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Herbert Reardon #2
A Dangerous Deceit
February, 1927. The remains of an unidentified middle-aged man are found beneath the snow in the grounds of Maxtead Court, home of the wealthy Scroope family. Meanwhile, Margaret Rees-Talbot is preparing for her wedding to the Rev Symon Scroope - to the disapproval of some residents of the small market town of Folbury, who think it's too soon after the death of Margaret's father Osbert, found drowned in his bath a few months previously. An accident - or was there more to it than that? Before he died, Osbert had been writing an account of his experiences as a soldier during the Second Boer War. But what really happened in South Africa back in 1902? Could there be a connection to his death? Then a second death occurs. And it becomes increasingly clear to the investigating DI Herbert Reardon that at least one Folbury resident has a shocking secret to hide.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 2013
12 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Marjorie Eccles
53 books45 followersAka Judith Bordill, Jennifer Hyde
Marjorie Eccles has written several romantic and crime novels, which have been published both in the UK and in the US. Many of her book shave been translated and serialised around the world. She has one grown up son and now lives in Hertfordshire
Marjorie Eccles has written several romantic and crime novels, which have been published both in the UK and in the US. Many of her book shave been translated and serialised around the world. She has one grown up son and now lives in Hertfordshire
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 21, 2013
A Dangerous Deceit by Marjorie Eccles is a murder mystery set in the English countryside of Folbury in the 1920s. Margaret Rees-Talbot is excited about her approaching marriage to Simon Scroope, who is both a Vicar and a member of the British aristocracy. But her happiness is overshadowed by her grief over the recent death of her father, Boer War hero Osbert Rees-Talbot, whom she had idolized. There is deep concern that her father might have committed suicide.
And in a strange coincidence the body of an unknown man is discovered buried on the family estate around the same time. When a third suspicious death of a local businessman occurs, it can no longer be brushed aside as coincidence. Arthur Aston had been Osbert Rees-Talbot's personal servant during the Boer War. Detective Inspector Herbert Reardon and Sergeant Joe Gilmour have their work cut out for them to discover if the deaths are connected.
A Dangerous Deceit centers on a long-buried secret from the Second Boer War, with dishonest business dealings, aristocracy, spendthrift heir, an ambitious journalist and policemen taking the story back and forth. The characters are enjoyable though a bit sagging. The plot is a little too slow-paced. Mystery lovers will still find a lot of pleasure out of it.
And in a strange coincidence the body of an unknown man is discovered buried on the family estate around the same time. When a third suspicious death of a local businessman occurs, it can no longer be brushed aside as coincidence. Arthur Aston had been Osbert Rees-Talbot's personal servant during the Boer War. Detective Inspector Herbert Reardon and Sergeant Joe Gilmour have their work cut out for them to discover if the deaths are connected.
A Dangerous Deceit centers on a long-buried secret from the Second Boer War, with dishonest business dealings, aristocracy, spendthrift heir, an ambitious journalist and policemen taking the story back and forth. The characters are enjoyable though a bit sagging. The plot is a little too slow-paced. Mystery lovers will still find a lot of pleasure out of it.
August 9, 2013
A Dangerous Deceit, by Marjorie Eccles, is a wonderful Golden Era-style mystery. Ms. Eccles is best known as the author of the Gil Mayo series, which takes place in a modern English village. A Dangerous Deceit, on the other hand, takes place in the years after World War I, and do a great job in capturing that era.
Although she is still reeling from the death of her father, Margaret Rees-Talbot looks forward to her marriage to Symon Scroope, who is both a Vicar and a member of the British aristocracy. Before they can get married, however, they will need to lay to rest the ghosts of the past.
Part of what I really enjoyed about this book was that not only does it talk about the aftermath of World War I, but also brings in events from the second Boer War. History does not happen in small isolated portions and Ms. Eccles does a nice job of adding intrigue from the past in a realistic way.
The real stars of this book are DI Reardon and his sergeant, although they seem to get little notice in the advance promotional material. I sincerely hope this is the first book in a series about them. This is a really solid, enjoyable entry in the new trend of post WWI mysteries. Fans of Maisie Dobbs will certainly enjoy this.
Although she is still reeling from the death of her father, Margaret Rees-Talbot looks forward to her marriage to Symon Scroope, who is both a Vicar and a member of the British aristocracy. Before they can get married, however, they will need to lay to rest the ghosts of the past.
Part of what I really enjoyed about this book was that not only does it talk about the aftermath of World War I, but also brings in events from the second Boer War. History does not happen in small isolated portions and Ms. Eccles does a nice job of adding intrigue from the past in a realistic way.
The real stars of this book are DI Reardon and his sergeant, although they seem to get little notice in the advance promotional material. I sincerely hope this is the first book in a series about them. This is a really solid, enjoyable entry in the new trend of post WWI mysteries. Fans of Maisie Dobbs will certainly enjoy this.
November 13, 2013
The preview sounded like a great little mystery...and the fact that the book was only 220 pages made this seem appealing. But it just didn't deliver.
"February, 1927. The remains of an unidentified middle-aged man are found beneath the snow in the grounds of Maxtead Court, home of the wealthy Scroope family. Meanwhile, Margaret Rees-Talbot is preparing for her wedding to the Rev Symon Scroope - to the disapproval of some residents of the small market town of Folbury, who think it's too soon after the death of Margaret's father Osbert, found drowned in his bath a few months previously. An accident - or was there more to it than that? Before he died, Osbert had been writing an account of his experiences as a soldier during the Second Boer War. But what really happened in South Africa back in 1902? Could there be a connection to his death?"
"February, 1927. The remains of an unidentified middle-aged man are found beneath the snow in the grounds of Maxtead Court, home of the wealthy Scroope family. Meanwhile, Margaret Rees-Talbot is preparing for her wedding to the Rev Symon Scroope - to the disapproval of some residents of the small market town of Folbury, who think it's too soon after the death of Margaret's father Osbert, found drowned in his bath a few months previously. An accident - or was there more to it than that? Before he died, Osbert had been writing an account of his experiences as a soldier during the Second Boer War. But what really happened in South Africa back in 1902? Could there be a connection to his death?"
December 8, 2013
In 1927 England, most of the bad memories are those of the Great War--but many still remember the Boer war. Osbert Rees-Talbot certainly does--he left his arm behind in Africa. At his daughter's urging, he's writing a brief book on the history of the war, until he dies in a suspicious accident. Lady Maude, mother of Osbert's daughter's fiance, also has memories of South Africa which she has never revealed. The ending is surprising, but the characters I found most interesting--Osbert's independent sister Deborah and Deborah's niece Kat--are given minor parts.
January 11, 2014
Well plotted, believable characters, post-WWI England w/South Africa connection. Nicely done.
February 24, 2021
This would actually be the 2nd Herbert Reardon mystery....sort of.....it's almost like a 2nd prequel in actual fact.
However, Reardon's sergeant is more drawn out in this book. We learn about his courting of Maisie and his introduction to his Inspector.
Reardon is more of a secondary character in this book, and his wife is mentioned only once. As with all of Marjorie's books, the main characters are those who are involved in the murder mystery.
Once I was able to work out the book order, I was able to settle into the author's writing style.
I was able to visualise the main characters through the dialogue and felt the backstories and subsequent fall-out were well fleshed out.
The pace of these books are rather different to the normal historical detective/murder mysteries and I rather enjoy it.
However, Reardon's sergeant is more drawn out in this book. We learn about his courting of Maisie and his introduction to his Inspector.
Reardon is more of a secondary character in this book, and his wife is mentioned only once. As with all of Marjorie's books, the main characters are those who are involved in the murder mystery.
Once I was able to work out the book order, I was able to settle into the author's writing style.
I was able to visualise the main characters through the dialogue and felt the backstories and subsequent fall-out were well fleshed out.
The pace of these books are rather different to the normal historical detective/murder mysteries and I rather enjoy it.
July 16, 2019
The summary on the inside of the cover focuses on two people who turn out not to be the ones who investigate the crime. The couple opens and closes the book, but are not the main characters. I found the book to be disjointed, and the solution was a letdown. It turns out that I am reading this series out of order. I don't think it really matters.
February 24, 2019
I am a fan of Marjorie Eccles stories. This was not the easiest read. I found it slow and it was hard to connect with the characters and the mystery itself. I am still a fan and will be anxious to keep reading more from Marjorie Eccles.
August 2, 2021
A good story
July 29, 2023
I really enjoyed this mystery until the end. I knew the events in South Africa would be the lynchpin to the solution, but the book ended with a whimper instead of a bang. Kristi & Abby Tabby
March 21, 2017
More like 2.75.
May 11, 2017
Although a short book, a little over 200 pages, this is a slow moving story of family secrets. It has all the right elements but a few characters who were a little too opaque for me.
October 2, 2013
World War I and its aftermath have been fertile ground for mysteries set in the UK, with Charles Todd and Jacqueline Winspear being just two authors who have tilled that field. Marjorie Eccles goes back a little further for her inspiration: The Second Boer War of 1899-1902.
In this English-village mystery, set in Folbury, Margaret Rees-Talbot is engaged to clergyman Symon Scroope and, while she is happily in love, her happiness is tempered by her grief over her beloved father's recent death. It's more than grief, though, because there is some concern that Osbert Rees-Talbot, who lost an arm in the Boer War, may actually have killed himself, rather than died accidentally. But what could have made the man whom Marjorie idolized take his own life?
Meanwhile, in the village, DI Reardon and DS Joe Gilmour are involved in the investigation of another apparent accidental death. This one, though, is quickly determined to be murder. Foundry owner Arthur Aston was a crude, rough and aggressive man who'd been Osbert Rees-Talbot's batman (personal servant) during the war. He had no shortage of enemies including, possibly, Rees-Talbot and his family, whom witnesses claim they heard arguing with Aston. And is there a connection between Aston's murder and that of the unidentified man whose months-dead body was found in the wood. In particular, is there a South African connection, since all three recent deaths have that country in common?
This is a Golden Age type of mystery in its setting and atmosphere. I wouldn't call it a fair-play or puzzle style of mystery, though. While the police detectives are featured, we don't closely follow their investigation to pick up clues and attempt to solve the crime(s) along with them. Instead, the plot is more languid, and the solution plays out in a storytelling fashion.
I would have liked to get a stronger feeling for some of the characters in the story, especially Margaret, Symon, and the police detectives. Still, it was an engaging read and I would recommend it to anybody looking for a traditional mystery. I would also welcome more books featuring Reardon and Gilmour.
Note: I received a free Netgalley review copy of this book.
In this English-village mystery, set in Folbury, Margaret Rees-Talbot is engaged to clergyman Symon Scroope and, while she is happily in love, her happiness is tempered by her grief over her beloved father's recent death. It's more than grief, though, because there is some concern that Osbert Rees-Talbot, who lost an arm in the Boer War, may actually have killed himself, rather than died accidentally. But what could have made the man whom Marjorie idolized take his own life?
Meanwhile, in the village, DI Reardon and DS Joe Gilmour are involved in the investigation of another apparent accidental death. This one, though, is quickly determined to be murder. Foundry owner Arthur Aston was a crude, rough and aggressive man who'd been Osbert Rees-Talbot's batman (personal servant) during the war. He had no shortage of enemies including, possibly, Rees-Talbot and his family, whom witnesses claim they heard arguing with Aston. And is there a connection between Aston's murder and that of the unidentified man whose months-dead body was found in the wood. In particular, is there a South African connection, since all three recent deaths have that country in common?
This is a Golden Age type of mystery in its setting and atmosphere. I wouldn't call it a fair-play or puzzle style of mystery, though. While the police detectives are featured, we don't closely follow their investigation to pick up clues and attempt to solve the crime(s) along with them. Instead, the plot is more languid, and the solution plays out in a storytelling fashion.
I would have liked to get a stronger feeling for some of the characters in the story, especially Margaret, Symon, and the police detectives. Still, it was an engaging read and I would recommend it to anybody looking for a traditional mystery. I would also welcome more books featuring Reardon and Gilmour.
Note: I received a free Netgalley review copy of this book.
December 1, 2013
The Net Galley description: A February, 1927. The remains of an unidentified middle-aged man are found beneath the snow in the grounds of Maxstead Court, home of the wealthy Scroope family. Meanwhile, Margaret Rees-Talbot is preparing for her wedding to the Rev. Symon Scroope - to the disapproval of some residents of the small market town of Folbury, who think it's too soon after the death of Margaret's father Osbert, found drowned in his bath a few months previously. An accident - or was there more to it than that?
Before he died, Osbert had been writing an account of his experiences as a soldier during the Second Boer War. But what really happened in South Africa back in 1902? Could there be a connection to his death?
This appealed to the mystery lover in me. The period, the setting, the back story – all very romantic and exotic. So I requested it and read it.
