Death on the Rocks

John Rawlings #15

by Deryn Lake

Apothecary John Rawlings is intrigued when a letter arrives asking him to investigate an impostor claiming to be the long-lost step-son of a wealthy Bristol merchant in possession of his dead wife's diamond inheritance. John Rawlings' father, Sir Gabriel Kent joins him on the trip to take the healing waters at Hotwell where they socialize with the crème of Bristol society. But Rawlings is compelled to try and solve the mystery and so he must trawl through the underbelly of eighteenth-century society to unearth the sordid secrets at the heart of the investigation.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery

208 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2014

About the author

Deryn Lake is a well-known historical novelist who joined the popular ranks of historical detective writers with her gripping John Rawlings Mysteries, Death in the Dark Walk, Death at the Devil's Tavern, Death on the Romney Marsh, Death in the Peerless Pool and Death at Apothecaries' Hall.

Deryn also writes popular historical romances including the acclaimed The King's Women, Sutton Place and Pour the Dark Wine.

Deryn Lake lives near Hastings, East Sussex

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

My first John Rawlings mystery and also my last...the character I liked best has died and none of the others came across with any authenticity.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

#15 in the 34 year old London Apothecary John Rawlings who is a widower raising his 5 year old daughter Rose as a single parent mystery series.
two years have passed since #14 Death At the Wedding Feast and Rawlings has traveled to Bristol accepting request asking him to investigate an impostor claiming to be the long-lost step-son of a wealthy Bristol merchant seeking to be his and his heir who later turns up dead. John Rawlings' father, Sir Gabriel Kent joins him on the trip to take the healing waters at Hotwell where they socialize with the crème of Bristol society. As he investigates the murder and determine the real identity, he also comes across the two suspects for the murder in Death At The Wedding feast who had escaped capture.

There are also several developments in Rawlings' personal life.

The 18th Century historical setting is weak so the story is just another murder mystery. The mystery is good with the focus upon the inter-relations of the main characters and the supporting ones for this story.

[Vintagebooklvr · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must be missing something because of the end of the last book, if I remember correctly because I just read it, Rawlings had hope of coming to some sort of compromise with Elizabeth and suddenly here at least two years have passed and he hasn't seen her or the twin boys. I just can't see that he would allow that much time to pass. Yes, it is difficult for him to travel back and forth but better than completely being out of his sons' lives all together. That just didn't make sense to me.

Other than that, it is a decent mystery though a bit sad.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book that I have read in this series. I did enjoy it but doubt that I will try to read the 14 previous ones. The story is set in Britain in the 1700’s with very good detail of the way life was then. Some of the descriptions of the sanitation conditions were difficult to read. The main characters are likeable. At some point I may try to find the first and then the most recent one in this series.

[Mrs. A.A. Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery at Hotwells

John Rawlings visits Bristol Hotwells to investigate a possible impersonation and becomes involved in a murder. Excellent characterisation, Deryn Lake's writing gives a real feel of a spa town at its most lively.

[Kim Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I admit it, this book had me in tears! Not from the actual mystery but from the other things that happen in John Rawlings life. I really felt for him. Thank goodness the mystery was there to help us all take our minds off the tragic events surrounding his life.

[Kurry Swigert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I enjoyed this the most of any of the books in this collection. Good character development continued. As with life, there were some twists and turns in the plot but nothing too out of line.

[Kate O`neill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulously written and thoroughly good read

Another darn good read from this established author.
More intrigue for John Rawlings, this one centred around the Hotwells Clifton.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

(1772) John Rawlings is requested to visit Horatio Huxtable of Clifton to determine if his newly returned stepson Augustus is really who he says he is after being abroad for so many years. Then a death occurs.
An enjoyable historical mystery.

[John Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that I was one of the readers that the authoress mentions in the 'Historical notes' who contacted her to ask if John Rawlings et al were to return. I hadnt seen any notification of this new release due for publication and it was a very pleasant surprise when my wife brought me a crisp new copy from the local library.

It was two and a half years ago that I read Death at the Wedding Feast and that was over 100 books ago. It was perhaps not surprising that it took a chapter or two before full recollection of the background story happened and the wearing-comfortable-old-jumper-in-favourite-easychair moment returned

This new story, obviously set before the 'Health and Safety' dominated era, was well up to the standard of the previous 14 and if you enjoyed those, as I did, then you will enjoy this one too, although I did feel that there was one ommission during the plot. However the attraction for me here was to bring myself up to date with what had happened to the main characters in the two years since the last story was set. In this I wasnt disappointed and I thought that the two key events were both handled extremely well.

A part of the attraction of the series is the authoress' ability to bring the period of English history to life in locations that I know in the present day. This is something that she has undoubtedly mastered. I look forward to seeing if she can recreate this in new distant and, to me unknown, pastures of the future that beckons Mr Rawlings.

Who needs the Rev'd Nick Lawence?

[Virginia Tican · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Rawlings and his Papa went to Bristol for the old man to take the waters and for the young man to investigate a claim. At this moment, Rawlings is staring at an Obscene Obesity sitting alone at a box in the theatre and sipping his drink with the pomposity of an entitled potentate and occasionally passing wind (for John could see the occupants of adjoining boxes putting their handkerchiefs to their noses). This Fat Flatulence had the audacity to claim that he is the long lost step son of Horatio Huxtable and therefore entitled to his inheritance, his mother's diamonds. It was not long after this sighting that Rawlings was even able to prescribe to his Immensity, Augustus Bagot and to later on look up at a sagging roof where the False Heir fell to his death from the steep rock steps and perceive the absence of proof ~ for the True Heir has a birthmark on his buttocks. But then, was the Fat Fallacy pushed or did he fall?

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic story from Deryn Lake who never disappoints.
This latest adventure sees Mr John Rawlings, Apothecary of Shug Lane, Piccadilly and Sir Gabriel Kent travel to the Avon Gorge visiting Bristol, taking in the hot springs of Hotwell and Clifton to solve a rather unusual case. As always the various characters he meets along the way lead him a 'merry dance'. Wonderfully detailed giving a perfect insight into the highs and lows of 18th century life, I couldn't put it down and felt as though I was actually there. More, more, more please Deryn.

[Sonja · Rating 4 out of 5]

can't wait for the next one, loving all of them. This one brings up all the characters so loved back into the book. Hope there will be many more to come!