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David Webb #1
A Shroud for Delilah
Kate Romilly left her old life behind when she left her unfaithful husband.
Moving to the small town of Broadminster with her young son was a fresh start.
Closer to her best friend, with a good job, a new flat, it was a chance to start again.
But a killer is attacking divorcees...
At the scene of each crime, the name ‘Delilah’ is scrawled in lipstick on the victim’s mirror.
The danger is coming closer to home.
Kate starts receiving strange ‘gifts’, a dead pigeon, a dismembered moth - she fears she may be the next target
Chief Inspect Webb and Sergeant Jackson are in a race against time to unravel this seemingly impossible mystery and find the culprit before the next dead body found is Kate Romilly’s.
Moving to the small town of Broadminster with her young son was a fresh start.
Closer to her best friend, with a good job, a new flat, it was a chance to start again.
But a killer is attacking divorcees...
At the scene of each crime, the name ‘Delilah’ is scrawled in lipstick on the victim’s mirror.
The danger is coming closer to home.
Kate starts receiving strange ‘gifts’, a dead pigeon, a dismembered moth - she fears she may be the next target
Chief Inspect Webb and Sergeant Jackson are in a race against time to unravel this seemingly impossible mystery and find the culprit before the next dead body found is Kate Romilly’s.
182 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1984
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
December 30, 2016
Would have been 4 stars except (1) Kate's husband is an ass and (2) mystery has the often-used ploy of the detectives missing something that is obvious to the reader.
[I like Anthea Fraser, but I wish she didn't have the broken relationships in her novels conveniently patched up due to a woman-in-peril scenario. A philandering, possessive man isn't suddenly a great guy because he's worried about you when you are being attacked by a serial killer.]
[I like Anthea Fraser, but I wish she didn't have the broken relationships in her novels conveniently patched up due to a woman-in-peril scenario. A philandering, possessive man isn't suddenly a great guy because he's worried about you when you are being attacked by a serial killer.]
May 20, 2015
Very amatuerish, a good read for novice reader
May 6, 2020
"Very little mystery"
You can determine the whereabouts of the missing murder weapon very early on which takes most of the enjoyment from a mystery. As a result, there were only three possible suspects. I won't spoil things for those who decide to read the whole book but it was the most obvious candidate. Disappointing.
You can determine the whereabouts of the missing murder weapon very early on which takes most of the enjoyment from a mystery. As a result, there were only three possible suspects. I won't spoil things for those who decide to read the whole book but it was the most obvious candidate. Disappointing.
January 28, 2015
I noticed that the review says Kate is divorced which is incorrect; she is separated. That is an important point in the story. Webb is not all that likeable either. He comes across as a rather selfish man. The murderer is fairly easy to figure out.
August 16, 2019
quite a nice little whodunnit - i discovered the culprit as soon as chapter 3, quite obvious it was, but i pursued the reading for i liked the characters and also wanted to confirm i had been right in my deduction - i got a little annoyed that chief inspector webb needed twenty more chapters to discover the culprit, but then i suppose a writer's business is to complete and reach a certain amount number of pages
August 25, 2020
I enjoyed this book. Definitely worth a read, it has Agatha Christie vibes.
September 12, 2015
Having read and enjoyed other books by this author I decided I'd start at the beginning of her DCI Webb series and read those. This is the first book in the series and it is extremely good. I read it in less than twenty four hours and I'm about to start the second book.
Someone has killed a recently divorced woman and scrawled the word 'Delilah' on the mirror with the victim's lipstick. When another identical killing takes place it starts to seem that maybe there is someone with a hatred of divorced women. DCI Dave Webb and his colleagues are baffled and the press in the person of the editor of the local paper, Michael Romilly - is piling on the pressure.
The book alternates between the police investigation as more women are killed in similar circumstances and Kate Romilly who has just left her husband following his infidelity. I found it gripping reading - well written, well plotted and with interesting and likeable characters.
The tension mounts throughout the book as Kate tries to work out who she can trust of her old friends and new acquaintances. Webb's sense of frustration as he always seems to be several steps behind the killer is realistic and I really got an idea of how tiring and dispiriting police work can be when information seems thinner on the ground than the murders themselves.
If you're looking for a new series to read which doesn't have too much on the page violence or bad language, interesting characters and excellent plots then this could be a new one to try.
Someone has killed a recently divorced woman and scrawled the word 'Delilah' on the mirror with the victim's lipstick. When another identical killing takes place it starts to seem that maybe there is someone with a hatred of divorced women. DCI Dave Webb and his colleagues are baffled and the press in the person of the editor of the local paper, Michael Romilly - is piling on the pressure.
The book alternates between the police investigation as more women are killed in similar circumstances and Kate Romilly who has just left her husband following his infidelity. I found it gripping reading - well written, well plotted and with interesting and likeable characters.
The tension mounts throughout the book as Kate tries to work out who she can trust of her old friends and new acquaintances. Webb's sense of frustration as he always seems to be several steps behind the killer is realistic and I really got an idea of how tiring and dispiriting police work can be when information seems thinner on the ground than the murders themselves.
If you're looking for a new series to read which doesn't have too much on the page violence or bad language, interesting characters and excellent plots then this could be a new one to try.
July 22, 2023
Disappointed
After reading the reviews, I was expecting a police procedural-type book. Despite the suggestion that it depicts times in the 80's when "social attitudes were very different", it portrays women as sad, pathetic beings totally dependent on men. The main character is hard to like.
After reading the reviews, I was expecting a police procedural-type book. Despite the suggestion that it depicts times in the 80's when "social attitudes were very different", it portrays women as sad, pathetic beings totally dependent on men. The main character is hard to like.
June 12, 2017
Disapointing
The book suffers from a very dated style of writting, even allowing for it being published in 1984!
All the characters were very wooden.
The story was incredibly slow with no suspense and the murderer was obvious from the first mention of her.
The book suffers from a very dated style of writting, even allowing for it being published in 1984!
All the characters were very wooden.
The story was incredibly slow with no suspense and the murderer was obvious from the first mention of her.
October 23, 2020
Solid, suspenseful read. I suppose we're meant to be happy at the end that she's going back to her husband, but because I thought her husband was an arrogant, faithless dick, I wasn't happy about it at all. But maybe that's just me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2017
Bit of a let down really. Worked out who the murderer was early into the book.
May 3, 2020
I started it last night but after getting to 25% on my kindle I couldnt make it through - just not getting into it
February 9, 2019
Not a bad mystery. Could have been much better. It was not hard to figure out who the killer was, but it was interesting.
Might have enjoyed it more if Ms. Fraser didn't have a chauvinist attitude (and she's a woman) At no point does Michael give any indication that he feels that his philandering was ill conceived and will end. In fact, while Jill is playing "Susie Homemaker" in the marital home, he has the unmitigated gall to ask Kate if she has come to a decision yet about returning to him. Talk about an arse, he is in the Class A, Number 1 category. But, it would appear, that in Ms. Fraser's mind a philandering husband is acceptable, as long as none of his affairs are "serious".
So, without any modicum of repentance coming from Michael, Kate goes home with him. I am sure that Jill will now be out of the picture, until a Pam, a Lily, a whoever comes along and the situation will return to status quo.
Well, I won't be reading anything further from Ms. Fraser. It is not like she writes a gripping, suspenseful, action-packed mystery (in fact, it really was quite bland), so I won't really be missing anything of worth. Perhaps she is of the impression (and it appears she is) that a woman belongs beneath her husband's thumb and must accept all and anything he decides to do without question or recrimination.
Might have enjoyed it more if Ms. Fraser didn't have a chauvinist attitude (and she's a woman) At no point does Michael give any indication that he feels that his philandering was ill conceived and will end. In fact, while Jill is playing "Susie Homemaker" in the marital home, he has the unmitigated gall to ask Kate if she has come to a decision yet about returning to him. Talk about an arse, he is in the Class A, Number 1 category. But, it would appear, that in Ms. Fraser's mind a philandering husband is acceptable, as long as none of his affairs are "serious".
So, without any modicum of repentance coming from Michael, Kate goes home with him. I am sure that Jill will now be out of the picture, until a Pam, a Lily, a whoever comes along and the situation will return to status quo.
Well, I won't be reading anything further from Ms. Fraser. It is not like she writes a gripping, suspenseful, action-packed mystery (in fact, it really was quite bland), so I won't really be missing anything of worth. Perhaps she is of the impression (and it appears she is) that a woman belongs beneath her husband's thumb and must accept all and anything he decides to do without question or recrimination.
January 12, 2021
This was a good read, despite trying to translate the English into American English. I'm never fully successful at this, so I try to avoid UK writers. The murderer wasn't revealed until the very end, although my suspicions were correct this time. The author cast doubt on several people which made me waver a bit, but when I was 3/4 of the way thru the book, I was sure I knew who it was.
I liked the detective on the case; he had a very different way of narrowing down the field of suspects. Most inspectors have a white board where they post pictures and timelines, but he was an artist, so he would take his paints & canvas to a field where he would paint the suspects and murder scenes until he came up with the answer. Good book!
I liked the detective on the case; he had a very different way of narrowing down the field of suspects. Most inspectors have a white board where they post pictures and timelines, but he was an artist, so he would take his paints & canvas to a field where he would paint the suspects and murder scenes until he came up with the answer. Good book!
