Waterproof

Jack Fellows #1

by Chris Crowther

First in the crime series featuring retired Scotland Yard detective Jack Fellows. Set in the Norfolk Broads in England.
Murder on the Broads is rare but the police soon have their man. Or have they? Jack is sure they've got it wrong and sets out to prove it. Amongst the tranquillity of this unique setting he discovers a simmering cauldron of bitterness and deceit with suspects aplenty.

Genres: Crime

189 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Chris Crowther spent 42 years flying a variety of aeroplanes and helicopters around the world. It was in West Africa that he renewed his love of writing, spending spare hours on helidecks out in the South Atlantic, penning articles and short stories for magazines and periodicals and, at the same time, working on his first full-length novel, BLADESTRIKE, a thriller eventually published in the U.S.

In 2002, he retired from flying and, for five years, skippered passenger boats on the Norfolk Broads, the setting for the “Jack Fellows” series of whodunnits. Now fully-retired except for his writing, Chris spends as much time as possible, sailing the rivers and coast with his wife, Sue

Reviews

[Michelle Le Grand · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had low expectations of this book which my sister won in a raffle and passed on to me. What is the phrase? 'Expect nothing and you'll never be disappointed'? Well, I was NOT disappointed; in fact, I was pleasantly surprised, by the engaging storytelling and twisting plot.

Anyone who has holidayed on or knows the beautiful Norfolk Broads, an area of outstanding natural beauty, will be drawn to this book. The descriptions of the stillness and serenity of the broads and the wildlife that inhabits the area makes me want to visit there once again.

This would be a great TV series! The Norfolk Broads could easily be the next Midsomer and Jack Fellows could be the new Inspector Barnaby! (Although, hold on before you weigh anchor, as the increased tourism would spoil the Broads.)

A very enjoyable read. I read a lot of crime books but I didn't spot the murderer!

Fortunately for me, my sister won a whole set of Jack Fellows books by Chris Crowther, so I will soon be embarking on the next in the series and be back sailing on the 'Still Waters' of the Norfolk Broads.

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[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was sent this book direct from the author. The first in a series of detective novels set in the Norfolk Broads, where I live. Lots of local places that I am familiar with, and also enjoyed the descriptions of wildlife, the villages, the characters and the slower pace of life here. The storyline was interesting and I enjoyed reading it, and although I attempted to follow the clues I would have arrested the wrong person. Not a long read but I will certainly be looking for more of the series.

[Sally-Jane Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really did enjoy this book. Set in the Norfolk broads Jack Fellows is a retired police superintendent who is the local ranger ensuring the rules and regulations of the area are adhered to. It means he is ideally placed for collecting information should anything go amiss. And nothing more amiss than the murder of a local boat person who commands respect but many do despise him. Begrudgingly the local police inspector allies Jack to use his ideal position and gather information. A police procedural with a twist.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming whodunnit set on the Norfolk Broads - particularly of interest to anyone who has ever sailed there! Very much in the style of an Agatha Christie mystery, in that many of the characters are set up with the means and motive, but a final reveal is held with all persons of interest present! Very enjoyable light read!

[Elizabeth Newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great murder mystery set in the idyllic broads of Norfolk. Surprised and shock moments

[Sue Bowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story really brings the atmosphere of the Norfolk Broads alive. Wonderful characters and a pacey plot. I couldn't put it down.

[Mike Rymarz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, but I felt like I was reading an episode of The Archers set on water. If that was the intention, mission succeeded. If not, the dialogue felt slightly forced and a bit twee.

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gentle whodunnit set on the Norfolk Broads. It manages to evoke the area brilliantly: the scenery, the people, the atmosphere and even the accent! Jack Fellows, ex CID and now Broads Ranger, spends his days policing and educating the Broads users.
If you love Norfolk, you'll love this

[Shauna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first in a series of murder stories featuring retired Metropolitan Policeman Jack Fellows. He has moved to Norfolk and taken a job as Ranger on the Norfolk Broads. When Rupert Stack, an unpopular historian is murdered on his boat, all the evidence points to one man - local badboy Peter Morecroft. Jack is conviinced that Peter is not the culprit and sets out to find the real killer but there are plenty of suspects who were after Stack's blood so finding out ' whodunnit' is not going to be easy.
This is not bad for a first crime novel. The main character is sympathetically drawn and believable although some of the suspects are a little wooden and could have been fleshed out more to draw us into the story. Chris Crowther lives in the Norfolk Broads and his love for the landscape and the wildlife comes across so well in the book. There is a real sense of location, you can almost feel the breeze on your face as you turn the pages of the book and that is the real winner for me and why I shall be reading more in the series.

[H · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite liked these. Light mysteries and reminiscent of Christie perhaps? The big reveals at the end where all the suspects, involveds are gathered together and Jack explains the interactions, reasons and clues and voila reveals the murderer!

But they are fun. I like the drawings at the end of each chapter, nice. A big plus if you like boating. I don't especially but it's quite instructive and the river lives sound amazing.

[Amanda Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this first book in the series. Read it whilst holidaying on the broads!