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Alistair Fitzjohn #1-3
A Fitzjohn Mystery Vol 1-3 Box Set
The Fitzjohn Mystery Series
THE CELTIC DAGGER
University professor Alex Wearing is found murdered in his study by the Post Graduate Co-coordinator, Vera Trenbath, a nosey interfering busybody. Assigned to the case is Detective Chief Inspector Alistair Fitzjohn. Fitzjohn is a detective from the old guard, whose methodical, painstaking methods are viewed by some as archaic. His relentless pursuit for the killer zeros in on Alex’s brother, James, as a key suspect in his investigation.
Compelled to clear himself of suspicion, James starts his own investigation and finds himself immersed in a web of intrigue, ultimately uncovering long hidden secrets about his brother’s life that could easily be the very reasons he was murdered.
This gripping tale of murder and suspense winds its way through the university’s hallowed halls to emerge into the beautiful, yet unpredictable, Blue Mountain region where more challenges and obstacles await James in his quest to clear himself of suspicion and uncover the truth about his brother.
MURDER AT THE ROCKS
When Laurence Harford, a prominent businessman and philanthropist is found murdered in the historic Rocks area of Sydney, Detective Chief Inspector Fitzjohn is asked to solve the crime quickly and discreetly. After barely starting his investigation, uncovering a discarded mistress and disgruntled employees, a second killing occurs.
Meanwhile, Laurence’s nephew, Nicholas Harford, has his certainties in life shaken when he becomes a suspect in his uncle’s death, and receives a mysterious gold locket that starts a chain of events unravelling his family’s dark truths.
ONCE UPON A LIE
Little did, businessman and entrepreneur, Michael Rossi know that the telephone call he answered on that fateful Friday would be the catalyst for his death, and the subsequent recovery of his body from the waters of Sydney Harbour the following morning.
Recalled from leave to take on the case, Detective Chief Inspector Fitzjohn confronts the first of many puzzles; how Rossi spent the unaccountable hours before he died. This leads him on a paper-trail into a tangled web of deception, jealousy and greed that unravels the mystery surrounding Michael’s death.
Unaware of her nephew’s fate, Esme Timmons retires for the evening, unsuspecting of the events about to unfold; events that will, ultimately, expose a grim lie, buried deep in the past.
THE CELTIC DAGGER
University professor Alex Wearing is found murdered in his study by the Post Graduate Co-coordinator, Vera Trenbath, a nosey interfering busybody. Assigned to the case is Detective Chief Inspector Alistair Fitzjohn. Fitzjohn is a detective from the old guard, whose methodical, painstaking methods are viewed by some as archaic. His relentless pursuit for the killer zeros in on Alex’s brother, James, as a key suspect in his investigation.
Compelled to clear himself of suspicion, James starts his own investigation and finds himself immersed in a web of intrigue, ultimately uncovering long hidden secrets about his brother’s life that could easily be the very reasons he was murdered.
This gripping tale of murder and suspense winds its way through the university’s hallowed halls to emerge into the beautiful, yet unpredictable, Blue Mountain region where more challenges and obstacles await James in his quest to clear himself of suspicion and uncover the truth about his brother.
MURDER AT THE ROCKS
When Laurence Harford, a prominent businessman and philanthropist is found murdered in the historic Rocks area of Sydney, Detective Chief Inspector Fitzjohn is asked to solve the crime quickly and discreetly. After barely starting his investigation, uncovering a discarded mistress and disgruntled employees, a second killing occurs.
Meanwhile, Laurence’s nephew, Nicholas Harford, has his certainties in life shaken when he becomes a suspect in his uncle’s death, and receives a mysterious gold locket that starts a chain of events unravelling his family’s dark truths.
ONCE UPON A LIE
Little did, businessman and entrepreneur, Michael Rossi know that the telephone call he answered on that fateful Friday would be the catalyst for his death, and the subsequent recovery of his body from the waters of Sydney Harbour the following morning.
Recalled from leave to take on the case, Detective Chief Inspector Fitzjohn confronts the first of many puzzles; how Rossi spent the unaccountable hours before he died. This leads him on a paper-trail into a tangled web of deception, jealousy and greed that unravels the mystery surrounding Michael’s death.
Unaware of her nephew’s fate, Esme Timmons retires for the evening, unsuspecting of the events about to unfold; events that will, ultimately, expose a grim lie, buried deep in the past.
586 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 12, 2013
365 people are currently reading
386 people want to read
About the author
Jill Paterson
17 books119 followersJill Paterson is best known for her popular Fitzjohn Mystery Series. Set in the city of Sydney, Australia, her richly drawn characters include Alistair Fitzjohn. Now a police consultant since his retirement from the force, his methods of investigation remain the same, methodical and painstaking.
While continuing the Fitzjohn series, Jill is also working on a new series, the Phoebe Chadwick Mysteries. Set along the east coast of Australia in a small township, Phoebe Chadwick heads the cast of characters as the female sleuth.
When not writing, Jill explores settings for her books and enjoys painting, photography and tai chi.
If you would like to get an automatic email when Jill’s next book is released, sign up on her blog at: https://theperfectplot.blogspot.com
Alternatively, join Jill’s mailing list on her website at: https://www.jillpatersonfitzjohnmyste...
Your email address will never be shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.
While continuing the Fitzjohn series, Jill is also working on a new series, the Phoebe Chadwick Mysteries. Set along the east coast of Australia in a small township, Phoebe Chadwick heads the cast of characters as the female sleuth.
When not writing, Jill explores settings for her books and enjoys painting, photography and tai chi.
If you would like to get an automatic email when Jill’s next book is released, sign up on her blog at: https://theperfectplot.blogspot.com
Alternatively, join Jill’s mailing list on her website at: https://www.jillpatersonfitzjohnmyste...
Your email address will never be shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 15, 2016
Excellent read
Although these stories were not really intertwined except for the fact that two of the characters, DCI Fitzjohn and DS Betts appear in all three of the stories I found them extremely entertaining. It was amazing to see how the British/Australian's approach investigative techniques.
Although these stories were not really intertwined except for the fact that two of the characters, DCI Fitzjohn and DS Betts appear in all three of the stories I found them extremely entertaining. It was amazing to see how the British/Australian's approach investigative techniques.
April 10, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed the first three books, so much so that I have gotten the next two as well. I love Detective Chief Inspector Fitzjohn and his hands on man Detective Inspector Betts! The story lines are twisted and intriguing which I really enjoy. I can't guess the murderer until the very end, which I also like. All in all a great series! I would highly recommend this read!
March 2, 2022
I really enjoyed this series.
Ms Patterson writes well. It doesn’t interfere with her intriguing tales, it helps paint them in varied colors. Her Inspector Fitzjohn, a widower who tends orchids to enjoy his wife’s passion. DetectiveBetts is a savvy, like able young man. I would like to see female police though.
Ms Patterson writes well. It doesn’t interfere with her intriguing tales, it helps paint them in varied colors. Her Inspector Fitzjohn, a widower who tends orchids to enjoy his wife’s passion. DetectiveBetts is a savvy, like able young man. I would like to see female police though.
June 15, 2018
Good, not great
The plots are OK, intricate family problems in all three of the first Fitzjohn Mysteries. Character development, however, is very slim. The people all seem very one-dimensional.
The plots are OK, intricate family problems in all three of the first Fitzjohn Mysteries. Character development, however, is very slim. The people all seem very one-dimensional.
August 1, 2025
Awesome Mysteries
I enjoy these stories so much once I start one I can’t put them down. The characters are totally realistic and the stories flow. I recommend them to everyone who enjoys a good mystery.
I enjoy these stories so much once I start one I can’t put them down. The characters are totally realistic and the stories flow. I recommend them to everyone who enjoys a good mystery.
September 22, 2017
Good read
Kept my attention thru the entire series. Full of surprises, kept me guessing. Enjoyed reading the series , will get the next book.
Kept my attention thru the entire series. Full of surprises, kept me guessing. Enjoyed reading the series , will get the next book.
August 26, 2018
Pure suspense.
I read all three episodes consecutively. Couldn't stop because I had to know who done it. In the process, I feel I've learned a third English language.
I read all three episodes consecutively. Couldn't stop because I had to know who done it. In the process, I feel I've learned a third English language.
July 26, 2022
Once again I have found a good book in this story. I found it hard to put it down until the end.
November 21, 2025
Hooked!
OK, Ms Paterson: you have this reader eating out your hand. You keep writing these, and I'll keep reading them!
OK, Ms Paterson: you have this reader eating out your hand. You keep writing these, and I'll keep reading them!
March 24, 2017
A decent yarn in search of an editor
What could have been an entertaining and undemanding trilogy of books became a sad, stodgy, poorly edited morass of awkward punctuation, dreadful grammar and the amusingly frequent muddling of two similar sounding words.
It was so annoying that I shared the most egregious errors on Facebook.
What could have been an entertaining and undemanding trilogy of books became a sad, stodgy, poorly edited morass of awkward punctuation, dreadful grammar and the amusingly frequent muddling of two similar sounding words.
It was so annoying that I shared the most egregious errors on Facebook.
January 22, 2017
Enjoyable
These books were enjoyable, focusing primarily on the cases at hand. By the third we finally get to see more of the character development. The second book I got lost with the names and who is who and I really felt the ending could have been better. The third of all the books was the most enjoyable. Not entirely sure the characters were completely unique as I had vision of other deceives mixed in with the lead.
These books were enjoyable, focusing primarily on the cases at hand. By the third we finally get to see more of the character development. The second book I got lost with the names and who is who and I really felt the ending could have been better. The third of all the books was the most enjoyable. Not entirely sure the characters were completely unique as I had vision of other deceives mixed in with the lead.
December 16, 2016
I read all three of the books and thoroughly enjoyed Detective Inspector Fitzjohn. I could imagine what he looked like (a chubby Australian Colombo) and the clever plots kept me guessing who the bad guys were.
March 19, 2016
A set of 3!
Each book would stand alone but blended well also. As with most sets the first book introduced the main characters but we can't wait for book four!
Each book would stand alone but blended well also. As with most sets the first book introduced the main characters but we can't wait for book four!
November 9, 2016
Fantastic stories
3 volume set of stories involving the same family and detectives. The stories were linked together extremely well.
Great reads.
3 volume set of stories involving the same family and detectives. The stories were linked together extremely well.
Great reads.
November 13, 2016
Great books
Great read and author 5 star
Ready to read the next series by jill Paterson. Love the turns and trust in her writings.
Great read and author 5 star
Ready to read the next series by jill Paterson. Love the turns and trust in her writings.
Read
January 7, 2017DNF
April 8, 2017
A great light read, especially if you like British mysteries.
April 30, 2017
Good books
These books were entertaining and relatively quick reads. I enjoyed the characters of Fitzjohn and Betts. I did find the books a little hard to read because the punctuation, particularly the commas, seemed to be messed up when they were converted to e-books, but I persevered and enjoyed them in the long run.
These books were entertaining and relatively quick reads. I enjoyed the characters of Fitzjohn and Betts. I did find the books a little hard to read because the punctuation, particularly the commas, seemed to be messed up when they were converted to e-books, but I persevered and enjoyed them in the long run.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews