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David Webb #13
One Is One and All Alone
When DCI Bennett remarries after the death of his wife, his family struggle to understand his new choice of partner.
Una is a private, isolated woman, providing little in the way of companionship and preferring to live a very separate life to her husband.
Soon after the wedding, Bennett’s old friend from the force, DCI Webb, also begins to wonder about Una.
And as the two detectives work together on a series of violent shop raids, Bennett’s mood starts to sour.
When two members of the Bennett family become victims of murder, and the cold-hearted Una seems to be inexplicably tangled up in the crimes,Webb is forced to investigate whether she should be a suspect.
Very quickly, a baffling murder investigation is underway, complicated by the intricacies of family disputes and loyalties.
And Webb faces one of the most traumatic cases of his career…
'One is One and All Alone' is a chilling crime thriller that is perfect for fans of Elizabeth George and Nikki French.
Praise For Anthea Fraser:
'Another of her shrewd and sympathetic looks at contemporary life...A gripping, well-told murder mystery' - Western Morning News
'A well-mannered, well-plotted and well-told story' - Birmingham Post
'A well-structured book, with good balance between depiction of character
and development of plot' - Criminologist
'An absorbing, page-turning read' - Woman Journalist
'Offers shrewd look at colour supplement version of country life' - Guardian
ANTHEA FRASER has written all her life but did not begin to take it seriously until after marriage, when she found herself at home with two small daughters and embarked on a correspondence course with the London School of Journalism. She wrote short stories before turning to novels of the supernatural, and then to crime. Her novels include ‘The Seven Stars’.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent publisher of digital books.
Una is a private, isolated woman, providing little in the way of companionship and preferring to live a very separate life to her husband.
Soon after the wedding, Bennett’s old friend from the force, DCI Webb, also begins to wonder about Una.
And as the two detectives work together on a series of violent shop raids, Bennett’s mood starts to sour.
When two members of the Bennett family become victims of murder, and the cold-hearted Una seems to be inexplicably tangled up in the crimes,Webb is forced to investigate whether she should be a suspect.
Very quickly, a baffling murder investigation is underway, complicated by the intricacies of family disputes and loyalties.
And Webb faces one of the most traumatic cases of his career…
'One is One and All Alone' is a chilling crime thriller that is perfect for fans of Elizabeth George and Nikki French.
Praise For Anthea Fraser:
'Another of her shrewd and sympathetic looks at contemporary life...A gripping, well-told murder mystery' - Western Morning News
'A well-mannered, well-plotted and well-told story' - Birmingham Post
'A well-structured book, with good balance between depiction of character
and development of plot' - Criminologist
'An absorbing, page-turning read' - Woman Journalist
'Offers shrewd look at colour supplement version of country life' - Guardian
ANTHEA FRASER has written all her life but did not begin to take it seriously until after marriage, when she found herself at home with two small daughters and embarked on a correspondence course with the London School of Journalism. She wrote short stories before turning to novels of the supernatural, and then to crime. Her novels include ‘The Seven Stars’.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent publisher of digital books.
- GenresMystery
189 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1996
230 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 7, 2024
DCI Malcolm Bennett is killed in his own home while his second wife is away at a concert. But by whom and why. The police also have to contend with a series of shop robberies by a gang of four. DCI David Webb is put in charge of the murder investigation.
An entertaining modern mystery
An entertaining modern mystery
July 27, 2017
This was more than three stars but a little less than four. It's the first I have read of Anthea Fraser but I'll read more.
It is nicely written - the prose flows smoothly and the narrative engages the reader and maintains interest. I suspect that there is a bit of an ongoing theme in her books about women who don't make the conventional efforts to be caring and considerate. I found that interesting and would like to see if it recurs in other books in the series.
I like the interaction of human failings with loyalties, 'decency' and crime - and the establishment of a boundary. I'm hoping this proves to be an ongoing exploration.
It is nicely written - the prose flows smoothly and the narrative engages the reader and maintains interest. I suspect that there is a bit of an ongoing theme in her books about women who don't make the conventional efforts to be caring and considerate. I found that interesting and would like to see if it recurs in other books in the series.
I like the interaction of human failings with loyalties, 'decency' and crime - and the establishment of a boundary. I'm hoping this proves to be an ongoing exploration.
September 21, 2015
DCI David Webb is concerned about his old friend DCI Malcolm Bennett as he doesn't seem to be happy in his second marriage. In addition he has a difficult case to deal with concerning raids on local shops. The shop raids become more serious when someone is injured and then murder affects Bennett and his family and DCI Webb is called in to investigate. The evidence seems to lead nowhere and Webb feels he is getting little co-operation while the media are putting pressure on the police to solve both cases.
The book is well written and thought provoking. It raises issues around how difficult marriage can be for strong minded people and especially how difficult second marriages can be. As ever with this series the characters are interesting and well drawn and the book is tightly plotted with several interweaving strands. I did work out who was responsible before the end but it didn't spoil my enjoyment of the story.
If you enjoy crime novels with little on the page violence and no bad language then you may enjoy this book and this series. Each book can be read as a standalone novel but I think they are best read in the order in which they were published.
The book is well written and thought provoking. It raises issues around how difficult marriage can be for strong minded people and especially how difficult second marriages can be. As ever with this series the characters are interesting and well drawn and the book is tightly plotted with several interweaving strands. I did work out who was responsible before the end but it didn't spoil my enjoyment of the story.
If you enjoy crime novels with little on the page violence and no bad language then you may enjoy this book and this series. Each book can be read as a standalone novel but I think they are best read in the order in which they were published.
August 4, 2023
In this novel DCI David Webb faces the difficult task of investigating the murder of an old friend and fellow detective. It is natural to search for suspects among former criminals with a possible grudge against the victim. On the other hand, there are tensions within the victim's family. In particular, the victim is a widower who had fairly recently remarried, and his second wife (the one referred to in the title), has lived alone for most of her life and is not particularly friendly. Could she be the murderer?
This novel has an absorbing plot and well-drawn characters, as is typical for this series.
The author makes the unusual decision of including three scenes from the point of view of the murderer, giving away important information about the murderer's identity. I think the novel would have been even stronger without those scenes.
This novel has an absorbing plot and well-drawn characters, as is typical for this series.
The author makes the unusual decision of including three scenes from the point of view of the murderer, giving away important information about the murderer's identity. I think the novel would have been even stronger without those scenes.
April 19, 2020
One is One: Great Theme
This is another of Fraser’s DCI Webb series. The main character, Una, is very well drawn. Is she destined to be alone? The search for her husband’s murderer provides a twisted path, with family secrets and ties throughout. The characters are interesting, the plot is well developed, and clues are plentiful. Most importantly, Fraser has again found a way to write a solid ending, completing the exploration of the theme—One is One. This is an enjoyable and quick read.
This is another of Fraser’s DCI Webb series. The main character, Una, is very well drawn. Is she destined to be alone? The search for her husband’s murderer provides a twisted path, with family secrets and ties throughout. The characters are interesting, the plot is well developed, and clues are plentiful. Most importantly, Fraser has again found a way to write a solid ending, completing the exploration of the theme—One is One. This is an enjoyable and quick read.
April 9, 2019
Wonderful!
A police friend of DC I David Webb is murdered and Webb is in charge of the case. Old friends and old memories intrude frequently in his attempt to solve the murder and a string of robberies that might be connected. Another great adventure in police methods and dogged determination in order to solve this puzzling murder of a friend and fellow policeman!
A police friend of DC I David Webb is murdered and Webb is in charge of the case. Old friends and old memories intrude frequently in his attempt to solve the murder and a string of robberies that might be connected. Another great adventure in police methods and dogged determination in order to solve this puzzling murder of a friend and fellow policeman!
February 6, 2020
I was enjoying this book until all of a sudden about three-quarters through the book, the author let us into the murderer’s mind. Then I realized who he was and who else was involved. So at the end, I wasn’t surprised at all at the arrests. I don’t understand why the author didn’t keep us in suspense a while longer, close to the end of the book ! This reader felt rather cheated.
January 5, 2018
Murder
Twists and turns keep the storyline fresh. Never even thought it would go the way it did but really enjoyed it.
Twists and turns keep the storyline fresh. Never even thought it would go the way it did but really enjoyed it.
Want to read
December 28, 2023MuNextRead
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October 21, 2024DCI Webb Book 13
June 16, 2025
I read the odd one of these many years ago and just recently I decided to read them in order. I have enjoyed this gentle series and the development of the characters
February 19, 2017
Great suspense.
English novels are usually well written and very interesting. I hadn't read any of the. DCI Webb stories before, so when I get through my current list I can fall back these.
English novels are usually well written and very interesting. I hadn't read any of the. DCI Webb stories before, so when I get through my current list I can fall back these.
July 7, 2014
A good old-fashioned British mystery. I enjoyed the story, well-plotted, and relatable characters. The story: a policeman is murdered and the question is was it work related or personal? The suspects include the dead man’s wife of two years, a prickly, hard woman who seems to rub everyone the wrong way and a selfish son-in-law whose recent request for money was met with rejection. But the clues are misleading and DCI Webb is on the case, until another murder throws him a curve.
The story held my interest and was written well.
The story held my interest and was written well.
December 27, 2018
Another great Anthea Fraser book with DCI Webb. In this one, he has to figure out if family dynamics come into the horrifying death of his colleague. The title comes in relation to his colleague's wife, Una, who is universally disliked by the family she becomes a part of and is considered cold and better off alone.
Well worth the read.
Well worth the read.
January 2, 2024
Malcolm, a police officer, has remarried, and his new wife, Una, is supremely unlikable. When he is murdered, there seems to be no motive, since he was a kind man. Could the culprit be his son in law, who keeps trying to borrow money? Or Una, to escape the marriage? And is this death somehow related to a series of local robberies? A well plotted British police procedural.
September 25, 2009
Another good one from Anthea Fraser. Summers I often enjoy running through series by authors, and this summer no exception. Interesting perspective of a life with no real ties, except career. (This one of her Inspector Webb's series.)
January 12, 2015
British police detective story, apparently fifth in the series. A quick, light read.
January 12, 2015
I'm new to DCI Webb, and to Anthea Fraser, but I love the couple I've read and have earmarked them for the future. Just the kind of English crime police procedural I love.
September 25, 2015
Another good thriller with believable characters and you find yourself embroiled.
September 13, 2012
Good story but I was able to figure out who did it fairly early on!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews