Surm õunapuu all

Sukey Reynolds #7

by Betty Rowlands, Piret Lemetti (Translator), Mari Tuuling (Editor)

Suvepidu uhkes häärberis on täies hoos, kui uhkete küpsete viljade all lookas õunapuu alt leitakse laip.
Sukey Reynolds naudib hilissuvist päikesepaistet, teeb pikki jalutuskäike Cotswoldi küngastel ja naudib sealseid vaateid. Ent kui ta kutsutakse pildistama kuriteopaika päevinäinud maamõisas, muutus soe suvepäev ootamatult jäiseks.
Sukey leiab kaunist aias uhke mõisa juhataja Una May surnukeha. Kõik näitavad näpuga mõisa ägedaloomulisele omanikule, rikkale lordile, keda kuuldi Unaga samal hommikul tülitsemas?
Kas see jõukas mees on tõepoolest mädaõun selles kaunis puuviljaaias?
Pidu pidi tähistama mõisa asukaid ja töötajaid kujutava maali valmimist. Kui lõuend leitakse ribadeks lõigutuna, keskendub politsei mõisaomanikule, kuid Sukey meelest ei ole mees süüdi ja ta otsustab ise pisut asja uurida. Milline naeratavates nnägudest uuel maalil varjab kurikaela: naistemehest lord, ennast täis kunstnik või hoopis murtud südamega majapidajanna?
Uurimisest hoolimata ei ole Sukey Una May tapja leidmisele sammugi lähemal, kuni leiab puuviljaaiast poriga määritud kingapaari. Kuna politsei on veendunud, et tapja on tabatud, peab Sukey ise selle jahmatava loo lahendama. Aga selleks, et leida mürgiõunu poetavat tapjat, peab ta sügavamale aeda astuma …

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Cozy Mystery, Crime

234 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Betty Rowlands is an member of the Crime Writers' Association and appears on panels at writers' conferences.

Reviews

[PamG]

Death under the Apple Tree by Betty Rowlands is a cozy mystery, but it is also a police procedural. While this is the seventh book in the series, it worked as a standalone. However, I believe it would add even more to the enjoyment of the novel if I had read books one through six first.

The novel takes place in England and is extremely well-written. The characters have depth as well as great personalities (both good and bad). Additionally, the author does a great job with helping the reader to visualize the various scenes.

Sukey Reynolds is one of the crime scene investigators and her boyfriend is DI Jim Castle. On the personal side, Sukey’s son, Fergus, is starting his courses at the university and Jim still doesn’t want to be very public about their relationship at work..

For the mystery, both the police and CSI are called to Sir Digby’s countryside manor due to a murder. Sometime during a garden party and after a painting reveal, Una May, the estate manager, is killed. Who did it? Why? Will the killing stop at one? Sukey gets drawn into helping to solve the crimes that are committed in this story.

I thoroughly enjoyed the character interactions as well as the assortment of personalities. There are a few twists in the story line which includes murder, relationships, art reproductions and so much more. I recommend this book to those that enjoy cozy mysteries and I look forward to reading more of this series.

Many thanks to Bookouture, Betty Rowlands and Net Galley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.

[Denise]

CSI Sukey Reynolds is called to Muckleton Manor to process the scene of a murder. The owner, wealthy businessman, Sir Digby Kirtling, had been entertaining a party after the unveiling of a commissioned copy of a famous painting. The dead woman, Una May, works for Digby and had been out in the garden when she was strangled. All the party guests are questioned and it appears that Digby Kirtling is the most obvious suspect, especially after forensic examination reveals a motive. Sukey, of course, isn't buying the simple solution and has her own ideas -- especially when the housekeeper, Miranda Keene asks Sukey to do what she does best -- a little snooping on her own.
There's more to come as secrets and alliances come to light. NO SPOILERS.

I love this series and this was another good one that focuses on Sukey's job and amateur sleuthing as well as on the investigation aspects performed by the Gloucester police, specifically her boyfriend, DI Jim Castle and his team. These characters are all well known the the reader who has started this series from the beginning and it's always a treat to revisit them as each has a fully developed personality and story line of their own. I love their interactions and the detail about the setting so beautifully described in each book. I can't wait to read the next one to see how Sukey develops in her personal and professional life. The writing is excellent and this is a very fast read with some surprises along the way.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review.

[Janet]

A summer garden party is in full swing at a grand old house, but under an apple a body is discovered.
In the charming orchard, Sukey Reynolds has to photograph & process evidence surrounding the body of estate manager Una May. All fingers are pointed at the tempestuous owner of the house, a self made man who was overheard arguing with Una that morning
The party was supposed to celebrate a painting of the residents and staff. When the picture is found slashed, the police close in on the owner, but Sukey is sure they are barking up the wrong tree, and she decides to do a bit of snooping. Despite her sleuthing, Sukey is no closer to catching Una May’s killer, then a young girl goes missing.
I’m totally hooked on these murder mysteries. I love Sukey & how she can’t resist betting involved to the annoyance of Jim Castle & DCI Lord. I love the red herrings thrown in the way. Sukey is always in the right & sometimes wrong place at the right time. Each of the books is very easily read on its own but there is the thread of Sukey’s home life running through the books, her relationship both with Fergus & Jim also is riveting. Another well written, very well paced book with strong believable characters that drew me in from start to finish
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

[Els]

After a pause I am back reading this series. I am always looking forward to a new adventure with Sukey as the main character, her son Fergus and the police team. 

Sukey is a wonderful person. She is a SOCO or CSI as they are named now and she always manages to find out a lot more about the cases than the CID. I suppose it's due to her warm personality and the fact she is not a police officer that makes people open up to her. Not only that though. She has the ability to put two and two together and come up with four actually. On the other hand she manages often to find herself in the worst possible situations.

Fergus is like his mom. He also has a clear view on facts and often does very clever suggestions.

And then there is Jim. He is DI and Sukey's for some not so secret boyfriend. He always worries when she sniffs around the cases and warns her not to interfere. But problems often seem to find Sukey in stead of the other way around. I sometimes like him and sometimes I don't. I don't like the way he treats Sukey. He blows hot and cold and only when he needs something he seems to know the way to her house. Time for Sukey to put him straight perhaps?

This author writes cosy mystery stories and they are great. This time though the book did not bring me the same reading pleasure they usually do. I don't know why this is. Maybe it was the subject that did not really do it for me, because the writing and storytelling was still very good. Somehow though it did not suck me in. 

It was still very enjoyable, but I am sorry to say it was my least favorite up till now. 4 stars

Thank you

[Tracy Wood]

This will be published as 'Death Under the Apple Tree

Things are changing for Sukey Reynolds, her son is off to university and her job has changed from Scene of Crime Officer to Crime Scene Investigator. Neither of these are going to stop her getting over involved once again when she is called to document the crime scene at a manor house deep in the countryside.

All the main characters, who have become so familiar, are here again, her son, even though he is now living in a nearby town, still wants to know what she's doing to help find out what happened, while her lover,  DI Jim Castle, absolutely doesn't!

Once again I loved this book from Ms Rowlands, they are like sitting with an old friend and catching up with all her news. As soon as I finish one of her books I am looking forward to the next.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an unbiased review and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys this series of books or cosy crime stories, as they never disappoint.

[Fiona Wilson]

I read this in one sitting on a lovely summers day while on holiday and was instantly transported to the setting the author was writing about.

Well written, great characters, instantly drew me in and kept me there until the very end.

[Sharon Thomas]

Great read

There is a murder at the unveiling of a piece of art at Sir Digby's manor. It takes lots of turns and you want to think it's several different people. I was surprised at the end

[Michelle Debnam]

Yet again another murder mystery that leaves you wanting more

[K.J. Sweeney]

The only problem with this Sukey Reynolds series is that I am running out of ways to say how much I am enjoying them. Not that that is going to stop me from writing these reviews or reading the books for that matter. There is something that is just so enjoyable about the series. The characters of course help. Over the course of the previous six books, we've seen Sukey's son Gus turn from a young teenager to a young man who is off to University in this book. Her relationship with Jim Castle has rumbled along quietly, with moments of passion for our amateur detective in-between the odd bout of disapproval for her snooping ways. I did wonder if they were going to move to a more permanent arrangement now that Gus is away at university, but that doesn't seem to have happened as yet.
The mystery this time was not one that I was able to solve. Sometimes I seem to get there long before Sukey has a clue, but this time I was completely in the dark. The important thing with a murder mystery for me isn't my ability to solve it or not, but really how well it works and how easy the solution is. Fortunately, in this series, the mystery is believable and never too obvious.
I'm keen to read the next book and find out what is in store for Sukey. Will she finally become a detective for real? Will Jim finally be willing to be more open about their relationship? Will Gus become so skilled through his university course that he can solve all of the mysteries for them? I can't wait to find out.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Joyce]

4 stars

This book is another great entry into the Sukey Reynolds series by Betty Rowlands.

Sukey's son Fergus is off to university. Throughout the series we have seen him grow up and develop into a fine young man. ( I miss him and his interactions with DI Castle and his mom already.) Sukey's relationship with DI Castle is still going strong even though he still gets exasperated at her getting too involved in cases.

This time she is called to the stately home of Sir Digby. There are been an art show and after the show the estate manager named Una May has been found dead. Of course Sukey can't help but go above and beyond her normal duties in the case.

Who could the killer be? The owner of the manor was seen to be arguing with Una that same morning. But there are more suspects as well: an artist and a housekeeper among others.

As another reviewer stated, I am running out of ways to praise Ms. Rowlands' work. Her characters are likable (for the most part), and interesting. The reader wants to get to know them better. This little cozy/police procedural is well written and plotted. Ms. Rowlands has obviously thought carefully about the story. Her stories are entertaining and read quickly. I look forward to the next in the series. Perhaps now that Fergus has gone away to university, Jim and Sukey's relationship will really take off!

I want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for forwarding to me a copy of this great book for me to read, enjoy and review.

[Mirandabythebook]

3.5/5 stars for Death under the Apple Tree by Betty Rowlands.

So- let me first start off by stating that I am a silly girl and didn’t realize that before I requested a copy to review on Netgalley that this was the 7th book in a series…. Whoops! Regardless, I thought this was a solid read that was easy and quick! Nice light reading for the summer!
The setting of the story is England (I love Brit Lit) and it is very well-written. The character development was great, which played into my higher rating. However, I didn’t think the overall plot was all that interesting. It was the setting and the character development that bumped up my rating on this one.

The story centers around a crime scene investigator, Sukey Reynolds, and her boyfriend, DI Jim Castle. They are called to a Sir Digby’s countryside manor in response to a murder and it is later discovered that the victim is the estate manager. This is a typical “who-dunnit” mystery and not a ton of suspense/thrill (my two favorite elements). My rating probably suffered because of my own bias and predilection towards psychological thrillers. I would recommend this one if you love traditional mystery novels!

[Linda]

🍎A womanizing 🖼art collector: could Digby be a murderer too?!🤔
4.5 🌟stars
👍🔎My second read in this Sukey Reynolds mystery series, I found the plot good, the murder mystery twisted enough to keep me guessing through most of the book. The rural setting and the author's ability to describe the early fall landscape also set up an idyllic backdrop for the sad violence that ensues.

🔍 As cozy mystery heroines go, this single mom with a well-adjusted, inquisitive son, now off to university, is appealing. She's almost unflappable and not ready to let her police inspector boyfriend allow her to dictate her actions (no matter how much he wants to). And she seems to attract the confidences of the friends, neighbors, colleagues and family of murder victims and suspects alike, all to the good of finding the culprit who eludes the police. Go, Sukey!

😊 I totally enjoyed this story and will definitely look out for more by Betty Rowlands.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book provided through NetGalley; this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Debra Dowling]

Another Great Sukey Reynolds Mystery.
This book is #7 in the series, but can be read independently. However the characters relationships are developed over the course of the series.
Here Sukey finds herself photographing evidence of a murder of a woman found to be pregnant. As the clues unravel, Sukey is left feeling that something is missing but cannot figure out what it is. Suddenly a second murder occurs. This time it is a young girl who happens to be friends with Sukey's son, Fergus. Having just met and spoken to the young girl, Sukey is upset and cannot understand how her murder fits in to all that is happening. Can she solve the mystery before she herself is killed? Because once again Sukey's nosing around has gotten her into a very sticky situation.
As usual, Betty Rowlands delivered a great mystery with some twists and turns, some interesting characters, and a well developed plot. I highly recommend this book and the whole series.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Susan]

Well, I am getting tired of Sukey cooking for Gus and Jim all the time. Wasn't Gus the boy who was so helpful at the beginning of the series? Now he just expects mom to cook at his demand. And Jim is even worse. A grown man who calls and asks if he can come over to be fed. Really? These are contemporary stories. They all have cell phones. We aren't talking about the 1940s. My own obsession with how Sukey is constantly placed in the kitchen performing domestic activities, despite having a full time job with the police, is starting to cloud my view of the series. Jim's continued hovering over her and fearing for her safety is getting tiresome as well. I appreciate the sentiment but he really needs to back off. Maybe Sukey can whack him with the spatula she keeps cooking his meals with? As for the story, it was a bit convoluted but came together nicely at the end. Now if Sukey can actually solve a crime instead of mistakenly stumble on the villian!

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.

[Cozy Reviews]

This is the 7th book in the series. I have read the entire series and enjoyed each book. I highly recommend this series for your reading enjoyment. Each mystery is well crafted with a strong sleuth.
Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My opinion is my own.

A summer garden party was in process when a murder occurred. The party was celebrating a painting and the painting was found slashed . Sukey Reynolds, the police photographer has to photograph & process evidence surrounding the body of estate manager Una May. The owner of the house was overheard arguing with Una that morning and is suspect number one. Sukey decides to do a bit of her own inquiries as she does not believe the owner is guilty. Clues point her in other directions.

I love this series for the smart savvy protagonist Sukey Reynolds. The setting of a village in England is always charming and the sleuth is very well done to conclusion. Another winning mystery by the author in this beloved series.

[LittleRead]

CSI Sukey Reynolds is called to a murder at an estate where a young woman is murdered during a garden party. When it turns out the young girl had been arguing with the lord of the manor, Sir Digby, the police believe he is guilty. While the man’s housekeeper/lover believes he is innocent, Sukey believes the police are right and the evidence leads right back to Sir Digby.

Shortly thereafter, when the housekeeper’s niece is reported missing, the police are looking at Sir Digby for a second murder. Though Sukey doesn’t believe the police have the right man this time, though she can’t exactly point to the guilty party. But will Sukey figure it out or will a guilty person get off the hook for murder?

Betty Rowland is the mistress of cozy whodunits and I am so glad that Bookouture is republishing the original Sukey Reynolds series with new titles. I simply cannot wait for the next book in the series to be released. This is a fantastic

[Mitch]

Death under the apple tree is the 7th book involving Sukey Reynolds a single mum and a crime scene investigator and would be police officer, this time Sukey gets called out to a murder at a fancy house after a lunch party and as usual gets drawn in to the investigation much to the annoyance of her part time boyfriend DI Jim Castle who doesn't like how she always gets involved in his investigations,
I didn't feel this was the best book in the series, as all the books have the same formula and Betty Reynolds always seems to write badly about the love interests of the main characters, Why do they have to keep their relationship a secret? thats quite annoying, But for a quick read that doesn't need to much brain power its a good choice.

[Anna]

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was another exciting adventure with Sukey Reynolds, who once again found herself in the middle of a dangerous case. In this book Sukey's son Fergus is away at university and one of his friends is in the middle of the case that Sukey has found herself involved with.

A young woman is found dead under and apple tree at a private residence. The owner of the home is the first suspect. However it soon comes to light that there is more to this case than just the murder of the young woman. An art theft ring is also at work and by the time they piece everything together, it looks as though it might be too late for Fergus' friend.

[Kaye]

Book 7 in the Sukey Reynolds mystery. The books can be read separately, but I have read them in order. The main issue is that the reader gets to see the growing up of her son Fergus (he is headed to college in this one) and the continuing progression of her relationship with Jim. This story has an interesting twist with old paintings, the English countryside, and art scams. Must admit I am not overly familiar with Renoir or Matisse, so it was fun to look up the paintings mentioned. Another excellent story in a great series by a wonderful author. Highly recommend this one, as I found it hard to put down.

[Karren Hodgkins]

Having enjoyed the previous mystery, I was really looking forward to settling down with another in the series. While another easy read, I found the formula a little too similar to the previous one and so, while there were certainly some twists and turns, I had worked out who the murderer was likely to be. I struggled a little with the relationships as well as ‘close friends’ were not taken into one’s confidences and the leading man certainly seems to be able to have his cake and eat it,, just coming and going as suits. Hmmm!

With thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for my free copy to review in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Janet Graham]

Another Un-Put-Downable Sukey Reynolds Mystery Book 7
In this episode, things get pretty dicey for Sukey as she tries not to investigate a murder. This is a very addictive series that the reader will hate to put down. The plot is pretty tight with only a few suspects, but they all have issues with the truth. The story is woven with such skill that the picture created the reader's mind eye is is quite detailed. The story flows by faster than could be imagined. The ending has a few twists that will keep me thinking for a while.
I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.

[Ann]

This is book 7 in the Sukey Reynolds series. Betty Rowlands has become one of my favorite crime solving authors and I'll buy her books without even reading the covers. Sukey Reynolds is a single mother of a college age son who works crime scenes as a evidence technician. Set in England the series is a good murder mystery with some wonderful returning characters. The romance between Sukey and DI Castle is still going strong , even more so now that son Fergus has move into a college dorm. Can easily be read as a stand alone this is a nice non-gory story that is a winner all around. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Jan]

***** I truly enjoyed it! But I was surprised that the term SOCO was out of fashion and the designation used is CSI. Sukey is a forensic evidence collector with a somewhat hidden relationship with a DI in her precinct, and this makes for some interesting problems. The main mystery is pretty much covered by the publisher's blurb but there's a lot of twists and deliberate red herrings, especially those involving deceptions by the principals in the case. Well written and rather brain grabbing!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Bookouture via NetGalley. Thank You!

[Jacqui Huntley]

She's better this time in that she does think about consequences, to a degree, before she forges ahead. Cosy mystery - girl murdered during a garden party and Sir Digby, the host, accused of said murder. His housekeeper aka lover believes him innocent and Sukey gets involved of course. Nice red herrings, good characterisation as usual and satisfying ending. All in all another good read. Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Marianne]

The seventh Sukey Reynolds mystery. This time the :murder is at a country manor with one obvious suspect. As always, a strong sense of place and likable characters make this an enjoyable read. A series that is easy to recommend to a wide range of readers. No language, sex, or gratuitous violence, just an easy escape to the British countryside.
Thank you to netgalley and Bookouture for a free copy.

[Denice Langley]

Betty Rowlands has gifted her readers with another Sukey Reynolds book! She created Sukey to keep an entire cross generational group of people reading cozy mysteries. She is an everyday/ neighbor next door character that has learned the hard way how to investigate a murder. Each book has a unifying theme, here it's apples, that adds a unique touch to them so the stories are not cookie cutter tales of Sukey's crime solving antics. Another hit for Betty Rowlands.

[Winnie Razey]

If the shoe fits.

I have read all the Sukey stories and loved them all, I love the way she out smarts the police even coming close to a sticky end in some of them. She has a loving son who takes after his Mum in that he likes a good who dun it and often eggs her on, she also has a loving partner who likes to keep their relationship private but gets very worried about Sukey when she pokes about in one of his cases but she always prevails and gets her man or woman.

[Vanessa]

Death under the Apple Tree by Betty Rowlands is the seventh book in the Sukey Reynolds Mystery series. All of these books in this wonderful series are a cosy police mystery, They are all well written and with a great plot. I just these books. All the characters are likeable and they alway have a good part in these books.

Big thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for forwarding to me a copy of this great book for me to read, enjoy and review.

[Annarella]

This book is as lovely and entertaining as any other written by Ms Rowlands.
It's an engrossing and entertaining story with a cast of likeable and well written characters.
The plot flow flawlessly and the mystery is good and keep you guessing.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

[T Olsen]

This starts out like a classic British crime novel, except there is no butler so he couldn't have done it. Unfortunately, there is no clever sleuthing that solves everything, only coincidences, and that's not what we want to read about. The plot is rather weak in general, so this is not the best in the series.