October 9, 2022
Written in the mid-1980s, this is the first in a series of police procedurals featuring DCI David Webb, a detective with an artistic side. The case involves a serial killer who is stabbing divorced women and writing "Delilah" on their mirrors with lipstick.
Webb makes intermittent appearances throughout the book, but most of the story comes to us from the point of view of Kate Romilly, who is in the process of leaving her unfaithful husband Michael, a journalist covering the murders. Readers are also given brief glimpses into the killer's thoughts, so readers have more information than the detective and learn the killer's identity before Webb does. As in an episode of "Criminal Minds," tension builds as the police race to identify the killer before another murder occurs.
Webb makes intermittent appearances throughout the book, but most of the story comes to us from the point of view of Kate Romilly, who is in the process of leaving her unfaithful husband Michael, a journalist covering the murders. Readers are also given brief glimpses into the killer's thoughts, so readers have more information than the detective and learn the killer's identity before Webb does. As in an episode of "Criminal Minds," tension builds as the police race to identify the killer before another murder occurs.
March 2, 2020
I didn't dislike this book like other reviewers, so I'm glad that I had gone ahead and purchased it anyway. As this was the first DCI Webb book, I can see that it had some rough edges. There were spelling errors and in the Kindle version, formatting errors. Ms. Fraser didn't give much backstory on Webb, why he got divorced, for example. I thought the book ended somewhat abruptly too, almost like a short story. The readers are left to fill in the blanks about what happened later. Did Michael change his ways; was their marriage saved? I did enjoy the book, even with the errors. I do like Ms. Fraser's later books, so I know her writing improved.
May 19, 2020
Surprise ending!
Kate is living in a little village about the shop where she works, with her little son, Josh. Women in the area are being murdered without a trace. Kate’s husband, Michael, is the editor of the main paper covering the case. They are separated because Michael has been cheating. There are many people involved with everything that is happening, and DCI Webb is fronting the case. He slowly puts together all the clues before he gets to the conclusion. I really enjoyed the mystery, but absolutely hated the way the personal part ended. I will probably not read another.
Kate is living in a little village about the shop where she works, with her little son, Josh. Women in the area are being murdered without a trace. Kate’s husband, Michael, is the editor of the main paper covering the case. They are separated because Michael has been cheating. There are many people involved with everything that is happening, and DCI Webb is fronting the case. He slowly puts together all the clues before he gets to the conclusion. I really enjoyed the mystery, but absolutely hated the way the personal part ended. I will probably not read another.
October 16, 2016
I did try with this and managed 38% but just got bored by it and gave it up in the end.
It wasn't without mistakes, either, which always irritates me no end. She writes grudge and not begrudge, she goes with American spellings in a book set over here. One minute Pennyfarthings was written as one word then Penny-farthings...Mowbray was also written Mow-bray.
She also bizarrely threw in the odd French expression I had to keep looking up. Fleming popped up out of nowhere and I was flicking around trying to figure out who he was but he'd never been mentioned before so that was needlessly confusing. More bafflement occurred with this line-"...and did her best for him according to her lights"....and again this line meant nothing to me, either, when Nella said at one point..."And I didn't mean that, either" !!!
She also used a lot of very flowery language like "....and perforce Kate stepped into the road".
I gave up when I reached this line-"She really must stop complicated motives to Richard". Clearly a missing word needed for this to make some sort of sense.
It's certainly not an easy read although the story itself sounded interesting. Not an author I'd bother with again, though.
It wasn't without mistakes, either, which always irritates me no end. She writes grudge and not begrudge, she goes with American spellings in a book set over here. One minute Pennyfarthings was written as one word then Penny-farthings...Mowbray was also written Mow-bray.
She also bizarrely threw in the odd French expression I had to keep looking up. Fleming popped up out of nowhere and I was flicking around trying to figure out who he was but he'd never been mentioned before so that was needlessly confusing. More bafflement occurred with this line-"...and did her best for him according to her lights"....and again this line meant nothing to me, either, when Nella said at one point..."And I didn't mean that, either" !!!
She also used a lot of very flowery language like "....and perforce Kate stepped into the road".
I gave up when I reached this line-"She really must stop complicated motives to Richard". Clearly a missing word needed for this to make some sort of sense.
It's certainly not an easy read although the story itself sounded interesting. Not an author I'd bother with again, though.
November 3, 2017
To be enjoyed with tea and crumpets.
I can only describe this as a cosy mystery. The narrative is quiet old fashioned, there is even a reference to an old fashioned phone and having to wait for the dial to slowly turn!
There wasn't much mystery, in fact short of the murderer having a sign around their neck saying I dunnit! I think there were enough clues from early on for most to see where it was going.
I had downloaded the next couple of books in this series but I don't think its for me. If you like your mysteries cosy, then this is for you. X
I can only describe this as a cosy mystery. The narrative is quiet old fashioned, there is even a reference to an old fashioned phone and having to wait for the dial to slowly turn!
There wasn't much mystery, in fact short of the murderer having a sign around their neck saying I dunnit! I think there were enough clues from early on for most to see where it was going.
I had downloaded the next couple of books in this series but I don't think its for me. If you like your mysteries cosy, then this is for you. X
May 15, 2020
RICHARD IS A VERY OBNOXIOUS PERSON AND A TERRIBLE HUSBAND. KATE SEEMED VERY STUPID AT TIMES, SHE DOESN’T ACT ON IMPORTANT THINGS. SHE MADE IT VERY HARD TO LIKE HER, I WAS TALKING OUT LOUD TO MY KINDLE, I WAS SO MAD. I WAS A NICE MYSTERY; I DID FIGURE IT OUT. THER WAS LOTS OF RED HERRINGS, BUT I JUST KEPT ELIMANATING SUSPECTS. I STARTED OUT WITH THREE SUSPECTS AND KEPT NARROWING IT DOWN AS THE INFORMATION CAME IN. WHOOPIE I WAS RIGHT! NEAT LITTLE MYSTERY SET IN ENGLAND, I ENJOYED, PERFECT LAZY SATURDAY AFTERNOON READ. ;D
December 15, 2025
3.5 Stars. Not really what I'd expected, which was detection. It was more of a thriller and domestic melodrama featuring Kate, who had walked out on her husband taking her young son with her. Kate feels under threat as a serial killer murders women in her locality. There's a tiny bit of detection thrown in near the end. Although it wasn't the sort of book I'd normally want to read, it was well written and I turned the pages willingly enough.
July 11, 2017
Beyond the bad guy pov, there isn't really anything wrong with it, but i still feel very blah about the whole thing. I found the killer excessively obvious, so not much in the way of mystery, and much of the book was not about the mystery/investigation. 2.5 since nothing wrong with it to warrant lower yet feel so blah about it
March 4, 2019
Excellent!
Police procedural murder mystery that is very well written and plotted. The police are attempting to find the killer of divorced women, whose divorces were very well covered in the press. Lots of suspects and clues, with a surprising finale and exposure of the murderer.
Police procedural murder mystery that is very well written and plotted. The police are attempting to find the killer of divorced women, whose divorces were very well covered in the press. Lots of suspects and clues, with a surprising finale and exposure of the murderer.
August 27, 2024
After starting and stopping midway so many newly published books, it was refreshing to read a well written mystery. The book was published in 1984 and therefore bit outdated in its expectations of married and single women. But it was still a good mystery. I'll continue the series and see if my own expectations are met or smashed to pieces. So many books, so little time.
August 29, 2024
An intriguing story
A murder mystery with several suspects. Kate leaves her husband when he is unfaithful, taking her young son with her, to a new job and flat. I liked the descriptions of the various characters, as well as the plot. There were twists and turns, with a shocking one at the end of the story.
A murder mystery with several suspects. Kate leaves her husband when he is unfaithful, taking her young son with her, to a new job and flat. I liked the descriptions of the various characters, as well as the plot. There were twists and turns, with a shocking one at the end of the story.
October 4, 2024
Gave it away
This is a readable book and the characters are well-crafted. Two issues. About 5/8 into the book, Michael meets Lana. There follows a short chapter that gives away the mystery. Also, I was dissatisfied with the ending. I will not write more. The next readers can decide for themselves.
This is a readable book and the characters are well-crafted. Two issues. About 5/8 into the book, Michael meets Lana. There follows a short chapter that gives away the mystery. Also, I was dissatisfied with the ending. I will not write more. The next readers can decide for themselves.
October 15, 2024
This was only written a decade ago, but it is certainly old. It seems like it was written at the turn of the century when people rarely divorced and women had few options for employment. The fact that the “little woman” finally came to her senses and moved back in with her husband so he could protect her. Ugh.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2018
Excellent who done it
In the style on Christy and Dowel you should enjoy the story greatly.
Great story line with a cast of characters that couldn't be found anywhere but England.
Nice friendly village quaint country sides and a mystery with plenty of twist and turns.
In the style on Christy and Dowel you should enjoy the story greatly.
Great story line with a cast of characters that couldn't be found anywhere but England.
Nice friendly village quaint country sides and a mystery with plenty of twist and turns.
February 20, 2019
This may be an Inspector Webb series, but it mostly focused on the Kate character, who was not a very sympathetic character. Especially in the end. The 'painting board' the inspector used to solve the case was very interesting. The ending seemed abrupt and Kate's choice wimpy.
January 12, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the writing style and the way the information was presented, but then came the ending. I had 5 stars in my head until literally the last page, and I was so disappointed with the final sentence that it ruined the entire book for me. Oh well.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews