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Wesley Peterson #17
The Shadow Collector
Eighteen years ago, Lilith Benley and her mother - rumoured to be witches - were convicted of the brutal murder of two teenage girls. On Lilith's release from prison, and shortly after she returns to her old home, a young woman is found dead at a neighbouring farm where a celebrity reality TV show is being filmed. When DI Wesley Peterson is called in to investigate, he has to deal with fragile egos and hidden truths, as well as the possibility that Lilith Benley has killed again.
Meanwhile, archaeologist Neil Watson discovers a gruesome wax doll at a house that once belonged to a woman hanged for witchcraft in the seventeenth century. And when Neil has a near fatal accident, some suspect a supernatural connection.
Even though Wesley has problems closer to home to solve, it is up to him to uncover terrible secrets, banish dark shadows collected in the past and bring a dangerous killer to justice - a killer who will stop at nothing to dispense vengeance and death.
Meanwhile, archaeologist Neil Watson discovers a gruesome wax doll at a house that once belonged to a woman hanged for witchcraft in the seventeenth century. And when Neil has a near fatal accident, some suspect a supernatural connection.
Even though Wesley has problems closer to home to solve, it is up to him to uncover terrible secrets, banish dark shadows collected in the past and bring a dangerous killer to justice - a killer who will stop at nothing to dispense vengeance and death.
367 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 7, 2013
83 people are currently reading
420 people want to read
About the author
Kate Ellis
119 books603 followersKate Ellis was born and brought up in Liverpool and she studied drama in Manchester. She worked in teaching, marketing and accountancy before first enjoying writing success as a winner of the North West Playwrights competition. Crime and mystery stories have always fascinated her, as have medieval history and archaeology which she likes to incorporate in her books. She is married with two grown up sons and she lives in North Cheshire, England, with her husband. Kate was awarded the CWA DAGGER IN THE LIBRARY award in 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
March 25, 2023
Yet another book in this series where the author tries to cram too much in. As usual, there is a modern and an historical plot line but additionally, there is the story of the murder of two schoolgirls 18 years ago.
Some of the suspects in Wesley's case appear to have past links with the area and the young victims . Too many coincidences are involved for my liking. Throw in more sub plots involving a near fatal accident for Neil Watson, Wesley's friend, and an accusation of sexual assault against a teacher colleague of his mother in law as well and you really do have overload. The twist in the last few pages left a bad taste as well.
Some of the suspects in Wesley's case appear to have past links with the area and the young victims . Too many coincidences are involved for my liking. Throw in more sub plots involving a near fatal accident for Neil Watson, Wesley's friend, and an accusation of sexual assault against a teacher colleague of his mother in law as well and you really do have overload. The twist in the last few pages left a bad taste as well.
May 15, 2021
This is first book of series I have really disliked reading. Maybe OK for Halloween....filled with legends about witches and a lot of nonsense.
January 10, 2014
It's been a while since I read anything in this series. I had forgotten how mesmerizing this series really is. The main character, DI Wesley Peterson, is a black police officer whose grandfather was a Chief of Police in Trinidad. He had started as an archaeology student, but decided to become a policeman. I haven't read them all or any of the early ones, so I don't know why he did so. The character still has an interest in archaeology and is friends with Neil, one of the continuing characters. In Great Britain any new building that yields historic finds or remodeling of historic homes requires that archaeologists be consulted. A woman is released from prison after 18 years. She was found guilty of murdering two teenagers. Then a woman's body is found. Has she resumed her killing ways? We meet a cast of characters with a lot of red herrings and an ending that is a real jolt. What I love about this series is the back and forth between history and the present. This is a literate and well written series and definitely worth pursuing.
June 13, 2017
I found it difficult to keep track of all the characters. There were a lot who tended to not make much of a difference to the story in my opinion. The ending was a bit of a surprise. In more ways than one. I can't say I liked many of the characters either. Not sure I'd read any of the others in the series.
July 16, 2024
I always like the combination of an ancient story running parallel with a modern crime/murder, and, as always, I haven't a clue until the end! This one was true to form, with the trial and execution of a witch in the 17th century, and the release from prison of a woman jailed for murder 18 years previously. A twist at the end as well!
September 27, 2024
Enjoyed this convoluted tale, not absolutely convinced about the end!
July 1, 2020
Not one of my favorites in the series
I had a difficult time getting into the story. It’s quite convoluted—woman is released after serving eighteen years in prison for killing two girls. Her mother was also accused but had died in a mental asylum. Shortly after the woman, Lilith, is released, another young woman dies. One would wonder why, unless Lilith were insane (something that had never come out in her trial) she would kill someone else on her doorstep. And there are the usual cast of odd characters all around her, people with secrets.
Kate Ellis writes well and in the main I enjoy her series but, as I said, this was one was very convoluted and when the twist comes, it was one that I had seen coming halfway through the book. It isn’t a satisfying one either in my opinion. Still, Ellis is enough of a mistress of the crime novel that even her weak books deserve a three in my estimation.
I had a difficult time getting into the story. It’s quite convoluted—woman is released after serving eighteen years in prison for killing two girls. Her mother was also accused but had died in a mental asylum. Shortly after the woman, Lilith, is released, another young woman dies. One would wonder why, unless Lilith were insane (something that had never come out in her trial) she would kill someone else on her doorstep. And there are the usual cast of odd characters all around her, people with secrets.
Kate Ellis writes well and in the main I enjoy her series but, as I said, this was one was very convoluted and when the twist comes, it was one that I had seen coming halfway through the book. It isn’t a satisfying one either in my opinion. Still, Ellis is enough of a mistress of the crime novel that even her weak books deserve a three in my estimation.
December 12, 2013
The usual combination of a modern murder mystery and a "shadow" historical case which is in fact quite similar. I like Wesley and his team, and I like the Devon setting (this series would film quite well - has anyone done it?) I would probably have given this one 4 * were it not for the twist in the last few pages, which I really didn't like (also, there are a few points where credulity is stretched a bit - a few coincidences or unlikely turns of event). I think it is most unlikely that so much of any historical mystery could be revealed through surviving artefacts and documents, but of course I would like it to be true (the frustrated archivist in me enjoys this part of these novels very much!) I think I'm up to date with this series now, and there is a new one due out next year.
February 27, 2020
First time I have read anything by Kate Ellis. Good read with twists and turns and with an ending I didn't see coming!
December 27, 2018
This is one of the best Kate Ellis novels I've read. No 17 in the Wesley Peterson series, it presents a modern-day scenario of vengeance and victimisation against the backdrop of a similar tale from the seventeenth century, in which a woman is hanged after being falsely accused of witchcraft by her stepdaughter, for motives very similar to those displayed in the modern-day case. As usual, Wesley's archaeologist friend Neil Watson plays his part and their interests begin to blend during the playing out of Wesley's latest case.
In 1994, Lilith Benley and her mother Dorothy were convicted of the murder of two teenage girls at their home, called Devil's Tree Cottage. Dorothy died in a secure hospital and Lilith served eighteen years in prison. Now Lilith has been released and has returned to her old home. She has always protested her innocence, despite her mother's confession, which Lilith attributed to increasing dementia. Lilith also claimed that the evidence used to convict her was planted – a claim heard too often by police to be believed. A rumour persisted that the girls' bodies, never found, were fed to pigs. In this rural, Midsomer Murders-type location, it is all too easy to paint them as witches.
Meanwhile, a local farmer is hosting some entertainers in a reality-TV program called Celebrity Farm. Several have been voted off, and two remain: a former pop sensation, Zac James, and a one-time top comedian, Rupert Raybourn, trying to re-start his career. Another strand involves a best-selling author, Shane Gulliver, his wife Gwen and their moody, difficult adolescent son, Alex. Many other characters – too many, perhaps – come and go throughout the novel, weaving a very involved tapestry. I have to admit to getting a bit lost among these characters, though their various possible motives for murder and disappearances only add to the mystery.
Wesley is called in when a woman wearing a bright red coat is found murdered near Lilith Benley’s cottage, raising fears that Lilith has killed again. The woman turns out to have been a journalist, on the trail of a big story. And Neil Watson has discovered a child-sized coffin containing a repellent wax doll stuck with nails! Cue references back to the journal of Alison Hadness, hanged as a witch in 1643, at the height of the English Civil War, following a coincidental outbreak of disease she is accused of causing. The lies and scapegoating that give the name to “witch-hunt” are echoed in the fate of Lilith Benley – except that Benley may not really be innocent, and a schoolteacher accused of sexual impropriety with a student may or may not be guilty…
In a way, this novel is an essay on the effects of pointing the finger, “dobbing” someone you’ve got it in for out of sheer malevolence, which can have tragic consequences. In the historical case pure hatred seems to dominate; the modern killer is more of a psychopath. Highly recommended.
In 1994, Lilith Benley and her mother Dorothy were convicted of the murder of two teenage girls at their home, called Devil's Tree Cottage. Dorothy died in a secure hospital and Lilith served eighteen years in prison. Now Lilith has been released and has returned to her old home. She has always protested her innocence, despite her mother's confession, which Lilith attributed to increasing dementia. Lilith also claimed that the evidence used to convict her was planted – a claim heard too often by police to be believed. A rumour persisted that the girls' bodies, never found, were fed to pigs. In this rural, Midsomer Murders-type location, it is all too easy to paint them as witches.
Meanwhile, a local farmer is hosting some entertainers in a reality-TV program called Celebrity Farm. Several have been voted off, and two remain: a former pop sensation, Zac James, and a one-time top comedian, Rupert Raybourn, trying to re-start his career. Another strand involves a best-selling author, Shane Gulliver, his wife Gwen and their moody, difficult adolescent son, Alex. Many other characters – too many, perhaps – come and go throughout the novel, weaving a very involved tapestry. I have to admit to getting a bit lost among these characters, though their various possible motives for murder and disappearances only add to the mystery.
Wesley is called in when a woman wearing a bright red coat is found murdered near Lilith Benley’s cottage, raising fears that Lilith has killed again. The woman turns out to have been a journalist, on the trail of a big story. And Neil Watson has discovered a child-sized coffin containing a repellent wax doll stuck with nails! Cue references back to the journal of Alison Hadness, hanged as a witch in 1643, at the height of the English Civil War, following a coincidental outbreak of disease she is accused of causing. The lies and scapegoating that give the name to “witch-hunt” are echoed in the fate of Lilith Benley – except that Benley may not really be innocent, and a schoolteacher accused of sexual impropriety with a student may or may not be guilty…
In a way, this novel is an essay on the effects of pointing the finger, “dobbing” someone you’ve got it in for out of sheer malevolence, which can have tragic consequences. In the historical case pure hatred seems to dominate; the modern killer is more of a psychopath. Highly recommended.
August 13, 2018
Another excellent novel mixing history with contemporary crime.
A woman convicted of murder 18 years ago returns to the village where the crimes where committed. A woman is found murdered near her cottage. Wesley Peterson is left wondering if past and present are connected. Meanwhile, Neil Watson is hospitalized after a near fatal car crash, while carrying a Civil War era witches doll in his car. Is the witch out for revenge, or is someone more contemporary to blame?
Fast paced, exciting, and with several monumental plot twists.
Excellent book.
Highly recommended.
A woman convicted of murder 18 years ago returns to the village where the crimes where committed. A woman is found murdered near her cottage. Wesley Peterson is left wondering if past and present are connected. Meanwhile, Neil Watson is hospitalized after a near fatal car crash, while carrying a Civil War era witches doll in his car. Is the witch out for revenge, or is someone more contemporary to blame?
Fast paced, exciting, and with several monumental plot twists.
Excellent book.
Highly recommended.
November 14, 2013
The abridged version of this review was originally published at Story Circle Book Reviews:
http://www.storycirclebookreviews.org...
In the 17th installment of Ellis’s famous mystery series, its protagonist DI Wesley Peterson faces a baffling murder of an unknown woman. Strangely, the victim was killed near the property of a convicted murderer Lilith Benley. Eighteen year ago, Lilith was sent to prison for the brutal murder of two teenage girls. She always denied her guilt, but the evidence was overwhelming. There was also a rumor of witchcraft, although in the 20th century, nobody took it seriously, at least not the police. Now Lilith is out on parole, and another murder takes place suspiciously close to her house. Is she guilty of this one too? Was she ever guilty?
Wesley Peterson investigates, aided by his friends and colleagues, but his investigation is hampered by several interconnected subplots. Each of the possible suspects might or might not be the culprit. Each might or might not have a motive. The police ask questions, but nobody tells the whole truth. Everybody have secrets they’re eager to protect. Furthermore, almost all of the suspects and a few bystanders legally changed their names in the past, which tangles the unfolding drama even further.
As one red herring after another drop out of story, Wesley is left to wonder: who killed the mysterious woman and why, and what is the connection to the eighteen-year-old case.
As always in the series, Wesley’s friend, archeologist Neil Watson, is working on a case of his own, the case involving witches of the 17th century. When during a house restoration, builders uncover sinister wax dolls, the link to witchcraft is implicit, and Neil’s interest spikes.
The archived documents he reads and the current case file seem to mirror each other, as the fear of witches, combined with the purely human spite and jealousy, inevitably lead to tragedy, no matter the century.
The pace is slow on the surface, as the police officers’ preeminent occupation seems to be waiting. Waiting for one of their endless interviews to produce a lead, which might be false. Waiting for the lab results. Waiting for the witness reports. Waiting, waiting, waiting…
While waiting, Wesley is thinking and connecting dots, and all this time, the tension thrums underneath the action, climbing steadily as the hero tries to separate lies from truth. Like an archeologist of human sins, he exposes the shadows to the light, and so the title is apt.
Wesley’s character is one of the most charismatic in the mystery genre. Thoughtful, clever, and kind, he is the ideal police officer, the one we all want to meet, if ever the need arises. Beside him, all the other characters pale. He also doesn’t have any inner demons, like so many literary detectives do these days, no drink or drug abuse, no hidden vice, and his squeaky-clean psyche only endears him to me.
Another character worth mentioning is Lilith Benley, the convicted murderess. Her multifaceted personality enriches the tale, while doubts of her past guilt create an additional layer of suspense. Was justice miscarried in her case? Did she serve her time but for the wrong crime? Is the crazy killer targeting her?
I’ve read almost all the novels in this series and I can see how the author has matured since the series’ inception. Her characters are deeper now than in the beginning, although the storyline has become grimmer, and the bitter ending demonstrates that despite all the efforts of good men, and Wesley is unquestionably one of them, evil often prevails. Although the novel ended, Wesley still has work to do.
Recommended to all mystery fans.
A personal reflection:
One of the minor subplots of this novel, echoing several main plotlines, involves a school teachers being accused of sexual assault by his female student. Until the girl recanted her statement, the police was inclined to believe her. The man was ruined without any proof of his guilt. The case reminded me of a similar case, but not fictional, unfortunately. My friend’s neighbor was a teacher, a nice and decent man. My friend’s young daughter often played with his daughter. Then his student accused him of sexual assault, and the ugly ball started rolling. He was suspended from work. He was arrested and interrogated. The police even went so far as to ban him from his own daughter, at least temporarily. In the end, nothing was proven, and nobody who knew him believed the accusation anyway. The girl just did it to attract attention, or maybe out of spite, but the man’s professional life was in shreds. Eventually, he left his job at the school, and the family moved – they couldn’t pay the mortgage on their house anymore. I don’t know how his story ended, but he didn’t deserve what was done to him by his little bitch of a student. Why did the police and the school believe her and not him? Is that how our society works?
http://www.storycirclebookreviews.org...
In the 17th installment of Ellis’s famous mystery series, its protagonist DI Wesley Peterson faces a baffling murder of an unknown woman. Strangely, the victim was killed near the property of a convicted murderer Lilith Benley. Eighteen year ago, Lilith was sent to prison for the brutal murder of two teenage girls. She always denied her guilt, but the evidence was overwhelming. There was also a rumor of witchcraft, although in the 20th century, nobody took it seriously, at least not the police. Now Lilith is out on parole, and another murder takes place suspiciously close to her house. Is she guilty of this one too? Was she ever guilty?
Wesley Peterson investigates, aided by his friends and colleagues, but his investigation is hampered by several interconnected subplots. Each of the possible suspects might or might not be the culprit. Each might or might not have a motive. The police ask questions, but nobody tells the whole truth. Everybody have secrets they’re eager to protect. Furthermore, almost all of the suspects and a few bystanders legally changed their names in the past, which tangles the unfolding drama even further.
As one red herring after another drop out of story, Wesley is left to wonder: who killed the mysterious woman and why, and what is the connection to the eighteen-year-old case.
As always in the series, Wesley’s friend, archeologist Neil Watson, is working on a case of his own, the case involving witches of the 17th century. When during a house restoration, builders uncover sinister wax dolls, the link to witchcraft is implicit, and Neil’s interest spikes.
The archived documents he reads and the current case file seem to mirror each other, as the fear of witches, combined with the purely human spite and jealousy, inevitably lead to tragedy, no matter the century.
The pace is slow on the surface, as the police officers’ preeminent occupation seems to be waiting. Waiting for one of their endless interviews to produce a lead, which might be false. Waiting for the lab results. Waiting for the witness reports. Waiting, waiting, waiting…
While waiting, Wesley is thinking and connecting dots, and all this time, the tension thrums underneath the action, climbing steadily as the hero tries to separate lies from truth. Like an archeologist of human sins, he exposes the shadows to the light, and so the title is apt.
Wesley’s character is one of the most charismatic in the mystery genre. Thoughtful, clever, and kind, he is the ideal police officer, the one we all want to meet, if ever the need arises. Beside him, all the other characters pale. He also doesn’t have any inner demons, like so many literary detectives do these days, no drink or drug abuse, no hidden vice, and his squeaky-clean psyche only endears him to me.
Another character worth mentioning is Lilith Benley, the convicted murderess. Her multifaceted personality enriches the tale, while doubts of her past guilt create an additional layer of suspense. Was justice miscarried in her case? Did she serve her time but for the wrong crime? Is the crazy killer targeting her?
I’ve read almost all the novels in this series and I can see how the author has matured since the series’ inception. Her characters are deeper now than in the beginning, although the storyline has become grimmer, and the bitter ending demonstrates that despite all the efforts of good men, and Wesley is unquestionably one of them, evil often prevails. Although the novel ended, Wesley still has work to do.
Recommended to all mystery fans.
A personal reflection:
One of the minor subplots of this novel, echoing several main plotlines, involves a school teachers being accused of sexual assault by his female student. Until the girl recanted her statement, the police was inclined to believe her. The man was ruined without any proof of his guilt. The case reminded me of a similar case, but not fictional, unfortunately. My friend’s neighbor was a teacher, a nice and decent man. My friend’s young daughter often played with his daughter. Then his student accused him of sexual assault, and the ugly ball started rolling. He was suspended from work. He was arrested and interrogated. The police even went so far as to ban him from his own daughter, at least temporarily. In the end, nothing was proven, and nobody who knew him believed the accusation anyway. The girl just did it to attract attention, or maybe out of spite, but the man’s professional life was in shreds. Eventually, he left his job at the school, and the family moved – they couldn’t pay the mortgage on their house anymore. I don’t know how his story ended, but he didn’t deserve what was done to him by his little bitch of a student. Why did the police and the school believe her and not him? Is that how our society works?
November 1, 2013
This was another excellent police procedural in this series that kept me guessing as to 'whodunit' until the final pages. It was very hard to put down.
I also felt that Kate Ellis portrayed both witchcraft and Wicca sensitively, which is always a plus when these themes appear in popular fiction.
I was a little confused about the relationship status of D.S. Rachel Tracey when it was mentioned that she was preparing for her wedding as I didn't recall any engagement in Book #16. I emailed Kate Ellis and she was kind enough to confirm that some time had passed between novels and that the engagement had taken place in this in-between. Rachel is one of my favourite characters in the series and I remain uncertain about whether this is the right move for her. Yet that is one of the many things I love about Ellis' writing: I feel I know these characters and care about the ups and downs of their lives.
I have now reached the end of the series to date so shall be reading the new ones as they are published.
I also felt that Kate Ellis portrayed both witchcraft and Wicca sensitively, which is always a plus when these themes appear in popular fiction.
I was a little confused about the relationship status of D.S. Rachel Tracey when it was mentioned that she was preparing for her wedding as I didn't recall any engagement in Book #16. I emailed Kate Ellis and she was kind enough to confirm that some time had passed between novels and that the engagement had taken place in this in-between. Rachel is one of my favourite characters in the series and I remain uncertain about whether this is the right move for her. Yet that is one of the many things I love about Ellis' writing: I feel I know these characters and care about the ups and downs of their lives.
I have now reached the end of the series to date so shall be reading the new ones as they are published.
August 8, 2013
A convicted murderer is released from prison on licence and returns to the scene of the murders. Nearby a television company is filming a new reality series on a farm when an unknown young woman is found dead in a field on the farm. Neil Watson – the archaeologist and friend of Wesley Peterson – is observing a house restoration and making some interesting finds one of which seems to be having an evil influence on him.
This is a well written mystery which links the distant past – seventeenth century; the less distant past – eighteen years ago and the present. All are interlinked and influencing present day events. There are elements of police procedural and elements of archaeology in this atmospheric crime novel.
All this fascinating series have interesting backgrounds and the series characters are developing well. I do like the way all the police characters get on well together – which makes a change when compared with many police series.
This is a well written mystery which links the distant past – seventeenth century; the less distant past – eighteen years ago and the present. All are interlinked and influencing present day events. There are elements of police procedural and elements of archaeology in this atmospheric crime novel.
All this fascinating series have interesting backgrounds and the series characters are developing well. I do like the way all the police characters get on well together – which makes a change when compared with many police series.
July 3, 2015
The deadliest secrets lurk in the darkness.
I love the Wesley Peterson mysteries,I like the way that the team actually get along and Wesley and his boss Gerry don't spend all their time butting heads and arguing like detectives and their bosses do in a lot of crime books.I like how the historical story is cleverly connected in some way to the present day story but most of all I love the twists and turns in the story,just when you think you have worked something out along comes a twist that shakes everything up and make you have to rethink everything.
Anyone who likes the Midsomer Murders would enjoy these books and I think the books would make a very good tv series.
I love the Wesley Peterson mysteries,I like the way that the team actually get along and Wesley and his boss Gerry don't spend all their time butting heads and arguing like detectives and their bosses do in a lot of crime books.I like how the historical story is cleverly connected in some way to the present day story but most of all I love the twists and turns in the story,just when you think you have worked something out along comes a twist that shakes everything up and make you have to rethink everything.
Anyone who likes the Midsomer Murders would enjoy these books and I think the books would make a very good tv series.
June 18, 2014
This is a very well-written British murder mystery. I was impressed that the characters were as developed as they were, given that this one is #17 in the series. The witchcraft angle, along with the archeology and old-manor restoration, and the hideous and really creepy wax dolls, were great. The author presents 2 mysteries, one historical, and the major one in the present day. My one quibble was the bit-over-the-top ending. I mean, really? Still, I'll look for earlier books in the series at my library.
December 25, 2018
The way she weaves three different mysteries together: historical, a few years ago, and the present is very well done, and the parallels she draws between them just enhances the book even more. Overall, an entertaining read.
January 2, 2015
Ok but not as good as some of her previous books
May 21, 2016
This was a great book.
June 10, 2023
3.5 would be a better rating - I like this series a lot - I read this book 10 years ago and felt like reading it again because i didn't remember a thing - i keep the same ratings
June 28, 2022
Di Wesley Patterson and DCI Gerry Heffernan investigate deaths linked to murder linked with a cold case surrounding the murder of two teenage girls, and also leading back to a reality TV show being filmed nearby. Meanwhile Patterson's best friend and local senior archaeologist, Neil, is looking into three coffins hidden in the walls of a house - along with documents telling their story... these investigations.
I have read quite a number in this series and though written well this parallel investigation style has become a little formulaic and I was a little tempted to give 3*s because of this - but if a reader comes new to the season that is not a factor. The fact that for some odd reason Gerry and Neil's surnames did not arrive until quite late on could be - but a minor point.
In Christie style almost every person is a suspect and the plot has many twists so lots of scope for speculation as you read on.
I have read quite a number in this series and though written well this parallel investigation style has become a little formulaic and I was a little tempted to give 3*s because of this - but if a reader comes new to the season that is not a factor. The fact that for some odd reason Gerry and Neil's surnames did not arrive until quite late on could be - but a minor point.
In Christie style almost every person is a suspect and the plot has many twists so lots of scope for speculation as you read on.
July 18, 2022
I picked this book up because I have read another of this author's books, and it was okay. Saw this in a charity shop and thought I'd try another.
Pretty good story overall. Skipped a lot of pointless description for me - walked into office, so and so was there etc, It plumped out the pages but not the story.
Had to read the ending twice as I didn't quite understand it, still not sure I do! And finished! So guess I'll never really understand why that happened.
Very much like Midsomer Murders which I love but in book form. Good to pick up and read when having five minutes, but there is one real bugbear I cannot stand - looooong chapters! I like to read a chapter and then decide if I have time to read another. This author does tend to offer very long chapters and I'm having to stop at an appropriate place to finish later. This is my personal thing, but did distract me on occasions as an author myself, I would have had smaller chapters.
Pretty good story overall. Skipped a lot of pointless description for me - walked into office, so and so was there etc, It plumped out the pages but not the story.
Had to read the ending twice as I didn't quite understand it, still not sure I do! And finished! So guess I'll never really understand why that happened.
Very much like Midsomer Murders which I love but in book form. Good to pick up and read when having five minutes, but there is one real bugbear I cannot stand - looooong chapters! I like to read a chapter and then decide if I have time to read another. This author does tend to offer very long chapters and I'm having to stop at an appropriate place to finish later. This is my personal thing, but did distract me on occasions as an author myself, I would have had smaller chapters.
September 3, 2023
I really enjoyed The Shadow Collector this is the first book I've read by Kate Ellis but certainly won't be the last! Although this is #17 in the series, you don't need to have read the others to enjoy the book. It's easy enough to work out the relationships between the series regulars, and the main part of the plot is about the murder. I liked the way the true history of the English Civil War is interwoven into this murder mystery centering around witchcraft. It would appeal to fans of traditional murder mysteries and anyone who likes a bit of true history with their crime stories. This book has lots of twists and turns as well as an almost impossible-to-solve plot, I liked the theme of 'witch hunts' running through the story, and how unlikeable people can so often end up a scapegoat. This is an extremely clever book by a talented author. I am removing one star as there are numerous grammatical errors, another read through by an editor is needed!
February 6, 2022
First book I've read in this series, and am aware I've arrived late to the party. I thought this was a great mystery novel. It does also fit in the crime genre, however I think of it more as a mystery.
Two things I thought best about this novel. The mystery itself was well plotted, and I thought the author carefully expanded the story with each chapter, until the final twists at the end. There are plenty of red herrings - maybe too many - but they each added to the mystery. Secondly, the characters were mostly well crafted and believable. Some seemed a little cliche, but they each served a purpose and there wasn't waste in how they were presented.
The only thing that I found a challenge was the writing style. It seemed a little bogged down at times, but I think if I read more of this series that won't be such a big issue.
Two things I thought best about this novel. The mystery itself was well plotted, and I thought the author carefully expanded the story with each chapter, until the final twists at the end. There are plenty of red herrings - maybe too many - but they each added to the mystery. Secondly, the characters were mostly well crafted and believable. Some seemed a little cliche, but they each served a purpose and there wasn't waste in how they were presented.
The only thing that I found a challenge was the writing style. It seemed a little bogged down at times, but I think if I read more of this series that won't be such a big issue.
June 2, 2020
I am racing through this series as they are so quick and easy to read and such page-turners. I'm constantly thinking 'Just one more page, I need to see what happens next!' Kate Ellis manages to devise such fascinating historical stories, often based on real events, to give clues to the contemporary crimes. In this book, the characters Alison and Lilith are separated by c. 350 years but are linked by accusations of witchcraft and murder. The latter is convicted of the Satanic killing of two teenagers and after 18 years in prison returns to Wesley's patch and bodies start appearing. Is she guilty? The usual tangled web ensues. It's a three and half instead of four because I really didn't like the last couple of pages but we can't give halves so it'll have to be a three!
January 25, 2021
The 17th in Kate Ellis' wonderful Wesley Peterson series. Crime, investigation, archaeology, ticking off all my boxes. This one has witches, murder, ritual objects and knives, and a lot of undercurrents within the long time cast of characters. I was distracted all day on the 20th by actual history, but back to some reading today.
This was a layered novel with the history of a house at which Neil is supervising the restoration of a Tudor room uncovers some unpleasant items associated with possible witchcraft. The owners of the home in 1642 during the siege of Tradmouth are involved in the 17th century story, as are the current owners in the issues of the 20th century. There are accusations of witchcraft in both time periods, truth, lies, and revenge, all together for Wesley and Gerry to sort out. Almost a bit too much to sort through, but that could also be a factor of my starting to read the book just after the tumult of the days leading up to the inauguration of President Biden.
This was a layered novel with the history of a house at which Neil is supervising the restoration of a Tudor room uncovers some unpleasant items associated with possible witchcraft. The owners of the home in 1642 during the siege of Tradmouth are involved in the 17th century story, as are the current owners in the issues of the 20th century. There are accusations of witchcraft in both time periods, truth, lies, and revenge, all together for Wesley and Gerry to sort out. Almost a bit too much to sort through, but that could also be a factor of my starting to read the book just after the tumult of the days leading up to the inauguration of President Biden.
February 7, 2023
This book is one of a series of mystery thrillers. I have not read any of the others and this did not seem to impact my enjoyment.
It is a police procedural that is based in the U.K. I really liked the character development and even though there was a very large cast, and I did have to backtrack a few times to keep them all straight, I enjoyed all they each brought to the story.
The story itself touched on the stigma and prejudice that has been directed at women and how quickly they have been accused of witchcraft in the past. It also took some time to examine the status of modern day practitioners of Wicca and showed how the stigma and prejudice still simmers below the surface.
It is a police procedural that is based in the U.K. I really liked the character development and even though there was a very large cast, and I did have to backtrack a few times to keep them all straight, I enjoyed all they each brought to the story.
The story itself touched on the stigma and prejudice that has been directed at women and how quickly they have been accused of witchcraft in the past. It also took some time to examine the status of modern day practitioners of Wicca and showed how the stigma and prejudice still simmers below the surface.
July 12, 2019
An author I hadn’t previously come across, but one I would certainly look out for again. DI Wesley Peterson may take a while to grow on me though and with 16 previous and at least 4 follow-ups it would seem he has plenty of opportunity. It’s just that as the series’s lead character, I didn’t feel he had a commanding enough presence or any of the fallibilities that typically engender readership affection and loyalty. Nevertheless, the plot was sound with clever parallels drawn between crimes of the past and the present.
November 27, 2019
So many shadows of the past. So many humans with shadowy pasts. So many humans taking advantage of the people around them--without any regret. Frankly, it was rather hard to keep track of birth names of characters with their current names. Really, not an enjoyable mystery because the characters (other than our Wesley and Gerry) were all protecting their "main chances" and/or covering up their pasts. Even the archeological story was conniving and ruthless and heartless. Pretty darn dark.
January 12, 2023
3.5* rounded down.
I found the historical element in this instalment even less interesting than normal. The present day crime related to the murder of two girls 18 years ago and the two additional time frames made for confusing reading sometimes. The release of the murderer from 18 years ago led on pretty swiftly to the assumption that she might not have been guilty after all, in a way that didn't seem warranted. The resolution was fairly well clued, but the very ending felt unnecessary.
I found the historical element in this instalment even less interesting than normal. The present day crime related to the murder of two girls 18 years ago and the two additional time frames made for confusing reading sometimes. The release of the murderer from 18 years ago led on pretty swiftly to the assumption that she might not have been guilty after all, in a way that didn't seem warranted. The resolution was fairly well clued, but the very ending felt unnecessary.
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