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Julia Blake Murder Mystery #4
A Secret Killer
Julia Blake runs a cleaning business. She also has an uncanny knack for discovering murdered people.In this story Julia visits one of her clients, a genealogist called Hugo Barnes. Hugo has uncovered a family secret during the course of his work. He tells Julia that the client won’t be happy about the secret he’s discovered.Julia finds Hugo’s dead body the next day. She makes her own investigations into Hugo’s death and soon discovers that his assistant, Dinah, and his brother, Gilbert have strong motives for killing him. Julia also finds out who the last client of Hugo’s was. Did they have a motive to kill Hugo too? And who is that man who’s been watching Julia’s house? Julia is determined to find out who killed Hugo Barnes.
213 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 13, 2015
354 people are currently reading
625 people want to read
About the author
Gillian Larkin
273 books110 followersI'm an avid fan of mystery stories. I started reading Agatha Christie novels at an early age. My favourite fiction detective is Poirot, I love his fussy ways and his attention to small details. I love the TV series, 'Murder She Wrote' and have watched every episode. I like working out who the killer is, and what the clues are.
I live near Leeds, Yorkshire, which is in the north of England. My two daughters live with me and they are understanding about my passion for mystery shows! I've now discovered 'Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries'.
I've been wanting to write my own mystery stories for years - and now I finally have.
You can visit my website, and connect with me. To get a free pdf copy of 'A Different Shade of Death', sign up to my newsletter.
You can also follow me at my Amazon author page.
I live near Leeds, Yorkshire, which is in the north of England. My two daughters live with me and they are understanding about my passion for mystery shows! I've now discovered 'Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries'.
I've been wanting to write my own mystery stories for years - and now I finally have.
You can visit my website, and connect with me. To get a free pdf copy of 'A Different Shade of Death', sign up to my newsletter.
You can also follow me at my Amazon author page.
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
February 9, 2018
Not the best cosy I've read but certainly not the worst by a long shot. This is the 4th in the Julia Blake series but requires no previous knowledge and works well as a standalone. The premise of being a private house cleaner works extremely well as to the finding of dead bodies - actually when you think of it, who better has access to everyone's little secrets?
The real strength of the series are the wonderfully warm characters. Yes, it can be a bit soppy at times, but think of it as an antidote to the harshness of current times. I absolutely luuuurve Julia's Dad - I can just imagine a typically bored male retiree taking up a host of classes and hobbies! And anyone who knits - and dislikes knitting snobs - is alright by me. The character of Cain is wonderfully endearing, even though you know an ex- prisoner wouldn't be like that in real life. I can just see all the old biddies fawn over him and foisting their fabulous cakes onto him. Plus seriously - who wouldn't like a bloke that loves cake that much - and shares!
A wonderful way to spend an hour or so relaxing and resting the "little grey cells".
The real strength of the series are the wonderfully warm characters. Yes, it can be a bit soppy at times, but think of it as an antidote to the harshness of current times. I absolutely luuuurve Julia's Dad - I can just imagine a typically bored male retiree taking up a host of classes and hobbies! And anyone who knits - and dislikes knitting snobs - is alright by me. The character of Cain is wonderfully endearing, even though you know an ex- prisoner wouldn't be like that in real life. I can just see all the old biddies fawn over him and foisting their fabulous cakes onto him. Plus seriously - who wouldn't like a bloke that loves cake that much - and shares!
A wonderful way to spend an hour or so relaxing and resting the "little grey cells".
June 25, 2018
Julia wins again, very good story!
December 3, 2019
Great book
As always loved Gillian Larkin and her writing!! Will for sure recommend this book and author to everyone!! Thanks again for the great read!!!
As always loved Gillian Larkin and her writing!! Will for sure recommend this book and author to everyone!! Thanks again for the great read!!!
April 18, 2024
In the beginning, I wasn't too thrilled about the book; it seemed like it might just drag on without much excitement. However, to my pleasant surprise, things took an interesting turn. The story delves into murder, second chances, and sheds light on how people can be deceiving, revealing that one's background or wealth doesn't necessarily define them. It beautifully emphasises the significance of having people who believe in you and support you. For me it was quick read, and as I turned the pages, a myriad of thoughts swirled in my mind. If you're in the mood for a cozy read, I'd definitely recommend it!
April 20, 2020
My first cozy mystery and I really enjoyed it. Good characters and the story flowed nicely.
