Dressed To Kill

Joanna McKenzie #1

by Margaret Duffy

Nobody likes Mrs Pryce, she is the scourge of the Bath square where she lives. Her neighbours are weary of her constant allegations - the latest being that someone is stealing plants from her garden. Ex-policewoman turned private detective Joanna Mackenzie, doesn't take to Mrs Pryce either; but when the old woman is found battered to death, Joanna finds herself at the centre of the police investigation. Worse still, she is forced to work alongside her former colleague and old flame, Detective Inspector James Carrick...

Genres: Mystery

355 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1994

About the author

Margaret Duffy has worked for both the Inland Revenue and the Ministry of Defence. She now lives in Devon in a one-time crossing-keeper`s cottage.

When not writing, Margaret works as a garden designer.

Reviews

[Pia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mrs. Pryce is hated by all the people that surround her, so when she is murdered, all her neighbors are suspects. And these are very peculiar neighbors!

Joanna McKenzie, an ex police woman who now runs a private detective agency, was hired by nasty Mrs. Pryce just before she was killed, to find out who was stealing the plants in her garden.
To make matters more complicated, the police officer in charge is Joanna's ex lover and colleague, Inspector James Carrick.

I'm not sure that the title matches the book very much (you get to know why it's called "Dressed to Kill", but to me it's a bit forced). And there's another investigation going on, about a very valuable artifact stolen from a church, that somehow ends up tied to this investigation.

This is a light, pleasant read and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Vicki - I Love Reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

A thief and a murder. A nosey, busy body of a neighbour has hired a Private investigator to find out who is taking her plants. So Private investigator Joanna McKenzie, who is an ex policewoman begins to investigate. She soon finds out why not many of the neighbours like Mrs Pryce. But is shocked when Mrs Pryce turns up dead. Battered to death it seems on her own doorstep.

​As the police are brought in Joanna realises and its her old work colleague and old flame Inspector James Carrick, and she is forced to work alongside him again.

This was quite a quick read compared to some books at just over 220 pages, so it something you could easily get through on a long journey, or full day sat in the garden.

I did occasionally get a little confused within the story. And went back to re read what i'd read.
It just seems like a typical whodunit type of book.

​Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC of this book.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mrs Pryce is not liked by her neighbours but when someone starts stealing her flowers she employs Joanna McKenzie, ex-detective now private investigativeto find the culprit. But then Mrs Pryce is found dead and her case is investigated by D.I. James Carrick. Joanna's old boss and ex-lover.
An enjoyable crime story

[Jackie Roche · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank NetGalley and Endeavour Press for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest and open review.
When an obnoxious woman is murdered in Bath, ex-policewoman turned PI Joanne McKenzie investigates.
I really enjoyed this and read it in a couple of sittings.
There are 2 threads to this story, the murder and the theft of a church relic.
I loved Joanne, a well drawn character who was easy to like. The dialogue between her and James, her on/off partner flowed easily.
If you enjoy mysteries with a touch of romance this is definitely a book for you.
I hope there will be more books about Joanne McKenzie PI.

[Leyla Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bit of a twist and turns type mystery, I did enjoy it and it was an easy read. Some murder, some romance and a little bit of non graphic violence. There is a lot to like with this book - but then Margaret Duffy never disappoints. The characters are well drawn, and there is a lot going on with all of them, and the mysteries are well entwined. In all a good read. This book was supplied to me in return for a honest and unbiased review.

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read and a good introduction to a potentially interesting private detective, Joanna McKenzie. The mystery was just okay - I always find it a bit lazy when a murder victim is so hateful and full of venom and spite such that the cast of potential suspects grows based on personality alone. That being said, I'd revisit the Bath of Ms. McKenzie in the next installment.

I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Nettie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank NetGalley for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a great piece of work with plenty of twists to keep things interesting. Well developed characters really help.

[Eileen Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another gripping whodunit set in the lovely town of Bath.
Margaret Duffy writes great stories with fascinating characters.
Great Read!