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West Country Mysteries #1
The Wounded Thorn
The first in a thrilling new mystery series set around the sacred historical sites of the British Isles
Recently retired teacher Hilary decides that the best way to stop herself worrying about her husband, who’s away doing voluntary work in war-torn Gaza, is to distract herself with a holiday. She invites her good friend Veronica, a recent widow, to accompany her on a trip to Glastonbury, to see the ancient sights.The pair are saddened to discover that the sacred Glastonbury Thorn tree has been severely damaged, and they wonder whether other local sites are under threat too. But even they are unprepared for the shocking discovery Hilary makes at the Chalice an abandoned bag, containing a bomb . . .
Who is to blame? A foreign tourist? An eccentric pagan author? Or an angry local who resents that a Christian place has been ‘overun’ by other beliefs? Hilary and Veronica just want to be on holiday, but they can’t help but be sucked in to the investigation.
Recently retired teacher Hilary decides that the best way to stop herself worrying about her husband, who’s away doing voluntary work in war-torn Gaza, is to distract herself with a holiday. She invites her good friend Veronica, a recent widow, to accompany her on a trip to Glastonbury, to see the ancient sights.The pair are saddened to discover that the sacred Glastonbury Thorn tree has been severely damaged, and they wonder whether other local sites are under threat too. But even they are unprepared for the shocking discovery Hilary makes at the Chalice an abandoned bag, containing a bomb . . .
Who is to blame? A foreign tourist? An eccentric pagan author? Or an angry local who resents that a Christian place has been ‘overun’ by other beliefs? Hilary and Veronica just want to be on holiday, but they can’t help but be sucked in to the investigation.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2015
2 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Fay Sampson
67 books35 followersFay Sampson graduated in Mathematics, and trained as a teacher. Combining teaching with writing, Fay's children's books were frequently featured in 'Children's Books of the Year'. When she became a full-time writer, she turned to writing novels for adults, based on history and legend. She now lives with her husband in a Tudor cottage in mid-Devon.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 19, 2020
Retired teacher Hilary and her friend Veronica decided to leave their daily troubles behind and go for holiday trip to Glastonbury. They are sad to see the famous Glastonbury thorn vandalized, but they are shocked to find an abandoned bag that has a bomb inside at another local site. When they report it to the police, they still can't let go of the questions, who dunnit?
I don't like writing bad reviews, because I believe that every book can find its audience. As this book was picked for me, I didn't know what to expect. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this read. The main characters are much older than me or my parents, so i couldn't sympathize and to me they were whiney and nosey and very narrow minded and also naive. I'm also a witch and there were so many religious slurs that my brain was hurting.
The plot was ok.
All in all, I can recommend it to a reader of a similar generation to the main characters but there were too many factors that a regular crime reader would probably not enjoy it.
I don't like writing bad reviews, because I believe that every book can find its audience. As this book was picked for me, I didn't know what to expect. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this read. The main characters are much older than me or my parents, so i couldn't sympathize and to me they were whiney and nosey and very narrow minded and also naive. I'm also a witch and there were so many religious slurs that my brain was hurting.
The plot was ok.
All in all, I can recommend it to a reader of a similar generation to the main characters but there were too many factors that a regular crime reader would probably not enjoy it.
February 2, 2022
This is honestly one of the worst books I've ever read. I read a lot of cozy mysteries and can accept a lot of silliness in this genre. But the characters in this book were so poorly written, the dialog was stilted, and they were horribly racist.
I can't even imagine having this book associated with my name. And how did neither the editor nor the author look up what a burka is? They were clearly describing a woman wearing a niqab. It's the things like that that show that the author doesn't see Muslim women as anything but "potential terrorists".
I do not recommend this book.
I can't even imagine having this book associated with my name. And how did neither the editor nor the author look up what a burka is? They were clearly describing a woman wearing a niqab. It's the things like that that show that the author doesn't see Muslim women as anything but "potential terrorists".
I do not recommend this book.
October 19, 2019
A fun read with relatable characters, and in the process of staying up until 7am so I could finish the book in one go, I learned interesting things about Glastonbury, which is so much more than just that awesome concert venue I had heard about in the past. I look forward to reading more from this author.
March 7, 2022
exciting
What an edge-of-the-seat ending to this mystery. A retired school teacher and her friend set off on a trip to take their minds off the grief of the friend’s widowhood. Amidst the historic sights and beliefs going back before the Round Table the friends help get a bomber off the street.
What an edge-of-the-seat ending to this mystery. A retired school teacher and her friend set off on a trip to take their minds off the grief of the friend’s widowhood. Amidst the historic sights and beliefs going back before the Round Table the friends help get a bomber off the street.
April 7, 2024
A not so cosy murder mystery! Hilary and Veronica are on holiday in Glastonbury when a series of dire events entangles them in its grasp. Beautifully drawn characters provide an intriguing and insightful story in one of the sacred places of Britain. I really enjoyed reading about older women for a change too! Suitable for murder mystery fans and Christian intrigue readers.
August 6, 2020
A decent idea, routinely told.
Read
December 14, 2024West Country Mysteries #1. I couldn't stand Hilary and Veronica, and the plot was ridiculous. DNF so no rating.
I won't be picking up any more from this author.
I won't be picking up any more from this author.
June 2, 2015
Hilary and her friend Veronica are off to vacation in Glastonbury, the famed, sacred site where it is believed King Arthur and Guinevere were buried, where the Isle of Avalon existed, where ancient Celtic Churches were founded and where danger lurks for our two main characters. A place like Glastonbury is a place that attracts not only sincere, curious, educated and sincere tourists but also some people who can best be described as “strange.” Yes, there are New Age followers, staunch Christians, Muslims, and other individuals one would expect in any tourist spot in the world, but some of the characters in this story are “colorful” to say the least.
Hilary and Veronica on their first day of visiting the are run into a Muslim woman dressed in tradition burka, a gentleman who dresses more like a court jester than a 21st century male visitor, and a deeply conservative man who promises curses and damnation for all those who are not Christian. His intolerance gives him an apoplectic look that actually frightens Hilary and Veronica. But their shock at this person is nothing compared with what is to follow.
Without spoiling the story, the reader will be flipping the pages as Hilary and Veronica explore a potential bomb plant, a devastating bomb explosion and a shocking murder. It’s these two spunky ladies who are always two steps ahead of the police and detectives in their slow but precise investigation. The plot is complex, several characters are the targets of our heroines’ search, and the conclusion is so staggering the reader could never imagine it all coming to pass as it does. Suffice to say that the need for attention in several characters runs over the top and the author challenges all who would stereotype certain characters to task for their erroneous thinking.
In a world where terrorism on the national and international levels seems always looming, this novel explores the issue with its ambiguous, complex and deeply frightening complexities. “If you see something, report it,” becomes much more than just a nice platitude in this cleverly crafted mystery thriller. Nicely done, Ms. Sampson!
Hilary and Veronica on their first day of visiting the are run into a Muslim woman dressed in tradition burka, a gentleman who dresses more like a court jester than a 21st century male visitor, and a deeply conservative man who promises curses and damnation for all those who are not Christian. His intolerance gives him an apoplectic look that actually frightens Hilary and Veronica. But their shock at this person is nothing compared with what is to follow.
Without spoiling the story, the reader will be flipping the pages as Hilary and Veronica explore a potential bomb plant, a devastating bomb explosion and a shocking murder. It’s these two spunky ladies who are always two steps ahead of the police and detectives in their slow but precise investigation. The plot is complex, several characters are the targets of our heroines’ search, and the conclusion is so staggering the reader could never imagine it all coming to pass as it does. Suffice to say that the need for attention in several characters runs over the top and the author challenges all who would stereotype certain characters to task for their erroneous thinking.
In a world where terrorism on the national and international levels seems always looming, this novel explores the issue with its ambiguous, complex and deeply frightening complexities. “If you see something, report it,” becomes much more than just a nice platitude in this cleverly crafted mystery thriller. Nicely done, Ms. Sampson!
May 31, 2015
The Wounded Thorn – Fay Samson 3 Stars
A different side to Glastonbury
Hillary Masters, recently retired from teaching wants to help her friend Veronica Taylor, a widow still grieving for her husband and suggests a trip to Glastonbury for a week, so both can rest, reflect and soak up the town’s ancient history. Unfortunately, their holiday is thrown off course when Hillary finds a backpack containing a bomb at the sacred well. Hillary decides that she should “help the police with their investigation”, not just by telling them what she knows, but actively going out to find who is responsible.
I’m glad that Fay Samson chose Glastonbury for the setting of this thriller. One normally associates Glastonbury with the history of Arthur and Genevieve. The sacred Chalice Well that pilgrims still visit to this day and of course the legend of Joseph of Arimathea visiting the site and his staff, planted on the Wearyall Hill still producing flowers in winter and summer. She has managed to include so much of the local folklore and as someone who loves Glastonbury, I welcomed all the information she has included. Unfortunately there is a but! I didn’t like the characters. I didn’t warm to any of them. Hillary was, I suppose what we’d classify as a schoolmarm. Veronica was “ditsy” and as a result I’ve had to deduct stars for this. BUT – please read this book just to soak up Glastonbury. This book might very well gently nudge you to pay this historical town, always filled with a populace who add to the whole mystique.
Treebeard
Best Selling Crime Thrillers were given an advanced copy of this book to review
A different side to Glastonbury
Hillary Masters, recently retired from teaching wants to help her friend Veronica Taylor, a widow still grieving for her husband and suggests a trip to Glastonbury for a week, so both can rest, reflect and soak up the town’s ancient history. Unfortunately, their holiday is thrown off course when Hillary finds a backpack containing a bomb at the sacred well. Hillary decides that she should “help the police with their investigation”, not just by telling them what she knows, but actively going out to find who is responsible.
I’m glad that Fay Samson chose Glastonbury for the setting of this thriller. One normally associates Glastonbury with the history of Arthur and Genevieve. The sacred Chalice Well that pilgrims still visit to this day and of course the legend of Joseph of Arimathea visiting the site and his staff, planted on the Wearyall Hill still producing flowers in winter and summer. She has managed to include so much of the local folklore and as someone who loves Glastonbury, I welcomed all the information she has included. Unfortunately there is a but! I didn’t like the characters. I didn’t warm to any of them. Hillary was, I suppose what we’d classify as a schoolmarm. Veronica was “ditsy” and as a result I’ve had to deduct stars for this. BUT – please read this book just to soak up Glastonbury. This book might very well gently nudge you to pay this historical town, always filled with a populace who add to the whole mystique.
Treebeard
Best Selling Crime Thrillers were given an advanced copy of this book to review
February 4, 2015
Veronica and Hilary are in Glastonbury for a short holiday. Veronica's husband died six months ago and Hilary wants her mind taken off her husband, David's work in a hospital in Gaza. They are visiting the Chalice Well when Hilary spots a rucksack partly hidden behind the Well. She immediately dials 999 and starts off a chain of events which neither of the women could have foreseen.
I thought this was an interesting mystery with some very well drawn characters and a fascinating background with plenty of information about Glastonbury. I thought the dialogue was excellent and it really brought to life the strong friendship between the two women. There are plenty of suspects for the harassed police officers to interview - the loud mouthed George Marsden who thinks Glastonbury should be reserved for the Christians; the young woman in the blue Burkha making extensive notes on social customs, Rupert Honeydew, local author and well know pagan.
I enjoyed this very up to date story with its mix of current religious tensions and historical events. I recommend it to anyone who likes older women as sleuths and who enjoys mysteries which are a little out of the ordinary. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review purposes.
I thought this was an interesting mystery with some very well drawn characters and a fascinating background with plenty of information about Glastonbury. I thought the dialogue was excellent and it really brought to life the strong friendship between the two women. There are plenty of suspects for the harassed police officers to interview - the loud mouthed George Marsden who thinks Glastonbury should be reserved for the Christians; the young woman in the blue Burkha making extensive notes on social customs, Rupert Honeydew, local author and well know pagan.
I enjoyed this very up to date story with its mix of current religious tensions and historical events. I recommend it to anyone who likes older women as sleuths and who enjoys mysteries which are a little out of the ordinary. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review purposes.
March 10, 2015
The two main characters, Hilary and Veronica, (two old friends of mature years), have for personal reasons decided to take a break together visiting the historical religious sites in Glastonbury. Very early on they find the religious site of the “Glastonbury Thorn” vandalised and a suspicious object at another – the Chalice well. This sets off a chain of events with several suspects to choose from and moves throughout at a good pace.
The style of writing is elegant and convincing. It reminded me a little of the TV series “Rosemary and Thyme”. However this has a lot more bite to it and is thought provoking with the theme of religion, how people can be quick to make assumptions and how crowd mentality can harmfully influence individual thoughts.
In the preface the Author tells us that Glastonbury is “well worth a visit”. Through both the narrative and dialogue she deftly conveys information of the religious sites and history which does make the reader interested to see for themselves.
This novel is a pleasure for readers who enjoy murder mystery mixed both with history and modern day issues.
Thank you to Severn House Publishers & Netgalley for the opportunity to read “A Wounded Thorn”.
The style of writing is elegant and convincing. It reminded me a little of the TV series “Rosemary and Thyme”. However this has a lot more bite to it and is thought provoking with the theme of religion, how people can be quick to make assumptions and how crowd mentality can harmfully influence individual thoughts.
In the preface the Author tells us that Glastonbury is “well worth a visit”. Through both the narrative and dialogue she deftly conveys information of the religious sites and history which does make the reader interested to see for themselves.
This novel is a pleasure for readers who enjoy murder mystery mixed both with history and modern day issues.
Thank you to Severn House Publishers & Netgalley for the opportunity to read “A Wounded Thorn”.
March 3, 2015
Author Fay Sampson has done a marvelous job of familiarizing readers with the religious sites centering around Glastonbury. If this first novel in a new series is any indication of how thoroughly informed readers will become with historical sites around Britain, we are in for a series of treats.
I enjoy reading mystery novels which feature slightly older main characters. Here the women are in their late fifties or early sixties which seems to lend them an air of level-headedness so they aren't forever rushing off into danger just because they can't sit still for a moment. The two women nicely balance each other from a personality standpoint with neither being so dominant that the other can't be seen as a normal, regular person you might know and enjoy talking to. I liked that. The author wasn't afraid to allow her characters to show some religious bias which stemmed from not fully understanding the motives of a character. When a rucksack was found on the site of the Chalice Well these two women found themselves embroiled in the mystery of who could have placed it there and why they wanted to do so. This was an enjoyable first novel in this new series and I look forward to reading more books by Fay Sampson in the future.
I received an e-ARC of this novel through NetGalley.
I enjoy reading mystery novels which feature slightly older main characters. Here the women are in their late fifties or early sixties which seems to lend them an air of level-headedness so they aren't forever rushing off into danger just because they can't sit still for a moment. The two women nicely balance each other from a personality standpoint with neither being so dominant that the other can't be seen as a normal, regular person you might know and enjoy talking to. I liked that. The author wasn't afraid to allow her characters to show some religious bias which stemmed from not fully understanding the motives of a character. When a rucksack was found on the site of the Chalice Well these two women found themselves embroiled in the mystery of who could have placed it there and why they wanted to do so. This was an enjoyable first novel in this new series and I look forward to reading more books by Fay Sampson in the future.
I received an e-ARC of this novel through NetGalley.
February 13, 2015
This books tells the tale of two women who are looking for a spiritual relaxing break to take their mind of the loss of one of their husbands and absence of another who is working overseas in a wartorn country. The story does develop quite quickly and it becomes a whodunnit following a series of tragedies that happen close to them turning them in to Miss Marples as they decide that they need to find out what has happened and who was responsible. I did find the story enjoyable but the main characters did start to grate on me part way through, but I persisted and was back liking them at the end. Its an easy read. I received a copy of this book from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 16, 2016
It’s always interesting to read something which is set in Glastonbury and this story which focuses on the mysterious happenings in the town takes as its inspiration a mysterious package which is found at the site of a holy well.
Recently retired teacher, Hilary and her companion, Veronica get inadvertently drawn into the mystery surrounding this package which leads them into all sorts of entanglements.
However, I’m not sure that the story worked very well for me and I found myself getting quite bored and so skipped though much of the plot.
Recently retired teacher, Hilary and her companion, Veronica get inadvertently drawn into the mystery surrounding this package which leads them into all sorts of entanglements.
However, I’m not sure that the story worked very well for me and I found myself getting quite bored and so skipped though much of the plot.
October 29, 2015
Retired schoolteacher Hilary and her recently widowed friend Veronica visit Glastonbury, which manages to be a center of both Christianity and New Age spiritualism, only to encounter an unsuccessful bombing and then even worse problems. There are plenty of suspects--a woman in a burka raises the possibility of Islamic terrorism, a racist bigot raises other possibilities, and a New Age guru influences the unwary.
November 2, 2015
A pair of capable retired women of a certain age solve this cleverly plotted thriller in the first of the Sacred Historical Sites series of British mysteries.
July 15, 2015
I look forward to reading more from this author.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews