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Wesley Peterson #19
The Death Season
'A beguiling author who interweaves past and present' The Times
When DI Wesley Peterson is summoned to investigate a killing, he assumes that the case is a routine matter. But soon dark secrets start to emerge from the victim's past and Wesley realises that this cold-blooded murder is more complicated than he could have imagined.
Archaeologist Neil Watson is meanwhile studying Sandrock, a ruined village from the First World War that tumbled into the sea. Neil cannot shake the feeling that something is missing from his a cryptic clue that might be able to help Wesley solve his case.
As more victims fall prey to a killer, Wesley fears his precious family are becoming a target. Just like the fallen village of Sandrock, Wesley will have to stand tall if he is to withstand the coming storm.
Whether you've read the whole series, or are discovering Kate Ellis's DI Wesley Peterson novels for the first time, this is the perfect page-turner if you love reading Elly Griffiths and Ann Cleeves.
PRAISE FOR KATE
' I loved this novel . . . a powerful story of loss, malice and deception ' Ann Cleeves
'Haunting' Independent
'Unputdownable' Bookseller
'The chilling plot will keep you spooked and thrilled to the end' Closer
'A gripping read' Best
'A fine storyteller, weaving the past and present in a way that makes you want to read on' Peterborough Evening Telegraph
When DI Wesley Peterson is summoned to investigate a killing, he assumes that the case is a routine matter. But soon dark secrets start to emerge from the victim's past and Wesley realises that this cold-blooded murder is more complicated than he could have imagined.
Archaeologist Neil Watson is meanwhile studying Sandrock, a ruined village from the First World War that tumbled into the sea. Neil cannot shake the feeling that something is missing from his a cryptic clue that might be able to help Wesley solve his case.
As more victims fall prey to a killer, Wesley fears his precious family are becoming a target. Just like the fallen village of Sandrock, Wesley will have to stand tall if he is to withstand the coming storm.
Whether you've read the whole series, or are discovering Kate Ellis's DI Wesley Peterson novels for the first time, this is the perfect page-turner if you love reading Elly Griffiths and Ann Cleeves.
PRAISE FOR KATE
' I loved this novel . . . a powerful story of loss, malice and deception ' Ann Cleeves
'Haunting' Independent
'Unputdownable' Bookseller
'The chilling plot will keep you spooked and thrilled to the end' Closer
'A gripping read' Best
'A fine storyteller, weaving the past and present in a way that makes you want to read on' Peterborough Evening Telegraph
376 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2015
72 people are currently reading
424 people want to read
About the author
Kate Ellis
119 books603 followersKate Ellis was born and brought up in Liverpool and she studied drama in Manchester. She worked in teaching, marketing and accountancy before first enjoying writing success as a winner of the North West Playwrights competition. Crime and mystery stories have always fascinated her, as have medieval history and archaeology which she likes to incorporate in her books. She is married with two grown up sons and she lives in North Cheshire, England, with her husband. Kate was awarded the CWA DAGGER IN THE LIBRARY award in 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
April 8, 2021
Three and a half stars
I had no idea when I picked up this book it was book 19 in a series. No matter. It worked fine as a stand alone. DI Wesley Peterson is called to investigate a murder. The more he investigates ,the more dark secrets from the past are exposed and more lives are under threat, Wesley needs to find the killer before other lives are taken. Meanwhile, his friend archeologist Neil Watson is on a dig in Sandrock, a ruined village, when he encounters something unexpected. Could these two events be connected? And how do the diary entries from 1913 onward fit into this mystery?
This is a good police procedural with a likeable main character in Wesley. Happily married, I liked that he battled with the time that the job and subsequent murder investigation took away from his family. It adds a very human touch. I liked the way the past and present stories link together and the secrets are revealed. Certainly kept me reading,
The story moves at a good pace. I found it interesting without being completely compelling. But that could also be me feeling very tired at present, making it a bit harder to concentrate. The ending has some very tense moments and danger threatens, before the motivations for the murders are all made clear. A good read.
I had no idea when I picked up this book it was book 19 in a series. No matter. It worked fine as a stand alone. DI Wesley Peterson is called to investigate a murder. The more he investigates ,the more dark secrets from the past are exposed and more lives are under threat, Wesley needs to find the killer before other lives are taken. Meanwhile, his friend archeologist Neil Watson is on a dig in Sandrock, a ruined village, when he encounters something unexpected. Could these two events be connected? And how do the diary entries from 1913 onward fit into this mystery?
This is a good police procedural with a likeable main character in Wesley. Happily married, I liked that he battled with the time that the job and subsequent murder investigation took away from his family. It adds a very human touch. I liked the way the past and present stories link together and the secrets are revealed. Certainly kept me reading,
The story moves at a good pace. I found it interesting without being completely compelling. But that could also be me feeling very tired at present, making it a bit harder to concentrate. The ending has some very tense moments and danger threatens, before the motivations for the murders are all made clear. A good read.
May 5, 2018
DI Wesley Peterson is summoned to investigate a possible murder in a hotel room. It looks like routine matter, but then it is revealed that the man used a fake name and the man in question is linked to a cold case; the murder of a child in 1979.
This is the first book I have read by Kate Ellis and I admit that starting with book 19 in a series doesn’t feel like a perfect start. But I never really had a problem with that because I was so enthralled with the story and the characters that I never had any real problem with not having read the previous books. Sure there is a lot of back history, but instead of being hindered by that I just found myself more curious about reading the previous 18 books.
The plot was really good, there were lots of different things going on at the same time, the cold case murder, the murder at the hotel and an archaeological dig at a ruined village that tumbled in the sea during WW1, but all these happenings had connections to each other and let to a thrilling ending.
I liked Wesley Peterson, he is a good police that knows he is spending too much time working and too little with his family and feeling guilty about it. I'm looking forward to seeing how it will go for him in the future, especially since he is working with a DS Rachel Tracey who has feelings for him. He seems to be happily married, but a close working relationship with a woman attracted to him can be dangerous, especially since his wife seems to be a bit jealous of Rachel… no smoke without fire...
I'm really looking forward to reading the previous books in the series since I want to know more about his past and how it must have been coming to a little community as a black police after working at the MET. This crime novel was terrific, great story, great characters. Couldn't find anything with it that I didn’t like!
Thank you Piatkus for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!
This is the first book I have read by Kate Ellis and I admit that starting with book 19 in a series doesn’t feel like a perfect start. But I never really had a problem with that because I was so enthralled with the story and the characters that I never had any real problem with not having read the previous books. Sure there is a lot of back history, but instead of being hindered by that I just found myself more curious about reading the previous 18 books.
The plot was really good, there were lots of different things going on at the same time, the cold case murder, the murder at the hotel and an archaeological dig at a ruined village that tumbled in the sea during WW1, but all these happenings had connections to each other and let to a thrilling ending.
I liked Wesley Peterson, he is a good police that knows he is spending too much time working and too little with his family and feeling guilty about it. I'm looking forward to seeing how it will go for him in the future, especially since he is working with a DS Rachel Tracey who has feelings for him. He seems to be happily married, but a close working relationship with a woman attracted to him can be dangerous, especially since his wife seems to be a bit jealous of Rachel… no smoke without fire...
I'm really looking forward to reading the previous books in the series since I want to know more about his past and how it must have been coming to a little community as a black police after working at the MET. This crime novel was terrific, great story, great characters. Couldn't find anything with it that I didn’t like!
Thank you Piatkus for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!
June 2, 2021
In this 19th book of a series Kate Ellis delivers a masterpiece of multi-layered deceit taken to extremes wherein we follow the path of death and destruction left by a highly functional psychopath like none other. Amazing construction of this complex plot takes the reader beyond what is usually delivered in one of these Peterson tales.
As per usual, the current events of murder and mayhem in Devon are woven with the historical events related to the stories bringing Wesley's family into the circle of danger.
The historical commentary at close of book is very interesting as well. I think this might be my favorite of the series so far.
As per usual, the current events of murder and mayhem in Devon are woven with the historical events related to the stories bringing Wesley's family into the circle of danger.
The historical commentary at close of book is very interesting as well. I think this might be my favorite of the series so far.
February 8, 2015
So in a “blink and you miss it” kind of way, this is the 19th in the Wesley Peterson series – which makes me feel old and wonder what happened – I still remember quite clearly reading “The Merchant’s House” all those years ago and have been a quiet yet loyal fan of the series ever since.
Now of course I review as well as read so it was pure joy to receive this one in the post, as usual it was brilliant , an evocative mixture of crime and history, a lot of intrigue and a very fascinating premise. If you have not read these before you could actually pick any one up and read it as a standalone without losing out, this one being no exception, so do not be put off by the backlog!
In this instalment there are several strands – a body is found in a hotel room, a documentary is being made at a local dig, and an old Ice House is about to reveal a horrific secret. Told in present day and the past, Wesley will have his work cut out for him if he is to get to the bottom of a long ago mystery at the same time as solving a very modern murder.
These are so beautifully readable, always addictive (I read half in one sitting and half in another practically without blinking) as Kate Ellis weaves many different strands of plot into a fascinating web of intrigue, emotion and edge of the seat moments. In “The Death Season” things strike a little too close to home for Wesley and whether you know the character well or not, you will be hanging on to find out how it all pans out. Then we have Neil Watson doing his thing and ending up with more than he bargained for and as usual the characters pop and the whole thing is utterly compelling.
The mystery element is always intelligent, with its historical flavouring and clever immersion into the present day tale, a kind of Time Team/Morse mash up is how I would describe it (I do love aa good mash up!) the places and the people coming to life, in vivid technicolour. Really really excellent.
Overall a series I would highly recommend you get your teeth into if you havent already – and if you HAVE this will please you just as much if not more than all the rest. Highly Recommended.
Happy Reading Folks!
Now of course I review as well as read so it was pure joy to receive this one in the post, as usual it was brilliant , an evocative mixture of crime and history, a lot of intrigue and a very fascinating premise. If you have not read these before you could actually pick any one up and read it as a standalone without losing out, this one being no exception, so do not be put off by the backlog!
In this instalment there are several strands – a body is found in a hotel room, a documentary is being made at a local dig, and an old Ice House is about to reveal a horrific secret. Told in present day and the past, Wesley will have his work cut out for him if he is to get to the bottom of a long ago mystery at the same time as solving a very modern murder.
These are so beautifully readable, always addictive (I read half in one sitting and half in another practically without blinking) as Kate Ellis weaves many different strands of plot into a fascinating web of intrigue, emotion and edge of the seat moments. In “The Death Season” things strike a little too close to home for Wesley and whether you know the character well or not, you will be hanging on to find out how it all pans out. Then we have Neil Watson doing his thing and ending up with more than he bargained for and as usual the characters pop and the whole thing is utterly compelling.
The mystery element is always intelligent, with its historical flavouring and clever immersion into the present day tale, a kind of Time Team/Morse mash up is how I would describe it (I do love aa good mash up!) the places and the people coming to life, in vivid technicolour. Really really excellent.
Overall a series I would highly recommend you get your teeth into if you havent already – and if you HAVE this will please you just as much if not more than all the rest. Highly Recommended.
Happy Reading Folks!
January 1, 2015
The cover was something that immediately grabbed my attention. I love the dark cover with the red letters. It looks really beautiful and I was really excited to start reading.
From the moment I started reading ‘The Death Season’ I really enjoyed the story. Even though this book is the nineteenth novel about DI Wesley Peterson, it can be read as a standalone and I never felt like I missed information. This story begins when a body of a man is found in an hotel room. The man seems to have died under strange circumstances and soon Wesley has been called in to investigate the ‘murder’. At first this murder seems to be easy to solve but soon Wesley stumbles upon a lot of secrets and soon there seem to be a lot of people involved.
What I loved about ‘The Death Season’ was the way this book included three different stories. Every chapter begins with a little diary entrée of a woman in 1913 and is followed by the story of Wesley Peterson, and a story of archaeologist Neil Watson. All these stories where really interesting to read and I loved how easily the story goes from the one in the other.
‘The Death Season’ never got boring and until the very end I really didn’t expect anyone to be the killer. This book definitely kept me on the edge of my seat. I especially loved Wesley Peterson. He just seemed to be very real to me. His life wasn’t perfect and he really had to make some difficult choices regarding his work and his personal life. I just really liked him and loved how passionately he was towards his job.
This book was definitely a nice read. I never got bored and I really loved the search towards the killer. There were a lot of secrets in this book and I loved how everything became clear towards the end.
I definitely recommend this book to every mystery-crime-detective genre readers.
From the moment I started reading ‘The Death Season’ I really enjoyed the story. Even though this book is the nineteenth novel about DI Wesley Peterson, it can be read as a standalone and I never felt like I missed information. This story begins when a body of a man is found in an hotel room. The man seems to have died under strange circumstances and soon Wesley has been called in to investigate the ‘murder’. At first this murder seems to be easy to solve but soon Wesley stumbles upon a lot of secrets and soon there seem to be a lot of people involved.
What I loved about ‘The Death Season’ was the way this book included three different stories. Every chapter begins with a little diary entrée of a woman in 1913 and is followed by the story of Wesley Peterson, and a story of archaeologist Neil Watson. All these stories where really interesting to read and I loved how easily the story goes from the one in the other.
‘The Death Season’ never got boring and until the very end I really didn’t expect anyone to be the killer. This book definitely kept me on the edge of my seat. I especially loved Wesley Peterson. He just seemed to be very real to me. His life wasn’t perfect and he really had to make some difficult choices regarding his work and his personal life. I just really liked him and loved how passionately he was towards his job.
This book was definitely a nice read. I never got bored and I really loved the search towards the killer. There were a lot of secrets in this book and I loved how everything became clear towards the end.
I definitely recommend this book to every mystery-crime-detective genre readers.
February 6, 2018
A pretty good read.
As per Ms Ellis' usual plot device there are at least two separate story strands, one in the past, and one in the present.
'The Death Season' involves a man found murdered in a hotel room, and the murders that spill out from that, as well as a foray into the past with a village that collapsed into the sea.
Interesting plotting and a good read. It did, however, feel a little unbalanced as Wesley's boss, Gerry Heffernan is pretty much sidelined for a lot of this book. Wes & Gerry work well together. And two much of one and not enough of the other makes the story wobble a bit.
Worth a read.
As per Ms Ellis' usual plot device there are at least two separate story strands, one in the past, and one in the present.
'The Death Season' involves a man found murdered in a hotel room, and the murders that spill out from that, as well as a foray into the past with a village that collapsed into the sea.
Interesting plotting and a good read. It did, however, feel a little unbalanced as Wesley's boss, Gerry Heffernan is pretty much sidelined for a lot of this book. Wes & Gerry work well together. And two much of one and not enough of the other makes the story wobble a bit.
Worth a read.
May 1, 2021
One of her best
I have read all of the Wesley Peterson books so far and this is one of her best.
The characters are well drawn so that even if the reader is new to the series, you quickly get a feel for the regulars. And for those who are familiar with the series, the characters in this book come to life.
As usual, there is a story within a story, excerpts from a diary that slowly tell a story that ends up being parallel with the crimes that occur in the present day. In this case, the diary is from 1914, not as faraway as some of Ellis’ previous plots have been, but interesting nevertheless.
At first I was a bit annoyed with the plot—in almost every book DI Wesley Peterson is consumed with his job, constantly disappointing his wife and children even though, to me, he doesn’t have to spend so much time overseeing the precinct’s murder investigations. The other thing that annoyed me at the beginning was that the story within a story was one that seemed so predictable—son of wealthy family seduces maid who believes he will marry her. Predictable story line.
However Ellis managed to bring me around. First, because the main story became so very interesting. A mysterious man is murdered in a hotel room and, shortly thereafter, the woman suspected of his murder is also murdered. As the victims’ true identities are revealed, links to a murder that occurred decades earlier are discovered. Is the murderer seeking vengeance for the murder of a little girl—or is there another motive.
And then the story within a story, the diary describing events in 1914, takes on an interesting caste as well, as it becomes clear that the maid is determined to wreak vengeance on the family of the wealthy young man. As Ellis always draws parallels to the two stories, I turned page after page, excited when I started making connections between the two stories. A superb jigsaw puzzle.
All in all, it was a very satisfying read for a fan of the Wesley Peterson series and I would think it would be a great read for someone who had never read the series either.
I have read all of the Wesley Peterson books so far and this is one of her best.
The characters are well drawn so that even if the reader is new to the series, you quickly get a feel for the regulars. And for those who are familiar with the series, the characters in this book come to life.
As usual, there is a story within a story, excerpts from a diary that slowly tell a story that ends up being parallel with the crimes that occur in the present day. In this case, the diary is from 1914, not as faraway as some of Ellis’ previous plots have been, but interesting nevertheless.
At first I was a bit annoyed with the plot—in almost every book DI Wesley Peterson is consumed with his job, constantly disappointing his wife and children even though, to me, he doesn’t have to spend so much time overseeing the precinct’s murder investigations. The other thing that annoyed me at the beginning was that the story within a story was one that seemed so predictable—son of wealthy family seduces maid who believes he will marry her. Predictable story line.
However Ellis managed to bring me around. First, because the main story became so very interesting. A mysterious man is murdered in a hotel room and, shortly thereafter, the woman suspected of his murder is also murdered. As the victims’ true identities are revealed, links to a murder that occurred decades earlier are discovered. Is the murderer seeking vengeance for the murder of a little girl—or is there another motive.
And then the story within a story, the diary describing events in 1914, takes on an interesting caste as well, as it becomes clear that the maid is determined to wreak vengeance on the family of the wealthy young man. As Ellis always draws parallels to the two stories, I turned page after page, excited when I started making connections between the two stories. A superb jigsaw puzzle.
All in all, it was a very satisfying read for a fan of the Wesley Peterson series and I would think it would be a great read for someone who had never read the series either.
June 29, 2017
The Wesley Peterson series is definitely formulaic but what a winning formula! History, archaeology and murder. A great read, intricately plotted with all the knots tied neatly at the end. The depiction of the detectives' personal lives continues to be faintly annoying. The whiny Pam and the guilt-ridden parent Wesley are still cliched but its easy to get past that because the book is atmospheric and the history is fascinating.
May 28, 2022
I was unaware, until a moment ago, that this book is one of a series and it’s quite far in. It didn’t make much of a difference. I don’t know why I didn’t like this book, but I just didn’t. Maybe it was the fact the characters seemed very flat (although would I feel this if I’d read the others?) or perhaps it was the predictable story line?
But it’s taken me a long time to finish because I just wasn’t hooked in. Only ok.
But it’s taken me a long time to finish because I just wasn’t hooked in. Only ok.
March 15, 2019
Read several of this series.
May 22, 2022
The nineteenth Wesley Peterson police procedural is as satisfying as the ninth or first for that matter.
September 17, 2023
As with many long-lived series, some entries are better than others, even if it's a series you enjoy a lot. I had some trouble with a few plot points for this one but otherwise it was a nice visit with Wesley, Gerry, Rachel, Neil and the whole hee-haw gang. LOL
November 28, 2017
I have long been a fan of Kate Ellis's Wesley Peterson police procedural series which is set on the Devon coast. Ellis always has two timelines in each book, one historic and one present day, and they always tie together in some way. Moreover, this author is a triple threat. She can bring little-known chapters of history to life, she can create absorbing mysteries, and her characters are so well drawn that I feel as though they've been friends for years.
Everything comes together perfectly in The Death Season. Trying to deduce whodunit was complicated by the fact that so many characters in both timelines weren't whom they appeared to be. The murderer in the present day is one of Ellis's best and will probably give readers chills down the spine. And then there are the characters' lives to be considered.
Wesley's boss, Gerry Heffernan, is still recuperating from what happened in the previous book. He's been given cold cases to review and feels as though the higher-ups are trying to put him out to pasture. Wesley is still trying to be Super Cop, Super Husband, and Super Dad-- with mixed results. I've had a rocky relationship with Wesley's wife Pam since the first book in the series. She's one of these women who marry a police officer and then can't understand why he works such long hours. I keep trying to second-guess Ellis on how that marriage is going to turn out, but I haven't been right yet. What pleased me the most in The Death Season is that archaeologist Neil Watson actually gets some well-deserved love. Normally the poor man just gets clunked in the head with a blunt instrument and left in one of his trenches.
If you like British police procedurals with strong mysteries, a sense of history, and an excellent cast of characters, I highly recommend this series. You should be able to read The Death Season and not be confused by the characters or their lives, but don't be surprised if you find yourselves looking for the very first book in the series, The Merchant's House. These books are addictive.
Everything comes together perfectly in The Death Season. Trying to deduce whodunit was complicated by the fact that so many characters in both timelines weren't whom they appeared to be. The murderer in the present day is one of Ellis's best and will probably give readers chills down the spine. And then there are the characters' lives to be considered.
Wesley's boss, Gerry Heffernan, is still recuperating from what happened in the previous book. He's been given cold cases to review and feels as though the higher-ups are trying to put him out to pasture. Wesley is still trying to be Super Cop, Super Husband, and Super Dad-- with mixed results. I've had a rocky relationship with Wesley's wife Pam since the first book in the series. She's one of these women who marry a police officer and then can't understand why he works such long hours. I keep trying to second-guess Ellis on how that marriage is going to turn out, but I haven't been right yet. What pleased me the most in The Death Season is that archaeologist Neil Watson actually gets some well-deserved love. Normally the poor man just gets clunked in the head with a blunt instrument and left in one of his trenches.
If you like British police procedurals with strong mysteries, a sense of history, and an excellent cast of characters, I highly recommend this series. You should be able to read The Death Season and not be confused by the characters or their lives, but don't be surprised if you find yourselves looking for the very first book in the series, The Merchant's House. These books are addictive.
February 18, 2015
Originally posted on: http://www.albainbookland.com/2015/02...
This is my first book by Kate Ellis and you might think that starting a series on the 19th book is not the best idea, but The Death Season can perfectly be read as a stand alone. I never felt like I was missing any crucial information, quite the opposite, I could see there was a lot back story to the characters but this only made me want to pick the previous books, because I really enjoyed meeting them for the first time and I wanted to know more about them.
The Death Season handles three different stories. There are extracts from a diary that a girl wrote during WW1 at the beginning of each chapter. Then in present day, there was the murder in the hotel that seemed to be linked to a cold case from the seventies and then, there were the excavations in a ruined village engulfed by the sea during WW1. As you can tell, there is a lot going on but in no moment did I feel like it was too much, the transitions from one story to the other were clear and soon you could see how all of them were linked one way or another.
I really enjoyed reading about Wesley Peterson, he was a very clever and intuitive investigator and you could tell how he was struggling with the demands of this job. He couldn't see his family as much as he wanted. Plus, there was Rachel, his colleague who had feelings for him. It was obvious that he was not comfortable with this situation and this made their interactions really interesting to read. I also liked Gerry, their chief, a lot. He was recovering from a shot but didn't want to miss anything, investigation or gossip, he wanted to know everything.
The Death Season is very enjoyable read, I never got bored and I was quite hooked trying to guess who the murder was. It surprised me more than once with its clever twists and unexpected links between stories and I am sure I will be checking more Wesley Peterson books.
This is my first book by Kate Ellis and you might think that starting a series on the 19th book is not the best idea, but The Death Season can perfectly be read as a stand alone. I never felt like I was missing any crucial information, quite the opposite, I could see there was a lot back story to the characters but this only made me want to pick the previous books, because I really enjoyed meeting them for the first time and I wanted to know more about them.
The Death Season handles three different stories. There are extracts from a diary that a girl wrote during WW1 at the beginning of each chapter. Then in present day, there was the murder in the hotel that seemed to be linked to a cold case from the seventies and then, there were the excavations in a ruined village engulfed by the sea during WW1. As you can tell, there is a lot going on but in no moment did I feel like it was too much, the transitions from one story to the other were clear and soon you could see how all of them were linked one way or another.
I really enjoyed reading about Wesley Peterson, he was a very clever and intuitive investigator and you could tell how he was struggling with the demands of this job. He couldn't see his family as much as he wanted. Plus, there was Rachel, his colleague who had feelings for him. It was obvious that he was not comfortable with this situation and this made their interactions really interesting to read. I also liked Gerry, their chief, a lot. He was recovering from a shot but didn't want to miss anything, investigation or gossip, he wanted to know everything.
The Death Season is very enjoyable read, I never got bored and I was quite hooked trying to guess who the murder was. It surprised me more than once with its clever twists and unexpected links between stories and I am sure I will be checking more Wesley Peterson books.
June 14, 2015
What a treat it was to find that a new Wesley Peterson book had recently been published. I downloaded it onto my Kindle and settled right in for a pleasurable few days of a compelling mystery. The Death Season proved another winner in this consistently excellent series of police procedurals set in South Devon. As with all the books in the series the events of the present find echoes in those of the past.
Although in this instance I did spot whodunit before the reveal, there were still twists that I didn't see coming. I do continue to find Wesley's wife rather unsympathetic. There are women who understand the demands of a job such as his and Pam just isn't one of them and her passive-aggressive behaviour just winds me up. Still, he just is not the straying type so unless she walks out...
Although in this instance I did spot whodunit before the reveal, there were still twists that I didn't see coming. I do continue to find Wesley's wife rather unsympathetic. There are women who understand the demands of a job such as his and Pam just isn't one of them and her passive-aggressive behaviour just winds me up. Still, he just is not the straying type so unless she walks out...
September 5, 2022
This was ok, nothing edge of your seat but ok for on the sun lounger. It was two stories, one past and one present
I didn’t realise this was book 19in a series but it stood on its own and I would read others to see how they started out.
Wesley is investigating a couple of suspicious murders while Gerry is looking into some cold cases…low and behold they end up linked but getting to the bottom proves difficult
I didn’t realise this was book 19in a series but it stood on its own and I would read others to see how they started out.
Wesley is investigating a couple of suspicious murders while Gerry is looking into some cold cases…low and behold they end up linked but getting to the bottom proves difficult
July 3, 2020
A series that continues to be on my top 10 list of mystery/crime. Another book in the series - following the format of present, past, and historical murder and mayhem. This time Wesley is faced with solving a series of murders that seem completely unrelated - but are they? A satisfying ending, and on to the next in the series.
December 31, 2015
While I have read this entire series, I am not a fan of the format that the author slavishly follows in each book. In the early part of this book I thought it might be better than average but it soon settled back into the same old rut.
February 25, 2018
Another excellent Wesley Peterson mystery. Really enjoyed the historical storyline this time as well - it was pretty twisted. The image of the little icehouse is going to be with me for a while.
August 18, 2024
DI Wesley Peterson is summoned to investigate what looks like a suspicious death in a hotel room, he has no idea just how dark and how far back the various threads around this murder will go. And as more people seemingly fall prey to this killer, Wesley has no idea just how close to home the danger is lurking.
I have been enjoying this series which blends together a modern mystery-thriller very well with a historical and archaeological setting. DI Peterson’s old university friend is once again nearby and studying a local ruined village which partially tumbled down the cliffs into the sea just after World War One. While the two cases have no direct bearing on each other it’s always interesting how events of the past so frequently have relevance – or mimic – events still going on in the present day.
Much like in the previous few books I thoroughly enjoyed both the historical story unfolding around Neil and his archeological site and the modern murder mystery and Wesley going through the police procedural aspect to the plots. I thought the plot slowly but with a good pace ramped up until there was quite a fast pace towards the climax and conclusion. I thought this side to the story was exceptionally well handled by the author. Pam Peterson – Wesley’s wife – once again seems to be unhappy with her lot and while I empathize that she feels Wesley’s police work takes up a lot of his time I really am sick of Pam whining about this. While I understand her disliking his sometimes long and unusual hours, I really do feel she needs to grow up and accept this is part of what she agreed to in marrying a policeman. It also looks as if possibly Neil has finally found a sensible woman and a part of me really hope this might work for them both. That would be lovely to see after him being mostly single and carefree for so very long.
A lovely addition to the series, I found this to be a well-paced and exceptionally well plotted story. While I could happily do without Pam and her sourness the rest of the cast are mostly enjoyable and well-balanced characters. A good book from an excellent series.
I have been enjoying this series which blends together a modern mystery-thriller very well with a historical and archaeological setting. DI Peterson’s old university friend is once again nearby and studying a local ruined village which partially tumbled down the cliffs into the sea just after World War One. While the two cases have no direct bearing on each other it’s always interesting how events of the past so frequently have relevance – or mimic – events still going on in the present day.
Much like in the previous few books I thoroughly enjoyed both the historical story unfolding around Neil and his archeological site and the modern murder mystery and Wesley going through the police procedural aspect to the plots. I thought the plot slowly but with a good pace ramped up until there was quite a fast pace towards the climax and conclusion. I thought this side to the story was exceptionally well handled by the author. Pam Peterson – Wesley’s wife – once again seems to be unhappy with her lot and while I empathize that she feels Wesley’s police work takes up a lot of his time I really am sick of Pam whining about this. While I understand her disliking his sometimes long and unusual hours, I really do feel she needs to grow up and accept this is part of what she agreed to in marrying a policeman. It also looks as if possibly Neil has finally found a sensible woman and a part of me really hope this might work for them both. That would be lovely to see after him being mostly single and carefree for so very long.
A lovely addition to the series, I found this to be a well-paced and exceptionally well plotted story. While I could happily do without Pam and her sourness the rest of the cast are mostly enjoyable and well-balanced characters. A good book from an excellent series.
December 30, 2018
The Death Season is the 19th entry in the Wes Peterson police procedural series set in a fictional town Devon. In this outing he finds himself investigating four deaths; the first present-day victim is connected by DNA to an unsolved murder of a teenage girl in 1977, the second victim provided his alibi, and the third is the second’s mother. His friend, archaeologist Neil Watson, finds himself looking into the suspicious death of a young girl in 1918. The strength of the story are the lead characters and the packed plot. As well as the three main threads – the two contemporary murders and suspicious death, the cold case from the seventies, and the First World War mystery – Ellis splices in another linked cold case and a threat to Peterson’s family. Where the story suffers is with all the coincidental and family links between all the cases, victims and lead characters. While the number of interconnections adds a certain frisson and tension to the plot, it also undermines the credibility of the story rendering it being held together by a web of unlikely plot devices. The archaeological tale also just felt like filler being linear and relatively thin. The result is an interesting, tangled story that felt a bit overly contrived.
June 19, 2020
Another of the series ticked off - I think I only have 5 or 6 to go - and another great read. However the loveable Gerry seems diminished in this instalment so not one of my favourites :( He's still recovering from his shooting. This time I found the historical story more intriguing than the modern day crimes. Neil is on a dig at a ruined village, deserted in 1918 when most of it fell from the cliffs into the sea. What is the connection with the skeleton of a child found in the ice house of Paradise Court, a nearby big house? Of course there are links with both the murders Wesley's investigating and the cold cases to which Gerry's been assigned. Onto the next one!
September 1, 2020
Okay, Kare Ellis, you have done it, once again! I had convinced myself who the murderer was and you got me at the last jump. One of my favourite crime writers and hasn’t let me down from the very first book. The characters are so real and I now anticipate their every move as you get to know more of them and the way they think.
The Historic notes that this case is intertwined with could have been a novel in itself, it was so absorbing. I did miss Gerry, the other half of the detective duo, so I have my fingers crossed that he will be back in full force in the future.
The books are always put onto my shelf with the anticipation of the next in the series.
The Historic notes that this case is intertwined with could have been a novel in itself, it was so absorbing. I did miss Gerry, the other half of the detective duo, so I have my fingers crossed that he will be back in full force in the future.
The books are always put onto my shelf with the anticipation of the next in the series.
February 17, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this storyline, Kate Ellis at her best.
I am systematically working my way through all the DI Wesley Peterson series and I am addicted.
Great characters and I love the setting in Devon and the way that Kate interweaves a historical plot with a modern day storyline.
There is no doubt that these books are formulaic but it doesn’t bother me as they are not predictable as the plots and stories are always so good and so completely different. I think it’s a winning formula that certainly makes me want to reach for the next book on the series.
This was one of my favourites so far though
I am systematically working my way through all the DI Wesley Peterson series and I am addicted.
Great characters and I love the setting in Devon and the way that Kate interweaves a historical plot with a modern day storyline.
There is no doubt that these books are formulaic but it doesn’t bother me as they are not predictable as the plots and stories are always so good and so completely different. I think it’s a winning formula that certainly makes me want to reach for the next book on the series.
This was one of my favourites so far though
October 22, 2019
So many characters who are coincidentally and sometimes unbelievably connected, three different time periods, and various locales make this a sometimes confusing read. I found myself wondering, "who is Neil (or whoever) again?" and losing my concentration throughout.
The writing is very good, I like this author, but I find her portrayal of the main character, Wesley Peterson, to be somewhat bland and not well realized. Considering an entire series is based on this character, that is rather worrisome.
The writing is very good, I like this author, but I find her portrayal of the main character, Wesley Peterson, to be somewhat bland and not well realized. Considering an entire series is based on this character, that is rather worrisome.
March 27, 2025
Always enjoy Kate Ellis's books. This was my eighth.
All roads and all murderers lead back to Devon, the murder rate puts Honduras and 1970s New York to shame!
Quite a chilling story. I always enjoy the diary exerts from the pasts especially the cold-hearted or dangerously obsessive ones.
Perhaps not quite her best - a line was repeated -something like "living on their nerves" and the story did remind me of one of her others.
However I will go onto the next one of her many with pleasure.
All roads and all murderers lead back to Devon, the murder rate puts Honduras and 1970s New York to shame!
Quite a chilling story. I always enjoy the diary exerts from the pasts especially the cold-hearted or dangerously obsessive ones.
Perhaps not quite her best - a line was repeated -something like "living on their nerves" and the story did remind me of one of her others.
However I will go onto the next one of her many with pleasure.
October 5, 2024
It's been a while since I read 'The Shrouid Maker' but this cast of characters make s it so easy to fall back into this set. Yet again, this is an absorbing case and the short(ish) chapters make for a quick read. The solution does rely on one two too many coincidences though. Hiowever, I'll be picking the other 9 books of this set up from the library before too long ( probabbly not all at once though).
October 7, 2025
I do enjoy this series -- mostly because of the continuing characters -- Wesley, Neil, Pam, Gerry, etc.
It seems in these mysteries there are also people with different names and lots of people to keep
track of through all the time periods -- not certain we need so many suspects with so many different names -- can get confusing. But I will continue to read to keep up on the other people who only have one name and have kept it from the beginning.
It seems in these mysteries there are also people with different names and lots of people to keep
track of through all the time periods -- not certain we need so many suspects with so many different names -- can get confusing. But I will continue to read to keep up on the other people who only have one name and have kept it from the beginning.
June 4, 2017
Kate Ellis has managed to keep this series so interesting that each book is one I look forward to reading. Blending a past mystery with a present one isn't an easy task, but Kate does it extremely well. An event in 1913-1918, a meeting in 1980, and a murder or two in 2014 all have a common thread running through them.
August 27, 2019
I’d forgotten how good these books were as it’s been a few years since I read the last one in the Wesley Peterson series. This is book 19, a crime thriller. The same characters are there plus a sub plot from 100 years ago which ties in nicely. Expertly written, gripping and has you guessing “who done it” right until the end.
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