The April Rainers

David Webb #7

by Anthea Fraser

Death by strangulation is not a pretty sight, but then Ted Baxter, who had driven his wife to suicide, was an ugly character.

His wastebasket bulges with hate mail.

One letter — inscribed in copperplate letters with striking green ink — stands out: You have been found guilty of crimes against humanity. The death sentence will be carried out in eight days. Signed: The April Rainers.

Chief Inspector Webb of the Shillingham CID soon discerns a pattern.

Baxter was not the April Rainers’ first victim.

The two other known victims were an extortionist and a hostile-takeover artist; both had so many enemies that another threat seemed insignificant — even one inscribed in copperplate letters.

What connects the victims?

Who are the April Rainers?

Why are they warning their victims beforehand?

In his most baffling case yet, Chief Inspector Webb must find out who this group is and why its members are taking the law into their own hands …

Genres: Mystery

186 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 1990

About the author

aka Vanessa Graham

Reviews

[Damaskcat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ted Baxter abused his wife and she committed suicide after he avoided prison for attacking her. He is strangled and left on his own doorstep and DCI Webb finds a waste paper basket overflowing with hate mail. But one letter stands out - one in copperplate in green ink and signed by 'The April Rainers' threatening death eight days after the date of the letter. He isn't the only person in the area to receive this sort of message and he won't be the last to die.

Gradually a pattern starts to emerge. Meanwhile the more cultured party of local society is welcoming the arrival in the area of Felicity Harwood, a world famous composer and violinist. Mark Templeton is overjoyed as he has followed her progress for the last ten years.

No one seems to know who the April Rainers are and DCI Webb is totally baffled at first as more evidence starts to emerge he begins to see a pattern. This is a tense and well written crime novel with plenty of clues to the murderer's identity and plenty of red herrings too. I enjoyed it and read it in less than twenty four hours.

All this excellent series can be read as standalone novels as well as in series order and even read back to back as I am doing I still haven't become bored with them. The characters are well drawn and the plots ingenious. If you like your crime novels without too much graphic violence and bad language then I can thoroughly recommend this book and this series.

[Doug Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

A man known to have abused his wife is murdered shortly after his wife commits suicide. Eight days before the murder, the man had been sent a note announcing that he would be killed in 8 days. The note was signed "The April Rainers."

When DCI David Webb takes up the case, he soon learns that this mysterious group of vigilantes has struck previously. But figuring out who they are is a challenge, since the victims seem to be rather random and the killers don't leave much in the way of clues. It's a puzzling case for Webb and DS Jackson.

[Carole Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic read .. All of these stories have an unexpected twist at the end, which I have never seen coming in any of the seven books. Now I am going g to start book 8 and see if I can see what the ending will be !!

Another fantastic read .. All of these seven stories have an unexpected twist at the end which I have never seen coming. Now I am going to start number 8 and see if I can see what is coming !!! Can definitely recommend.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ted Baxter has received a death threat from The April Rainers, that he will be dead in 8 days time. On that eighth day he is dead. But why. The next person to receive the same threat ignores it, will he suffer the same result. How many more will die before DCI Webb and his team discover the guilty party.
An enjoyable and well-written story
Orignally published in 1989

[W H Nicholls · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different twist to this one, guy found dead by his back door and no one around to see it happen. A lot going on with the story and I never guessed who the murderer was. Still think there are too may players in the mix and little about Webb

[Shirley]

DCI Webb book 7

[Terri · Rating 2 out of 5]

This series is getting shallower by the book. But they do seem to be addicting.

[Hercule Gamache]

a surprising ending

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A despicable man is found strangled to death. A threat is found in his garbage from The April Rainers warning of his death. Chief Webb and his team soon find out he is not the only dead person who received a note from the same people. Meanwhile, a famous musician has come back to the area to give some concerts and has gotten a local man to start writing her biography.

Well-written, as always! Enjoyed the mystery unfolding to the end.

[Cynthia Grove · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
A strong and satisfying story. The denoument was sad though. I find this series reliable and comfortable reading. The story represents an interesting discussion on guilt, law and moral responsibility although this is very much as a subtextual issue.
There were a few points where the writing to me felt clumsy but it only made me pause momentarily.

[Nancy Dougan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

Already got the first David Webb mystery from Amazon. Going to read the whole series. If you enjoy this type of book try the author Aline Templeton too. I love good British mysteries.

[Tessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think was a particularly good book in the series but I never guessed the denoument.

[Patricia]

Still working through Webb series.