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The Scourge of the Skua
When obsession from the past is unleashed upon the presentThe discovery of a 100-year-old murder in a client’s family history leaves Esme Quentin bewildered by her client’s curious reaction.But with no instruction to find out more, Esme instead turns her attention to clearing the dilapidated outbuilding at her new cottage. Amongst the junk she finds a 17th-century map associated with the name Chalacombe, a local family with an intriguing and mysterious history.As Esme begins to unpick the threads of the family’s story, she is plunged back to a time when lawlessness ruled the high seas and piracy was rife.The arrival of an unwelcome visitor raises questions which Esme cannot answer, and in a desperate search for the truth, Esme stumbles upon a bizarre and disturbing crime.Has she inadvertently uncovered a link between the Chalacombe family’s enigmatic past and the 100-year-old murder? But who might be threatened by such a revelation now, in the present day? Who has got the most to lose?
- GenresFiction
447 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 30, 2023
22 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Wendy Percival
14 books56 followersWendy Percival comes from the UK and lives in South West England.
The time honoured 'box of old documents in the attic' stirred her interest in Family History and it was while researching her Shropshire roots she got the idea for the first Esme Quentin mystery, BLOOD-TIED.
She continues to be intrigued by genealogy, its mysteries and 'skeletons in cupboards' and writes on the subject in her family history blog http://familyhistorysecrets.blogspot.com
In between times she shares her thoughts on surprising family history discoveries, on books and on writing in her "Bite-size Blog" https://www.wendypercival.co.uk/blog
The time honoured 'box of old documents in the attic' stirred her interest in Family History and it was while researching her Shropshire roots she got the idea for the first Esme Quentin mystery, BLOOD-TIED.
She continues to be intrigued by genealogy, its mysteries and 'skeletons in cupboards' and writes on the subject in her family history blog http://familyhistorysecrets.blogspot.com
In between times she shares her thoughts on surprising family history discoveries, on books and on writing in her "Bite-size Blog" https://www.wendypercival.co.uk/blog
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 7, 2023
Another fantastic, intriguing book in the series. Totally immersed myself in the story but found the middle a little slow but soon got going again to a very satisfying end. Always look forward to Wendy’s next book.
July 4, 2023
As with every one of this series I can honestly say this is the best one yet ! I live in the area it is set in and have probably walked along the same streets.
This book is so well written ! I can highly recommend this author ! I could not put this book down !
This book is so well written ! I can highly recommend this author ! I could not put this book down !
July 4, 2023
Good writing, good plot
Slow until about halfway through, then picks up speed. If you're a genealogy or history buff, this series is for you.
Slow until about halfway through, then picks up speed. If you're a genealogy or history buff, this series is for you.
July 19, 2023
Esme goes from strength to strength
As with the other books in the Esme Quentin Mystery series, the characters are so clear cut. I am sorry I did shout out at Esme, "He said cousin".... but she got there. Keep writing Wendy.
As with the other books in the Esme Quentin Mystery series, the characters are so clear cut. I am sorry I did shout out at Esme, "He said cousin".... but she got there. Keep writing Wendy.
July 18, 2023
I took my time reading this book, wanting to savour the ending for as long as I could.
Woud have loved to know what Maddy had found on the box.
Woud have loved to know what Maddy had found on the box.
July 31, 2023
I found it very convoluted and difficult to follow who everyone was. Also, did I miss something? The only reference to a Skua I saw was to a bird very early on. What was the mystery of the chest? Why did the cottage fall down?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 26, 2023
The Scourge of the Skua is Percival’s fifth novel featuring genealogist Esme Quentin. At the start of the story Esme has just moved into a cottage on the Devon coast and is researching the family history of a client’s partner. When she discovers a 100-year-old murder in the family, Esme is bemused by her client’s strange reaction and subsequent lack of communication. As she has no instruction to follow up this discovery, Esme gets on with sorting out junk left by the previous owners in the outbuilding she intends to turn into her office. There she finds a 17th-century map which bears the name Chalacombe, and she learns from locals that this family has a few skeletons rattling around.
The arrival of a journalist, an unwelcome visitor from her past, whose researches are covering similar ground makes Esme think again. Another ancient crime comes to light which may link the Chalacombe family with the murder. Old enmities are also discovered, and there are people around who may be keen to keep the past (their past, perhaps) quiet. Who exactly are Isaac Maudesley and Frank Stone?
And so, we continue with a genuinely entertaining and constantly engaging plot, with the North Devon coast and Lundy in particular taking centre stage. Although the novel ranges widely, through antiques, a last will and testament, the building of a new museum, a school closure, Morocco, 18th-century Barbary pirates and alleged missing treasure amongst other things, it is never far-fetched. In the middle of it all is a missing Claddagh ring, intended to be handed down through the female line, the search for which seems at times to be at the forefront of various minds. Such is the detail in Esme’s genealogical research that readers really have to keep their wits about them to be on top of family relationships, as they do with other shifting relationships. Do we really know who we can trust?
Esme’s friends, particularly Libby and Maddy, keep her feet on the ground. One is a restorer of antiques and the other an artist, and with the building of a new museum of considerable importance in the story there is an aura of arts and crafts. With a genealogist as detective, the book is always going to be about revelations in the past. As it comes to a conclusion these become increasingly crucial, and lead to a dramatic conclusion.
This is the first novel in this series that I have read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The short chapters keep the action moving along and my interest never faltered. It’s difficult to avoid the cliché of it being a page-turner, but it is. I genuinely wanted to know what happened. If you haven’t read any of this series, I keenly encourage you to do so.
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Reviewer: David Whittle
For Lizzie Sirett (Mystery People Group)
The arrival of a journalist, an unwelcome visitor from her past, whose researches are covering similar ground makes Esme think again. Another ancient crime comes to light which may link the Chalacombe family with the murder. Old enmities are also discovered, and there are people around who may be keen to keep the past (their past, perhaps) quiet. Who exactly are Isaac Maudesley and Frank Stone?
And so, we continue with a genuinely entertaining and constantly engaging plot, with the North Devon coast and Lundy in particular taking centre stage. Although the novel ranges widely, through antiques, a last will and testament, the building of a new museum, a school closure, Morocco, 18th-century Barbary pirates and alleged missing treasure amongst other things, it is never far-fetched. In the middle of it all is a missing Claddagh ring, intended to be handed down through the female line, the search for which seems at times to be at the forefront of various minds. Such is the detail in Esme’s genealogical research that readers really have to keep their wits about them to be on top of family relationships, as they do with other shifting relationships. Do we really know who we can trust?
Esme’s friends, particularly Libby and Maddy, keep her feet on the ground. One is a restorer of antiques and the other an artist, and with the building of a new museum of considerable importance in the story there is an aura of arts and crafts. With a genealogist as detective, the book is always going to be about revelations in the past. As it comes to a conclusion these become increasingly crucial, and lead to a dramatic conclusion.
This is the first novel in this series that I have read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The short chapters keep the action moving along and my interest never faltered. It’s difficult to avoid the cliché of it being a page-turner, but it is. I genuinely wanted to know what happened. If you haven’t read any of this series, I keenly encourage you to do so.
-------
Reviewer: David Whittle
For Lizzie Sirett (Mystery People Group)
July 10, 2023
I have been looking forward to reading another adventure in North Devon with genealogist Esme Quentin and it certainly didn’t disappoint. In this complex plot we travel across the sea to Lundy Island following the story of Barbary Pirates and looking for descendants of a family feud. While Esme tries to extract the truth from newly discovered old documents, she also becomes entangled in a current problem involving a mysterious little boy.
I had to concentrate to understand the developing family relationships as Esme researched them and I would have appreciated seeing a family tree at some point in the text. Although living alone, Esme has several good friends in the area, but can she trust some of her new acquaintances? She bravely investigates any problem even when it puts her at risk, which certainly adds to tension and excitement in the story.
I can recommend this volume, even if you haven’t read the previous books in the series, for a compelling tale of past history and present day concerns.
I had to concentrate to understand the developing family relationships as Esme researched them and I would have appreciated seeing a family tree at some point in the text. Although living alone, Esme has several good friends in the area, but can she trust some of her new acquaintances? She bravely investigates any problem even when it puts her at risk, which certainly adds to tension and excitement in the story.
I can recommend this volume, even if you haven’t read the previous books in the series, for a compelling tale of past history and present day concerns.
October 2, 2023
You can not escape your family or your crimes
Love the family history angle of the story. It’s great to find an interesting story in your family, however, life is rarely a story book with a happy ending
Love the family history angle of the story. It’s great to find an interesting story in your family, however, life is rarely a story book with a happy ending
October 13, 2023
Family secrets, murder, and an heirloom lead Esme Quentin into a complicated present-day mystery that reaches far back into the past. Seemingly unrelated clues are slowly threaded together as Esme can't quite resist becoming involved.
July 6, 2023
This is a great genealogy mystery which I read far too quickly. There is intrigue and very interesting historical details. I enjoyed every part of it.
August 25, 2023
Wonderful book
Great story line and it kept me interested and guessing right till the end I can't wait to see what happens in the next book which I hope to see soon
Great story line and it kept me interested and guessing right till the end I can't wait to see what happens in the next book which I hope to see soon
August 25, 2025
interesting twists and turns
A very interesting search. Lots of twists and turns and road blocks. Esme Quintin is a very good character. Her using history and family
A very interesting search. Lots of twists and turns and road blocks. Esme Quintin is a very good character. Her using history and family
October 2, 2023
Genealogist Esme Quentin is puzzled by the reaction she gets from a client after discovering a century-old murder in the course of her research. Not being able to take the case any further, she turns her attention to sorting out the junk in her soon-to-be-converted office, finding a 17th century map amongst the items. Intrigued by her find, she begins to investigate and soon finds herself researching a family with links to piracy and, strangely, a potential link to the murder. It is not long before she realises that she is not the only person with an interest in this family and that this person will stop at nothing to stop some things from being revealed.
The Scourge of the Skua is the fifth Esme Quentin mystery and fans of the previous instalments are going to love it. As always, Wendy Percival has managed to write a really good mystery story, weaving Esme’s genealogical research seamlessly into the plot. One of the things that sets this apart from other genealogical mysteries I have read is that it is not told in the dual-timeline format but instead told via Esme’s research and other events that occur in the present.
The plot is a detailed one and although it deals with events that happened hundreds of years ago, there are definite comparisons to be made to the present day as Esme and her friend find themselves shocked by the inhumanity of certain people. The story was told really well and kept me gripped right until the end.
A great addition to the series and I look forward to reading the next.
The Scourge of the Skua is the fifth Esme Quentin mystery and fans of the previous instalments are going to love it. As always, Wendy Percival has managed to write a really good mystery story, weaving Esme’s genealogical research seamlessly into the plot. One of the things that sets this apart from other genealogical mysteries I have read is that it is not told in the dual-timeline format but instead told via Esme’s research and other events that occur in the present.
The plot is a detailed one and although it deals with events that happened hundreds of years ago, there are definite comparisons to be made to the present day as Esme and her friend find themselves shocked by the inhumanity of certain people. The story was told really well and kept me gripped right until the end.
A great addition to the series and I look forward to reading the next.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews