Requiem Mass

DCI Andrew Fenwick #1

by Elizabeth Corley

When young mother Debbie Fearnside goes missing, police interest is minimal. Then DCI Andrew Fenwick notices a curious set of coincidences with the case of Kate Johnstone and it becomes clear that they have both been murdered in revenge for a long-forgotten death.

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Thriller, Fiction, Audiobook, Suspense, Procedural

437 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Elizabeth Corley was born and brought up in West Sussex. Married with a stepdaughter, she manages to balance her crime-writing with a position as Chief Executive, Europe for a global investment company. A one-time committee member and vice-chairperson of the Crime Writers' Association, she is still an active member, while finding time to pursue her outside interests of travel, gardening and music.

Reviews

[Danni Z · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was intrigued by the abstract when I first picked up this book. It promised an intricate mystery entwined in secrets. I was disappointed to find it slow-paced, dragged out, and lacking suspense. At points I even considered moving onto another book.

The culprit is showcased from the start, there's no real mystery to how he commits his crimes, and the overarching secret connecting everything is rather bland. In fact, the entire book is told in a bland fashion. Perhaps it was going for a realistic feel. For me, it was a little too realistic. Pages and pages were dedicated to mundane procedural activities and at least a dozen times, the case seems to come to a standstill with no progress. It felt like the book came to a standstill too!

[Plum-crazy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read, the first in the DCI Fenwick series & one which sees Fenwick & his trusty DS trying to track a killer as he tries to pick off four women who may... or may not... have been "involved" in the death of a schoolfriend some twenty years before.

The story follows the killers planning, abductions & murders of the women & of course, the endeavours of Fenwick & co to bring him to justice. Things move pretty steadily throughout, it's not an action packed murder mystery & while it builds to a reasonable climax it isn't of the nail biting, heart-thumping variety.

Overall, it's a good, fairly solid tale with characters that give scope for development & will potentially grow on you. My only criticism is, like the later books (yes, I've been reading out of order yet again!), it is a bit on the long side, although it didn't feel padded out unnecessarily. Book 4 is already sat on TBR mountain waiting to be read.....

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a Colombo-type, British police-procedural: the reader knows what's going on before the detective, so we watch as he closes in on the bad guy.
The problem is that the last third of the book drags on for too long. After a while, what we know becomes something the police should have figured out way before they do. And an aspect of the murderer's character seemed to come out of left field and skewed the story line.
Regardless, the sleuth, a British Detective Chief Inspector, is extremely compelling, as is his situation. I will be looking out for the next book in the series for that reason, and because the first two-thirds of this book were un-put-downable.

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the story and it's progression but this book is just so damn long which halted my enjoyment on several occasions. I felt it could have lost about 100 pages and not lost anything just gained momentum. I felt we were given too much unnecessary detail. I enjoyed the end though (when I finally got there!)

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Detective Fenwick is on the case of a missing woman when the bloody murder of a school teacher occurs.
It takes investigating skills to come up with who and why. For a mystery book - it went on and on. Shoukd
have cut at least 100 pages.

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not overly about this one...you could see where the plot was going long before DCI Fenwick did...and there was enough unethical behavior on his part to be distasteful...won't be looking for the next one in the series.

[aprilla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sometimes I thought i was enjoying it but overall, not so much. Won't be continuing the series

[Jeannie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was out of the ordinary reading for me--I rarely read crime novels. However, I was intrigued by the title, and it was a book being cast off by the local library, so I didn't have to be concerned about when I turned it back in. I started reading right away, and because i was not used to crime stories, I was not bothered by the things people have complained about (length, lack of mystery about "who-dun-it", etc.) In fact I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I liked that it was long enough for me to revel in, I liked the characterizations about the women who had been girls together, and the slowly developing story of their time together. I would never have guessed Ms Anderson to be the final one to be hunted down, and all that that meant. And the development of the killer's mindset was not fully formed, only his methods and his plan. I was glad that the method was not as gruesome in the later instances as in the first. Believable? I don't know, I guess so. It is set in rural England and around London. So that was another plus for me--learning a bit more about how people relate and act there. All in all, I would recommend this book, but for those who are squeamish. The use of the Requiem Mass as Part headings was interesting, and consistent with the writing.

[VickiLee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Through the insightfulness of a police detective who is returning to work after dealing with his wife’s attempted suicide, parallels are seen in the death and injury of four women.

The novel focuses on the decades old death of a young woman who, While enjoying herself with friends on a school outing to coastal area, tripped and fell off a cliff to her death. Everyone was confused by what happened and how.

Twenty years later it appears revenge is being taken on the survivors of that day. I found the novel lacking in tight suspense and it meandered a little too wide for me. I was never fully certain about why the killer was as driven as he was. Reasons are offered but they didn’t seem to click as viable.

This is the first in a series and the main character has potential but I’m not sure I will pursue any of the other novels.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Requiem Mass by Elizabeth Corley
Andrew Fenwick series Book #1
3.5 ★'s

What's It About?
When young mother Debbie Fearnside goes missing, police interest is minimal. Then DCI Andrew Fenwick notices a curious set of coincidences with the case of murder victim Kate Johnstone. It becomes clear they have both been murdered, revenge for a long-forgotten death.

What I Think?
It doesn't carry much of a surprise. It is the first book in the series and I know they can sometimes be a bit awkward but there was just some points that were a bit fuzzy and not cleared up very well. I have read the second book and found that it's plot was more tightly construed. I still need to post the review for it but I will give this series the chance that I feel it deserves.

[Lisa Arnold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Began really well and enjoyed the early police procedurals and the development of the lead character, Andrew Fenwick but it kind of ran out of steam midway through and the ending was a bit predictable. I would read more by this author as the writing is imaginative and the descriptions of the way the music makes the listener feel were fantastic but still has a bit to learn about building the suspense and a few of the clues were a bit too blatant so the reader knows what is happening before the detective. Not the best book I have ever read but a long way from the worst 7/10.

[Lu Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally a book I can get into! I have read a few too many chick-lit's lately which are not my thing. I thought it was time to get back into my old favourites - crime thrillers. This books did not disappoint. It was fast paced and with enough twists in the plot to keep you guessing until the end. I kept deciding on who the 'bad guy' was, then changing my mind again! Would like to read more by this author.

[Susan Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a London suburb, a woman was meticulously trapped, kidnapped and killed. DCI Andrew Fenwick, just back from leave to care for and then bury his mentally ill wife, is looking into old cases to ease in his return to work. Then another woman in the same suburb is brutally murdered. There are no miraculous revelations here - just hard, gritty detective work. It provides a good story. And, is the first of a series featuring Fenwick.

[Bryngel · Rating 2 out of 5]

A rather bland story that dragged on and on and on and on and also, they could easily have edited away at least 100 pages because it felt like I had read over 500 pages when I hadn't reached longer than approximately 100. That is not a good sign. And when the book finally did end, all I could think of was that it was finally over and do the yaaay dance.

[JRT · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can think of a number of popular authors that while acclaimed and are decent writers in this genre, do not have the talent that this author exhibits in this , her first novel. Outstanding novel in this genre,a real pleasure to read . If you like a book that is so engaging that you you can’t put it down, this is certainly one for you . Most enjoyable .

[Irmi Willcockson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read for a first book in the series. Variety of complex characters. DCI Fenwick has just enough baggage to be believable, although some of his actions are predictable. Final resolution satisfyingly tied up loose ends. Looking forward to reading more by this author!

[Kristi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another book in need of an editor - it takes forever to get the the denouement!!! Not a bad first book in a series, may give DCI Andrew Fenwick another chance. I am never fond when military assassins are part of the story line. Kristi & Abby Tabby

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

An unknown killer is murdering a group of British women who are connected through their prep boarding school and an accident twenty years ago. Written by a British writer with lots of British expressions. Characters not developed very well and story not very believable

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This should be very high to read on anyone's Crime list. Superb opening novel for Fenwick I look forward to reading more of his cases!

[Stephanie Thompson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just started listening to the audio book. I got the sense the violence may be too much for me - I like cozy. I read the reviews and decided not to go on. I might try book number 2.

[Mayo.More · Rating 3 out of 5]

Może czytanie kryminałów to nie moja bajka, ale to książka, przez którą nie mogłam przebrnąć LATAMI. Strasznie oporna w czytaniu. Przynudzająca. Ale historia nie jest zła.

[Kristen Sloan]

Good read. Interesting twist at the end. Will get another book by this author.

[Mr John · Rating 5 out of 5]

See earlier for 5th book

See earlier for 5th book. Another splendidly written book I slightly wish I’d read before the 5th, but now excited to read 2,3, and 4!

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was such a slog. A great idea for a story but badly executed. Dry, slow and too much police chat. Not for me unfortunately.

[gardienne_du_feu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eine Hausfrau und zweifache Mutter verschwindet spurlos nach einem Termin für ein Fotoshooting. Wenig später wird eine Musiklehrerin brutal in ihrer Schule ermordet.

Chief Inspector Andrew Fenwick kehrt zu diesem Zeitpunkt an seinen Arbeitsplatz zurück, nachdem er wegen schwerwiegender familiärer Probleme eine Zeitlang freigestellt war. Während ihm sein ungeliebter Vorgesetzter ständig querschießt, versucht Fenwick mit seinem Assistenten Cooper, Klarheit in den Fall zu bringen.

Es stellt sich heraus, dass es in der Vergangenheit der beiden Frauen eine Gemeinsamkeit gibt, dass beide Zeuginnen waren, wie eine gemeinsame Freundin tödlich verunglückte. Sind jetzt weitere Augenzeuginnen des Vorfalls in Gefahr? Was verbirgt die undurchsichtige Hausfrau Leslie Smith? Und welche Rolle spielt die gefeierte Opernsängerin Octavia Anderson, die ausgerechnet jetzt zu einem Konzert wieder in ihrer Heimat weilt?

Ein spannender englischer Krimi für alle Fans der frühen Elizabeth George - obwohl das Privatleben des sympathischen Ermittlers durchaus eine Rolle spielt, liegt der Fokus doch auf der Polizeiarbeit und den psychologischen Hintergründen der Tat. Einige zunächst zusammenhanglos wirkende Handlungsfäden verknüpfen sich mit der Zeit auf logische Weise. Die eine oder andere Stelle hätte man womöglich ein wenig straffen können, die atemberaubende Steigerung zum Schluss hin lässt diese Kleinigkeiten aber vergessen. Genial fand ich hier die Verflechtung des Geschehens mit den Texten, Melodien und Emotionen einer Aufführung von Verdis "Requiem".

Ein Schuss Lokalkolorit macht die Geschichte authentisch, die Charaktere sind glaubwürdig gezeichnet, und Fenwick ist ein Hauptdarsteller, von dem ich gerne noch mehr lesen möchte.

[Best Crime Books & More · Rating 4 out of 5]

We meet DCI Andrew Fenwick who is back to work following the break up of his marriage under awful circumstances. He is trying to manage his family on his own with the help of his mother when he goes back to work and is given the mundane task of desk duty. Before long he moves on to a new case which takes him away from the desk and straight into the firing line. It involves five school friends who twenty years earlier were on a school trip when tragedy struck and one of those girls was killed in a freak accident. He has the help of WDC Louise Nightingale and Cooper who both prove to be valuable assets to the case. When Fenwick, Nightingale and Cooper realise that the women involved are now on a hit list they have to race against time to try and track down the man responsible before all of these women become victims. Will they manage to do it or will Fenwick's next call be a to attend a new murder scene? I enjoyed this book and felt that I got to know the characters Fenwick along with his two officers working on the case with him, Nightingale and Cooper. However if I am honest I struggled a couple of times where the book got quite detailed (hence the 4 star, although if I could it would have been 4.5 out of 5) but it didn't deter me and I finished the book with a sense of satisfaction. Corley is very detailed in her descriptions of crime scened which both thrilled and scared me in equal measures. I am a fan of crime authors that use the same characters and create a series so I am pleases I have found a new author. I already have the next Corley/Fenwick book lined up which I have already started.

[zendegy · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a 3.5. One of my favorite things about this book, is that there is not one amazing detective who figures it all out and finds the villain. Several police personnel play a part in solving the crime, and both effort and serendipity do play a part, as is so often true in life.
There is well considered detail in just the right amount to give shape to the characters and the relationships between them are realistic.
The mystery itself is a bit far-fetched. Okay, a lot. And I just cannot begin to tell you how utterly sick I am of serial killers. Why is it no longer enough to kill one person?! It just seems like too many writers of police procedurals (which I LOVE) feel like one murder is never enough. Frankly, multiple murders sort of wear out my will to care and they just are not the norm (thankfully). Though, who knows? With so many books and movies about them, perhaps serial killing will just keep growing in popularity everywhere...

[El · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in the DCI Andrew Fenwick series and details some pretty explicit and gory murders. The clues lead back to a group of schoolgirls and a sudden death 20 years before and Fenwick is pitted against a seemingly invincible and ruthless perpetrator. If you can suspend your disbelief over the occasional copper's hunch, coincidence, lucky break, etc, this is a very good read, gripping and interesting right to the end with its twist in the tale. One strange point. Elizabeth Corley, for me, writes men better than she writes women who are often vaguely sketched in the book while the men are much more realistic.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started with the murder of a school girl twenty years ago. The murderer was Olivia - now an opera singer - who was competing with the victim for a music scholarship.

Present time - the cousin of the murder victim decided to kill each of the girls who were with Carol (the victim) since he feels each of them had some responsibility for the murder.
Fenwick - the detective - realized that all the murders are connected. Climax takes place in a church during a performance of Verdi's requiem mass where Olivia , the famous opera singer is the guest of honor.

Good characters, good character development, complicated and well put togother plot.
Kind of reminds me of Midsomer Murders.

[Wendy Hearder-moan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book in the series, but I had read the second previously, so it filled in some gaps for me. Additionally, I found it useful to go back and read some parts when I finished the third volume. It's a good book and it establishes Inspector Fenwick as a policeman with human failings as well as many strong points. However I still find some of the plot details a bit fuzzy -- probably the fault of the reader rather than the writer.