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The Drowning Ground
A man is found dead near his home with a pitchfork through his neck. When DCI Guillermo Downes is called to the scene he realises the victim is well known to him.
Seven years earlier, Downes made a promise to the families of two missing girls that he would find their daughters. Although cleared, the dead man had been a suspect in their disappearance. And as the ripples from his death spread through the local community there appears to be fresh hope that the detective might finally make good on his promise.
But as Downes, tormented by his own troubled past, pursues the case alongside a new partner, Sergeant Graves, it soon becomes clear to them both that there’s a darkness at the heart of the investigation more appalling than either could ever have imagined. As past and present connect ever more closely, Downes and Graves are forced to confront a terrible truth that lies just beneath the surface.
Like hit TV series Broadchurch, James Marrison’s brilliant debut, The Drowning Ground, offers a rich, chilling, gripping immersion into of the secrets and lies within a small, damaged community, and marks the arrival of an exciting new crime writing talent.
Seven years earlier, Downes made a promise to the families of two missing girls that he would find their daughters. Although cleared, the dead man had been a suspect in their disappearance. And as the ripples from his death spread through the local community there appears to be fresh hope that the detective might finally make good on his promise.
But as Downes, tormented by his own troubled past, pursues the case alongside a new partner, Sergeant Graves, it soon becomes clear to them both that there’s a darkness at the heart of the investigation more appalling than either could ever have imagined. As past and present connect ever more closely, Downes and Graves are forced to confront a terrible truth that lies just beneath the surface.
Like hit TV series Broadchurch, James Marrison’s brilliant debut, The Drowning Ground, offers a rich, chilling, gripping immersion into of the secrets and lies within a small, damaged community, and marks the arrival of an exciting new crime writing talent.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published August 27, 2015
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182 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
April 25, 2017
Frank Hurst is found on a hill on his property with a pitchfork in his neck, his dog hanging beside him in a Cotswold village. Guillermo Downes and his new sergeant, Graves, get the case.
The Drowning Ground is an unusual novel and very intriguing. I love the way Mr Marrison drops hints and manages his reveals as it makes for compulsive reading. Everything is drip fed, from Downes' prior knowledge of Frank Hurst to the reasons for Graves' transfer and all points in between. It is masterfully done.
Much of the novel relies on Downes and his first person narrative, which I found a bit unnerving. It should add immediacy and intimacy but he is such a secretive character it takes a bit of getting used to, in fact much of what we learn about his character is related in third person sections about Graves and what people tell him. It is an uneasy juxtaposition. It will be interesting to get to know both him and Graves over the course of a series.
This is an interesting debut and I have no hesitation in recommending it as a good read.
The Drowning Ground is an unusual novel and very intriguing. I love the way Mr Marrison drops hints and manages his reveals as it makes for compulsive reading. Everything is drip fed, from Downes' prior knowledge of Frank Hurst to the reasons for Graves' transfer and all points in between. It is masterfully done.
Much of the novel relies on Downes and his first person narrative, which I found a bit unnerving. It should add immediacy and intimacy but he is such a secretive character it takes a bit of getting used to, in fact much of what we learn about his character is related in third person sections about Graves and what people tell him. It is an uneasy juxtaposition. It will be interesting to get to know both him and Graves over the course of a series.
This is an interesting debut and I have no hesitation in recommending it as a good read.
September 24, 2015
When the body of a local farmer is found on the peak of a hill with a pitchfork rammed through his neck Detective Chief Inspector Guillermo Downes is called in. The deceased is Frank Hurst and well known to Downes. Ten years previously Downes investigated the seemingly accidental death of his wife, Sarah. It appeared she’d slipped over and banged her head before collapsing into their swimming pool. The death was viewed suspiciously by the close knit inhabitants of Moreton-in-Marsh in the Cotswolds.
Hurst came to Downes’ attention a second time when two girls went missing from the village on separate occasions. Both seemed to have been enticed away and were never seen again. The police believed the children knew their killer. But the person has never been found.
Downes goes to Frank Hurst’s house. What was once a grand construction is now a fortress. Most of the windows and doors are blocked up and the farmer was sleeping with a shotgun by his side. But who was Frank worried about? The interior is a mess, all except for Frank’s daughter’s room, but she ran away to London not long after Sarah’s death and never returned.
There’s clearly some mystery contained within the house, but before Downes is able to return someone sets a fire and the place burns furiously. Rather than destroying its secrets the conflagration reveals another body…
The dust jacket displays a large blurb from Linwood Barclay. He says that The Drowning Ground is, ‘Dark, gripping and unexpected.’ He gets it just about bang on.
James Marrison’s debut introduces Guillermo Downes, a moody copper with a difference. He’s half Argentinian, born and raised in South America, but now living in the Cotswolds. He’s like a fish out of water. As a point of interest the author is Cotswold born, but these days resides in Buenos Aires. It’s a decent guess that his own experiences of dislocation have been used to colour Downes, to great effect. Downes has a dark past that’s barely alluded to in the story, but he’s clearly a man with baggage. He lives and works in a small village where even third generation residents would be seen as newcomers.
There’s another unusual aspect to The Drowning Ground. The opening pages have a distinct feel to them, which is initially quite hard to pinpoint. If you weren’t aware of the setting the sense of place would be two-fold – exotic, say Cuba, with a 1950’s genteel feel to it.
Another intelligent element to the reading experience is Marrison’s process of a steady stream of reveals. Just as you’ve assumed an understanding of a character, the author will spring out another facet which twists the story a little more. The best example of this is Frank Hurst, the man whom the story really revolves around. It’s impossible to say more without giving anything away, but Marrison manages his character very well.
Most of the story is in first person, from Downes’ perspective. However, every now and again there’s a third person chapter in the head of his new sidekick, Graves. It works, but only partially. It gives some additional material which adds to the story, but seems to be used randomly. A little more of Graves would have been valuable. However, this is a minor issue. All said and done this is an assured debut which promises much for the future.
Originally reviewed for Crime Fiction Lover
Hurst came to Downes’ attention a second time when two girls went missing from the village on separate occasions. Both seemed to have been enticed away and were never seen again. The police believed the children knew their killer. But the person has never been found.
Downes goes to Frank Hurst’s house. What was once a grand construction is now a fortress. Most of the windows and doors are blocked up and the farmer was sleeping with a shotgun by his side. But who was Frank worried about? The interior is a mess, all except for Frank’s daughter’s room, but she ran away to London not long after Sarah’s death and never returned.
There’s clearly some mystery contained within the house, but before Downes is able to return someone sets a fire and the place burns furiously. Rather than destroying its secrets the conflagration reveals another body…
The dust jacket displays a large blurb from Linwood Barclay. He says that The Drowning Ground is, ‘Dark, gripping and unexpected.’ He gets it just about bang on.
James Marrison’s debut introduces Guillermo Downes, a moody copper with a difference. He’s half Argentinian, born and raised in South America, but now living in the Cotswolds. He’s like a fish out of water. As a point of interest the author is Cotswold born, but these days resides in Buenos Aires. It’s a decent guess that his own experiences of dislocation have been used to colour Downes, to great effect. Downes has a dark past that’s barely alluded to in the story, but he’s clearly a man with baggage. He lives and works in a small village where even third generation residents would be seen as newcomers.
There’s another unusual aspect to The Drowning Ground. The opening pages have a distinct feel to them, which is initially quite hard to pinpoint. If you weren’t aware of the setting the sense of place would be two-fold – exotic, say Cuba, with a 1950’s genteel feel to it.
Another intelligent element to the reading experience is Marrison’s process of a steady stream of reveals. Just as you’ve assumed an understanding of a character, the author will spring out another facet which twists the story a little more. The best example of this is Frank Hurst, the man whom the story really revolves around. It’s impossible to say more without giving anything away, but Marrison manages his character very well.
Most of the story is in first person, from Downes’ perspective. However, every now and again there’s a third person chapter in the head of his new sidekick, Graves. It works, but only partially. It gives some additional material which adds to the story, but seems to be used randomly. A little more of Graves would have been valuable. However, this is a minor issue. All said and done this is an assured debut which promises much for the future.
Originally reviewed for Crime Fiction Lover
October 15, 2015
Not bad for a first effort but not stellar either. Not sure I want to read more of James Marrison altho the fact his book is set in the Cotswolds is a big draw for me. I may see what the next one is like but I won't be rushing to get it.
A murder mystery that has great potential but somehow falls flat. Perhaps there are too many characters, too many plot twists, but even with a surprise ending it still doesn't convince. When the murderer is revealed at the end I had difficulty remembering who they were in terms of the story and I can't even remember what their motive was. There are also too many backstory plot lines that I guess will be expanded on in future books but right now they are just distracting.
Good effort but in need of some editing. Just too much to absorb in less than 400 pages.
A murder mystery that has great potential but somehow falls flat. Perhaps there are too many characters, too many plot twists, but even with a surprise ending it still doesn't convince. When the murderer is revealed at the end I had difficulty remembering who they were in terms of the story and I can't even remember what their motive was. There are also too many backstory plot lines that I guess will be expanded on in future books but right now they are just distracting.
Good effort but in need of some editing. Just too much to absorb in less than 400 pages.
May 26, 2017
Not every book is for every reader. I liked the setting, but wanted more character development and interaction among them.
August 20, 2017
*Abgebrochen* bei Seite 120.
Ich mag weder Schreibstil noch die Charaktere.
Ich mag weder Schreibstil noch die Charaktere.
August 28, 2015
Autor James Marrison hat einen geschickten Einstieg in seinen Krimi gewählt: Inspektor Graves kommt neu in die Gegend und muss sich erst einmal mit der Gegend, den neuen Kollegen und vergangenen Kriminalfällen vertraut machen. Seine Kollegen warnen ihn vor seinem Vorgesetzten, Chief Inspektor Downes. Halb Brite und halb Argentinier ist Downes eher ein Außenseiter auf dem Revier. Zahlreiche Gerüchte über ihn sind im Umlauf, unter anderem, dass er seine letzten drei Mitarbeiter durch Mobbing losgeworden sei.
Geschickterweise wechseln sich diese Teile des Krimis ab mit Passagen, die aus der Sicht des berüchtigten Chief Inspektor Downes erzählt werden. Der Leser erfährt nicht nur Andeutungen über Downes Vergangenheit in Argentinien, wo er und seine Familie unter der Militärdiktatur zu leiden hatten, sondern kann auch an Downes' Wissen über frühere polizeiliche Etrmittlungen im Fall Frank Hurst teilhaben.
Neben den Polizeibeamten Graves und Downes (ich hatte anfangs wirklich Schwierigkeiten, die Personen auseinanderzuhalten! Die anderen Kollegen haben ebenfalls eher kurze Allerweltsnamen... :rollen:) spielt Frank Hursts Tochter Rebecca eine zentrale Rolle, obwohl der Leser sie nur durch Berichte Dritter kennenlernt, da sie schon vor längerer Zeit spurlos verschwunden ist.
Sie ist das titelgebende "Mädchen im Fenster" - so lernt Downes sie in einem Rückblick kennen, als er den Unfalltod von Frank Hursts Frau untersuchen soll.
Ich möchte nicht zu viel über die Krimihandlung verraten, da dies schließlich den Reiz des Ganzen ausmacht. Den Einstieg in die Geschichte fand ich flott und gut gelungen, während die Spannung im Mittelteil leider etwas nachließ, als es um die früheren Ermittlungen ging. Erst gegen Ende hin, als Downes und Graves der Lösung des Falles näher kommen, stieg die Spannung wieder an.
Gut gefallen hat mir die Beschreibung der Charaktere:
Zum einen, wie sie vom Autor eingeführt werden (Perspektivenwechsel) und auch, wie er sie gestaltet hat. Der Schwerpunkt des Buchs liegt wirklich auf der Krimihandlung; über das Privatleben der beiden Polizeibeamten erfährt man nur Bruchstücke - doch gerade dies trug für mich eher zur Spannung bei. Tatsächlich kommt "Das Mädchen im Fenster" sogar ohne die übliche Romanze aus!
Besonders über Downes' Erlebnisse in Argentinien hätte ich gerne mehr erfahren. Ich habe allerdings den Eindruck, dass dieses Buch der Auftakt zu einer Reihe sein soll, da doch einige Fragen am Ende bewusst offen bleiben.
Angenehm fand ich auch, dass es eher "altmodisch" zugeht, also ohne all zu viel Blutvergießen, Gewalt und Sexszenen (bzw. gar nicht). Um dem Täter auf die Spur zu kommen, sind eher das psychologische Gespür der ermittelnden Polizeibeamten und des Lesers gefragt.
Ein angenehm zu lesender, gut aufgebauter Krimi. Ordentlicher Einstieg!
Geschickterweise wechseln sich diese Teile des Krimis ab mit Passagen, die aus der Sicht des berüchtigten Chief Inspektor Downes erzählt werden. Der Leser erfährt nicht nur Andeutungen über Downes Vergangenheit in Argentinien, wo er und seine Familie unter der Militärdiktatur zu leiden hatten, sondern kann auch an Downes' Wissen über frühere polizeiliche Etrmittlungen im Fall Frank Hurst teilhaben.
Neben den Polizeibeamten Graves und Downes (ich hatte anfangs wirklich Schwierigkeiten, die Personen auseinanderzuhalten! Die anderen Kollegen haben ebenfalls eher kurze Allerweltsnamen... :rollen:) spielt Frank Hursts Tochter Rebecca eine zentrale Rolle, obwohl der Leser sie nur durch Berichte Dritter kennenlernt, da sie schon vor längerer Zeit spurlos verschwunden ist.
Sie ist das titelgebende "Mädchen im Fenster" - so lernt Downes sie in einem Rückblick kennen, als er den Unfalltod von Frank Hursts Frau untersuchen soll.
Ich möchte nicht zu viel über die Krimihandlung verraten, da dies schließlich den Reiz des Ganzen ausmacht. Den Einstieg in die Geschichte fand ich flott und gut gelungen, während die Spannung im Mittelteil leider etwas nachließ, als es um die früheren Ermittlungen ging. Erst gegen Ende hin, als Downes und Graves der Lösung des Falles näher kommen, stieg die Spannung wieder an.
Gut gefallen hat mir die Beschreibung der Charaktere:
Zum einen, wie sie vom Autor eingeführt werden (Perspektivenwechsel) und auch, wie er sie gestaltet hat. Der Schwerpunkt des Buchs liegt wirklich auf der Krimihandlung; über das Privatleben der beiden Polizeibeamten erfährt man nur Bruchstücke - doch gerade dies trug für mich eher zur Spannung bei. Tatsächlich kommt "Das Mädchen im Fenster" sogar ohne die übliche Romanze aus!
Besonders über Downes' Erlebnisse in Argentinien hätte ich gerne mehr erfahren. Ich habe allerdings den Eindruck, dass dieses Buch der Auftakt zu einer Reihe sein soll, da doch einige Fragen am Ende bewusst offen bleiben.
Angenehm fand ich auch, dass es eher "altmodisch" zugeht, also ohne all zu viel Blutvergießen, Gewalt und Sexszenen (bzw. gar nicht). Um dem Täter auf die Spur zu kommen, sind eher das psychologische Gespür der ermittelnden Polizeibeamten und des Lesers gefragt.
Ein angenehm zu lesender, gut aufgebauter Krimi. Ordentlicher Einstieg!
September 14, 2015
“Cotswolds Noir” is a classy new category of the thriller/crime novel genre invented by James Marrison in his atmospheric debut. Though, that two word description doesn’t do enough justice to the writing which hints at the pain of a Tango in a rural English environment. Protagonist Chief Inspector Downes is a compelling character, haunted by his history - both in the UK and Argentina. As the book’s epigraph states, the past is a predator. For Downes this is true on both a personal level and as he investigates a brutal hilltop murder. As well as the book’s page turning whodunnit/whydunnit qualities, it evokes that rarity: convincing psychological portraits - including a chilling insight into the dark heart of evil at its core - allied with writing that perfectly evocates the setting. A fantastic debut novel leaving you wishing for the publication of the next book in the series, as soon as possible
September 19, 2015
Strong debut mystery - 3 1/2 stars. And I note that Pope Francis is also a fan of mate, the famed Argentine tea.
September 7, 2015
Fans of The Missing and Broadchurch may like to read The Drowning Ground by James Marrison.
June 25, 2017
Überhaupt nicht spannend. Viel zu viele Details. Am Schluss, wenn man weiss was geschehen ist geht es immer noch weiter.
April 1, 2024
Now this was an interesting read, not only for the Cotswold setting and the dark undertones and subject matter but the character of Guillermo Downes is utterly intrigued and has a disturbing edge to him, particularly as he is the narrator for much of the book and yet even that doesn't give a complete insight into the man. There is something dark and dangerous there and this introduction leaves the reader wanting to know more, especially about his past and how/why he had to leave home and arrive in the Cotswolds. The story itself is also gripping, starting off with an accidental drowning before the finding of a man with a pitchfork through his neck, a missing daughter, a 10 year old cold case of two missing girls and one man's obsession to uncover some sort of truth. There is a lot going on and it all interweaves piece by piece, first suggesting one thing but then showing something completely different until the very uncomfortable and shocking truth is laid bare.
November 11, 2017
Authors to make their detective stand out give him or her some notable characteristics a personal or family problem. In this DCI Downes is an Argentinian reflecting on his past. My reaction was so what and as a detective he didn't stand out for me except he was always putting himself in danger for which he should have been sacked. As for plot it was engaging but with a bit too much unnecessary detail in some of the scenes and chapters. Some of the minor characters left me asking 'who's that?' But I did like how Marrison let the the suspect in a police interview clear up some of my confusion in explaining their motives. Some of the twists and turns were surprising but for such small rural community there were a lot of violent deaths over a number of years.
August 5, 2023
The first book In a short series featuring an Argentinian Detective working in rural Britain, and it’s really quite good and one of the better reads so far this year for me.
Well crafted and atmospheric, it carries the feeling of an insular town with secrets and missing girls.
It’s paced well, the characters likeable , The star of the show is DCI Guillermo ‘ William’ Downes - who has a mysterious feel which is not all revealed In this book.
With there being only one other book, I have a feeling this series was cut short before it started but nevertheless I’ll read the next book on the strength of this fine thriller.
Well crafted and atmospheric, it carries the feeling of an insular town with secrets and missing girls.
It’s paced well, the characters likeable , The star of the show is DCI Guillermo ‘ William’ Downes - who has a mysterious feel which is not all revealed In this book.
With there being only one other book, I have a feeling this series was cut short before it started but nevertheless I’ll read the next book on the strength of this fine thriller.
August 19, 2017
Ok. I would read another by this author if I found the book lying around - in a hostel or some such place, but I am not sure I would seek out a book by him.
It wasn't awful - easy read, quite an interesting plot with a good twist at the end, but it just didn't grab me.
It was easy to read and I did find I wanted to finish it - though to start I wondered if I could be bothered to carry on. I'm glad I did, even though it was only OK.
Would I recommend it. Not really, but I wouldn't tell someone to definitely avoid it!
It wasn't awful - easy read, quite an interesting plot with a good twist at the end, but it just didn't grab me.
It was easy to read and I did find I wanted to finish it - though to start I wondered if I could be bothered to carry on. I'm glad I did, even though it was only OK.
Would I recommend it. Not really, but I wouldn't tell someone to definitely avoid it!
December 4, 2017
This book is coupled, in this edition, with a novella revealing some of the protagonist’s back story in Argentina during the time of the junta. The main book is a police procedural which is well structured and nicely written. It kept me interested, albeit that I had guessed the denouement about two thirds of e way through it. I may pick up more by the author, but I will not be actively seeking them out.
December 30, 2018
A little confusing at first as it seemed historic murders were being investigated at the same time as the current death on a hilltop in the Cotswolds. There were several characters who seemed to be treated superficially but they may be developed in future books. This author has quite a distinctive style of writing and I shall look out for more from James Marrison.
October 28, 2018
The Drowning Ground - it was a little slow to start with but picked up pace by the end of the book. I did guess who had "done it" before the end and it did take a while for the characters to get to that point. Overall a decent book.
October 30, 2018
This had a great plot - lots of twists and turns but just did not enjoy it as much as I thought I would.
August 9, 2019
Excellent book, intriguing characters, set up well for future series.
October 1, 2019
Fantastic lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing
February 24, 2020
A great story. A real page turner.
April 23, 2025
2.5 could have been a great book, but fell flat. Also DCI's past could have been tied together more neatly, instead it's just vague hints and clues.
October 22, 2015
The Drowning Ground came as an ARC in the mail, and one that I really appreciated, although I let it sit around a while before actually getting around to reading it and then left it on my bedside table before getting around to reviewing it.
The Drowning Ground is a debut novel with an unusual protagonist in Detective Chief Inspector Guillermo Downes and hopefully, the first in a new series. Set in the picturesque Cotswolds, this police procedural intrigued me from the first. DCI Downes (English father; Argentine mother) is a transplant from Buenos Aires and has been settled in the Cotswolds for several decades and who has a past that is hinted at through his homesickness for his home country of Argentina.
The brutal murder of Frank Hurst, a local farmer, leads not only Downes, but the entire community, to remember the death of Hurst's second wife ten years earlier and the disappearance of of two young girls.
In addition to these mysterious deaths and disappearances, Downes has a new sergeant who has been warned that Downes has successfully gotten rid of a number of his predecessors. Will the newly arrived Sgt. Graves work out?
The investigation into Hurst's death takes some unusual turns. His house has been turned into a fortress and then, mysteriously, burns to the ground. A long hidden body is discovered. Downes' sections are written in first person; Graves' sections are third person--giving a wider view of various situations. Some of the past of both Downes and Graves is hinted at and will, I expect, be enlarged on in future installments.
I was impressed with Marrison's first novel and hope for a sequel!
Crime/Police Procedural. Aug., 2015. 371 pages.
The Drowning Ground is a debut novel with an unusual protagonist in Detective Chief Inspector Guillermo Downes and hopefully, the first in a new series. Set in the picturesque Cotswolds, this police procedural intrigued me from the first. DCI Downes (English father; Argentine mother) is a transplant from Buenos Aires and has been settled in the Cotswolds for several decades and who has a past that is hinted at through his homesickness for his home country of Argentina.
The brutal murder of Frank Hurst, a local farmer, leads not only Downes, but the entire community, to remember the death of Hurst's second wife ten years earlier and the disappearance of of two young girls.
In addition to these mysterious deaths and disappearances, Downes has a new sergeant who has been warned that Downes has successfully gotten rid of a number of his predecessors. Will the newly arrived Sgt. Graves work out?
The investigation into Hurst's death takes some unusual turns. His house has been turned into a fortress and then, mysteriously, burns to the ground. A long hidden body is discovered. Downes' sections are written in first person; Graves' sections are third person--giving a wider view of various situations. Some of the past of both Downes and Graves is hinted at and will, I expect, be enlarged on in future installments.
I was impressed with Marrison's first novel and hope for a sequel!
Crime/Police Procedural. Aug., 2015. 371 pages.
October 25, 2015
There are several mysteries in Marrison's first novel. There is the accidental death of a landowner's younger wife five years earlier. Was it an accident? Was it a murder? There was the disappearance of two girls in the village several years earlier. Had they been murdered? Where were their bodies? There was the absence of the landowner's daughter, Rebecca, the child of Hurst and his first wife, who also died. Had she run away, had she been murdered, was she a murderer? There was the death of the landowner himself (Hurst), impaled through the neck with a pitchfork. Was that murder connected to the other possible murders? Was it a free-standing crime? And there was the mystery of how an Argentine (with an English name) became an English cop widely viewed by his colleagues as both a good cop and a mercurial person. The various pieces almost coalesce (they do, but it takes a while) in a book that is told in two voices: first person from the point of view of the Chief Inspector heading the investigation (Downes, the Argentine) into the landowner's murder, and third person largely from the viewpoint of his new sergeant (Graves), who came to his posting under a cloud.
I would imagine that the next book in what could be a good series tells readers more about Downes's earlier life in Argentina. We know that he very nearly died at the hands of right-wing militia members (told in an effective flashback), but we don't know much about his earlier life as a cop. And Graves, his workhorse sergeant, shows some flashes of being an interesting character
I would imagine that the next book in what could be a good series tells readers more about Downes's earlier life in Argentina. We know that he very nearly died at the hands of right-wing militia members (told in an effective flashback), but we don't know much about his earlier life as a cop. And Graves, his workhorse sergeant, shows some flashes of being an interesting character
October 10, 2015
The lead character in The Drowning Ground, Guillermo (William) Downes, is a chief inspector in the Cotswolds. He has a mysterious nickname, Shotgun, that worries his newly assigned sergeant, Graves. Sgt. Graves has his own mysteries, earned in his previous post in Oxford. As the two men begin to collaborate on the murder of a wealthy local farmer, they share some of their backgrounds as they tease away the cover ups of past murders that may be related to the more recent murder, which then turns into two murders. As they work, the reader begins to find out what drives each of the men. Alternate chapters are narrated differently. Downes' chapters are written in first person, and Graves' are in third person. I enjoyed this very much, although I did kind of figure out who the first killer was. That's OK. The second murderer was a bit of a surprise. I hope to find more books in the future about Downes and Graves.
September 20, 2017
Mám se vždycky trochu na pozoru, když někdo přirovnává knihu s Agathou Christie, protože ve většině případů to porovnání hodně kulhá, tentokrát ale je skoro na místě. Detektiv Downes je zajímavý typ, který do typické anglické vesnice (nebo spíš do typické anglické vesnice, tak jak si ji čtenáři Christie představují) tak úplně nezapadá - autor má zcela určitě mnoho možností, jak tuto jeho jinakost a zajímavost využít v dalších dílech - pokud budou a já doufám, že ano. Jeho parťákem se stává Graves, sympatický mladík a na rozdíl od mnoha jiných dvojic to nevypadá na Sherlocka a Watsona, ale na dva rovnocené hráče. Příběh je rozehráván postupně, gradován do překvapivého rozuzlení, nudit se nebudete a umírat hrůzou taky ne - to je přesně to, co od dobré anglické detektivky čekám.
March 9, 2016
I really liked it. As you can see, I read it in one night - stayed up till 2:30 to do so. I found it at the library but am going to order a copy for my sister as I know she will love it! So well written that I wondered why I had not discovered the author before, then found it was his debut novel. Great characterization, mood, language. I love books about England anyway but this had the added spice of a half-Argentinian lead detective. While I did (sort of) figure out the ending beforehand, I was still intrigued to find out how it would be revealed - and it did not disappoint.
October 2, 2018
If this is the start of a new series I can't wait for the next one. I really enjoyed reading the debut book from a refreshing new writer with a intriguing central character. There is so much more to be revealed about the central character there must be another book. This book's story is different from the normal run of the mill who done it, leaving you guessing until the end to find who did it and why, a real good page turner.
March 25, 2016
Fabulous well constructed mystery that kept me riveted til the end. Love his evocative, spot on imageries, his rich characterizations and his use of voice. I'm excited to have learned that his second mystery novel, also featuring his detective Guillermo Downes, will be out November 2016. It's called The Sleepless Ones.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews