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DCI Cook Murder Mystery #2
A Secret To Die For
Terrible secrets never die, terrible people do…
A ninety-eight-year-old landowner being found dead in his home comes as no surprise to DCI Charles Cook. But the way that Hugo Garfield died is beyond suspicious - hanging from a chandelier in his sprawling Lincolnshire country estate.
As DCI Cook and his team delve into the victim's dark and twisted past, it soon becomes clear that not only did Hugo Garfield have more than a few enemies, but the motive for his murder could lie buried deep in the past.
For Cook and his team, this is no ordinary investigation, but for those who knew Hugo Garfield, his death marks the promise of a truth that nobody can bear to hear.
Who would want to murder a dying man so brutally? How has the story remained untold for so long? And can DCI Cook and his team unravel some of the darkest secrets in local history?
From the bestselling author of the Wild Fens Murder Mysteries, A Secret To Die For is the second instalment in the DCI Cook Murder Mystery series and is perfect for fans of rural crime authors such as JM Dalgliesh, LJ Ross, Simon McCleave, Ann Cleeves, and Val McDermid.
A breath-taking murder mystery that you will never forget, inspired by a classic Dickens tale that we all know and love.
A ninety-eight-year-old landowner being found dead in his home comes as no surprise to DCI Charles Cook. But the way that Hugo Garfield died is beyond suspicious - hanging from a chandelier in his sprawling Lincolnshire country estate.
As DCI Cook and his team delve into the victim's dark and twisted past, it soon becomes clear that not only did Hugo Garfield have more than a few enemies, but the motive for his murder could lie buried deep in the past.
For Cook and his team, this is no ordinary investigation, but for those who knew Hugo Garfield, his death marks the promise of a truth that nobody can bear to hear.
Who would want to murder a dying man so brutally? How has the story remained untold for so long? And can DCI Cook and his team unravel some of the darkest secrets in local history?
From the bestselling author of the Wild Fens Murder Mysteries, A Secret To Die For is the second instalment in the DCI Cook Murder Mystery series and is perfect for fans of rural crime authors such as JM Dalgliesh, LJ Ross, Simon McCleave, Ann Cleeves, and Val McDermid.
A breath-taking murder mystery that you will never forget, inspired by a classic Dickens tale that we all know and love.
- GenresMystery
464 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2024
586 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
June 9, 2024
Initially gripping but lost its way,
Two things strike me about this novel, one it's a plot very closely aligned with Dickens' Great Expectations and two, I was a young woman in the seventies but do not recognise that depiction of the times. It's almost as if Dickens' era of Victorian values have rubbed off on the seventies and distorted those characters . Mrs Lavender is clearly Miss Haversham and Rose Estella. But an arranged marriage between children? A Squire??? A beggar with a fortune being John's benefactor? Please .... Disappointing to say the least.
Two things strike me about this novel, one it's a plot very closely aligned with Dickens' Great Expectations and two, I was a young woman in the seventies but do not recognise that depiction of the times. It's almost as if Dickens' era of Victorian values have rubbed off on the seventies and distorted those characters . Mrs Lavender is clearly Miss Haversham and Rose Estella. But an arranged marriage between children? A Squire??? A beggar with a fortune being John's benefactor? Please .... Disappointing to say the least.
June 22, 2024
I have read most of Jack Cartwright’s books and really enjoyed them, but this one I thought was dreadful. Most of the time I could not keep up with the story, jumping around as it did. If ever I left the story for a short time I had to re adjust just where I was. I actually nearly gave up but didn’t. Had this been my first book with the author I am afraid no more would have been read. It may seem cruel to be so critical but I really did not enjoy this book one iota.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2025
What a lovely book
I have to give a spoiler alert first, if you are clever. To the author I say, Jack, you had me when John says "I would do anything for Rose" . Murder maybe? I thought.
I will say no more about that. I loved the heroes of this novel, they were many. I loved the back and forth in time and hope the author uses the device again and as well.
I really liked the Bloom books and devoured all of them as soon as I discovered the series, but this DCI Cook novel is the author's best yet. I read it in 2 days.
Sadly, I could not get into the first Larson novel, I liked the DCI, but he and Ivy are just boring and pale in the light of Cartwright's other characters.
I cannot wait for the next Cook novel, however, he is the winner. I will be counting the months, soon, I hope.
I have to give a spoiler alert first, if you are clever. To the author I say, Jack, you had me when John says "I would do anything for Rose" . Murder maybe? I thought.
I will say no more about that. I loved the heroes of this novel, they were many. I loved the back and forth in time and hope the author uses the device again and as well.
I really liked the Bloom books and devoured all of them as soon as I discovered the series, but this DCI Cook novel is the author's best yet. I read it in 2 days.
Sadly, I could not get into the first Larson novel, I liked the DCI, but he and Ivy are just boring and pale in the light of Cartwright's other characters.
I cannot wait for the next Cook novel, however, he is the winner. I will be counting the months, soon, I hope.
June 25, 2024
Really enjoyed this book,the plot is excellent. Wow!
Have just finished this book and felt compelled to leave this review. The characters were great, particularly that of John Stow and his family. A part felt a little like Miss Haversham in Great Expectations, but in truth, it served its purpose well with in the story. Cook himself becomes a little more visible beyond his professional role, which is always a good thing, in my view, as this kind of story should never be just about the work or the chase. I sincerely like this book very much and would recommend this to anyone, I like how Jack Cartwright writes very much indeed and yes I am a fan of his other series of books too.
Have just finished this book and felt compelled to leave this review. The characters were great, particularly that of John Stow and his family. A part felt a little like Miss Haversham in Great Expectations, but in truth, it served its purpose well with in the story. Cook himself becomes a little more visible beyond his professional role, which is always a good thing, in my view, as this kind of story should never be just about the work or the chase. I sincerely like this book very much and would recommend this to anyone, I like how Jack Cartwright writes very much indeed and yes I am a fan of his other series of books too.
March 31, 2025
A Secret to Die For: (The DCI Cook Murder Mystery Series Book 2) Jack Cartwright
This book was written by a very clever man with a very intriguing mind. It was very long and very difficult to keep abreast of who had what and when. The changing years every chapter made it difficult in the beginning to work out the characters who were very well represented and very interesting and so far apart in likeness. I got into the storyline and the time switching very easily and enjoyed the story. The story is in 3 parts and was well thought out, made my brain work harder than the usual books I read but, I thoroughly enjoyed th reading of it 5he outcome and can recommend anyone who like a Murder Mystery to read any books written by this Author
This book was written by a very clever man with a very intriguing mind. It was very long and very difficult to keep abreast of who had what and when. The changing years every chapter made it difficult in the beginning to work out the characters who were very well represented and very interesting and so far apart in likeness. I got into the storyline and the time switching very easily and enjoyed the story. The story is in 3 parts and was well thought out, made my brain work harder than the usual books I read but, I thoroughly enjoyed th reading of it 5he outcome and can recommend anyone who like a Murder Mystery to read any books written by this Author
August 7, 2025
Anyone familiar with Dickens' Great Expectations will instantly see the connection between Miss Haversham and one of the characters. At first, I kept thinking there was an error in the dates. The 1970s appeared more like the 1870s, and as someone who grew up in the 70s, I found the notion of the landed gentry hunting down a runaway with dogs absurd.
I can see that many people enjoyed the book, and I think Jack Cartwright is a good writer, so I'm at a loss as to why he leaned so heavily on well-known source material to anchor the story. I stuck with the book and enjoyed some aspects of it. I won't pick out the other components that spoiled it for me, but I can't help feeling aspects of lazy plot formulation and writing. Pity, because the author is better than this work might suggest.
I can see that many people enjoyed the book, and I think Jack Cartwright is a good writer, so I'm at a loss as to why he leaned so heavily on well-known source material to anchor the story. I stuck with the book and enjoyed some aspects of it. I won't pick out the other components that spoiled it for me, but I can't help feeling aspects of lazy plot formulation and writing. Pity, because the author is better than this work might suggest.
July 23, 2024
One of the worst books I’ve ever read. Didn’t mind the timeline jumps, but the portrayal of life in the seventies was unrealistic. I lived through that era as a young teen and found the lifestyle of the families totally out of touch with actuality. Rebecca Devon in book one, Anna Devon in book two. I understand what the author was aiming for, but the seventies he wrote about was pretty backwards, unless he meant 1870. Editing mistakes throughout both series. Characters were interesting & will give him one more shot in this series. Hopefully he will improve. I do enjoy the Wild Fens series, but that also had editing mistakes. There’s always room for improvement.
January 26, 2025
WOW!
I mean just Wow! I have just finished reading this book,I have been unable to put it down,I had to know what would happen next. It was a very good story,great characters. It was so intriguing, so thought provoking, I never guessed even once,what was going to come next chapter after chapter! ,,even up until the end! I loved every minute of this ride,start to finish.What an awesome,Different, story. This book stands out,and I've read hundreds, literally. I highly recommend this book.The writer is gifted,,to work that all out?! He is a very very good writer,author.Thank you for such a great read!
I mean just Wow! I have just finished reading this book,I have been unable to put it down,I had to know what would happen next. It was a very good story,great characters. It was so intriguing, so thought provoking, I never guessed even once,what was going to come next chapter after chapter! ,,even up until the end! I loved every minute of this ride,start to finish.What an awesome,Different, story. This book stands out,and I've read hundreds, literally. I highly recommend this book.The writer is gifted,,to work that all out?! He is a very very good writer,author.Thank you for such a great read!
October 2, 2025
Rural Seventies described as if in the Edwardian era
This story is so disappointing. The seventies, even in rural areas was nothing like the Edwardian serfdom described here. I know because I lived it. The modern era ushered in during the sixties, the Beetles,pop music, portable radios, flower power, CND , Vietnam war penetrated rural areas of England just like the cities. This story repeats Edwardian tropes ( early 1900s) in the seventies then jumps to 2024. Come on Jack Cartwright you can do better than this.
This story is so disappointing. The seventies, even in rural areas was nothing like the Edwardian serfdom described here. I know because I lived it. The modern era ushered in during the sixties, the Beetles,pop music, portable radios, flower power, CND , Vietnam war penetrated rural areas of England just like the cities. This story repeats Edwardian tropes ( early 1900s) in the seventies then jumps to 2024. Come on Jack Cartwright you can do better than this.
June 24, 2024
And I need to repeat Again - BRILLIANT!
Yet again another brilliant book and stories (two)! I had a bit of difficulty with this one, as it jumps about between two stories, hence the problem….. however, fine once you twig that you swop between the two tales roughly every other chapter, and all becomes clear at the end…..though didn’t spot the final twist until I read it….was a bit sad about that, but don’t let it out you off. Really good book!
Am off to next in series now!
Yet again another brilliant book and stories (two)! I had a bit of difficulty with this one, as it jumps about between two stories, hence the problem….. however, fine once you twig that you swop between the two tales roughly every other chapter, and all becomes clear at the end…..though didn’t spot the final twist until I read it….was a bit sad about that, but don’t let it out you off. Really good book!
Am off to next in series now!
August 5, 2024
A unique mystery
Didn’t much like the first DCI Cook novel, but book two is an altogether outstanding mystery! Glad I decided to read it. Amazing how the author weaves the story together to keep the reader involved. Shifting from past to present while keeping the mystery alive is intriguing. Stayed up late trying to absorb all the clues as I read. Challenging and intriguing. An excellent read for any mystery lover.
Didn’t much like the first DCI Cook novel, but book two is an altogether outstanding mystery! Glad I decided to read it. Amazing how the author weaves the story together to keep the reader involved. Shifting from past to present while keeping the mystery alive is intriguing. Stayed up late trying to absorb all the clues as I read. Challenging and intriguing. An excellent read for any mystery lover.
March 19, 2025
Like the first in this series there were shades of a classic tale by Charles Dickens; this time Great Expectations.
The story switched between now and the 70s and 80s, but I have to say that John Stow's tale had a more Victorian feel...however, it suited the overall plot and was more interesting.
Well-written and fast-paced, I enjoyed this engaging story - its complex characters and twists and turns.
Recommended.
The story switched between now and the 70s and 80s, but I have to say that John Stow's tale had a more Victorian feel...however, it suited the overall plot and was more interesting.
Well-written and fast-paced, I enjoyed this engaging story - its complex characters and twists and turns.
Recommended.
August 8, 2024
Flawed hero
The main police officer in Cartwight's stories is always flawed. They are not that likeable. This time the storyline was so convoluted so the flaws took on greater interest. The importance of being a father seemed over played and some how seemed to include a brother-in-law. So for me the ending did not seem to be complete
The main police officer in Cartwight's stories is always flawed. They are not that likeable. This time the storyline was so convoluted so the flaws took on greater interest. The importance of being a father seemed over played and some how seemed to include a brother-in-law. So for me the ending did not seem to be complete
January 11, 2025
A Sad Story
The switching across time periods was a little confusing and it took a while before the reason for it became clear. The opportunity for the main character to prove his worth came and was taken. A twist into who the murderer turned out to be was surprising, although the bully got his deserts.
The switching across time periods was a little confusing and it took a while before the reason for it became clear. The opportunity for the main character to prove his worth came and was taken. A twist into who the murderer turned out to be was surprising, although the bully got his deserts.
April 14, 2025
This is a great story at the early stages of a new series for DCI Cook. The intrigue over more than 30 years shows just how grudges can be held, and more conspiracy theories can develop. I was hooked and ultimately very surprised by the final twist. Looking to read the next one.
Julian Tremayne, Pocklington, East Yorkshire
Julian Tremayne, Pocklington, East Yorkshire
July 26, 2025
A different perception on a murder.
A murder told in a very different way. I normally don’t like books that keep going backwards and forwards in date. But enjoyed this one DCI Cook and DS Devon have a job on their hands but get to the bottom of things and get the correct murderers in the end.
A murder told in a very different way. I normally don’t like books that keep going backwards and forwards in date. But enjoyed this one DCI Cook and DS Devon have a job on their hands but get to the bottom of things and get the correct murderers in the end.
May 24, 2024
Mr. Cartwright has woven a brilliant tale of greed and murder that touches many lives and questions who's to blame. An intense and tragic story that will have you begging for more DCI Cook mysteries.
Superb. Highly Recommended.
Superb. Highly Recommended.
June 3, 2024
Dickensian
I enjoyed this new take on one of Dickens best novels, but thought perhaps a bit too easily identified as such, so guessed Magwitch character early, as with Miss Haversham. I also thought rural 70's lifestyle exaggerated, I lived there then in a similar environment
I enjoyed this new take on one of Dickens best novels, but thought perhaps a bit too easily identified as such, so guessed Magwitch character early, as with Miss Haversham. I also thought rural 70's lifestyle exaggerated, I lived there then in a similar environment
September 26, 2024
Mysteriously enjoyable
Great book. Very difficult to put down. Such a crazy plot that kept you wondering who had committed what crime and in the end I got it wrong. Enjoyable with a strong old fashioned main character.
Great book. Very difficult to put down. Such a crazy plot that kept you wondering who had committed what crime and in the end I got it wrong. Enjoyable with a strong old fashioned main character.
October 6, 2024
Fabulous
I read the first book in this series and it was enjoyable, but this one is fabulous. It's the story of two adversaries from different backgrounds and how they ended up. It keeps you riveted from beginning to end. I simply couldn't put it down
I read the first book in this series and it was enjoyable, but this one is fabulous. It's the story of two adversaries from different backgrounds and how they ended up. It keeps you riveted from beginning to end. I simply couldn't put it down
November 20, 2024
Confused.
I was not able to get to grips with any of the characters in the SCI Cook books.
I have read many of Jack Cartwright's books and have enjoyed them all (5*)
I have no idea why I can't embrace these characters.
Please continue writing. I will continue reading
I was not able to get to grips with any of the characters in the SCI Cook books.
I have read many of Jack Cartwright's books and have enjoyed them all (5*)
I have no idea why I can't embrace these characters.
Please continue writing. I will continue reading
February 19, 2025
Definitely an improvement on book 1. A great plot, good storyline and although frustrating at first well written in the continued swap between present and past. Kept you guessing until the end and had plenty of twists along the way. Would recommend.
March 24, 2025
A great read.. but…
I’ve enjoyed both DCI books, but there are some factual mistakes can’t get past. Mrs. Grace Lavender becomes Mrs. Ivy Lavender later in this book. Rebecca Devon in book 1, becomes Anna Devon in book 2. Whoever proofreads is not doing a good job.
I’ve enjoyed both DCI books, but there are some factual mistakes can’t get past. Mrs. Grace Lavender becomes Mrs. Ivy Lavender later in this book. Rebecca Devon in book 1, becomes Anna Devon in book 2. Whoever proofreads is not doing a good job.
April 27, 2025
complicated family saga
This was a thrilling and complicated saga of ambition, unscrupulous people. However, justice triumphed in the end. There was also sadness and unrequited love and hopeless infatuation. Very compelling story. I highly recommend.
This was a thrilling and complicated saga of ambition, unscrupulous people. However, justice triumphed in the end. There was also sadness and unrequited love and hopeless infatuation. Very compelling story. I highly recommend.
June 29, 2025
The switching timlines put me off
The switching timelines did put me, but I decided to keep going in the hope of a better ending. Having decided it was a deus ex machina, which it was, the réal ending took me by surprise. Not the best book by this author.
The switching timelines did put me, but I decided to keep going in the hope of a better ending. Having decided it was a deus ex machina, which it was, the réal ending took me by surprise. Not the best book by this author.
May 24, 2024
Congratulations Jack on yet another brilliantly written book which once I started reading it I could not put it down. I always enjoy reading your brilliant book's. 😊📖
June 3, 2024
Excellent writing
A way to justice, a long trip but worth it. One of the best I have read in this genre recently.
A way to justice, a long trip but worth it. One of the best I have read in this genre recently.
June 4, 2024
This book is like a plate of spaghetti, so many strands all completely intertwined although with no ends in sight to pull on but somehow completely satisfying.
June 6, 2024
A brilliant read
I have read in excess of 500 crime books and I can honestly say I would put this as number one.
I have read in excess of 500 crime books and I can honestly say I would put this as number one.
June 10, 2024
Tortuous but clever.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews