What do you think?
Rate this book
Undue Influence
Where's Nora Selleck? Nurse Florence Shaw investigates when a mysterious stranger walks into her patient's life
–
and then she disappears . . .
Nurse Florence Shaw is worried about her patient and friend, elderly widow Nora Selleck. When she encounters Nora in the market town of Stone seeming confused, Florence decides to pay her a visit in more familiar surroundings. But at Nora's house she meets Ben Evans, a mysterious young stranger who has befriended Nora. Who is Ben, and why is he encouraging Nora to miss her surgery appointments?
Florence doesn’t trust Ben. She's sure he doesn't have Nora's best interests at heart and is a threat to her vulnerable patient. But no one else, not even Nora’s doctor, shares her concern. Until, one day, Nora suddenly disappears . . .
Nurse Florence Shaw is worried about her patient and friend, elderly widow Nora Selleck. When she encounters Nora in the market town of Stone seeming confused, Florence decides to pay her a visit in more familiar surroundings. But at Nora's house she meets Ben Evans, a mysterious young stranger who has befriended Nora. Who is Ben, and why is he encouraging Nora to miss her surgery appointments?
Florence doesn’t trust Ben. She's sure he doesn't have Nora's best interests at heart and is a threat to her vulnerable patient. But no one else, not even Nora’s doctor, shares her concern. Until, one day, Nora suddenly disappears . . .
283 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 31, 2026
About the author
Priscilla Masters
56 books90 followersPriscilla 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.
Priscilla Masters lives in Shropshire, England. She works part-time in Staffordshire as a practice nurse.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 12, 2023
Undue Influence introduces us to Nurse Florence Shaw who lives and works in the market town of Stone where she had grown up, and thus has known many of her patients most of her life.
Walking up the high street on her day off Florence is surprised to see one of her patients standing looking completely lost and confused in the middle of the many people going about their daily lives. When Florence approaches her and quietly says ‘Nora?’ it was clear that Nora doesn’t recognise her. As Florence studies her it is apparent that she had lost a lot of weight. When she finally registeres Florence, she becomes hostile and says aggressively that she is alright. Having seen Nora for her check up only a few months ago she was now unrecognisable from the bright, intelligent chatty person Florence had known for many years.
When Nora failed to show up for an appointment to have her bloods checked, Florence decided to mention her concerns to Nora’s registered doctor. Dr Gubb, who although a very good doctor, and in spite of the of the many years he has spent in in general practice always sees the best in people, a view that borders on naivety. When Florence expresses her unease about Nora, and that she is thinking of paying her a home visit, he merely says ‘Excellent, I know I can rely on you,’ and off he goes.
When Florence parks outside Nora’s house the first thing she notices is that the garden, usually neat and well-kept, Nora being a keen gardener, is now unkempt and the lawn long and uncut. When there is no reply to her knock, she discovers the door unlocked door and entering smells cigarettes. She finds Nora sitting in a chair. Asking why she hadn’t kept her appointment at the surgery, Nora says ‘He told me not to go’. Enquiring who ‘he’ is, she says Ben, who looks after me. Further enquiry of Nora about Ben, brings forth no results, but then there he is. A big unshaven guy, who is clearly not pleased to see Florence. But Nora is pleased to see him!
Florence tries several avenues to try to establish who Ben is, and where he comes from. She tracks down Jack, Nora’s son, who is pleased that someone is helping his mother. She attempts to raise awareness of Nora’s situation and deterioration within the practice, but one seems to share her concerns.
Then Nora disappears.
As I read the book, I couldn’t fault Florence for the effort she put in to bring attention to the Nora’s situation. Everyone in the practice is busy juggling heavy caseloads, if someone is looking after a vulnerable old person that is good, isn’t it? But where is Nora Selleck?
This is a compelling read, and is highly recommended.
----
Reviewer: Lizzie Sirett.
Walking up the high street on her day off Florence is surprised to see one of her patients standing looking completely lost and confused in the middle of the many people going about their daily lives. When Florence approaches her and quietly says ‘Nora?’ it was clear that Nora doesn’t recognise her. As Florence studies her it is apparent that she had lost a lot of weight. When she finally registeres Florence, she becomes hostile and says aggressively that she is alright. Having seen Nora for her check up only a few months ago she was now unrecognisable from the bright, intelligent chatty person Florence had known for many years.
When Nora failed to show up for an appointment to have her bloods checked, Florence decided to mention her concerns to Nora’s registered doctor. Dr Gubb, who although a very good doctor, and in spite of the of the many years he has spent in in general practice always sees the best in people, a view that borders on naivety. When Florence expresses her unease about Nora, and that she is thinking of paying her a home visit, he merely says ‘Excellent, I know I can rely on you,’ and off he goes.
When Florence parks outside Nora’s house the first thing she notices is that the garden, usually neat and well-kept, Nora being a keen gardener, is now unkempt and the lawn long and uncut. When there is no reply to her knock, she discovers the door unlocked door and entering smells cigarettes. She finds Nora sitting in a chair. Asking why she hadn’t kept her appointment at the surgery, Nora says ‘He told me not to go’. Enquiring who ‘he’ is, she says Ben, who looks after me. Further enquiry of Nora about Ben, brings forth no results, but then there he is. A big unshaven guy, who is clearly not pleased to see Florence. But Nora is pleased to see him!
Florence tries several avenues to try to establish who Ben is, and where he comes from. She tracks down Jack, Nora’s son, who is pleased that someone is helping his mother. She attempts to raise awareness of Nora’s situation and deterioration within the practice, but one seems to share her concerns.
Then Nora disappears.
As I read the book, I couldn’t fault Florence for the effort she put in to bring attention to the Nora’s situation. Everyone in the practice is busy juggling heavy caseloads, if someone is looking after a vulnerable old person that is good, isn’t it? But where is Nora Selleck?
This is a compelling read, and is highly recommended.
----
Reviewer: Lizzie Sirett.
January 21, 2023
I like Priscilla Master's books in general and have read all the series she has written. The plots and good and the characters engaging and relatable. I found this one bit hard to believe. It was complicated plot that went nowhere in the end. I have a nurse in my family and I know she never brings her work home as do all my nurse friends. Most nurses can leave their work at work. Unlike teachers who agonise over their jobs. I thought the character did all she could in the present medical climate and the rest was police job if they wanted to get involved and given that British police are more concerned with arresting those accused of thought crime. The rest was unconvincing.
July 3, 2026
I love the Joanna Piercy series and have read all of them. I had high hopes for Undue Influence because, well, it's Priscilla Masters and she is good! However, a large part of the book was over and over again how Nurse Shaw felt guilty and should have done more to help. It became quite tedious and I skipped when it was repeated. I bought the second book in the series and I don't know if I'll read it.
July 28, 2026
Undue Influence: A gripping crime thriller full of twists ( Florence Shaw Mysteries Book 1)
I read this book not thinking it would emerge into a very interesting crime thriller. The main character the nurse seemed to be just that. A divorced lonely nurse who loved job. But, somewhat into the next chapter all changed. To find out the really twisted tale that comes out in the end. Please read this series.
I read this book not thinking it would emerge into a very interesting crime thriller. The main character the nurse seemed to be just that. A divorced lonely nurse who loved job. But, somewhat into the next chapter all changed. To find out the really twisted tale that comes out in the end. Please read this series.
November 26, 2023
Good read. A bit confusing. Interesting look at the NHS
August 22, 2026
Captivating, love the characters
August 8, 2026
A bit of a hard pill to follow!
Sadly, I have to say this book was a bit of a drag to read. Whilst the concept is quite good I didn’t think it translated to the page. The character became more and more irritating as the story progressed and far too much descriptive text of the background and character of other cast members found me skip-reading big chunks so that I could move on with the plot. I’m afraid that book 2 will remain a mystery to me!
Sadly, I have to say this book was a bit of a drag to read. Whilst the concept is quite good I didn’t think it translated to the page. The character became more and more irritating as the story progressed and far too much descriptive text of the background and character of other cast members found me skip-reading big chunks so that I could move on with the plot. I’m afraid that book 2 will remain a mystery to me!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews