The Mystery of Treefall Manor

by J.S. Savage

A house full of suspects. Two dogged detectives. One impossible murder.

When the owner of the Treefall Estate, Alexander Grimbourne, is murdered on the morning of his daughter’s wedding, the local police are stumped by the case. After all, Alexander’s body is found inside his study, the door and windows of which are locked from the inside - yet someone has stabbed the tyrannical man with a dagger through the heart and seemingly vanished into thin air.

An impossible murder case requires a uniquely talented detective, and there is no one better than Inspector Graves of Scotland Yard, who together with his new constable, James Carver, travel to Treefall Manor where they find a host of suspects. From the dead man’s resentful son to his fearful secretary, the local pub landlord to the gossiping housekeeper, the neighbouring landowner to the flighty socialite - even the village vicar is not above suspicion.

But in order to unmask the killer, Inspector Graves must first find the answer to some baffling questions. Who is the mysterious figure seen lurking on the Treefall Estate? How did the killer escape from a locked room? And why is Alexander found clutching The Canterbury Tales in his dead hand?

Genres: Mystery

245 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 25, 2023

About the author

J.S. Savage is a London-based author who specializes in impossible crime. His debut novel, The Mystery of Treefall Manor, nods to the golden age of detective fiction where the tyrannical master of Treefall manor is found stabbed to death inside his locked study. The second Inspector Graves story finds the protagonist investigating the murders of ravens and Beefeaters at the Tower of London in The Riddle of the Ravens.
J.S. Savage has also written another locked-room mystery novel, Sun, Sea, and Murder which features amateur sleuth Penny Haylestone as she tries to unmask the murderer of her friend at a luxury Spanish resort.
Savage has been shortlisted for numerous short story prizes and can usually be found plotting murders with a pint of ale at his elbow.
J.S. Savage is a member of the Crime Writers' Association.

Reviews

[Puzzle Doctor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely outstanding - knocks the socks off most of the "in the style of Agatha Christie" pretenders out there. Up with the very best. Clues, multiple suspects, a locked room, and a really clever plot. Top notch.

[Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect whodunnit.

A brilliantly constructed whodunnit, keeps you guessing right until the end. Lots of red herrings along the way, very satisfying ending. Can’t wait for the next one…

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

For my full review click on the link below:
https://crossexaminingcrime.wordpress...

[Simcha Weinberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

a Thoroughly Enjoyable Read

Excellent writing, deliberate character development and an enjoyable plot presented with an adventurous pace.

Certainly an author to follow and enjoy.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Treefall Manor, tucked away in the English countryside, is about to play host to an intimate wedding. Crotchety Alexander Grimbourne's daughter, Ruth, is about to marry Lord Frederick Taylor. He's invited a few guests to the nuptials, including Mr. Edward Osborn, a friend of Lord Taylor's down from London. He has also invited Ruth's "frenemy" Penelope to attend as a maid of honour (without telling his daughter that he has done so). His daughter isn't the only one who is frustrated by the tyrannical Grimbourne. His son John suffers daily from his father's criticisms related to his gammy leg, and the estate secretary, George Campbell, cringes in expectation of berating instructions lobbed his way. Life at Treefall Manor is less than desirable despite its idyllic setting.

The morning of the wedding, Grimbourne is found viciously stabbed through the heart in his study. The local village police are baffled since he was found inside the room with the doors and windows locked from the inside. To help solve the mystery, they call in Scotland Yard, who send down Inspector Graves and his new constable, James Carver. Upon arrival, they discover that given the victim's disagreeable nature, just about everyone who was staying in the house could have had a motive to kill Grimbourne!

While this novel was a bit slow to get drawn into due to the introduction to all the characters, once you get to know who they all are, they end up sticking with you when you put the book down. There are many twists and turns as the story unfolds, and I think the author did a great job of staying true to the time period in terms of language and character development. I definitely recommend reading this book if you enjoy classically styled murder mysteries. I expect the next adventure with Inspector Graves and Constable Carver will be as good, if not better.

Review copy provided by Reedsy and the author.

[Regina Hay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Story, but needs work

I enjoyed the book, but felt that the author did not bring enough detail to the story to allow the reader to participate in the solution. As a result it seemed more and more implausible. Also there really was no reason to put modern language and concepts into the story. Phrases such as “her truth” just seem contrived. All that said I think the idea was good. Just needs a little more work. I will look in on the mysterious Graves a few years from now.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

1926 Alexander Grimbourne owner of Trefall Manor is found dead in his locked study. On the morning of his daughter's wedding and the day he was going to change his will. Inspector Graves of Scotland Yard is called in to investigate together with constable, James Carver.
An enjoyable historical mystery

[Stace · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Mystery of Treefall Manor is a captivating locked-room mystery that took me back to golden age of detective mysteries. Alexander Grimbourne has been murdered at his estate, Treefall Manor, in his locked study, on the morning of his daughter’s wedding.

There is no possible escape for the murderer. The windows and door are locked from the inside and yet here we have a man stabbed to death, alone.

The perplexing nature of the crime sets the stage for Inspector Graves of Scotland Yard and his assistant, Constable Carver, to embark on a meticulous investigation. They will have to weave through numerous potential suspects as many people hated the infuriating and nasty man that was Alexander Grimbourne to discover the truth.

Set against the picturesque backdrop of the English countryside, The Mystery of Treefall Manor offers a compelling historical whodunnit. I can’t say I felt any sympathy for the deceased as he was a man who constantly belittled people and thought of himself as judge, jury, and executioner in every situation.

The plot (and sub-plots) was intriguing with many twists and turns though it did feel like a bit of a slow burner. The character list was vast and made for some remembering who-was-who and the case was very similar to a few I have read before. However, the book still fascinated me.

I enjoyed the setting and the attention to detail of the period. The detective duo kept me entertained. Overall, a decent debut historical locked-room mystery.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are in the UK, 1926. Treefall Manor will host the wedding of Alexander Grimbourne’s daughter Ruth to next door neighbor Lord Frederick Taylor M.C. (military cross) who does not look like a happy groom. Early arriving guests including Grimbourne’s solicitor.

Before the wedding takes place, Grimbourne argues with staff, guests, and sadly, his firstborn and son, John. John did not serve in the military. He has a deformed leg and limps.

Not long after, Grimbourne is found stabbed to death inside his study where the door and windows are locked. The Rockinghamshire constabulary, recognizing they need help, quickly call Scotland Yard.

John Savage created a clever plot, subplots, keeps a good pace, and includes the reader in DI Graves’ train of thought when he discusses the case with DC Carver. Despite the multiple suspects, only a few motives make sense.

When you read the book, remember that we are in 1926. That’s all the hint you get from me. Enjoy!

[Onia Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mystery of Treefall Manor by J.S. Savage is pure locked room murder mystery - which I love. Each of the characters is carefully rolled out, introduced to the reader and fully fleshed before the heinous crime is committed.
Mid-roaring twenties, the plot is set in a glamorous bygone time, post the atrocities of the Somme. Deep in the English countryside, far away from the city, where the Lord of the manor can expect certain privilege. But regardless of the silver spoon stuck in your mouth, blood doesn’t run blue from a knife in the chest!
A quite complex plot with lots of suspects and plenty of places to hide clues. Not a novel to dip in and out of - needs concentration. Interesting, and quite endearing, how The Canterbury Tales weave through the narrative. Looking forward to book-two, out soon.

[Rebecca Gregory-Chifos · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a Sucker for a Locked Room Mystery

I really am a sucker for a locked room mystery, despite their often-convoluted solutions; meanwhile, I'm finding that, more and more, I prefer mysteries set in the early portion of the previous century--the 1910s, 20s, and 30s. This story fulfilled both those preferences.

Character development is good, and the writing excellent. The book doesn't fall prey to a problem with so many of these house-party mysteries of having more characters than the reader can easily keep track of; there's a limited selection, like a game of Clue. The atmosphere of the story is wonderfully created by vivid description. There are plenty of red herrings leading one astray in figuring out means and motive. And, overall, the ending of the novel is a happy one.

A truly enjoyable book!

[Jonathan Cardwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a massive fan of the murder mystery genre and ‘The Mystery of Treefall Manor’ sits comfortably alongside some of the more well known titles and series in the field.

It is written beautifully with a real flow throughout the book. It keeps you guessing throughout…I certainly didn’t work out who the killer was! And with Inspector Graves we have a multifaceted protagonist who I look forward to reading more about in future books.

Really strongly recommend you give this a read!

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book. It's a proper locked room mystery with enough hooks and clues to keep you guessing to the end. I'm usually pretty good at guessing the killer in this type of booked but this one had me stumped and the locked room solution was very satisfying.
I'll definitely be looking out for the next in the series. 10/10

[Ozymandias · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely clues and locked room setup. Feels like a quintessential golden age mystery and something that could have been written in 1926 instead of 2023, which is the greatest compliment I can give. Most mysteries fall apart in the motive, but I'm happy to report that this one was satisfying. Excellent new writer to follow.

[Blue · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate the mystery in the book where it depends on the element that is only available to the characters but not to readers. All the effort of following clues goes through the drain when this happens.
Besides this the story dragged and didn't find the detective duo captivating.

[Tom Thorne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 is my actual score. Eat but not quite neat enough for a 4.

[FittenTrim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly note-perfect whodunnit detective story told in the “post-war” style of the classics.

[Andy Plonka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Done in the style of mysteries of yore inviting the reader to find the evildoer . What a great way to spend a vacation.

[M. White · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book--well written with a cleverly complex plot. I highly recommend it!

[Andy Wormald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a particular love for the Golden Age of crime and this a read which evokes that feel, a classic locked room mystery set in the splendour of a large country estate, it has all the hallmarks required which kept me fully absorbed throughout.

I have to say for a debut novel, the author is off to a cracking start, a novel which is wonderfully well written, superbly thought out and constructed plotting, it certainly had me guessing up until the denoument, the book is liberally sprinkled with red herrings to keep you second guessing the as to the identity of the killer

It is also a read with plenty of twists and moments of surprise

The author manages to create a real feeling of place and time, the locations come across in a way that paint a picture in your mind, the writing really portrays the landscape and the period

I found the opening chapters helped to build up the character development, so that I got a sense of who each were, then as the murder was revealed the book really took off in creating an air of mystery and suspense

For me the quality of the book is revealed in the characters within and here the author has a veritable cast of characters all of whom are true to the period, they are wonderfully fleshed out

The story flowed and moved at a pace which befits the time

A read which I would have no hesitation in recommending, A story which is executed in a way that held me in suspense throughout. This is a grand murder mystery. I eagerly look forwarding to reading more of the exploits of Inspector Graves