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Colin Pendragon Mysteries #4
The Dalwich Desecration
Master sleuth Colin Pendragon and his trusted partner, Ethan Pruitt, leave their familiar cosmopolitan London for rural Sussex County, where the bucolic peace has been shattered by the murder of a monk…
At the request of his father, Pendragon and Pruitt travel to the town of Dalwich, where a gruesome crime has desecrated the hallowed halls of Whitmore Abbey. The abbott has been slaughtered in his cell with multiple stab wounds and his tongue cut out. Although Father Demetris, the local bishop's associate, has faith that the killer must be an outsider from the village, Pendragon considers no man above suspicion--including the brooding brothers of the order.
But before Pendragon and Pruitt can make much progress in their investigation, a second corpse is found--a barmaid who has been mutilated in the same way as the monk. Now they must determine if there is a connection between the butchered Benedictine and the victim from the village. Whether the killer comes from within the walls of Whitmore Abbey or without, it will be up to Pendragon and Pruitt to illuminate--and unravel--a deadly mystery before more lives are lost…
Praise for The Bellingham Bloodbath
"An incredibly pleasing mystery . . . the author nails it yet again." --Suspense Magazine
At the request of his father, Pendragon and Pruitt travel to the town of Dalwich, where a gruesome crime has desecrated the hallowed halls of Whitmore Abbey. The abbott has been slaughtered in his cell with multiple stab wounds and his tongue cut out. Although Father Demetris, the local bishop's associate, has faith that the killer must be an outsider from the village, Pendragon considers no man above suspicion--including the brooding brothers of the order.
But before Pendragon and Pruitt can make much progress in their investigation, a second corpse is found--a barmaid who has been mutilated in the same way as the monk. Now they must determine if there is a connection between the butchered Benedictine and the victim from the village. Whether the killer comes from within the walls of Whitmore Abbey or without, it will be up to Pendragon and Pruitt to illuminate--and unravel--a deadly mystery before more lives are lost…
Praise for The Bellingham Bloodbath
"An incredibly pleasing mystery . . . the author nails it yet again." --Suspense Magazine
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 29, 2016
About the author
Gregory Harris
6 books46 followersLibrarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Gregory Harris was born and raised outside of Chicago where he first developed a love of storytelling with the encouragement of a sister and cousin both blessed with fertile imaginations. He moved to Los Angeles where he attended and graduated from the University of Southern California.
He began his post collegiate career working at several talent agencies before moving into television and motion picture production, starting out on the landmark ABC television series, MOONLIGHTING, with Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd.
From there he worked on several motion pictures including - CLEAN AND SOBER, LOVE AFFAIR and PICTURE PERFECT. He next moved to CBS Television where he worked on many notable on-air series among which were TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL, CHICAGO HOPE, NOW AND AGAIN and PROMISED LAND.
After twenty years in the entertainment industry, Gregory decided it was time to begin writing on his own, and switched careers to give himself the freedom to do so. He entered the financial services industry and wrote a series of short stories before trying his hand at both a work of fiction and non-fiction. Just as the financial services business began to face harsh challenges, he finally turned his attentions to novel writing, specifically historical mysteries featuring Colin Pendragon and Ethan Pruitt. They would keep him focused through some rough times.
Gregory still resides in Southern California where he is able to indulge his passion for motorcycle riding. His other passion is travel - most notably prowling about the fog-shrouded byways of London once traversed by Colin and Ethan.
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Gregory Harris was born and raised outside of Chicago where he first developed a love of storytelling with the encouragement of a sister and cousin both blessed with fertile imaginations. He moved to Los Angeles where he attended and graduated from the University of Southern California.
He began his post collegiate career working at several talent agencies before moving into television and motion picture production, starting out on the landmark ABC television series, MOONLIGHTING, with Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd.
From there he worked on several motion pictures including - CLEAN AND SOBER, LOVE AFFAIR and PICTURE PERFECT. He next moved to CBS Television where he worked on many notable on-air series among which were TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL, CHICAGO HOPE, NOW AND AGAIN and PROMISED LAND.
After twenty years in the entertainment industry, Gregory decided it was time to begin writing on his own, and switched careers to give himself the freedom to do so. He entered the financial services industry and wrote a series of short stories before trying his hand at both a work of fiction and non-fiction. Just as the financial services business began to face harsh challenges, he finally turned his attentions to novel writing, specifically historical mysteries featuring Colin Pendragon and Ethan Pruitt. They would keep him focused through some rough times.
Gregory still resides in Southern California where he is able to indulge his passion for motorcycle riding. His other passion is travel - most notably prowling about the fog-shrouded byways of London once traversed by Colin and Ethan.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 24, 2018
The Dalwich Desecration
By Gregory Harris
Kensington Books, 2016
Four stars
I am really growing to love this alphabetical series of murder mysteries set in the Conan-Doylean world of late Victorian England. Gregory Harris has created a thoughtfully detailed universe in which Colin Pendragon and his associate Ethan Pruitt do their Holmes-and-Watson best, all the while keeping discreetly hidden the fact that they’ve been friends since boyhood and lovers for fourteen years. Only their outrageously common housekeeper, Mrs. Behmoth, seems to know the truth. She is the Cerberus at the gate of their comfortable flat, treating them with the same indiscriminate rudeness with which she addresses most of humankind.
This time, still stewing over a recent fiasco that seems to be working its way through several of the books, our boys are called to a Benedictine monastery in a small country town. A brutal murder has happened in this place of holy retreat, and Colin must pick the truth out of a tangled knot of conflicting stories, a task made only more difficult when a second, secular killing is discovered.
The set-up of these books is not a simple imitation of the Conan Doyle staging, but a conscious evocation of that series that serves to underscore the great differences in Harris’s books. There is a slightly unequal power dynamic between Ethan and Colin, largely focused on the fact that Colin Pendragon essentially saved Ethan Pruitt’s life when they were both much younger. Colin is all pro-active fearlessness, while Ethan is diffident and questioning. But Colin consistently reminds Ethan of how much he is loved—a long-standing love that triggered Colin’s rescue Ethan from a life not worth living. Colin sees Ethan as an essential foil to his own impetuosity.
Plus, there is Colin’s father, Sir Atherton Pendragon, a powerfully connected diplomat whose influence played a strong part in Colin’s initial success as an investigator. Colin may be arrogant and self-assured, but he is so because of his close and fond relationship with his father, who holds Ethan in warm affection as well. This is a critical detail in this series, and one that takes on particular significance at the close of this volume.
The precarious nature of Pendragon and Pruitt’s relationship is always part of the subtext of Harris’s books, and it is what makes them so very interesting to read. I’m pretty well hooked, and that’s what any author hopes for.
By Gregory Harris
Kensington Books, 2016
Four stars
I am really growing to love this alphabetical series of murder mysteries set in the Conan-Doylean world of late Victorian England. Gregory Harris has created a thoughtfully detailed universe in which Colin Pendragon and his associate Ethan Pruitt do their Holmes-and-Watson best, all the while keeping discreetly hidden the fact that they’ve been friends since boyhood and lovers for fourteen years. Only their outrageously common housekeeper, Mrs. Behmoth, seems to know the truth. She is the Cerberus at the gate of their comfortable flat, treating them with the same indiscriminate rudeness with which she addresses most of humankind.
This time, still stewing over a recent fiasco that seems to be working its way through several of the books, our boys are called to a Benedictine monastery in a small country town. A brutal murder has happened in this place of holy retreat, and Colin must pick the truth out of a tangled knot of conflicting stories, a task made only more difficult when a second, secular killing is discovered.
The set-up of these books is not a simple imitation of the Conan Doyle staging, but a conscious evocation of that series that serves to underscore the great differences in Harris’s books. There is a slightly unequal power dynamic between Ethan and Colin, largely focused on the fact that Colin Pendragon essentially saved Ethan Pruitt’s life when they were both much younger. Colin is all pro-active fearlessness, while Ethan is diffident and questioning. But Colin consistently reminds Ethan of how much he is loved—a long-standing love that triggered Colin’s rescue Ethan from a life not worth living. Colin sees Ethan as an essential foil to his own impetuosity.
Plus, there is Colin’s father, Sir Atherton Pendragon, a powerfully connected diplomat whose influence played a strong part in Colin’s initial success as an investigator. Colin may be arrogant and self-assured, but he is so because of his close and fond relationship with his father, who holds Ethan in warm affection as well. This is a critical detail in this series, and one that takes on particular significance at the close of this volume.
The precarious nature of Pendragon and Pruitt’s relationship is always part of the subtext of Harris’s books, and it is what makes them so very interesting to read. I’m pretty well hooked, and that’s what any author hopes for.
January 28, 2025
I was not that taken with this book. It wasn’t the writing, which was fine I guess, or the characters, all of who were unnecessarily unpleasant. I did get the distinct feeling of a Sherlock Holmes knock-off with the idea of two men solving crimes together, one being far more astute and observant than the other (although in this case, it’s the side-kick who is the recovering drug addict rather than the principal character). Then there was the Charlotte Hatton sub-plot, which I think must have been a hold-over from an earlier book. This had a distinct “Irene Adler” feel to it, i.e., Pendragon is obsessed with “the woman” who got away. The other difference between the Holmes-Watson melange and the Pendragon-Pruitt one is that the latter is clearly a that of a gay couple. I have no problem with that but most people at the time, including Pendragon’s father, would have had. It doesn’t mean it wouldn’t have happened - clearly it did - but they would have been far more discreet about it. Insisting on sleeping together in the pub was way too overt, and an unnecessary action. The landlord’s reaction was the only thing that rang true to the time. No way would Pendragon have admitted it to a police officer, either.
I could tell almost right away that this book was written by an American trying to be British. The dialects were all wrong, the social niceties were more democratic than they would have been, and there were numerous vocabulary errors that screamed American to me, e.g., vest instead of waistcoat, suspenders instead of braces, and they drove around in a “buckboard wagon, which is a distinctly American name for a specific type of wagon. They could have been in a pony trap or a governess cart but not a buckboard wagon. And the Christian names of many of the characters were so unlikely for people of the social standing they were, I mean really, “Raleigh Chesterton” is the publican (and an unpleasant man who wouldn’t have had many customers left with his attitude), the Constable is called “Lachlan”, and there’s a Middle Eastern man serving as a junior constable? Maybe the latter in a large city like London or Edinburgh but not in a small town. My other beef is that I had no idea for the longest time when this action was occurring. The author gave me nothing to situate myself in time and place. It wasn’t till there was a reference to Oscar Wilde’s imprisonment that I realized we were in the 1890s. Maybe he spelled all this out in the first book of the series but he really needs to do it every time. Also, get his editor and proofreaders to address the Americanisms in vocabulary for time and place.
Overall, not that impressive. I gave it 3 stars rather than a lower rating because the plots were reasonable and the writing as writing was fine. I’m not looking to read another soon though.
I could tell almost right away that this book was written by an American trying to be British. The dialects were all wrong, the social niceties were more democratic than they would have been, and there were numerous vocabulary errors that screamed American to me, e.g., vest instead of waistcoat, suspenders instead of braces, and they drove around in a “buckboard wagon, which is a distinctly American name for a specific type of wagon. They could have been in a pony trap or a governess cart but not a buckboard wagon. And the Christian names of many of the characters were so unlikely for people of the social standing they were, I mean really, “Raleigh Chesterton” is the publican (and an unpleasant man who wouldn’t have had many customers left with his attitude), the Constable is called “Lachlan”, and there’s a Middle Eastern man serving as a junior constable? Maybe the latter in a large city like London or Edinburgh but not in a small town. My other beef is that I had no idea for the longest time when this action was occurring. The author gave me nothing to situate myself in time and place. It wasn’t till there was a reference to Oscar Wilde’s imprisonment that I realized we were in the 1890s. Maybe he spelled all this out in the first book of the series but he really needs to do it every time. Also, get his editor and proofreaders to address the Americanisms in vocabulary for time and place.
Overall, not that impressive. I gave it 3 stars rather than a lower rating because the plots were reasonable and the writing as writing was fine. I’m not looking to read another soon though.
March 2, 2023
This historical crime fiction is set in 1893, and has a genius private detective supported by his affable and admiring friend, who writes the accounts of their investigations. They live together in a London apartment, with a housekeeper.
Sound familiar?
The twist that Harris inserts into this obvious pastiche is that Colin Pendragon and Ethan Pruitt are gay lovers who have been together for fourteen years without being discovered, at a time when sodomy was punishable by death. OK, then; if you can accept that, then you should find this book a diverting read. I just found it ludicrous.
Pendragon and Pruitt are asked to investigate the murder of an abbot in his monastic cell in Dalwich, with his tongue cut out. While there, they get involved in a second murder, that of a local girl. The story grinds on with not much in the way of plot twists, and very little action. I thought it was OK, that's all. I was not impressed that the last few pages are essentially a trailer for the next book in the series; I could have done without that being tacked on to this story's resolution.
Sound familiar?
The twist that Harris inserts into this obvious pastiche is that Colin Pendragon and Ethan Pruitt are gay lovers who have been together for fourteen years without being discovered, at a time when sodomy was punishable by death. OK, then; if you can accept that, then you should find this book a diverting read. I just found it ludicrous.
Pendragon and Pruitt are asked to investigate the murder of an abbot in his monastic cell in Dalwich, with his tongue cut out. While there, they get involved in a second murder, that of a local girl. The story grinds on with not much in the way of plot twists, and very little action. I thought it was OK, that's all. I was not impressed that the last few pages are essentially a trailer for the next book in the series; I could have done without that being tacked on to this story's resolution.
March 5, 2020
Received this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
This murder mystery is the 4th book in a series, the first I've read. The protagonists are Colin Pendragon, a consulting detective, son of Sir Atherton Rentcliff Pendragon, and is partner, Ethan Pruitt. Colin's father has requested that Colin and Ethan investigate the murder of an abbot in a monastery.
While there, a local barmaid is murdered and the local constable (inexperienced murder-wise) requests their assistance solving this murder as well.
This was a good historical read, shades of Holmes and Watson. I highly recommend it, and look forward to reading other books in the series.
This murder mystery is the 4th book in a series, the first I've read. The protagonists are Colin Pendragon, a consulting detective, son of Sir Atherton Rentcliff Pendragon, and is partner, Ethan Pruitt. Colin's father has requested that Colin and Ethan investigate the murder of an abbot in a monastery.
While there, a local barmaid is murdered and the local constable (inexperienced murder-wise) requests their assistance solving this murder as well.
This was a good historical read, shades of Holmes and Watson. I highly recommend it, and look forward to reading other books in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2018
This Victorian Sherlock Holmes-like series certainly gets better with each book. Very engaging read with 2 seemingly connected murders: an abbott has been murdered in a gruesome way in a monastery and a local girl has also been murdered in similar manner. There was so much happening and the ending was very very surprising. The life within the town and monastery were described very well. I really loved more insight into Ethan and his addictions and its impact on him on an everyday basis. Colin seems more and more human and we see him without his crutches-dumbbells and coin.
January 17, 2020
Given the title, I was expecting a gothic mystery. but I started it anyway, and am glad I did. Pendragon, the sleuth, is quirky and interesting and the tale is related by his devoted partner, Pruitt, who is totally engaging. Their interactions with the colorful inhabitants of Dalwich, as well as the monks, makes for an interesting read. I will look out for other titles in the series. Thanks to Goodreads for the introduction to Harris's work.
April 17, 2018
Very exciting and engaging read. I particularly enjoyed the surprise at the end concerning the unexpected perpetrators, including the part about extra-biblical discoveries and how that can effect the church and its ministries in good and bad (murderous) ways. Two thumbs up for this one.
March 6, 2021
The ongoing development of Ethan and Colin’s relationship is so well done and just enormously compelling to me. The mystery and the faithfulness to the era are also excellent. These books get better and better.
December 20, 2023
Private investigators Pendragon and Pruitt solve two murder cases in Dalwich (Victorian England). First an abbot at the local monastery who was stabbed over 50 times, second a barmaid in the village who was strangled. Both bodies were mutilated by their tongues being cut out.
May 25, 2017
Colin and Ethan are at a monestaty investigating the murder of an abbot and a second killing of a local bar girl. Enjoy reading about the two men although the solutions are a bit of a stretch.
February 5, 2019
Entertaining mystery, based on the Sherlock Holmes stories. Someone has killed the abbott of Whitmore Abbey and a much-loved local barmaid!
September 26, 2018
Sort of Sherlock Holmesish. Love detectives relationship dynamic.
March 9, 2021
Quick read. Not as good as the others in the series. Even though a quick read the story moved very slow. Not sure why there was a double murder.
May 20, 2016
I received this book from Goodreads in exchange for a review.
With a strong nod to Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, the duo of Colin Pendragon and Ethan Pruitt are much like the famous pair. With Pendragon’s tenacity and Pruitt’s more docile approach, they work well together. In ‘The Dalwich Desecration’ the investigative duo is heading to the rural town of Dalwich where the Abbot of the local monastery had been found murdered and his tongue removed. A murder most foul. The area’s bishop has requested their help in solving the crime, much to the distaste of some of the resident monks.
While Pendragon ruffles more than a few feathers with his approach, he none the less continues to charge ahead. But when another body is discovered, a serving girl from the town’s pub, with her tongue also removed, Pendragon finds his list of suspects growing. But are the two crimes linked? Is the murderer someone within the walls of Whitmore Abbey or is it someone from the village? Or are there two murderers?
This well plotted book, is perhaps a bit slow at times, but still it kept my interest. The author’s skill draws the reader ever closer to the final reveal in a very ‘Poirot style’ event, with all interested parties coming together to draw out the murderer. While part of a series, this book can be easily read as a standalone.
With a strong nod to Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, the duo of Colin Pendragon and Ethan Pruitt are much like the famous pair. With Pendragon’s tenacity and Pruitt’s more docile approach, they work well together. In ‘The Dalwich Desecration’ the investigative duo is heading to the rural town of Dalwich where the Abbot of the local monastery had been found murdered and his tongue removed. A murder most foul. The area’s bishop has requested their help in solving the crime, much to the distaste of some of the resident monks.
While Pendragon ruffles more than a few feathers with his approach, he none the less continues to charge ahead. But when another body is discovered, a serving girl from the town’s pub, with her tongue also removed, Pendragon finds his list of suspects growing. But are the two crimes linked? Is the murderer someone within the walls of Whitmore Abbey or is it someone from the village? Or are there two murderers?
This well plotted book, is perhaps a bit slow at times, but still it kept my interest. The author’s skill draws the reader ever closer to the final reveal in a very ‘Poirot style’ event, with all interested parties coming together to draw out the murderer. While part of a series, this book can be easily read as a standalone.
April 30, 2016
4 stars! The 4th installment in the Colin Pendragon series!
Colin Pendragon, not one to ever admit defeat while investigating a case (as he has never lost one before), refuses to admit defeat now, determined if need be, to follow the devious Mrs. Hutton all the way to Switzerland where she has apparently eluded him in her escape. Determined, even so far as to enlist the assistance of his Diplomat father. However, Colin's father arrives with a pressing matter of his own that will put further delay in Colin attaining his goal to clear his reputation and solving his open case. A brutal murder in a monastery in a small village outside of London has occurred, and Colin Pendragon and Ethan are called upon personally by the Bishop to investigate. Not a hospitable group these monks, taking umbrage with his drilling questions and apparent disregard of all things pious in their secret assembly. While applying his craft another murder occurs in the village, a very popular bar maid is also found murdered in exactly the same manner, or is it? No one is above suspicion and Colin is determined that he will get his answers!
Colin Pendragon, not one to ever admit defeat while investigating a case (as he has never lost one before), refuses to admit defeat now, determined if need be, to follow the devious Mrs. Hutton all the way to Switzerland where she has apparently eluded him in her escape. Determined, even so far as to enlist the assistance of his Diplomat father. However, Colin's father arrives with a pressing matter of his own that will put further delay in Colin attaining his goal to clear his reputation and solving his open case. A brutal murder in a monastery in a small village outside of London has occurred, and Colin Pendragon and Ethan are called upon personally by the Bishop to investigate. Not a hospitable group these monks, taking umbrage with his drilling questions and apparent disregard of all things pious in their secret assembly. While applying his craft another murder occurs in the village, a very popular bar maid is also found murdered in exactly the same manner, or is it? No one is above suspicion and Colin is determined that he will get his answers!
June 6, 2016
This book was received courtesy of Goodreads giveaways.
This appears to be the fourth book in a series of books involving "master sleuth" Colin Pendragon and his partner Ethan Pruitt. More than partners in the solving of crimes, Pendragon and Pruitt are gay partners.
While this is the fourth in a series, the novel works well as a stand alone read. While there are occasional references to previous books (at least I believe so), these references do not detract from the story line in this work.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel which is probably described as an old fashioned style mystery focusing on the solving of the crime through intuition and following clues.
While the story is told primarily from the perspective of Ethan Pruitt, the majority of the "sleuthing" is done by Colin Pendragon. The novel is light on action sequences and while the murders being investigated are quite grisly there really is no gratuitous violence in the book. Similarly the gay relationship between the two does not predominant the story.
Overall a fully satisfactory read and worthy enough to explore other works is the series.
This appears to be the fourth book in a series of books involving "master sleuth" Colin Pendragon and his partner Ethan Pruitt. More than partners in the solving of crimes, Pendragon and Pruitt are gay partners.
While this is the fourth in a series, the novel works well as a stand alone read. While there are occasional references to previous books (at least I believe so), these references do not detract from the story line in this work.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel which is probably described as an old fashioned style mystery focusing on the solving of the crime through intuition and following clues.
While the story is told primarily from the perspective of Ethan Pruitt, the majority of the "sleuthing" is done by Colin Pendragon. The novel is light on action sequences and while the murders being investigated are quite grisly there really is no gratuitous violence in the book. