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Philippa Barnes Mystery #1
Assigned to Murder
Journalist Kirsten Browne tells her friend, glacier guide Philippa Barnes, that she is investigating something terrible. Before she can say more she is bludgeoned to death beside a West Coast lake. Philippa, determined to find out why, discovers that the people of the lake are hiding many secrets. She finds links to a decades-old mystery, but not in time to prevent another tragedy.
- GenresMystery
272 pages, Paperback
First published December 15, 2009
2 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Trish McCormack
10 books9 followersI write crime fiction by night and work as an archivist by day. I grew up at Franz Josef Glacier and worked in various national parks before spending 10 years as a journalist on a small-town newspaper. I set my mysteries in some of New Zealand's most beautiful places. My glacier guide sleuth Philippa Barnes lives the dream, retreating to the icy spaces of the glacier when she needs time alone. She's self-deprecating, tenacious with a kind heart and black sense of humour. I now live in Wellington but Philippa roams free in the wilderness and loves finding mysteries to solve and stories to tell. I have written three mysteries in this series
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
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August 9, 2016NZ based plot but a bit complex for me to follow
Enjoyed reading the Franz Joseph based thriller but found the plot of different peoples histories too intricate for me to follow. Perhaps the characters weren't drawn strongly enough to differentiate them?
So enjoyable book but only a #3, don't look for the next in series
Enjoyed reading the Franz Joseph based thriller but found the plot of different peoples histories too intricate for me to follow. Perhaps the characters weren't drawn strongly enough to differentiate them?
So enjoyable book but only a #3, don't look for the next in series
May 1, 2018
I loved the setting of this book on the spectacular West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. The author obviously knows the area well and manages to convey her love and knowledge as an integral part of the book. It is well-written with an interesting plot that links current events to long buried secrets. I look forward to the next book in the series.
December 31, 2014
This is a review from a reader who doesn't use Goodreads but contacted me directly by email:
Hi Trish!
I grew up in Kowhitirangi and went to Kokatahi Primary School and Hokitika High School(Westland High). I have lived in Aus for over 30 years, but once a West Coaster- always a West Coaster!!
I read the Hoki news daily online and saw an article about your latest book launch in the Hoki Library. I looked you up on my Kindle and found your book about Lake Kaniere. I have almost finished it and want to congratulate you on writing such a great book! I am LOVING it.
As you said in your blog, we read books set in places in England , America etc. , and I have found it magic to be reading a book about an area I know and love so well. You have done a great job of transporting me home with your words. I was right there with Phillipa when she was walking the track at Lake Kaniere, and I could just picture the beautiful view thru the windows of her house in Franz. Our family spent many happy days boating at the lake - and I never once thought about a body at the bottom of it!!
I am loving your storyline. This morning, instead of meditating at yoga, I lay on my mat and wondered just who had tried to kill Sam and why? Should Philippa trust Jack …
Well done to you. I have emailed my sisters in NZ and suggested they read your books. I shall load your next one onto my Kindle when I have finished this one.
Yours in reading,
Marg (Evans)
Hi Trish!
I grew up in Kowhitirangi and went to Kokatahi Primary School and Hokitika High School(Westland High). I have lived in Aus for over 30 years, but once a West Coaster- always a West Coaster!!
I read the Hoki news daily online and saw an article about your latest book launch in the Hoki Library. I looked you up on my Kindle and found your book about Lake Kaniere. I have almost finished it and want to congratulate you on writing such a great book! I am LOVING it.
As you said in your blog, we read books set in places in England , America etc. , and I have found it magic to be reading a book about an area I know and love so well. You have done a great job of transporting me home with your words. I was right there with Phillipa when she was walking the track at Lake Kaniere, and I could just picture the beautiful view thru the windows of her house in Franz. Our family spent many happy days boating at the lake - and I never once thought about a body at the bottom of it!!
I am loving your storyline. This morning, instead of meditating at yoga, I lay on my mat and wondered just who had tried to kill Sam and why? Should Philippa trust Jack …
Well done to you. I have emailed my sisters in NZ and suggested they read your books. I shall load your next one onto my Kindle when I have finished this one.
Yours in reading,
Marg (Evans)
April 25, 2017
Another gripping story of crime and danger set in the wonderful landscape of New Zealand's West coast; native forest, snow-covered mountain peaks, glaciers and our friend Philippa is back, still poking her nose in and spoiling for a fight - a gutsy sleuth who has matured and developed over time. Highly recommended!
June 15, 2016
Absorbing debut mystery that shows plenty of promise set in New Zealand's magnificent wilderness.
Former Hokitika journalist and Abel Tasman National Park worker Trish McCormack combines her two great passions in her debut novel; crime fiction and the uniqueness and stunning scenery of the West Coast of New Zealand.
Young glacier guide Philippa Barnes is still recovering from her parents’ sudden death when her old flatmate Kirsten, a journalist, is murdered near a picturesque lake. When Kirsten’s brother Jack asks Philippa to help dig deeper into what Kirsten was investigating, Philippa finds herself on a treacherous journey involving family secrets, human frailties, and long-buried crimes. At the same time a diarist tries to come to terms with a past horror.
Good murder mysteries have strong characters as well as puzzling plots. Overall, McCormack does well on that front. Although I was a little slow to warm to Philippa (who seemed a touch annoying to me at first), her depth and complexity comes out as the story progresses, and there is an interesting and well-drawn wider cast. McCormack has a particularly nice touch for the emotional intricacies of human relationships, although her characters’ dialogue at times veers a little expository.
Of course the setting is also important, and McCormack does a fine job giving readers a nice slice of wilderness New Zealand - it's lovely to see this brought to the page, and this kind of setting may particularly appeal to those who like enjoy the crime writings of the likes of CJ Box or Nevada Barr, who set their mysteries in United States national parks and wilderness areas. The New Zealand bush and mountains are unique, but share that rugged magnificence and invigorating combination of stunning beauty and lurking danger that Mother Nature can provide the world over.
ASSIGNED TO MURDER is is more absorbing slow burn than cracking page-turner, having something of an old-fashioned feel while being contemporary too. Almost akin to a pleasantly languid "Midsomer Murders" or "Murder She Wrote" vibe, rather than fast-paced or action-packed..It trundles along for a while before hitting its stride, then finishes strongly. Overall, there are plenty of good things (some very good) about this debut effort, and I look forward to seeing what McCormack comes up with next.
This review is an expanded version of my review published in WildTomato, a regional lifestyle magazine in New Zealand.
Former Hokitika journalist and Abel Tasman National Park worker Trish McCormack combines her two great passions in her debut novel; crime fiction and the uniqueness and stunning scenery of the West Coast of New Zealand.
Young glacier guide Philippa Barnes is still recovering from her parents’ sudden death when her old flatmate Kirsten, a journalist, is murdered near a picturesque lake. When Kirsten’s brother Jack asks Philippa to help dig deeper into what Kirsten was investigating, Philippa finds herself on a treacherous journey involving family secrets, human frailties, and long-buried crimes. At the same time a diarist tries to come to terms with a past horror.
Good murder mysteries have strong characters as well as puzzling plots. Overall, McCormack does well on that front. Although I was a little slow to warm to Philippa (who seemed a touch annoying to me at first), her depth and complexity comes out as the story progresses, and there is an interesting and well-drawn wider cast. McCormack has a particularly nice touch for the emotional intricacies of human relationships, although her characters’ dialogue at times veers a little expository.
Of course the setting is also important, and McCormack does a fine job giving readers a nice slice of wilderness New Zealand - it's lovely to see this brought to the page, and this kind of setting may particularly appeal to those who like enjoy the crime writings of the likes of CJ Box or Nevada Barr, who set their mysteries in United States national parks and wilderness areas. The New Zealand bush and mountains are unique, but share that rugged magnificence and invigorating combination of stunning beauty and lurking danger that Mother Nature can provide the world over.
ASSIGNED TO MURDER is is more absorbing slow burn than cracking page-turner, having something of an old-fashioned feel while being contemporary too. Almost akin to a pleasantly languid "Midsomer Murders" or "Murder She Wrote" vibe, rather than fast-paced or action-packed..It trundles along for a while before hitting its stride, then finishes strongly. Overall, there are plenty of good things (some very good) about this debut effort, and I look forward to seeing what McCormack comes up with next.
This review is an expanded version of my review published in WildTomato, a regional lifestyle magazine in New Zealand.
July 8, 2019
3.5 stars. Parts of it were 4 but the first quarter was 3 ...
July 30, 2022
Far too gloomy.
October 31, 2018
Long story, lovely description of nature in the bush in New Zealand. Fiercely independent people. Philippa Barnes is a glacier guide on the Franz Joseph glacier. Parents gone she is in charge of younger sister. Her friend is murdered and she must find out who did it. Hard to believe that people could be that self centred and completely amoral. A bit of meandering at times and a bit of sex, not sure why, don’t think it contributes, but at least we know,she sort of like Jack, even if she did not trust him. Off to read the second Philippa Barnes.
December 17, 2018
This was interesting since I recently moved to the West Coast for a new job back in April and it's not every day that I come across a thriller novel set here :)
January 15, 2021
A good read it wasn't as good a read as I thought it might be. Seemed strange being set in an area I grew up in.
December 6, 2024
I can feel the chill of the glacier and the lake. Great book.
February 2, 2025
Characters needed some work. In other words, less telling more inference. Don't say what someone feels, describe it . I figured out who did it way too early.
July 16, 2025
In the book a watercolour is discussed as being on canvas. A watercolour is painted on paper! On canvas you paint with oils or acrylics. An annoying mistake.
October 12, 2021
I really enjoyed this book l. I love the twist and turns in it and how each chapter there was a new story. I really enjoyed the ending it answered all my questions and will be reading from this author in the future :)
March 3, 2017
I love thrillers & read mainly male authors but scatter in an occasional novel by a woman. My biggest impression from reading this book is that it's the strongest female narrative voice that I've come across. I was gender aware all the way through.
The whodunit plot kept me guessing and interested right to the end. The large number of key suspects/secret-holders did, however, become difficult to keep track of. I'm not good at remembering names in real life.
Well-written but a crime story rather than a thriller. I enjoyed the West Coast setting, having been a visitor there, in my past profession, many times, which helped me relate to it more. The reader does see it through the eyes of the author - a former resident, which fits the narrative. As a visitor, I've found it an even more special place and maybe have taken its majesty and scenic mystery less for granted.
If u like who-did-what-to-whom then this is the book for u.
The whodunit plot kept me guessing and interested right to the end. The large number of key suspects/secret-holders did, however, become difficult to keep track of. I'm not good at remembering names in real life.
Well-written but a crime story rather than a thriller. I enjoyed the West Coast setting, having been a visitor there, in my past profession, many times, which helped me relate to it more. The reader does see it through the eyes of the author - a former resident, which fits the narrative. As a visitor, I've found it an even more special place and maybe have taken its majesty and scenic mystery less for granted.
If u like who-did-what-to-whom then this is the book for u.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews