The Twelve Apostles

David Webb #16

by Anthea Fraser

An elderly man is struck down by a car. His final words . . . “The Twelve Apostles. Ask . . .”

The previous night, the victim had accosted TV star Adam Greenwood, although Adam denies ever meeting him.

But Adam had been part of the ‘Twelve Apostles’ at university. A group of friends who believed they were a cut above the rest.

Then human remains are discovered.

Detective Webb soon finds out they belong to a student who’s been missing for decades. A student connected to the Twelve Apostles . . .

In order to solve the case Webb must find the Twelve Apostles and piece together a mystery that’s been kept hidden for too long.

Genres: Mystery, Amazon

252 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 1999

About the author

aka Vanessa Graham

Reviews

[Damaskcat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Verity Ryder witnesses an accident in which an elderly clergyman is fatally injured. His last words before he loses consciousness are 'The Twelve Apostles. Apart from the obvious associations this means nothing to Verity but it does seem to unsettle other people of her acquaintance. Verity has just moved into a flat in a converted large house and is living with her old friend, Eva and her extended family. Eva's son is Adam Greenwood, a charismatic TV presenter who will be living for part of the time in another flat in the same house, is also Verity's Godson and he seems disturbed by the clergyman's mysterious words.

DCI Webb is called in to investigate when some bones are found in a wood and fears it will be a long drawn out process to discover who it is who has been buried there. However the body's identity is quickly discovered and from there the case becomes more and more mysteries. How do 'The Twelve Apostles' fit into it all and was the accident which killed the clergyman an accident or something more sinister?

This is an intriguing story which merges past and present and shows how past deeds can adversely affect present day events. I liked the way characters from previous books in the series were woven into the story as well though you don't need to have read the previous books in the series to understand what is going on in this one. This appears to be the last book in what I think is an excellent, well written crime series.

[Doreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

This series is terrific. Each book has an unusual situation to be solved by police procedures and investigation. The characters are enjoyable and their interaction enjoyable. This is a a true detective series --- mental rather than physical exertion, no violence, and an excellent puzzle to be solved. This last book is one of the most unusual and very thought provoking.

[Doug Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seemingly at the height of his popularity, TV celebrity Adam Greenwood ought to be confident and happy, but instread he is anxious and depressed. His anxiety apparently begins when he is confronted by an elderly clergyman one night after a TV broadcast, and it only gets worse when he receives a mysterious letter in the mail. The clergyman said something about "the twelve apostles." Was this a reference to Adam's valuable collection of "apostle spoons"?

Police superintendent David Webb certainly thinks Adam is hiding something. When Webb questions Adam about a recently reopened cold case dating back 27 years to Adam's university days, Adam is edgy and evasive.

Like several previous books in the series, this absorbing novel features a complex family drama along with an investigation by Webb, with the two eventually intersecting in a surprising conclusion.

[Mystic Miraflores · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot was interesting enough, however, it was too long and sprawling with too many unimportant characters. The author should have included a chart with the various main characters' names and their relations, ex-wives/husbands, stepchildren, etc. But in the end, hardly any of the Greenwoods would have mattered, except for very few of them. Due to the overwhelming presence of the Greenwood clan, the book has a claustrophobic feeling to it. The final denouement was interesting enough. However, I can't understand why the author and the editors didn't pare down the character list and plot. Did Naomi, Nigel, Rebecca, Tom, William, Sonia, Scott really matter? Why does the author go into minutiae about Sonia turning on the dishwasher and sewing?

[Nicholas George · Rating 3 out of 5]

A large, extended family decides to move in with one another in a rural British town, and soon become embroiled in mysteries, primarily the discovery of the body of a young man who had died thirty years earlier. The "apostles" of the title has a dual meaning, which plays out in a clever way. But there are far too many characters in this one, to the point where it was difficult to keep them all straight, as deftly as Fraser attempts to. Still, an enjoyable and quick read.

[Lexine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Twelve

Is this really the last Webb case? Well, it is populated with solid characters who give us a lot to consider about family and school ties. Although the theme may be a bit contrived, the circumstances of the mysterious death are absolutely plausible. Too many readers who’d “been there” will recognize what might have been. A very satisfying read.

[Karen J Shields · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story.

Good premise, engaging characters. Loved DCI Webb. English mysteries are among my favorites. Especially the police procedurals. Will look for more about DCI Webb and heartily recommend this book.

[Terri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Verity witnesses a minister killed by a car and his dying words, The Twelve Apostles, leads to a much bigger mystery. Told from multiple POVs, It was a good mystery with a lot of interesting elements, but for some reason, I just couldn't connect with the characters. So not my favorite but decent

[Gabi Eagon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Mystery.

A good strong story with a diverse cast. Families interwoven and still getting along after divorce. You find out late in the book what the Twelve Apostles really means.

[Pamela Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific Series!

I have now read all the books in this series! Wonderful characters, beautiful settings and thrilling plots! I especially enjoyed how each new plot refers back to previous investigations and characters. I am looking forward to reading the next book!!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whilst driving Verity Ryder witnesses the death of a clergyman. He lasts words are -The Twelve Apostles. Is there a connection to her godson Adam Greenwood and his apostles spoons. When a body, dead some 30 years, is discovered DCI Webb is brought in to investigate.
An enjoyable mystery

[Carola Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Series

I read the whole series Al sixteen back to back like a long book. I enjoy them so much. Got to love the characters as if they were family. Was sad with them at times, and proud of their accomplishments. I do hope there were more.

[Mylene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually a 3,5 star. Typical of this series, with a rather unexpected end :)

[Eirlys · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sting in the tail

A story of long ago secrets, hidden, but not forgotten. One seemingly, insignificant meeting, led to a gripping plot with twists and red herrings.

[Shirley]

DCI Webb Book 16. End of series.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A family is moving in together in a large house of interconnected sections. One of the men, Adam, is a famous TV personality who tends to get aggressive in his tactics. His aunt sees him talking to a clergy man and later sees the same man killed in a hit and run accident and uttering to her in his last breath, "The Twelve Apostles." . Then some old bones are found in the forest. DCI Webb and his team start investigating and slowly uncover what happened in the past.

Well-written. Interesting. Easy to read. Like the characters, too.

[Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although still a good read, the mystery portion of this Fraser weaker than any others, at least I thought so. Bones uncovered start an investigation into the lives of several very prominent men who all happened to be at university at the same time.

[Cynthia Grove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just re-read this after several years. Excellent characters and an unusual denouement. Good plotting too - the way it all was opened up to the reader.