whole village. Inspector Ramsey is in charge of the investigation but equal page time is given to the school caretaker and his daughter who pursue an investigation of their own. Eventually the two parts come together in an excellent conclusion.
I enjoyed it very much. It was quite apparent that it was written by the same author as the Vera series and the main character had the same instant impact as those in all her later series. I am very much looking forward to more of the calm, handsome, intelligent Inspector Ramsey in the rest of the series (five more books to read - heaven!).
Set in the pit village of Heppleburn, Northumberland, the sudden murder of the local headmaster sends a ripple of disquiet through the whole village. Inspector Ramsey is in charge of the investigation but equal page time is given to the school caretaker and his daughter who pursue an investigation of their own. Eventually the two parts come together in an excellent conclusion.
I enjoyed it very much. It was quite apparent that it was written by the same author as the Vera series and the main character had the same instant impact as those in all her later series. I am very much looking forward to more of the calm, handsome, intelligent Inspector Ramsey in the rest of the series (five more books to read - heaven!).
May 11, 2025
Ann Cleeves is the author of the popular 'Vera Stanhope' and 'Shetland' mystery books. This is the first book in Cleeves' 'Detective Inspector Ramsay' series, written in 1990 and recently re-issued. Cleeves calls the Ramsay novels 'contemporary novels with a 'Golden-Age feel'.
*****
Harold Medburn is headmaster of Heppleburn Primary School in the Northumberland village of Heppleburn.
Medburn is disliked by almost everyone associated with the school because he's a spiteful man who insults parents; is cruel to a new teacher; insists on inconvenient times for PTA meetings; thwarts plans for children's activities; and is generally a little dictator.
So it's not a big surprise that - after a PTA-sponsored Halloween Party - Medburn is found hanging from a noose in the school playground.
Detective Inspector Stephen Ramsay is called in to investigate.....
.....and Ramsay learns that Medburn was having an affair with a pretty single parent called Angela Brayshaw.
Ramsay then jumps to the conclusion that Medburn's wife Kitty murdered her adulterous husband and promptly arrests her.
Kitty's arrest galvanizes widower Jack Robson, who's the caretaker at Heppleburn Primary School and a town councilman. Robson was in love with Kitty decades ago when they were young adults, and still has warm feelings for her. Now Jack is determined to prove Kitty is innocent, and even hopes the two of them might revive their old romance.
Once Jack starts his inquiries, he enlists the help of his daughter Patty. Patty is a little bored with her life as a wife and mother, craves excitement, and is happy to play detective. In addition to everything else, this gives Patty the chance to hobnob with DI Ramsay, who makes her heart flutter a bit.
Jack and Patty get to work interviewing the residents of Heppleworth, and they soon uncover secrets and clues. This is an old-fashioned cozy mystery where the amateur sleuths are more capable than the real detective. Thus Jack and Patty are instrumental in solving the case.....but not before more deaths occur.
Cleeves has a deft hand with characterization, and other interesting people in the book include:
Paul Wilcox - a stay-at-home dad who takes care of the children while his wife Hannah works as a computer consultant. Headmaster Medburn liked to needle Wilcox about not being able to support his family.
Irene Hunt - who's been teaching at Heppleworth Primary School for four decades, and is ready to retire. Medburn intimidated Irene for years until she finally learned to stand up to him.
Matthew Carpenter - a newly minted teacher whom Medburn disliked, harassed, and threatened to fire.
Mrs. Mount - who runs an old people's home.
Detective Sergeant Gordon Hunter - who'd like to be promoted to DI Ramsay's job, and kind of hopes his boss doesn't solve the Medburn case; and more.
This cozy(ish) mystery doesn't have the polish of Cleeves' later books, but it's engaging and I enjoyed trying to suss out the killer.
Thanks to Netgalley, Ann Cleeves, and Minotaur Books for a copy of the book.
You can follow my reviews at http://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com
February 1, 2025
Updated review from February 1, 2025
Trigger warning: Suicide
I received this book from NetGalley, which did not affect my rating or review. Just to make sure people know, I read this back in 2021. I went and re-read a ton of Cleeves back-list. I do feel disappointed I could not continue with her Palmer-Jones series. I really enjoyed it, but most of the books are not available unless they are in paperback somewhere.
The Inspector Ramsay series is in my opinion very good. In this first book in the series, you are not going to start off with a high opinion of him. Probably because most of the book is laying the groundwork for some other characters who appear in the series later on. Also, Cleeves takes a very long time to set the stage and things move very very slowly until you have Ramsay and two other characters, Patty and Jack, who are daughter and father, who get involved in investigating the murder.
The book starts off focusing on a small village in Northumbrian. Cleeves ticks through characters who are dreading getting together for the local PTA conference because the local headmaster, Harold Medburn is mean and seems hell-bent on keeping everything under his control. When the school gets ready for a Halloween party (their first) Harold is found hung. The police immediately suspect that his wife Kitty did it. But the school caretaker, Jack Robson, who still carries a bit of a torch from Kitty from their younger days is determined to prove she's innocent. His daughter, Patty, who seems unclear on what she can do or is good at, finds herself standing by to assist Inspector Ramsay in his investigation.
Most of the book is Patty, Jack, and Ramsay talking to people and doing what they can to prove that Kitty killed or did not kill Medburn. It takes some time for the book to find its footing. And then of course a second murder takes place. Things come together quite well in the end, but there is some lingering guilt from this book that is going to follow Ramsay through the rest of the series.
Cleeves doesn't change anything in this one outside of the new introduction that shows you where her head was at when she wrote this. I did appreciate that. There's also several pages devoted to the second book in the series. I imagine that means they are going to re-release all of them again which will be nice. I ended up buying some of these and having them sent to me from the UK, yes, I was that invested in this series and had to see how it ended.
August 2021 review:
I won't lie, the beginning of this book drags like heck, but by the time you get to the 40 percent mark things start to click together. I really liked the character of Inspector Ramsey and want to read the entire series starring him. This reminded me of a somewhat darker and in some aspects more gory Midsomer Murders.
Trigger warning: Suicide
I received this book from NetGalley, which did not affect my rating or review. Just to make sure people know, I read this back in 2021. I went and re-read a ton of Cleeves back-list. I do feel disappointed I could not continue with her Palmer-Jones series. I really enjoyed it, but most of the books are not available unless they are in paperback somewhere.
The Inspector Ramsay series is in my opinion very good. In this first book in the series, you are not going to start off with a high opinion of him. Probably because most of the book is laying the groundwork for some other characters who appear in the series later on. Also, Cleeves takes a very long time to set the stage and things move very very slowly until you have Ramsay and two other characters, Patty and Jack, who are daughter and father, who get involved in investigating the murder.
The book starts off focusing on a small village in Northumbrian. Cleeves ticks through characters who are dreading getting together for the local PTA conference because the local headmaster, Harold Medburn is mean and seems hell-bent on keeping everything under his control. When the school gets ready for a Halloween party (their first) Harold is found hung. The police immediately suspect that his wife Kitty did it. But the school caretaker, Jack Robson, who still carries a bit of a torch from Kitty from their younger days is determined to prove she's innocent. His daughter, Patty, who seems unclear on what she can do or is good at, finds herself standing by to assist Inspector Ramsay in his investigation.
Most of the book is Patty, Jack, and Ramsay talking to people and doing what they can to prove that Kitty killed or did not kill Medburn. It takes some time for the book to find its footing. And then of course a second murder takes place. Things come together quite well in the end, but there is some lingering guilt from this book that is going to follow Ramsay through the rest of the series.
Cleeves doesn't change anything in this one outside of the new introduction that shows you where her head was at when she wrote this. I did appreciate that. There's also several pages devoted to the second book in the series. I imagine that means they are going to re-release all of them again which will be nice. I ended up buying some of these and having them sent to me from the UK, yes, I was that invested in this series and had to see how it ended.
August 2021 review:
I won't lie, the beginning of this book drags like heck, but by the time you get to the 40 percent mark things start to click together. I really liked the character of Inspector Ramsey and want to read the entire series starring him. This reminded me of a somewhat darker and in some aspects more gory Midsomer Murders.
February 18, 2021
I got a lot of reading done this week. (2/15-2/18/21) I was lucky enough to have electricity off and on for about 30 to 40 minute at a stretch, during The Great Texas Power Disaster, although internet went down and cell phone service was spotty at best.
My sister, 20'miles from here had nothing and moved in with her daughter who is on the same grid as a hospital and fire station. My son is on the DFW airport and emergency gov't grid, so he lost no power. My friend in Austin is still without power. We have heard nothing from our corgi friend in West Texas.
All preventable. They knew in 2011 this could happen! Republicans try to blame Democrats. Won't stand up. What Democrats? The GOP has owned this state for the last couple of decades. But, this could easily be told in reverse.
Warning to other states: Do not let one political party run everything! Learn from our sad tale. Checks and balances!
Anyway, to books.
"A lesson in Dying" is an early Ann Cleeves mystery, more in keeping with a Golden Age British detective story. It is about a small village where everybody knows everybody's business, but nobody knows the whole truth, and what happens when one resident gets ahold of a little too much information about several other residents.
Cleeves doesn't have her sea legs yet, and hasn't developed her signature style, but her genius is evident for those who care to look.
My sister, 20'miles from here had nothing and moved in with her daughter who is on the same grid as a hospital and fire station. My son is on the DFW airport and emergency gov't grid, so he lost no power. My friend in Austin is still without power. We have heard nothing from our corgi friend in West Texas.
All preventable. They knew in 2011 this could happen! Republicans try to blame Democrats. Won't stand up. What Democrats? The GOP has owned this state for the last couple of decades. But, this could easily be told in reverse.
Warning to other states: Do not let one political party run everything! Learn from our sad tale. Checks and balances!
Anyway, to books.
"A lesson in Dying" is an early Ann Cleeves mystery, more in keeping with a Golden Age British detective story. It is about a small village where everybody knows everybody's business, but nobody knows the whole truth, and what happens when one resident gets ahold of a little too much information about several other residents.
Cleeves doesn't have her sea legs yet, and hasn't developed her signature style, but her genius is evident for those who care to look.
January 18, 2026
The first book in the Inspector Ramsay series. It was nice to start at the beginning. Ann Cleeves is the best at writing brief stories. Every detail, I as a reader could want was included. I’m looking forward to the next in the series. Outstanding narration.
I was blessed with an ARC. Thank you NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
I was blessed with an ARC. Thank you NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
March 21, 2025
I have read quite a few of Ann Cleeves' books and enjoy her work. A Lesson In Dying is the first book of her new Inspector Ransey series, and I do love to get in at the beginning to test the waters and see if I like the character. So here I go starting yet another series...
Description:
Heppleburn, once a Northumberland pit village, has always been close-knit, friendly and safe - until the murder of headmaster Harold Medburn. Suddenly, the village seems unfamiliar, uncomfortable.
The school caretaker and his daughter pursue their own route of investigation, which should have made Inspector Ramsay's job a little easier. But hampered by false leads, powerless to pre-empt the killer's next move, and overshadowed by the evil atmosphere of All Hallow's Eve, Ramsay finds his own reputation is on the line...
My Thoughts:
I think Inspecor Ramsay is going to be a good character for a series. He has some flaws and doesn't seem to be the best investigator, but has a good value system and cares about what he does for the community. jack Robson dug up most of the investigative information with his determination that Kitty Medburn is innocent of her husband's murder. The setting of the book is in a small town that lent a bleak atmosphere to the story. There are some quirky characters that provide some interest and a little humor. This was a fairly short book, less than three hundred pages, so I read it rather quickly. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys mysteries.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.
Description:
Heppleburn, once a Northumberland pit village, has always been close-knit, friendly and safe - until the murder of headmaster Harold Medburn. Suddenly, the village seems unfamiliar, uncomfortable.
The school caretaker and his daughter pursue their own route of investigation, which should have made Inspector Ramsay's job a little easier. But hampered by false leads, powerless to pre-empt the killer's next move, and overshadowed by the evil atmosphere of All Hallow's Eve, Ramsay finds his own reputation is on the line...
My Thoughts:
I think Inspecor Ramsay is going to be a good character for a series. He has some flaws and doesn't seem to be the best investigator, but has a good value system and cares about what he does for the community. jack Robson dug up most of the investigative information with his determination that Kitty Medburn is innocent of her husband's murder. The setting of the book is in a small town that lent a bleak atmosphere to the story. There are some quirky characters that provide some interest and a little humor. This was a fairly short book, less than three hundred pages, so I read it rather quickly. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys mysteries.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.
July 11, 2025
Simon and I enjoy listening to Ann Cleeves' books very much. We needed an Ann Cleeves 'fix,' so we are trying a new series for us, as we are fully up-to-date with our favorite: Vera Stanhope and second favorite: Shetland.
March 18, 2025
This is the first book in the Inspector Ramsay series. The US release is scheduled for March 2025 though this series was originally published in the 1990s. I was excited to dive into this early series of one of my favorite authors for British mysteries. I was curious if her early books would captivate me the way her latest releases have been doing for the last few years. I went into this novel with the idea in my head that this was an early novel by the author and not to expect the polished expertise of a seasoned writer and I think tempering those expectations led to a pleasant result for me.
The story is told through multiple characters and follows the investigation of the murder of a school headmaster in a small village in Northumberland. The community in the village is filled with the usual characters from small town gossips and judgmental busy bodies to the standoffish secretive types. While not quite as atmospheric as later novels, I found the community to be what I have come to expect from Cleeves. And just when I was wondering if there would be a second act murder… The mystery had me guessing until the last minute, but I did actually figure it out in the end without the help of the Inspector.
I’m curious to find out more about Inspector Ramsay as I explore this series. I didn’t quite feel the affinity for him that I have for Vera or Jimmy Perez, but perhaps that will take time. This book did follow the investigation from the more amateur father/daughter duo of locals Jack and Patty, so I feel like I had a better feel for their characters. It’s not quite as complicated and complex as her later novels. You can tell that she’s grown as a writer, but it also carries a lot of her trademark features that you can expect from a Cleeves novel from the community with secrets and support to the second act death.
For seasoned readers of Ann Cleeves, I think you will enjoy this early mystery and characters if you go into it with the mindset that I did. I would probably recommend the Shetland or Vera series to readers new to the author.
Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for a copy provided for an honest review.
The story is told through multiple characters and follows the investigation of the murder of a school headmaster in a small village in Northumberland. The community in the village is filled with the usual characters from small town gossips and judgmental busy bodies to the standoffish secretive types. While not quite as atmospheric as later novels, I found the community to be what I have come to expect from Cleeves. And just when I was wondering if there would be a second act murder… The mystery had me guessing until the last minute, but I did actually figure it out in the end without the help of the Inspector.
I’m curious to find out more about Inspector Ramsay as I explore this series. I didn’t quite feel the affinity for him that I have for Vera or Jimmy Perez, but perhaps that will take time. This book did follow the investigation from the more amateur father/daughter duo of locals Jack and Patty, so I feel like I had a better feel for their characters. It’s not quite as complicated and complex as her later novels. You can tell that she’s grown as a writer, but it also carries a lot of her trademark features that you can expect from a Cleeves novel from the community with secrets and support to the second act death.
For seasoned readers of Ann Cleeves, I think you will enjoy this early mystery and characters if you go into it with the mindset that I did. I would probably recommend the Shetland or Vera series to readers new to the author.
Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for a copy provided for an honest review.
July 17, 2023
A Lesson In Dying (Inspector Ramsey, #1) by Ann Cleeves.
This rounded off my reading of the Inspector Ramsey series. Requesting interlibrary loans for 3 in this series was well worth it. Hopefully the author and/or the publisher will take the hint and republish this gold mine again.
The headmaster at the Heppleburn school has a reputation and it's not a good one. He's either hated or feared by the majority of teachers and others in the community. The school has a Halloween party planned and it seemed as if all was going according to plan. That is until the headmaster's body is found hanging from a netball hoop on school property. How he got there and who the murderer remains to be uncovered. The task of finding the person responsible lies with Inspector Ramsey and his appointed side kick Gordon Hunter.
The Inspector may not know it yet but there are two other self-appointed detectives waiting in the wings. Jack Robson and his daughter Patty. Jack is bound and determined to clear Kitty Medburn of her husband's death. Did Inspector act too soon in arresting Kitty? Can Jack prove her innocent of these charges in time?
Absolutely loved this first installment in the Inspector Ramset series and highly recommend it to all mystery lovers.
This rounded off my reading of the Inspector Ramsey series. Requesting interlibrary loans for 3 in this series was well worth it. Hopefully the author and/or the publisher will take the hint and republish this gold mine again.
The headmaster at the Heppleburn school has a reputation and it's not a good one. He's either hated or feared by the majority of teachers and others in the community. The school has a Halloween party planned and it seemed as if all was going according to plan. That is until the headmaster's body is found hanging from a netball hoop on school property. How he got there and who the murderer remains to be uncovered. The task of finding the person responsible lies with Inspector Ramsey and his appointed side kick Gordon Hunter.
The Inspector may not know it yet but there are two other self-appointed detectives waiting in the wings. Jack Robson and his daughter Patty. Jack is bound and determined to clear Kitty Medburn of her husband's death. Did Inspector act too soon in arresting Kitty? Can Jack prove her innocent of these charges in time?
Absolutely loved this first installment in the Inspector Ramset series and highly recommend it to all mystery lovers.
March 22, 2021
You can see from the list below that I have read a lot by this author and generally really enjoyed them. I can't believe that I have never come across the Inspector Ramsay series before, but then it pre-dates both the Vera and the Shetland series.
Inspector Ramsay is a somewhat peculiar character, a bit reclusive and there is some mystery to his background which I haven't yet worked out. Maybe it will become clearer in the next books in the series, which I intend reading.
Harold Medburn, the principal of the Heppleburn school, is a nasty bit of goods, and no-one is regretful about his death. But who hated or feared him enough to kill him? It looks an open and shut case, but when Inspector Ramsay arrests Medburn's wife, an old flame, Jack Robson, now the elderly school caretaker, begins to try to prove her innocence.
It seems that everybody in this village has their secrets. When Jack Robson gets coshed during the course of his investigations, Ramsay realises that Kitty Medburn is not the murderer, but it is too late - she has already taken her own life.
A good read. I will certainly read the next in the series.
Inspector Ramsay is a somewhat peculiar character, a bit reclusive and there is some mystery to his background which I haven't yet worked out. Maybe it will become clearer in the next books in the series, which I intend reading.
Harold Medburn, the principal of the Heppleburn school, is a nasty bit of goods, and no-one is regretful about his death. But who hated or feared him enough to kill him? It looks an open and shut case, but when Inspector Ramsay arrests Medburn's wife, an old flame, Jack Robson, now the elderly school caretaker, begins to try to prove her innocence.
It seems that everybody in this village has their secrets. When Jack Robson gets coshed during the course of his investigations, Ramsay realises that Kitty Medburn is not the murderer, but it is too late - she has already taken her own life.
A good read. I will certainly read the next in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2025
As a fan of Ann Cleeves work, I was excited to see the reprint of a previous series that I wasn’t aware of, seems it’s never been release in the US. While I only discovered Cleeves about a year or so ago, I am now a committed fan to her Two Rivers and Shetland Island series.
The book summary is pretty vague and just introduces the primary storyline of Jack, a school caretaker, and his daughter, Patty, start investigating the murder of Harold, who was pretty much despised by everyone. However, it’s Harold’s wife, Kitty, that Jack is more concerned with; Kitty is arrested and jailed for her husband’s murder. There is a secondary storyline of Jack’s motivation being derived from his infatuation for Kitty, whose feelings are not mutual.
There is a boatload of suspects that wanted Harold dead, which is typical for a character that is despised by everyone. The storyline meanders all over the place and with the story flipping back and forth mostly between Jack and Patty, with some excerpts from Harold’s mistress, Angela, and Det Ramsay. Fortunately, it’s a short story and the end comes to a satisfying finale, even if it wasn’t a shocker or even a twist.
In short stories like this, there isn’t much character development for the MC’s and most of the others were basically just talking heads. The pacing was kind of slow, but it did pick up towards the end. Once again, the storyline was …………… not sure what else to say about the storyline or about the writing. However, I do want to say that Cleeves talent in writing and storytelling has certainly grown quite a bit over the years, which isn’t really that unusual to see between an author’s early work and later work.
I’m looking at an overall rating of 2.7 that I will round up to a 3star review. I want to thank NetGalley, St Martin’s Press for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #StMartinsPress #ALessoninDying
The book summary is pretty vague and just introduces the primary storyline of Jack, a school caretaker, and his daughter, Patty, start investigating the murder of Harold, who was pretty much despised by everyone. However, it’s Harold’s wife, Kitty, that Jack is more concerned with; Kitty is arrested and jailed for her husband’s murder. There is a secondary storyline of Jack’s motivation being derived from his infatuation for Kitty, whose feelings are not mutual.
There is a boatload of suspects that wanted Harold dead, which is typical for a character that is despised by everyone. The storyline meanders all over the place and with the story flipping back and forth mostly between Jack and Patty, with some excerpts from Harold’s mistress, Angela, and Det Ramsay. Fortunately, it’s a short story and the end comes to a satisfying finale, even if it wasn’t a shocker or even a twist.
In short stories like this, there isn’t much character development for the MC’s and most of the others were basically just talking heads. The pacing was kind of slow, but it did pick up towards the end. Once again, the storyline was …………… not sure what else to say about the storyline or about the writing. However, I do want to say that Cleeves talent in writing and storytelling has certainly grown quite a bit over the years, which isn’t really that unusual to see between an author’s early work and later work.
I’m looking at an overall rating of 2.7 that I will round up to a 3star review. I want to thank NetGalley, St Martin’s Press for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #StMartinsPress #ALessoninDying
November 7, 2024
The first book in what looks to be another good series by Ann Cleeves. Set in the North East of England, the author excellently describes the insular life experienced by many of the residents of an old mining village and the sense of drama and excitement that a murder brings to liven up their world-weary lives.
Detective Inspector Ramsay, investigating the murder of a very unpopular Headteacher, is forced to rely on help from those attached to the school to find the killer. The author brings into play a number of potential suspects and side stories that may or may not be connected to the crime, providing clues as the plot progresses to keep the reader engaged.
There are some well written characters in this novel. I particularly liked Patty, a careworn and dissatisfied wife and mother, looking for more from life and attracted to the handsome and dashing Ramsay, working above and beyond to find answers to help him solve the case. Ramsay himself is another interesting prospect, recently divorced and scarred by the experience, and prone to making the odd mistake. It is refreshing to read a crime novel with a very human chief investigator.
The plot was a bit on the safe side though, and, although the reveal at the end was surprising, it did come a little out of the blue. However, this was a good start to the series and I look forward to reading more.
Detective Inspector Ramsay, investigating the murder of a very unpopular Headteacher, is forced to rely on help from those attached to the school to find the killer. The author brings into play a number of potential suspects and side stories that may or may not be connected to the crime, providing clues as the plot progresses to keep the reader engaged.
There are some well written characters in this novel. I particularly liked Patty, a careworn and dissatisfied wife and mother, looking for more from life and attracted to the handsome and dashing Ramsay, working above and beyond to find answers to help him solve the case. Ramsay himself is another interesting prospect, recently divorced and scarred by the experience, and prone to making the odd mistake. It is refreshing to read a crime novel with a very human chief investigator.
The plot was a bit on the safe side though, and, although the reveal at the end was surprising, it did come a little out of the blue. However, this was a good start to the series and I look forward to reading more.
May 31, 2019
I really love Ann Cleeves's writing so this was never going to be bad but it's not quite as captivating as the Vera Stanhope or Jimmy Perez series that I have been thoroughly enjoying (and thankfully still have a couple left to read)...
..and that's probably because Inspector Ramsey is not anywhere near being the principal character in this mystery set in a small community. I did not care for him (lazy & getting neighbours to do the work for him?? that was odd) but I did enjoy the story and watching some of the villagers eke out all the secrets!
It's a cosy mystery and if you like a village setting where everyone knows everyone and yet really doesn't then this is a book for you!
Forget police procedural (it's definitely not that) but as a village based mystery involving plenty of unlikable suspects and a hap-hazard investigation then it is very entertaining!
..and that's probably because Inspector Ramsey is not anywhere near being the principal character in this mystery set in a small community. I did not care for him (lazy & getting neighbours to do the work for him?? that was odd) but I did enjoy the story and watching some of the villagers eke out all the secrets!
It's a cosy mystery and if you like a village setting where everyone knows everyone and yet really doesn't then this is a book for you!
Forget police procedural (it's definitely not that) but as a village based mystery involving plenty of unlikable suspects and a hap-hazard investigation then it is very entertaining!
February 20, 2024
Rather slow moving but I’ll read more of this series to see how it develops. The powers that be think Ramsay’s on his way out but obviously not! He’s looking at who killed and hung the headmaster in the playground at Heppleburn.
August 1, 2023
Absolutely not my cup of tea.
Shallow characters, weak storytelling, but on the upside it is short.
Shallow characters, weak storytelling, but on the upside it is short.
April 2, 2020
I am so pleased that my wife reintroduced me to reading nearly twenty years ago. Now that we are self isolated because of this virus, we have books. They are a means of keeping us entertained and of taking us out of the house and away to different places. We can meet new people without keeping 2 metres apart or being worried that through the meeting we may have caught it.
Anne Cleeves has been there on my bookshelf for a long time. She provided me with Vera long before the TV series and then Jimmy Perez on Shetland. Having read all of these that were available, I looked for more and as I wasnt particularly taken with a chance encounter with George and Molly Palmer-Jones on an audio cassette , I settled on this Inspector Ramsay series to fill the current void.
This book was published in 1990 almost 10 years before Vera made an appearance.
There are a lot of similarities between the two sets. I was going to say ,except for the central characters, but on reflection there are likenesses there too. I am looking forward to seeing how the character of Ramsay matures through the series.
This story is typical of her later books. Very character based but with a compact group involved they are all brought tolife in the story. The style of writing , although much the same as the more popular later books felt, I thought, less well developed, but eminently readable nonetheless.
The plot was easily enough to follow and the armchair detective may have had an idea about the villain but I wonder if they spotted any of the real clues. As with most of the authors books that followed, - I didnt. May be in the next one? And isnt that what keeps bringing us back?
Anne Cleeves has been there on my bookshelf for a long time. She provided me with Vera long before the TV series and then Jimmy Perez on Shetland. Having read all of these that were available, I looked for more and as I wasnt particularly taken with a chance encounter with George and Molly Palmer-Jones on an audio cassette , I settled on this Inspector Ramsay series to fill the current void.
This book was published in 1990 almost 10 years before Vera made an appearance.
There are a lot of similarities between the two sets. I was going to say ,except for the central characters, but on reflection there are likenesses there too. I am looking forward to seeing how the character of Ramsay matures through the series.
This story is typical of her later books. Very character based but with a compact group involved they are all brought tolife in the story. The style of writing , although much the same as the more popular later books felt, I thought, less well developed, but eminently readable nonetheless.
The plot was easily enough to follow and the armchair detective may have had an idea about the villain but I wonder if they spotted any of the real clues. As with most of the authors books that followed, - I didnt. May be in the next one? And isnt that what keeps bringing us back?
December 28, 2025
Headmaster Harold Medburn has been murdered and Inspector Stephen Ramsay is tasked to find his killer. Who is the guilty party? The more he learns about the man, the more questions he has. It is soon made clear that Medburn was unliked by several people leaving Ramsay to decipher clues as to the killer’s identity.
As things soon turn out, it seems that Ramsay is not the only one investigating the murder. When a woman is arrested as the prime suspect, caretaker Jack Robson at the school where the victim worked, steps in and also begins looking for the murderer.
As A Lesson in Dying is the first book in the Inspector Ramsay series, the setting is built by strong character development. It is almost as is this first book in the series presents a cast of characters and sets them around a table in order to identify the killer. I love the way this was done in this book.
Headmaster Harold Medburn has been murdered and Inspector Stephen Ramsay is tasked to find his killer. Who is the guilty party? The more he learns about the man, the more questions he has. It is soon made clear that Medburn was unliked by several people leaving Ramsay to decipher clues as to the killer’s identity.
As things soon turn out, it seems that Ramsay is not the only one investigating the murder. When a woman is arrested as the prime suspect, caretaker Jack Robson at the school where the victim worked, steps in and also begins looking for the murderer.
As A Lesson in Dying is the first book in the Inspector Ramsay series, the setting is built by strong character development. It is almost as is this first book in the series presents a cast of characters and sets them around a table in order to identify the killer. I love the way this was done in this book.
Many thanks to Macmillan Audio and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
As things soon turn out, it seems that Ramsay is not the only one investigating the murder. When a woman is arrested as the prime suspect, caretaker Jack Robson at the school where the victim worked, steps in and also begins looking for the murderer.
As A Lesson in Dying is the first book in the Inspector Ramsay series, the setting is built by strong character development. It is almost as is this first book in the series presents a cast of characters and sets them around a table in order to identify the killer. I love the way this was done in this book.
Headmaster Harold Medburn has been murdered and Inspector Stephen Ramsay is tasked to find his killer. Who is the guilty party? The more he learns about the man, the more questions he has. It is soon made clear that Medburn was unliked by several people leaving Ramsay to decipher clues as to the killer’s identity.
As things soon turn out, it seems that Ramsay is not the only one investigating the murder. When a woman is arrested as the prime suspect, caretaker Jack Robson at the school where the victim worked, steps in and also begins looking for the murderer.
As A Lesson in Dying is the first book in the Inspector Ramsay series, the setting is built by strong character development. It is almost as is this first book in the series presents a cast of characters and sets them around a table in order to identify the killer. I love the way this was done in this book.
Many thanks to Macmillan Audio and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
April 10, 2024
Visai atsvaidzinoši lasīt par detektīvu, kurš praktiski visā izmeklēšanas gaitā ir gauži nevarīgs un apmulsis, tikai pēdējā mirklī piepeši apķeras un glābj situāciju kā slavas apvīts varonis
April 1, 2025
Ann Cleeves writes mysteries which are a perfect mix of some (not too gory and mostly off-stage) murder and engaging characters set in the quiet, somewhat forbidding yet also mysteriously beautiful backdrop of Northern England, usually Northumberland (which I only came to be familiar with through her writings).
I have read and enjoyed her Vera Stanhope series (which i discovered through the excellent BBC tv series' adaptation, sadly in its final season), her Shetland series (also adapted for TV, though with a new character now as lead), and Matthew Venn books (which I've heard has also been adapted for tv but which I haven't yet seen). All excellent series--I've loved them all, even reread a few because i loved the characters so much.
A Lesson in Dying is part of an older series featuring Inspector Ramsey, a dark and brooding character who, like all of Cleeves' characters is fighting not only crime but his own demons. The series is being re-released, I imagine in the light of her other successes, and I am glad it is.
The book is set, again, in Northumberland, in a Heppleburn, a small village whose residents all know each other. Or think they do, at any rate. After the murder of one of their own, people become anxious and mistrustful. Even if the person murdered was not well-liked people are rocked by this sudden violence in their tranquil community.
The book reminded me a bit of Agatha Christie's series--the small village with all the politics and difficulties in personal relationships common to people in groups of any size. I felt at home and comfortable in the environment and with the people
I liked Inspector Ramsey--Cleeves' writes that in this, his first appearance, he has a smaller role to play than in later entries in the series (like Vera Stanhope in The Crow Trap) but I found his scenes satisfying. My strongest likes were for the school caretaker and his somewhat flighty daughter. Patty who decide to investigate the murder themselves (which made me very anxious--after all, there is a killer out there and these likable amateurs are putting themselves at risk).
Often when reading mysteries I get impatient waiting for the solution but I enjoyed the journey in this one so much I was in no hurry to finish.
A pleasant mystery to which the solution was satisfying--I came close to guessing but didn't quite get it. I'm not sure it would have mattered, the book being as enjoyable as it is.
Thanks to NetGalley, publisher St. Martins' Press, and author Ann Cleeves for providing me with this lovely book.
I have read and enjoyed her Vera Stanhope series (which i discovered through the excellent BBC tv series' adaptation, sadly in its final season), her Shetland series (also adapted for TV, though with a new character now as lead), and Matthew Venn books (which I've heard has also been adapted for tv but which I haven't yet seen). All excellent series--I've loved them all, even reread a few because i loved the characters so much.
A Lesson in Dying is part of an older series featuring Inspector Ramsey, a dark and brooding character who, like all of Cleeves' characters is fighting not only crime but his own demons. The series is being re-released, I imagine in the light of her other successes, and I am glad it is.
The book is set, again, in Northumberland, in a Heppleburn, a small village whose residents all know each other. Or think they do, at any rate. After the murder of one of their own, people become anxious and mistrustful. Even if the person murdered was not well-liked people are rocked by this sudden violence in their tranquil community.
The book reminded me a bit of Agatha Christie's series--the small village with all the politics and difficulties in personal relationships common to people in groups of any size. I felt at home and comfortable in the environment and with the people
I liked Inspector Ramsey--Cleeves' writes that in this, his first appearance, he has a smaller role to play than in later entries in the series (like Vera Stanhope in The Crow Trap) but I found his scenes satisfying. My strongest likes were for the school caretaker and his somewhat flighty daughter. Patty who decide to investigate the murder themselves (which made me very anxious--after all, there is a killer out there and these likable amateurs are putting themselves at risk).
Often when reading mysteries I get impatient waiting for the solution but I enjoyed the journey in this one so much I was in no hurry to finish.
A pleasant mystery to which the solution was satisfying--I came close to guessing but didn't quite get it. I'm not sure it would have mattered, the book being as enjoyable as it is.
Thanks to NetGalley, publisher St. Martins' Press, and author Ann Cleeves for providing me with this lovely book.
February 15, 2020
Read the entire book on a flight from South Carolina to Kauai. Easy to follow mystery with likable characters. Perfect read for a flight with screaming children and severe air turbulence.
December 27, 2025
Thank you to #McmillanAudio and #NetGalley for the audio ARC of #ALessoninDying. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
I've been reading Ann Cleeves for years - love the Shetland series and the Vera Stanhope mysteries. The Inspector Ramsay series pre-dates the other series, but this is the first time they're being offered/printed in the US. I was lucky enough to get all 6 on audio from NetGalley.
A Lesson in Dying introduces Inspector Ramsey and the small community of Heppleburn in Northumberland. The widely disliked headmaster of the local school is found dead after the school's halloween party. As Inspector Ramsay works to narrow the list of suspects, he mostly uncovers a web of lies, deceit and blackmail.
The writing is very different from the other series by this author. The setting isn't unique like Shetland. Inspector Ramsay wasn't particularly interesting as a main character. And the mystery is only mildly intriguing. If you're new to Ann Cleeves, I would skip these and go straight to Shetland, Stanhope or Two Rivers. If you're already a fan, it's interesting to read these earlier works to see how far she's come, but if you don't care about her creative progression, you can skip these.
I've been reading Ann Cleeves for years - love the Shetland series and the Vera Stanhope mysteries. The Inspector Ramsay series pre-dates the other series, but this is the first time they're being offered/printed in the US. I was lucky enough to get all 6 on audio from NetGalley.
A Lesson in Dying introduces Inspector Ramsey and the small community of Heppleburn in Northumberland. The widely disliked headmaster of the local school is found dead after the school's halloween party. As Inspector Ramsay works to narrow the list of suspects, he mostly uncovers a web of lies, deceit and blackmail.
The writing is very different from the other series by this author. The setting isn't unique like Shetland. Inspector Ramsay wasn't particularly interesting as a main character. And the mystery is only mildly intriguing. If you're new to Ann Cleeves, I would skip these and go straight to Shetland, Stanhope or Two Rivers. If you're already a fan, it's interesting to read these earlier works to see how far she's come, but if you don't care about her creative progression, you can skip these.
February 17, 2025
I chose this book by the seemingly indefatigable Anne Clives not realizing that it was an early effort, written decades before those that have made her a go-to. Being a fan of her later work, I found this predictable, uninteresting, and won't follow through if any others in the series are published.
February 23, 2026
A rerelease of a novel series that was written in 1990. It is, frankly, not great. The mystery was clunky and the characters were flat and just appeared with no explanation (i literally double checked to make sure this was the first book because of how they were thrown down). HOWEVER reading more recent books of Cleeves I can confirm she has grown exponentially as a writer since this time. It was, in a way, fun to see the first stab by a writer that I do respect.
thank you to NetGalley, the author Ann Cleeves, and Macmillan audio for my copy of this audiobook.
thank you to NetGalley, the author Ann Cleeves, and Macmillan audio for my copy of this audiobook.
August 4, 2018
rather 2.5/5 - it wasn't as good as the other writings of ann cleeves - it's a honest little whodunit
August 19, 2016
Oh dear. I read this on my Kindle and had to summon up the energy to keep reading to the end. Having read all of the Shetland series and three of the Vera Stanhope series I was expecting another enjoyable read. Sadly that was not the case. Inspector Ramsay is as dull as ditchwater - he hardly does any detecting, leaving that to other characters in the story. The plot, what there was of it, was tedious, the motive for murder was ridiculous, the characters were shallow and I just found it all incredibly boring.
Time to move on...
Time to move on...
February 6, 2023
Not one of her best! An early novel by Ann Cleeves, somewhat amateurish and nowhere near as good as the Vera Stanhope and Shetland series. Still you have to start somewhere and her later books are great.
March 20, 2025
A Lesson in Dying is the first Inspector Stephen Ramsay book. This book was first published in the UK several years ago, but has just been republished for U.S. readers. Ann Cleeves wrote this series well before the Shetland and Vera Stanhope series that she is best known for.
This book is centered around a village school in Northern England. Everyone is surprised when Harold Medburn, the surly headmaster, approves a Halloween party for the parents. Medburn had a lot of enemies so when his body is found hanged in the schoolyard, Inspector Ramsay has many suspects to investigate. He gets help from two of the village residents who are able to find out things that he can't. The author's note at the beginning of the book says that Ramsay's character is developed more as the series progresses and that this book concentrates more on the parents and staff of the school.
From what we do learn about Ramsay, he is distinct from any of the author's newer detectives. However, I saw aspects of Vera's personality in two different residents of the village, and the way one of the older teachers looks after a younger one reminds me of Vera's friendship with Joe Ashworth.
Since so much of the story is focused on the village, a lot of characters are introduced so the book gets off to a slow start. Things do pick up and once I was able to keep track of everyone, I enjoyed getting to know the main characters. There is a surprising solution to Medburn's death and the book has a strong finish. I'm definitely interested in reading more books in this series and getting to know Ramsay better.
I received an advance copy of this ebook from St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for review consideration. My review is voluntary and unbiased.
This book is centered around a village school in Northern England. Everyone is surprised when Harold Medburn, the surly headmaster, approves a Halloween party for the parents. Medburn had a lot of enemies so when his body is found hanged in the schoolyard, Inspector Ramsay has many suspects to investigate. He gets help from two of the village residents who are able to find out things that he can't. The author's note at the beginning of the book says that Ramsay's character is developed more as the series progresses and that this book concentrates more on the parents and staff of the school.
From what we do learn about Ramsay, he is distinct from any of the author's newer detectives. However, I saw aspects of Vera's personality in two different residents of the village, and the way one of the older teachers looks after a younger one reminds me of Vera's friendship with Joe Ashworth.
Since so much of the story is focused on the village, a lot of characters are introduced so the book gets off to a slow start. Things do pick up and once I was able to keep track of everyone, I enjoyed getting to know the main characters. There is a surprising solution to Medburn's death and the book has a strong finish. I'm definitely interested in reading more books in this series and getting to know Ramsay better.
I received an advance copy of this ebook from St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for review consideration. My review is voluntary and unbiased.
January 23, 2025
A Lesson in Dying is the first book in Ann Cleeves's first detective series. Written in the late 1980s, it is the first of six Inspector Ramsay books. Other than the fact that the characters don't have cell phones, the book does not seem dated.
Headmaster Harold Medburn is despised or feared by the faculty and staff at the school he runs in the village of Heppleburn. When he is found hanging in the school's playground, Inspector Ramsay quickly arrests Medburn's wife, Kitty. This does not work well for retired miner and school caretaker Jack Robson. Jack, a widower, is smitten with Kitty and is determined to clear her of the crime. But when he and his daughter begin investigating, they uncover long-held secrets whose exposure threatens their lives.
True to form, Cleeves's Inspector Ramsay is a flawed character. Unlike the police inspectors in her three other series, Stephen Ramsay does not appear to be the sharpest knife in the drawer. Jack and Jack's daughter, Patty, saved his bumbling investigation by doing most of the investigative work. Cleeves always creates memorable characters, and this book is no exception. The story did get bogged down in places, but overall, this series shows promise. 3.5/5 stars.
Thank you, NetGalley and Minotaur Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is March 25, 2025.
Headmaster Harold Medburn is despised or feared by the faculty and staff at the school he runs in the village of Heppleburn. When he is found hanging in the school's playground, Inspector Ramsay quickly arrests Medburn's wife, Kitty. This does not work well for retired miner and school caretaker Jack Robson. Jack, a widower, is smitten with Kitty and is determined to clear her of the crime. But when he and his daughter begin investigating, they uncover long-held secrets whose exposure threatens their lives.
True to form, Cleeves's Inspector Ramsay is a flawed character. Unlike the police inspectors in her three other series, Stephen Ramsay does not appear to be the sharpest knife in the drawer. Jack and Jack's daughter, Patty, saved his bumbling investigation by doing most of the investigative work. Cleeves always creates memorable characters, and this book is no exception. The story did get bogged down in places, but overall, this series shows promise. 3.5/5 stars.
Thank you, NetGalley and Minotaur Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is March 25, 2025.
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