What a disappointment. The plot lacked immediacy and tension. The narration was omniscient, and the reader was jerked from one character’s perspective to another. This is not to say that an omniscient narration is necessarily erratic, but in this instance it is. The reader doesn’t get the opportunity to know any character well enough to care about any of them. When a reader doesn’t care about the characters, he (or she) isn’t going to care about the story.
The story itself dragged. Then, it seemed, the author decided she needed to wrap it up. So, there is a big rush to the end, which, even then, gets bogged down in a lengthy, overly detailed letter. The reader gets a confession and a leap in time, leaving the resolution up in the air.
As to the period’s setting, there just isn’t a feel of the 20’s. I was jarred by the use of the word “neurotic” by one character to describe another. Would this word commonly be used there and then? I Googled it; its clinical use in psychiatry dates from 1923. This book is set in 1927; would it have been in everyday use then as it is now? At any rate, the atmosphere just wasn’t there.
On the upside, reading a book like this makes one appreciate a well-written book.
Before he died, Osbert had been writing an account of his experiences as a soldier during the Second Boer War. But what really happened in South Africa back in 1902? Could there be a connection to his death?
This appealed to the mystery lover in me. The period, the setting, the back story – all very romantic and exotic. So I requested it and read it.
What a disappointment. The plot lacked immediacy and tension. The narration was omniscient, and the reader was jerked from one character’s perspective to another. This is not to say that an omniscient narration is necessarily erratic, but in this instance it is. The reader doesn’t get the opportunity to know any character well enough to care about any of them. When a reader doesn’t care about the characters, he (or she) isn’t going to care about the story.
The story itself dragged. Then, it seemed, the author decided she needed to wrap it up. So, there is a big rush to the end, which, even then, gets bogged down in a lengthy, overly detailed letter. The reader gets a confession and a leap in time, leaving the resolution up in the air.
As to the period’s setting, there just isn’t a feel of the 20’s. I was jarred by the use of the word “neurotic” by one character to describe another. Would this word commonly be used there and then? I Googled it; its clinical use in psychiatry dates from 1923. This book is set in 1927; would it have been in everyday use then as it is now? At any rate, the atmosphere just wasn’t there.
On the upside, reading a book like this makes one appreciate a well-written book.
July 13, 2015
3 1/2 stars
This book would have merited 4 full stars had it not been for the ending. It felt very rushed to me, and most of the "mysteries" were a bit too simplistic. I had been enjoying it very much right up until the end, but unfortunately was left feeling somewhat let down by the concluding chapter.
NOTE: I really don't understand the average low ratings (here on Goodreads) for most of this author's novels. This is the fourth book I have read by Ms. Eccles, and have liked them all. I will continue to seek out her books.
This book would have merited 4 full stars had it not been for the ending. It felt very rushed to me, and most of the "mysteries" were a bit too simplistic. I had been enjoying it very much right up until the end, but unfortunately was left feeling somewhat let down by the concluding chapter.
NOTE: I really don't understand the average low ratings (here on Goodreads) for most of this author's novels. This is the fourth book I have read by Ms. Eccles, and have liked them all. I will continue to seek out her books.
May 19, 2014
A good read...started and finished it in one day. This is the second book I've read by Marjorie Eccles. It was a real page turner for me. Set in England in 1927, life in a small village where a man's body is found loosely buried and discovered months later when the snow melts. Little by little more is learned connecting two families, one aristocratic and one at a slightly lower social level. Touches of Downton Abby times and lifestyles. Good mystery.
March 4, 2015
Not quite three stars for this one, although it had a lot of potential. Several characters were offered that I might have connected with: Joe, Margaret, Symon, even Maude -- but none of them were followed enough through the book. Viewpoints changed often, without giving me a central character. I ended the book feeling like a remote observer (and not really caring how it ended).
December 14, 2013
The book introduced characters and drew me in....then went on tangent after tangent never really finishing what made me start reading in the first place.
December 22, 2013
This was a moderately interesting read, but I found it somewhat difficult to get through. Perhaps too many distractions! Would like to know more about the Boer War.
July 21, 2016
It was OK, but what an abrupt ending!! Nothing really wrapped up well and lots of questions unanswered.
June 15, 2016
Really a good who dunit made you think
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 9, 2016
While the resolution of the mystery was tidy, I gave this five stars for the insightful writing style that really brought the characters to life.
March 3, 2014
Murder mystery written by Brittish auther. Fluff, but entertaining enough.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews