The River Severn Murders

Martha Gunn #1

by Priscilla Masters

Previously published as River Deep

A flood is coming to the historic West Midlands city of Shrewsbury. After days of relentless rain, the raging River Severn is an unstoppable force, sweeping through twisty streets and closed doors — where it’s about to dredge up the darkest of secrets . . .

Coroner and single mum Martha Gunn is trudging through Tesco when she gets the call.

The police have found a body. A John Doe floating in a riverside cottage. Whoever this man is, he’s been dead a while. Left to rot in the cottage’s mouldering cellar.

But nature has a way of revealing what people try to bury.

Martha’s family dinner will have to wait. Instead, she finds herself standing in a mortuary — the corpse laid out for her like a puzzle the police can’t solve.

Only Martha can piece together the truth behind the poor man’s death. But all her clinical expertise can’t prepare her for what comes next.

A funeral wreath — left on Martha’s own doorstep.

A warning meant for her and her twelve-year-old twins if she doesn’t leave this case — murky as the filthy floodwaters — well alone . . .

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Audiobook, British Literature, Fiction, Ebooks

262 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 21, 2004

About the author

Priscilla Masters' writing career started in 1987 when she published Mr. Bateman's Garden, a children's book set in Biddulph Grange Gardens belonging to the National Trust. After that she created Inspector Joanna Piercy and has now also written a number of Medical Mysteries.

Priscilla Masters lives in Shropshire, England. She works part-time in Staffordshire as a practice nurse.

Reviews

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps reading this somewhat calm, staid British mystery on the heels of a series of thrillers about drug cartels and gun running, written by a flamboyant American author, has coloured my view of it. It is a well-crafted book, which sounds like faint praise - it is. But, as I say, my view is somewhat colored. I do enjoy a good British mystery and this is a good British mystery, but not very exciting.

[Robert McDowell · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first Priscilla Masters mystery I've tried, and I abandoned it halfway through. It was tediously slow-moving, with plenty of padding and a thin and implausible plot. Hard to imagine a coroner getting so involved in a murder investigation. And although we hear a great deal about Martha's personal feelings and problems, we get no explanation of why she should have become so emotionally involved with this case. Disappointing.

[Damaskcat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martha Gunn, Coroner, becomes involved in a case in which a corpse appears from a flooded cellar when the River Severn floods Shrewsbury. The peaceful town isn’t used to murder and when another violent death happens shortly afterwards it seems irresistible to assume that the two are connected though at first the police, in the shape of DI Alex Randall, cannot see that the two men could have known each other.

I found this compelling reading and I had to keep on until I finished it. I like Martha Gunn as a character and the way she battles for justice for the dead, even venturing into a bit of detection work herself – strictly against the rules. While endeavouring to do her demanding job to the best of her ability, Martha is bringing up her twins alone following the early death of her husband. She is developing a friendship with Alex Randall and he is starting to rely on her as a sounding board and as a source of good ideas.

This is the first book in the series featuring Martha Gunn and Alex Randall. If you like your crime with a well-constructed plot and well-drawn characters then this may be the series for you.

[David Gilchrist · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 4.5* review of Priscilla Masters 'River Deep. #ukcbcchallenge19
Ho Priscilla where have you been hiding, A very clever Coroner themed story. This is a story that could only have been thought up by a women, well plannedandkeeps you reading until the last page.

[Cidney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this is a first, who knew that one day I would have so much in common with a writer. I was born and raised in south Staffordshire in a house high on a plateau with a clear view of some 9-10miles across the flat land and looking squarely at the Wrekin from my bedroom, slippered feet up on the window ledge my latest book in my lap, gazing at the large "mountain" (to me) of the Wrekin, writing short stories about the events which must have happened there. Then much later moved to live in north staffs a few roads away from Biddulph Grange and half my family live in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, along the banks of the River Severn. Now how incredible is that, because Priscilla lives in shropshire and works in staffs as a nurse, and I worked in a large DGH as a medical secretary. Now if I don't like this book then there is no justice!!

Martha Gunn is the coroner for a very large area covering Shropshire, 3 men turn up dead around the same time, wearing other men's clothing, and 3 women are suddenly widowed seemingly knowing nothing of each other. But Martha is using her woman's and her gut instincts and knows that something is really off kielter about these murders. She eventually fills in the Detective in charge of the case, Alex Randall, with her thoughts and let's him take over her new ideas and run with them.

It was fascinating story telling I had to admit and at one point I wrote down the names of the 3 women and the names of the dead men and had wonderfully colourful crayons leading to all! This is only the second book I've read about a female coroner having sudden thoughts and actually quietly encouraging an officer in charge to run with them. I really enjoyed this book and am looking to see if there are any others in a series! I liked it Ms Masters, I really liked it!!

[Daisy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decided to re-read the Martha Gunn series - it might as well have been a completely new book as I can’t remember anything from the previous time I read the books which was probably a good 10 years ago. I really enjoy this writer and this introduction to Martha Gunn, Coroner and amateur detective was no different - well written, psychologically intriguing and a good start to the many different threads of her story and character. Really recommend for fans of crime books.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new to me author - this is a fascinating plot and an unusual protagonist. The book goes along at a good pace and you feel involved with all the characters, I really enjoyed it and will definitely read more from the author

[Janet Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first from this author, and I listened to the book. The story held my interest and I hadn't worked out all the details ahead of time. I will look forward to reading the next book in the series about the character Martha Gunn.

[suz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

However,I had it figured after the first woman would not let anyone butcher do the it an the second woman on her I'd cemented it for me. I still would recommend this book.

[Mary Sue Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Good Mystery

I really enjoyed this novel. It was interesting, educational and kept my interest. The characters were well developed and interesting. The mystery is solved. However, the reader still doesn't know who was leaving Martha gifts and messages.

[Valerie Kimbrough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Priscilla Masters always delivers.

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rather unrealistic protagonist.

Not as enjoyable as Masters' Joanna Piercy series.

[Ruth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh my. If only the pace of the book was as fast as the river rising. And I am not sure whether I liked the characters so can’t recommend to the normal crew at the moment.

[Judym · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good rather complex murder mystery.

[Debra Whisson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very different view of police/ official process after a murder.

[D · Rating 2 out of 5]

I also thought this book started off well with a corpse discovered in a flooded cottage in the hitherto peaceful town of Shrewsbury. Coroner Martha Gunn is notified and the whole process of the Coroner's Inquest begins. As the author points out the Coroner is to make a determination as to the identity of the deceased and by what manner they died. While she can order forensic examination of the body she is not part of the police. Some Coroners have taken public stands on certain issues they think are important, but Martha has not done so in the past. (The Inquest on Princess Diana's death is one where a Coroner gained some notoriety in the exercise of his power.)

Martha is a physician rather than a lawyer, but her ten year deceased spouse was a lawyer so she can always remember something he said or they discussed when she needs to bring in some legal knowledge not supplied by the investigating police officer. She also has two children, twins, and a Scandinavian au pair to help with the child care while she performs her official and unofficial duties.

I was really going along ok with the story. The author introduces some plot strands that were obviously not going to be resolved in the current book: mysterious phone calls to Martha's residence, etc., and an odd sort of antique dealer who has opened up shop in Shrewsbury just in time to get flooded. Her refusal to take the stalking incidents to the police is frustrating to say the least.

I started to get impatient as I figured the heart of the mystery out much faster than Martha did. When she decided to disguise herself with heavier than usual make up, sun glasses and flashy clothes and go poking around like a private detective I nearly gave up. At this point the action slowed down and nearly ground to a halt.

However, I soldiered on to the end. The conclusion was what I expected after the first 3rd of the book. The whole book wasn't horribly written, but it also had quite a few things that made it a mediocre read.

I should note I listened to it rather than read it. It's available on Audible. The narrator is Patricia Gallimore who has a dreadful time with voicing children. She reads them consistently (and I mean as in every child in every book I have listened to her narrate) in a voice that sounds whiny and what I can only describe as pinched. Luckily she is better with adults although not one of my favorites by any mean. The unabridged version is 9 1/2 hours long.

First in the series, followed by Slip Knot.

[Sharon Mensing · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first in the Martha Gunn series, in which she is a very inquisitive coroner in England along the Wales border. Masters does a great job with the setting along the River Severn in Shrewsbury, helping me escape completely into the book. The characterization is terrific, and Martha Gunn is a very appealing sleuth. She's a widow of nearly 10 years, raising her twins with the help of a Swedish au pair. Throughout the book, she is very human, dealing with personal issues and relationships as she tries to solve, from the sidelines, a confusing series of murders that are unearthed by the flooding river. As a coroner she has a reason to be involved and a connection with the police, but she goes beyond her official role because of her curiosity. There is a thread of the story that is not resolved, and perhaps that is so that it can continue throughout the series. But since I wanted it resolved, that's what keeps this a 4.5 and not a 5. Loved the book, and am anxiously awaiting the arrival of the next in the series, "Slipknot."

[Elaine Tomasso · Rating 2 out of 5]

River Deep will appeal to readers who like a good, cozy mystery but are not overly familiar with procedure because the plot hinges on a blatant procedural error any seasoned crime fiction reader will recognise and then guess most of the plot, as I did. This is a shame as the plot, although not new, is quite Machiavellian. However, having guessed very early on what was happening, I didn't particularly enjoy it as found myself continually thinking "why didn't they ...?" (no spoilers). Otherwise it is well written and plotted.

[Gina Mendola · Rating 2 out of 5]

Promising start but quickly slowed to tedious and repetitive. The characters are very poorly fleshed out. I still couldn't tell you what any of them looked like and I keep getting two of them confused. 90% of the information Martha gets is from other sources so not much sleuthing going on. She just keeps asking herself the same questions over and over. May read another of her books but only if I find it in a thrift shop.

[Felicity · Rating 2 out of 5]

Decent murder mystery. Descriptions sometimes repetitive, puzzle not as difficult as main character and author believed. Squeamish mystery fans need not worry; despite the main character's being a coroner, this is more of a cozy mystery than otherwise.

[Gill · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was OK. A bit repetitive in places and also I got confused between the different characters as they all seemed to be very similar - even their names. Don't think I'll rush out to buy more from this author but it was OK.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first in Master's Martha Gunn Coroner series. Quite good, though I figured it out somewhat earlier than the police! Masters is a solid writer of British Mysteries. Worth picking up. Not in print in US but you can pick her books up on line from used book sellers or Amazon UK.

[V · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read and I solved the crimes well before the Inspector. LOL. It is a bit of a stretch that a coroner could have the time to be so involved in murders and still be the objective force of the court.

[Sheena · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of locations in Shrewsbury

[Jo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Slow and repetitive

[Leone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very predictable and mundane but a quick read for a holiday break.

[Caroline Ingvaldsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

First in the Martha Gunn series, an enjoyable police procedural from the perspective of a personable coroner working in the historic town of Shrewbury helping to solve very modern mysteries.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

First book in a series; I enjoyed it quite a bit. Liked the use of a women coroner as the main protagonist and the setting of Shrewsbury.