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Inspector Ramsay #3
A Day in the Death of Dorothea Cassidy
For Dorothea Cassidy Thursdays were special. Every week she would look forward to the one day she could call her own, and would plan to visit people she wanted to see as a welcome respite from the routine duties that being a vicar’s wife entailed. But one Thursday in June was to be more special than any other. It was the day that Dorothea Cassidy was strangled.
As the small town of Otterbridge prepares for its summer carnival, Inspector Stephen Ramsay begins a painstaking reconstruction of Dorothea’s last hours. He soon discovers that she had taken on a number of deserving cases – a sick and lonely old woman, a disturbed adolescent, a compulsive gambler, a single mother with a violent boyfriend and a child in care – and even her close family have their secrets to hide. All these people are daunted, in one way or another, by Dorothea’s goodness. But which of them could have possibly wanted her dead?
It is not until a second body is discovered that Ramsay starts to understand how Dorothea lived – and why she died. With the carnival festivities in full swing and dusk failing in Otterbridge, Ramsay’s murder investigation reaches its chilling climax . . .
As the small town of Otterbridge prepares for its summer carnival, Inspector Stephen Ramsay begins a painstaking reconstruction of Dorothea’s last hours. He soon discovers that she had taken on a number of deserving cases – a sick and lonely old woman, a disturbed adolescent, a compulsive gambler, a single mother with a violent boyfriend and a child in care – and even her close family have their secrets to hide. All these people are daunted, in one way or another, by Dorothea’s goodness. But which of them could have possibly wanted her dead?
It is not until a second body is discovered that Ramsay starts to understand how Dorothea lived – and why she died. With the carnival festivities in full swing and dusk failing in Otterbridge, Ramsay’s murder investigation reaches its chilling climax . . .
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1992
1123 people are currently reading
1350 people want to read
About the author
Ann Cleeves
132 books8,817 followersAnn is the author of the books behind ITV's VERA, now in it's third series, and the BBC's SHETLAND, which will be aired in December 2012. Ann's DI Vera Stanhope series of books is set in Northumberland and features the well loved detective along with her partner Joe Ashworth. Ann's Shetland series bring us DI Jimmy Perez, investigating in the mysterious, dark, and beautiful Shetland Islands...
Ann grew up in the country, first in Herefordshire, then in North Devon. Her father was a village school teacher. After dropping out of university she took a number of temporary jobs - child care officer, women's refuge leader, bird observatory cook, auxiliary coastguard - before going back to college and training to be a probation officer.
While she was cooking in the Bird Observatory on Fair Isle, she met her husband Tim, a visiting ornithologist. She was attracted less by the ornithology than the bottle of malt whisky she saw in his rucksack when she showed him his room. Soon after they married, Tim was appointed as warden of Hilbre, a tiny tidal island nature reserve in the Dee Estuary. They were the only residents, there was no mains electricity or water and access to the mainland was at low tide across the shore. If a person's not heavily into birds - and Ann isn't - there's not much to do on Hilbre and that was when she started writing. Her first series of crime novels features the elderly naturalist, George Palmer-Jones. A couple of these books are seriously dreadful.
In 1987 Tim, Ann and their two daughters moved to Northumberland and the north east provides the inspiration for many of her subsequent titles. The girls have both taken up with Geordie lads. In the autumn of 2006, Ann and Tim finally achieved their ambition of moving back to the North East.
For the National Year of Reading, Ann was made reader-in-residence for three library authorities. It came as a revelation that it was possible to get paid for talking to readers about books! She went on to set up reading groups in prisons as part of the Inside Books project, became Cheltenham Literature Festival's first reader-in-residence and still enjoys working with libraries.
Ann Cleeves on stage at the Duncan Lawrie Dagger awards ceremony
Ann's short film for Border TV, Catching Birds, won a Royal Television Society Award. She has twice been short listed for a CWA Dagger Award - once for her short story The Plater, and the following year for the Dagger in the Library award.
In 2006 Ann Cleeves was the first winner of the prestigious Duncan Lawrie Dagger Award of the Crime Writers' Association for Raven Black, the first volume of her Shetland Quartet. The Duncan Lawrie Dagger replaces the CWA's Gold Dagger award, and the winner receives £20,000, making it the world's largest award for crime fiction.
Ann's success was announced at the 2006 Dagger Awards ceremony at the Waldorf Hilton, in London's Aldwych, on Thursday 29 June 2006. She said: "I have never won anything before in my life, so it was a complete shock - but lovely of course.. The evening was relatively relaxing because I'd lost my voice and knew that even if the unexpected happened there was physically no way I could utter a word. So I wouldn't have to give a speech. My editor was deputed to do it!"
The judging panel consisted of Geoff Bradley (non-voting Chair), Lyn Brown MP (a committee member on the London Libraries service), Frances Gray (an academic who writes about and teaches courses on modern crime fiction), Heather O'Donoghue (academic, linguist, crime fiction reviewer for The Times Literary Supplement, and keen reader of all crime fiction) and Barry Forshaw (reviewer and editor of Crime Time magazine).
Ann's books have been translated into sixteen languages. She's a bestseller in Scandinavia and Germany. Her novels sell widely and to critical acclaim in the United States. Raven Black was shortlisted for the Martin Beck award for best translated crime novel in Sweden in 200
Ann grew up in the country, first in Herefordshire, then in North Devon. Her father was a village school teacher. After dropping out of university she took a number of temporary jobs - child care officer, women's refuge leader, bird observatory cook, auxiliary coastguard - before going back to college and training to be a probation officer.
While she was cooking in the Bird Observatory on Fair Isle, she met her husband Tim, a visiting ornithologist. She was attracted less by the ornithology than the bottle of malt whisky she saw in his rucksack when she showed him his room. Soon after they married, Tim was appointed as warden of Hilbre, a tiny tidal island nature reserve in the Dee Estuary. They were the only residents, there was no mains electricity or water and access to the mainland was at low tide across the shore. If a person's not heavily into birds - and Ann isn't - there's not much to do on Hilbre and that was when she started writing. Her first series of crime novels features the elderly naturalist, George Palmer-Jones. A couple of these books are seriously dreadful.
In 1987 Tim, Ann and their two daughters moved to Northumberland and the north east provides the inspiration for many of her subsequent titles. The girls have both taken up with Geordie lads. In the autumn of 2006, Ann and Tim finally achieved their ambition of moving back to the North East.
For the National Year of Reading, Ann was made reader-in-residence for three library authorities. It came as a revelation that it was possible to get paid for talking to readers about books! She went on to set up reading groups in prisons as part of the Inside Books project, became Cheltenham Literature Festival's first reader-in-residence and still enjoys working with libraries.
Ann Cleeves on stage at the Duncan Lawrie Dagger awards ceremony
Ann's short film for Border TV, Catching Birds, won a Royal Television Society Award. She has twice been short listed for a CWA Dagger Award - once for her short story The Plater, and the following year for the Dagger in the Library award.
In 2006 Ann Cleeves was the first winner of the prestigious Duncan Lawrie Dagger Award of the Crime Writers' Association for Raven Black, the first volume of her Shetland Quartet. The Duncan Lawrie Dagger replaces the CWA's Gold Dagger award, and the winner receives £20,000, making it the world's largest award for crime fiction.
Ann's success was announced at the 2006 Dagger Awards ceremony at the Waldorf Hilton, in London's Aldwych, on Thursday 29 June 2006. She said: "I have never won anything before in my life, so it was a complete shock - but lovely of course.. The evening was relatively relaxing because I'd lost my voice and knew that even if the unexpected happened there was physically no way I could utter a word. So I wouldn't have to give a speech. My editor was deputed to do it!"
The judging panel consisted of Geoff Bradley (non-voting Chair), Lyn Brown MP (a committee member on the London Libraries service), Frances Gray (an academic who writes about and teaches courses on modern crime fiction), Heather O'Donoghue (academic, linguist, crime fiction reviewer for The Times Literary Supplement, and keen reader of all crime fiction) and Barry Forshaw (reviewer and editor of Crime Time magazine).
Ann's books have been translated into sixteen languages. She's a bestseller in Scandinavia and Germany. Her novels sell widely and to critical acclaim in the United States. Raven Black was shortlisted for the Martin Beck award for best translated crime novel in Sweden in 200
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 212 reviews
September 2, 2021
I read this for the "Raven square" for Halloween Bingo 2021.
Ahh. Back to it my peeps.
So this was a great book in the Inspector Ramsey series. "A Day in the Death of Dorothea Cassidy" really shows what happens when a do gooder is also a fanatic in a way. Something very good to read right now due to the insanity of the world around us. Isn't it always hard to deal with someone when they claim to have "right" on their side and won't listen to other people's points of view? We have Ramsey showing once again that it's important to listen to what is not being said and he is able to pinpoint who the murderer in this one, though it costs him something.
Ramsey has become my favorite character in a series in a long time. I had no idea that Cleeves had written this series, but I really wish she had continued it. Books 1 through 2 have been enjoyable to go through as I am dealing with house and medical stuff. I keep calling the villages he goes to darker Midsomer Murders because there's always a lot of other stuff going on with several people in these stories.
Ahh. Back to it my peeps.
So this was a great book in the Inspector Ramsey series. "A Day in the Death of Dorothea Cassidy" really shows what happens when a do gooder is also a fanatic in a way. Something very good to read right now due to the insanity of the world around us. Isn't it always hard to deal with someone when they claim to have "right" on their side and won't listen to other people's points of view? We have Ramsey showing once again that it's important to listen to what is not being said and he is able to pinpoint who the murderer in this one, though it costs him something.
Ramsey has become my favorite character in a series in a long time. I had no idea that Cleeves had written this series, but I really wish she had continued it. Books 1 through 2 have been enjoyable to go through as I am dealing with house and medical stuff. I keep calling the villages he goes to darker Midsomer Murders because there's always a lot of other stuff going on with several people in these stories.
October 9, 2022
A vicar's wife is murdered, and we get a pretty dull police procedural investigating the crime.
November 20, 2023
This series is getting stronger book by book. The setting is coming alive, with a sense of the rhythm of the community, the hopes, dreams and disappointments of the individuals who live there, the often sad, even pathetic motivations - understood by Ramsay because he recognises them in himself. This is underscored by Cleeves in the contrast with his Sergeant who scorns as weakness the insecurities and scruples that make Ramsay successful.
Frailty is embedded in every turn of page and plot - as is endurance and survival.
Frailty is embedded in every turn of page and plot - as is endurance and survival.
March 3, 2020
I picked up this paperback last Friday at the library from a grouping of books selected by the librarians as unique and/or favorites. I can't pass up slim paperbacks with red, eye-catching covers. Published originally, it says, in 1992 with this publication in 2014 when publisher could use blurbs about the favorite BBC series from this author. I believe all the Ramsay books in paperback have this format. I thought it also interesting that reviewers vary on the spelling. There is a conflict between the publisher references and the spelling within the books which is "Ramsay" with an "a". If I were the author that would tick me off royally.
I do believe I read some of these Ramsay books many years ago including this one. I can recall the whole carnival atmosphere in small town England as well as the strange vicar, husband of the deceased. I am of advanced age, a decade beyond the author's age, and I consider this camp. That could be indecipherable to some who may read this. I just googled def and found that to be hilarious as well. Oh well. There are many off-the-beaten-path references and comments in this book that could not pass mustard in today's world. In fact, Ann attributes some very unsavory and actionable thoughts, words and wishes to our main man, Inspector Ramsay.
She later learned the path to produce product that would be accepted by all rather than the smaller artsy segment of our population. This book falls into that smaller slice of folk who can groove on the unexpected and "unacceptable" plotting per conventional standards. Offbeat gem? Yes. Definitely politically incorrect thoughts found throughout book. I tried to type in some segments that I thought brilliantly humorous but took too much time. Lucky the draft was saved so I will have to close.
Library Loan
I do believe I read some of these Ramsay books many years ago including this one. I can recall the whole carnival atmosphere in small town England as well as the strange vicar, husband of the deceased. I am of advanced age, a decade beyond the author's age, and I consider this camp. That could be indecipherable to some who may read this. I just googled def and found that to be hilarious as well. Oh well. There are many off-the-beaten-path references and comments in this book that could not pass mustard in today's world. In fact, Ann attributes some very unsavory and actionable thoughts, words and wishes to our main man, Inspector Ramsay.
She later learned the path to produce product that would be accepted by all rather than the smaller artsy segment of our population. This book falls into that smaller slice of folk who can groove on the unexpected and "unacceptable" plotting per conventional standards. Offbeat gem? Yes. Definitely politically incorrect thoughts found throughout book. I tried to type in some segments that I thought brilliantly humorous but took too much time. Lucky the draft was saved so I will have to close.
Library Loan
April 6, 2016
This is not an easy series to get hold of. The books now seems to be printed on demand and only available from limited sources. However, I got my hands on the first three, this being No. 3. of the Inspector Ramsey series. They were written back in the late 80's/early 90's, this one 1992 and it certainly tells, if you compare them to her more recent "Vera" or "Shetland" series. They are just a little more set at a gentle pace, but still with good plots. This one sees Ramsey investigate the murder of Vicar's wife, Dorothea Cassidy. Dorothea is strangled and her body is dumped in a park and it seems Dorothea's good deeds and willingness to help people, may have actually gone a little too far and over-stepped the mark, into business she should have not meddled in. A good cast of suspects are lined up and Ramsey has to carefully follow his nose to lead him to a killer. I like this series, I may have problems getting the next few in the series, but I will persist.
June 29, 2017
One can see the progression and growth of Ann Cleeves as a writer in this #3 in the inspector Ramsay books. The tension over 200 pages, covering little more than a day, is skilfully handled. The themes of religion, social welfare, aged care and family dynamics were interwoven in an enjoyably easy read.
December 22, 2025
This has been my favorite so far. Not only was solving the murder engaging, but Dorothea Cassidy was an interesting character. Inspector Ramsay continues to grow on me. Outstanding narration.
I was blessed with an audio ARC. Thank you NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
I was blessed with an audio ARC. Thank you NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
August 24, 2025
Listened to the audiobook with Simon. I agree with Simon that it was a little convoluted in places.
January 19, 2021
The author started this series about 10 years before her more famous 'Vera'. Still set in her own patch of the North East, this Inspector Ramsey series seems to have slipped under my radar. I am not even sure how it found its way onto my shelf.
I wonder if she looked back on these books when she was writing 'Vera'. I noticed similarities between the working styles of Ramsey and the early Vera. Both are thinkers and both would prefer to work on their own.
I enjoyed the story which quickly drew me in. The young wife of the local vicar is found murdered. She was beautiful and no-one had anything but praise and admiration for her. She was involved in all the parish affairs and regularly visited elderly and sick parishioners - but was she too good to be true?
As the police try to string together her movements on the day of her death, many things come to light which points the finger of suspicion at first one then another of the locals.
I'm not sure if the Armchair Detective could have got to this one on his/her own. May be there were clues as to what was behind it all but if there were then I missed them.
I'm sure that we all have a method of solving murder mysteries on the television. My favourite is that the murderer is the first famous actor to appear on the screen. Obviously that couldn't help me here. However, if I had gone for my second theory ......................................
Off now to see if I can find the rest of this series.
I wonder if she looked back on these books when she was writing 'Vera'. I noticed similarities between the working styles of Ramsey and the early Vera. Both are thinkers and both would prefer to work on their own.
I enjoyed the story which quickly drew me in. The young wife of the local vicar is found murdered. She was beautiful and no-one had anything but praise and admiration for her. She was involved in all the parish affairs and regularly visited elderly and sick parishioners - but was she too good to be true?
As the police try to string together her movements on the day of her death, many things come to light which points the finger of suspicion at first one then another of the locals.
I'm not sure if the Armchair Detective could have got to this one on his/her own. May be there were clues as to what was behind it all but if there were then I missed them.
I'm sure that we all have a method of solving murder mysteries on the television. My favourite is that the murderer is the first famous actor to appear on the screen. Obviously that couldn't help me here. However, if I had gone for my second theory ......................................
Off now to see if I can find the rest of this series.
May 25, 2023
A Day in the Death of Dorothea Cassidy (Inspector Ramsey, #3) by Ann Cleeves.
Another reviewer online had a picture of this book and some info on it. Reading his info I found that this was one of her earlier books written before her Shetland or Vera Stanhope series. So I became interested and had an interlibrary loan ordered at my library. And I'm so glad I did and that the other reviewer posted his thoughts.
Dorothea Cassidy is found by two boys in Prior's Park. She lay in a bed of flowers murdered. Dorothea had been the Vicar's wife. Why was she murdered and by whom. Those are the questions set before Inspector Ramsey. But first things first. The family of this woman must be informed and then the interviews can begin.
This was such an original mystery beginning with it's title. The people are kept in order although not a few and their place in the order of things well in hand. I enjoyed this book. The ending took me by surprise. Now I can request the first book in this series.
Another reviewer online had a picture of this book and some info on it. Reading his info I found that this was one of her earlier books written before her Shetland or Vera Stanhope series. So I became interested and had an interlibrary loan ordered at my library. And I'm so glad I did and that the other reviewer posted his thoughts.
Dorothea Cassidy is found by two boys in Prior's Park. She lay in a bed of flowers murdered. Dorothea had been the Vicar's wife. Why was she murdered and by whom. Those are the questions set before Inspector Ramsey. But first things first. The family of this woman must be informed and then the interviews can begin.
This was such an original mystery beginning with it's title. The people are kept in order although not a few and their place in the order of things well in hand. I enjoyed this book. The ending took me by surprise. Now I can request the first book in this series.
April 25, 2021
Dorothea Cassidy is not everybody's idea of a vicar's wife. She is much younger than her husband and an unlikely candidate for murder. Thursdays are the day when she "does her own thing" and thursday night is when she was last seen.
Stephen Ramsay is first alerted to Dorothea's disappearance by his aunt who lives in a retirement village where Dorothea was supposed to have given a talk in the evening. It is another 12 hours before her body is discovered in a local park. The circumstances are complicated by a music fair running over a number of days.
Stephen tries to put together a timeline relating to when Dorothea was last seen. She had last been involved with a child protection case being managed by a local social worker.
These are very readable, and credible stories. Recommended.
Stephen Ramsay is first alerted to Dorothea's disappearance by his aunt who lives in a retirement village where Dorothea was supposed to have given a talk in the evening. It is another 12 hours before her body is discovered in a local park. The circumstances are complicated by a music fair running over a number of days.
Stephen tries to put together a timeline relating to when Dorothea was last seen. She had last been involved with a child protection case being managed by a local social worker.
These are very readable, and credible stories. Recommended.
March 8, 2022
So far the best in this series
So far the best in this series, inspector Ramsey is not as dynamic as her other series but he grows on you . This book included a close to home case. Including the inspectors family, it seem to complete the story, into what you expect from Ms Cleeves books. Certainly not a true happy ending .
So far the best in this series, inspector Ramsey is not as dynamic as her other series but he grows on you . This book included a close to home case. Including the inspectors family, it seem to complete the story, into what you expect from Ms Cleeves books. Certainly not a true happy ending .
March 5, 2022
This is Ann Cleeves??? Astonishing. The characters are stereotypical, the plot is creaky, and I just couldn’t wait for it to be over.
January 15, 2026
This is book 3 in the Inspector Ramsay series and probably one of my favorites. Dorothea Cassidy is the vicar's wife and by all accounts a good woman, not someone you would think anyone would want dead. But yet, shes found dead after being strangled. Who wanted Dorothea dead and why??
Ramsay interviews many people who have interactions with Dorothea and in the process brings a lot of secrets to light. The one thing I can say about this series is the perpetrators aren't always obvious and I quite like that
I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.
Ramsay interviews many people who have interactions with Dorothea and in the process brings a lot of secrets to light. The one thing I can say about this series is the perpetrators aren't always obvious and I quite like that
I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.
December 29, 2025
Bit meh tbh
April 7, 2025
The third in the detective Ramsay series - as ever Ann Cleeves is the Queen of dissecting the subtleties of the human character- the games people play with others and themselves
Tautly scripted and a good police procedural
A good introductory series before embarking upon the Vera series
Tautly scripted and a good police procedural
A good introductory series before embarking upon the Vera series
November 14, 2025
Tā kā tikko svaigi bija izlasītas pirmās divas, tad likās, ka trešā būs pašā laikā.
Ļoti labi, ka paņēmu, un nebija padzisis iespaids par iepriekšējām. Tas bija kā noskatīties trīs seriāla sērijas pēc kārtas, un redzēt, kā kopumā attīstās virzība.
Trešajā sērijas grāmatā var izteikti redzēt, ka autore ir piešāvusi roku - ir intensitāte, intriga, motīvu varianti (tā nogalinātā Doroteja bija tik aktīva darbone, pie tam ar labākajiem nodomiem, ka kādam varētu arī neizturēt nervi) un inspektors Remzijs ir savā elementā. Pēcvārdā arī pati autore priecājas par savu darbu, kā izdevušos.
Mans verdikts - neapstājieties pie pirmās. Vislabāk, izlasiet visas 3 pēc kārtas, un tad sāksiet gaidīt ceturto.
Man vienmēr ir patikuši detektīvromāni, kur notikumi noris diezgan ierobežotā vietā, ciemā, nelielā pilsētiņā. Nu, tie cosy 🔎, tie omulīgie.
Ļoti labi, ka paņēmu, un nebija padzisis iespaids par iepriekšējām. Tas bija kā noskatīties trīs seriāla sērijas pēc kārtas, un redzēt, kā kopumā attīstās virzība.
Trešajā sērijas grāmatā var izteikti redzēt, ka autore ir piešāvusi roku - ir intensitāte, intriga, motīvu varianti (tā nogalinātā Doroteja bija tik aktīva darbone, pie tam ar labākajiem nodomiem, ka kādam varētu arī neizturēt nervi) un inspektors Remzijs ir savā elementā. Pēcvārdā arī pati autore priecājas par savu darbu, kā izdevušos.
Mans verdikts - neapstājieties pie pirmās. Vislabāk, izlasiet visas 3 pēc kārtas, un tad sāksiet gaidīt ceturto.
Man vienmēr ir patikuši detektīvromāni, kur notikumi noris diezgan ierobežotā vietā, ciemā, nelielā pilsētiņā. Nu, tie cosy 🔎, tie omulīgie.
December 25, 2025
Dorothea Cassidy’s body is discovered by two teenage boys. She was the much younger wife of the local vicar, and Inspector Stephen Ramsay begins his investigation by questioning her husband as well as her stepson, Patrick. It soon becomes clear that the age gap between Dorothea and the vicar was not the only thing that set them apart.
Ramsay learns that Dorothea’s attention often lay outside her husband’s church and was focused instead on people who were less advantaged. This raises the possibility that one of these connections may have led to her murder.
As the small town of Otterbridge prepares for its annual summer festival, Ramsay begins to wonder whether the event has any relevance to the crime. The case grows even more complex when it becomes clear that Dorothea is not the only victim, pushing Ramsay to dig deeper as he works to uncover the killer.
I thoroughly enjoyed this third book in the Inspector Ramsay series. The U.S. releases are narrated by Simon Mattacks, whose performance perfectly captures Ramsay’s no-nonsense investigative style and adds an extra layer of enjoyment to these stories.
Many thanks to Macmillan Audio and to NetGalley for these ARCs for review. This is my honest opinion.
Ramsay learns that Dorothea’s attention often lay outside her husband’s church and was focused instead on people who were less advantaged. This raises the possibility that one of these connections may have led to her murder.
As the small town of Otterbridge prepares for its annual summer festival, Ramsay begins to wonder whether the event has any relevance to the crime. The case grows even more complex when it becomes clear that Dorothea is not the only victim, pushing Ramsay to dig deeper as he works to uncover the killer.
I thoroughly enjoyed this third book in the Inspector Ramsay series. The U.S. releases are narrated by Simon Mattacks, whose performance perfectly captures Ramsay’s no-nonsense investigative style and adds an extra layer of enjoyment to these stories.
Many thanks to Macmillan Audio and to NetGalley for these ARCs for review. This is my honest opinion.
June 27, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this.Being an earlier release of hers ,I wasn't expecting it to be so good as her writing in later books just gets better and better.
As we have come to expect from this author ,a well crafted plot with plenty of red herrings to muse upon,great pacing and a brilliant end which I didn't see coming. I enjoyed a great cast of characters and am looking forward to the next re release of Inspector Ramsey.
As we have come to expect from this author ,a well crafted plot with plenty of red herrings to muse upon,great pacing and a brilliant end which I didn't see coming. I enjoyed a great cast of characters and am looking forward to the next re release of Inspector Ramsey.
December 27, 2025
Thank you Netgalley for the advance audiobook copy of A Day in the Death of Dorothea Cassidy by Ann Cleeves in exchange for an honest review. I'm really glad that the Inspector Ramsay series is being rereleased in January of next year. It is so interesting to see what came before Shetland and Vera for Cleeves. Ramsay is very different than her other main characters in her other series, but I have really been getting attached and it's time to start the next book!
April 20, 2025
Another entertaining and satisfying read by an auto-buy author of mine, Ann Cleeves. This is the first one I've read from this series and I intend to read more. In my opinion, Cleeves has perfected and put her own spin on the cozy mystery genre.
April 23, 2025
Third in the Inspector Ramsay series. Originally published in 1992 but now reissued as Cleeves’ fame has grown. I enjoyed her note to the reader and she explains how she felt her plot coherence is more confident & there are glimpses of humour. The action takes place over a 24 hour time period as Inspector Ramsay tries to piece together the last day of vicar’s wife, Dorothea Cassidy. A very strong sense of place especially the chaos from the annual carnival that weaves its way between the various characters. I thought the saddest character was the now twice widowed vicar, Edward Cassidy.
January 10, 2025
Not my favorite from Cleeves, but still a fun read.
March 20, 2025
I am a fan of her Shetland and Two Rivers series but was unfamiliar with the Inspector Ramsay series.
These are set in Northumberland. As with her other books she captures the sense of place. I have been listening to this series as audio books on YouTube and the narrator of this one is particularly good at the Geordie accent of the Newcastle and Tyneside area.
These are set in Northumberland. As with her other books she captures the sense of place. I have been listening to this series as audio books on YouTube and the narrator of this one is particularly good at the Geordie accent of the Newcastle and Tyneside area.
May 6, 2021
3.5. Easy read .. I like the characters and also I didn’t get the moyderer ;-))
February 23, 2020
Fine. Not good or bad.
February 29, 2024
A nice easy read, a few twists but not too much happens!
February 19, 2020
Did I like this book? In many ways, no. But it is excellently written, the characters have great depth, the mise-en-scene is beautifully well-described, there are strands of darkness woven through and a sad if surprising ending.
As the police go through Dorothea's last day the reader can feel her energy and passion and her care for others. The suspects are also drawn in depth and even when disliking them you can feel their pain. Even the police officers are shown in their frailities - their good points one has to look harder for.
This should be rated 5 stars but my personal reactions to it have dropped it to a 4.
As the police go through Dorothea's last day the reader can feel her energy and passion and her care for others. The suspects are also drawn in depth and even when disliking them you can feel their pain. Even the police officers are shown in their frailities - their good points one has to look harder for.
This should be rated 5 stars but my personal reactions to it have dropped it to a 4.
December 3, 2011
What I like most about Anne Cleeves mysteries is her writing style. It is almost like going back in time and reading an Agatha Christie mystery. I was completely engaged in trying to solve the mystery for Inspector Ramsay. Of course, I didn't and the hero:inspector came through in the end. The only down side to these mysteries is how Inspector Ramsay is portrayed as a sympathetic character. I prefer a more upbeat/likable one. Ramsay is likable at times, but most of the time he is down on himself, people and his life.
January 10, 2019
This is a reprint of one of Ann Cleeves' earlier books, published in 1992. It's held up well, with interesting characters and a well-developed plot. I had no idea who the murderer was until the denoument, which is quite unusual for me, but it was logical and there were clues to their identity, though they were subtle.
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