January 27, 2020
This was a quick, easy read that held my attention throughout the book. I liked the book's short chapters because I like to finish at least one chapter each time I open my Kindle to read.
I was surprised that none of Julia's clients objected to having a convict in his or her home. I didn't agree with Julia's reasoning about whether or not William could possibly be the guilty one. Would he have told his secret life story to Julia and Cain if he had been worried about Hugo revealing that secret?
I found three typos: look for looked, went for want, and ending for ended. One other usage I don't agree with although it is becoming rather common: references to "the killer" later in the sentence as "with them", "as they", and "which cup they" (all switching from singular to plural).
I was surprised that none of Julia's clients objected to having a convict in his or her home. I didn't agree with Julia's reasoning about whether or not William could possibly be the guilty one. Would he have told his secret life story to Julia and Cain if he had been worried about Hugo revealing that secret?
I found three typos: look for looked, went for want, and ending for ended. One other usage I don't agree with although it is becoming rather common: references to "the killer" later in the sentence as "with them", "as they", and "which cup they" (all switching from singular to plural).
October 25, 2019
This was a kindle freebie.
I liked the characters, which is most important in a cozy. Language was clean and no sexual content, not even romance, at least at this point.
It wasn't difficult to guess the killer, but it wasn't ultra obvious either, and it made sense, in context, who the killer was.
Light and easy to read, I noticed one typo, a minor annoyance, but as the word that was wanted was obvious it didn't pose too much of a distraction. There may have been more but I didn't notice.
I enjoyed the book and will look into her other writings - well I got a group of 6 freebies from kindle, so why not? And I may delve into one or more of the series more deeply.
This is the fourth book. I haven't read the first three.
I liked the characters, which is most important in a cozy. Language was clean and no sexual content, not even romance, at least at this point.
It wasn't difficult to guess the killer, but it wasn't ultra obvious either, and it made sense, in context, who the killer was.
Light and easy to read, I noticed one typo, a minor annoyance, but as the word that was wanted was obvious it didn't pose too much of a distraction. There may have been more but I didn't notice.
I enjoyed the book and will look into her other writings - well I got a group of 6 freebies from kindle, so why not? And I may delve into one or more of the series more deeply.
This is the fourth book. I haven't read the first three.
May 4, 2018
Julia cleans homes and finds bodies.
Julia is a house cleaner and hires a newly released con to help her. Her customers are very loyal and like to follow her escapades and immediately like young Cain Andrews, her new helper. On their second day together they come across the body of their first customer of the day. Hugo was a famous genealogist and was researching deeply into his clients past. What could possibly cause him to be murdered? Cain, fresh out of prison, is a perfect suspect. Even though his fingerprints are on everything what was his motive. Can Julia find the real killer?
Julia is a house cleaner and hires a newly released con to help her. Her customers are very loyal and like to follow her escapades and immediately like young Cain Andrews, her new helper. On their second day together they come across the body of their first customer of the day. Hugo was a famous genealogist and was researching deeply into his clients past. What could possibly cause him to be murdered? Cain, fresh out of prison, is a perfect suspect. Even though his fingerprints are on everything what was his motive. Can Julia find the real killer?
May 9, 2025
I loved the addition of Cain as her worker. His story made you want to give him a hug or comfort him. So many people were kind but of course some were so hateful towards him. That’s what lands him as the murder suspect. One persons hate can destroy another. Hugo sounded like a great guy. I’m sorry he was killed by someone who just didn’t want their secret out. I never even guessed the real killer. It was a shock at the end.
January 12, 2018
Love this book,kept me reading all the morning,some funny moments,love
The dad,hhh,him knitting ,et cooking ,hhhhh.a very soft et touching book.
Plots thickens as u go,really something u would see in murder she wrote.
A very good read,don't like to give information will spoil the whole fun of finding a good read on great Friday day off.love Cain,my favorite character .
The dad,hhh,him knitting ,et cooking ,hhhhh.a very soft et touching book.
Plots thickens as u go,really something u would see in murder she wrote.
A very good read,don't like to give information will spoil the whole fun of finding a good read on great Friday day off.love Cain,my favorite character .
January 5, 2020
I have read several of Gillian Larkin's books but I enjoy the ones about Ray and Cain the best and this was really good as it explained how Cain came into the story. I can't wait for the next one. I also really enjoy the ones with the antique store and brother and sister. Whatever she writes I'm interested in reading. Keep up the good work.
November 7, 2022
I liked the characters and the story was interesting. I wondered why one character decided so quickly that Cain was the murderer, and didn't realize until near the end what his purpose was. I did find a little unusual that none of Julia's clients was uneasy with a convicted felon in their houses, since they didn't know him.
April 4, 2018
This was a fun read.
The characters were interesting. Plenty of unexpected twists and turns in the lives of the main characters. I couldn’t put it down for long. Had to get back to see what happened next. The end took me by surprise.
The characters were interesting. Plenty of unexpected twists and turns in the lives of the main characters. I couldn’t put it down for long. Had to get back to see what happened next. The end took me by surprise.
August 12, 2019
A different approach to Julia Blake mystery
In this installment, Julia hires a cleaning assistant. Soon afterwards, a client is found dead and the assistant is arrested for murder. DI Clarke has a lower profile in this story, but a satisfactory conclusion is reached.
In this installment, Julia hires a cleaning assistant. Soon afterwards, a client is found dead and the assistant is arrested for murder. DI Clarke has a lower profile in this story, but a satisfactory conclusion is reached.
September 9, 2019
I love the sense of family & loyalty she weaves into the the storyline making you see how she is shaping the base of characters that will be working to solve the murder mystery. The everyday job that turns into amateur detective hunting for the “right” killer! Great read!
September 25, 2019
Great, great story... read this! You won't be disappointed. She keeps you guessing all the way through.
I highly recommend taking a day or two to read to the end. I kept changing my mind on ' who done it'
I highly recommend taking a day or two to read to the end. I kept changing my mind on ' who done it'
June 6, 2017
Cute fast reading little mystery
August 22, 2017
great
I really enjoyed the book, I really like the fact that it kept me interested to the end, I never knew who was the killer.It was a good read. thanks
I really enjoyed the book, I really like the fact that it kept me interested to the end, I never knew who was the killer.It was a good read. thanks
February 28, 2018
Really good
Really good book. What mystery clear to the end. Love this type of book where the guilty gets caught by the so called
Really good book. What mystery clear to the end. Love this type of book where the guilty gets caught by the so called
March 23, 2018
A good book with interesting characters. Good storyline.
April 4, 2018
Silent Killer
I love British mysteries and this was a good one. Mrs. Blake is a super sleuth . Quick read just as I like. I can hardly wait for the next one! Keep writing!
I love British mysteries and this was a good one. Mrs. Blake is a super sleuth . Quick read just as I like. I can hardly wait for the next one! Keep writing!
September 2, 2018
Enjoyed reading the story. I found it entertaining and an easy read. I enjoy stories written in the first person. I will be reading more by Gillian Larkin.
December 2, 2018
Read this one
A delightful read - couldn't put it down. I'll be looking for more books be Gillian Larkin. Great book for a Zu day afternoon.
A delightful read - couldn't put it down. I'll be looking for more books be Gillian Larkin. Great book for a Zu day afternoon.
February 3, 2019
"Predictable"
Very little to add to the headline. Another formulaic cozy mystery. Good for its genre and great for the fans. Not my cup of tea.
Very little to add to the headline. Another formulaic cozy mystery. Good for its genre and great for the fans. Not my cup of tea.
March 26, 2019
Good
This book takes place in England and there law enforcement officers are differ from the U.S.A. This women gets envoled.
This book takes place in England and there law enforcement officers are differ from the U.S.A. This women gets envoled.
April 30, 2019
Fun Clean Murders
As a fellow cleaning lady. These are fun to read. I hope to never come a crossed a murder victim, ever.
As a fellow cleaning lady. These are fun to read. I hope to never come a crossed a murder victim, ever.
June 13, 2019
I enjoyed this short cozy. The plot wasn't too complicated but I enjoyed the unexpected twist at the end. Wasn't the outcome I was expecting. An enjoyable read.
December 28, 2019
Enjoyable read! Definitely better than the three books that preceded it.
February 9, 2020
The story dialogue is simplistic. The characters are somewhat likable but not developed well. It’s not as engaging as some cozy mysteries but it’s a nice quick read.
February 26, 2020
Cute cozy. Despite being 4th in the series didn’t seem like I needed to read earlier ones to have a knowledge of the character.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews