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Rose McQuinn #6
Quest for a Killer
When the circus arrives in Edinburgh, Rose McQuinn is delighted. However, the much anticipated festivities are overshadowed by a curious set of crimes, involving the murder of a clerk during a bank robbery and, within hours of each other, the identical suicides of two young women. Are these deaths as straightforward as the police claim or could they all be linked to one killer?
The evidence leads her from suspect to suspect but Rose still cannot prove conclusively who the real culprit is. She confides in her new-found friend – young, rich and beautiful Elma Rice – but when there is a murderous attack on Elma’s husband, Rose must discover what vital clue she has overlooked before she becomes the killer’s next victim.
The evidence leads her from suspect to suspect but Rose still cannot prove conclusively who the real culprit is. She confides in her new-found friend – young, rich and beautiful Elma Rice – but when there is a murderous attack on Elma’s husband, Rose must discover what vital clue she has overlooked before she becomes the killer’s next victim.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 15, 2010
4 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
Alanna Knight
79 books46 followersaka Margaret Hope
Alanna Knight MBE has published more than sixty novels (including sixteen in the acclaimed Inspector Faro series, and seven featuring his daughter Rose McQuinn), as well as non-fiction, true crime and several books on Robert Louis Stevenson, numerous short stories and two plays since her award-winning first book ‘Legend of the Loch’ in 1969. A founding member and Honorary President of the Scottish Association of Writers and of the Edinburgh Writer’s Club, born and educated on Tyneside, she has two sons and two granddaughters and lives in Edinburgh.
Alanna Knight MBE has published more than sixty novels (including sixteen in the acclaimed Inspector Faro series, and seven featuring his daughter Rose McQuinn), as well as non-fiction, true crime and several books on Robert Louis Stevenson, numerous short stories and two plays since her award-winning first book ‘Legend of the Loch’ in 1969. A founding member and Honorary President of the Scottish Association of Writers and of the Edinburgh Writer’s Club, born and educated on Tyneside, she has two sons and two granddaughters and lives in Edinburgh.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 8, 2013
Rose McQuinn, lady detective managed to get almost everything wrong. The book was just ok, it would not encourage me to read more by this author but may give her another try just to see if she gets better.
August 7, 2019
Okay, I liked but less than the others. The whole Danny thing... *shakes head* Anyway, I'll keep listening
February 25, 2021
This was without a doubt one of the dumbest books I have ever spent my time on. The main character was dull and superficial. Firstly, she was supposed to be this 'female investigator'. What the fuck does it matter whether she is female or not. Just an 'investigator' would've worked just fine. Secondly, in this entire novel she doesn't do anything that would do or say anything to show the reader that she is in fact a lady investigator, whatever she intended that to be. Literally the only reason why I know she is one is because in nearly every conversation the main character has, she drops the word lady investigator in there.
Also, the plot did not make any sense. The main character kept taking on these random cases of these random people, but none of the accepted cases were ever solved because of her (and I quote): "Detective skills."
As an author you're supposed to show the reader that your character has certain characteristics or talents, not tell the reader.
As you might be able to tell, after the 8th time it frustrated the living shit out of me.
What I did like about the book was that it was very easy to get through, even though the characters and the plot were terrible. Somehow the writing style was fine.
If you like bad plots, horrible characters and even worse character development, then this is the book for you!
Also, the plot did not make any sense. The main character kept taking on these random cases of these random people, but none of the accepted cases were ever solved because of her (and I quote): "Detective skills."
As an author you're supposed to show the reader that your character has certain characteristics or talents, not tell the reader.
As you might be able to tell, after the 8th time it frustrated the living shit out of me.
What I did like about the book was that it was very easy to get through, even though the characters and the plot were terrible. Somehow the writing style was fine.
If you like bad plots, horrible characters and even worse character development, then this is the book for you!
August 31, 2012
‘Quest for a Killer’ by Alanna Knight
Published by Allison & Busby, January 2010. ISBN: 978-0-7490-0738-6
Rose McQuinn has been living in Solomon’s Tower since her return to Edinburgh four yeas ago. Since that day she has earned her living as a Lady Investigator, Discretion Guaranteed. Now on this Autumn day in 1899 whilst walking on a hill with her dog, the mythical Thane, Rose is led, by a small white, highland terrier to a lady who has twisted her ankle out walking. The lady is the rich and beautiful Elma Miles Rice, and the two strike up an unexpected friendship, more enthusiastic however on Mrs Rice’s side than Rose’s.
At this time the circus has come to Edinburgh, and the tragic deaths by hanging of two young unmarried girls is being investigated. An attack on the husband of her new friend Mrs Rice brings Rose into the investigation. Attending the circus with Mrs Rice, Rose is shocked to see a familiar face – but this is not the only shock in store for Rose, or for the reader as this tale unfolds.
An exciting entry in this series, which moves the story forward at a pace.
-----
Lizzie Hayes
Published by Allison & Busby, January 2010. ISBN: 978-0-7490-0738-6
Rose McQuinn has been living in Solomon’s Tower since her return to Edinburgh four yeas ago. Since that day she has earned her living as a Lady Investigator, Discretion Guaranteed. Now on this Autumn day in 1899 whilst walking on a hill with her dog, the mythical Thane, Rose is led, by a small white, highland terrier to a lady who has twisted her ankle out walking. The lady is the rich and beautiful Elma Miles Rice, and the two strike up an unexpected friendship, more enthusiastic however on Mrs Rice’s side than Rose’s.
At this time the circus has come to Edinburgh, and the tragic deaths by hanging of two young unmarried girls is being investigated. An attack on the husband of her new friend Mrs Rice brings Rose into the investigation. Attending the circus with Mrs Rice, Rose is shocked to see a familiar face – but this is not the only shock in store for Rose, or for the reader as this tale unfolds.
An exciting entry in this series, which moves the story forward at a pace.
-----
Lizzie Hayes
January 6, 2017
This is only a review of the first few chapters. My resolve for 2017 is to not waste time on books I@m not enjoying!
"This time the circus was destined to be less innocent, more fraught with sinister happenings. Its arrival coincided with a local bank robbery a mile away, where one of the clerks had been killed, and nearby, two girls had committed suicide within hours of each other.
Were the three deaths linked? Were the suicides also to be classed as murder?"
This is story telling in the Horizon mode. {I can't watch Horizon!} first you say what's going to happen, 'the circus was destined to be less innocent', then you heavyhandedly emphasise what it's going to be like, 'sinister' then you lumpishly says what's happened (no poetry!) then, in case your thick reader isn't getting it, you ask a couple of rhetorical questions so they know what to think.
Not for me.
"This time the circus was destined to be less innocent, more fraught with sinister happenings. Its arrival coincided with a local bank robbery a mile away, where one of the clerks had been killed, and nearby, two girls had committed suicide within hours of each other.
Were the three deaths linked? Were the suicides also to be classed as murder?"
This is story telling in the Horizon mode. {I can't watch Horizon!} first you say what's going to happen, 'the circus was destined to be less innocent', then you heavyhandedly emphasise what it's going to be like, 'sinister' then you lumpishly says what's happened (no poetry!) then, in case your thick reader isn't getting it, you ask a couple of rhetorical questions so they know what to think.
Not for me.
August 13, 2013
Whilst out walking Rose makes the acquaintance of Elma, the two soon become friends and when tragedy strikes it's Rose that Elma turns to. Meanwhile the circus has come to town and there's something about Joey, the king of the clowns. When two girls die and another is attacked and Rose decides to look into the crimes.
There's a few twists and turns and the reappearance of an old friend.
There's a few twists and turns and the reappearance of an old friend.
July 9, 2013
I read all of this series. Easy to follow. Like able characters. Good setting.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews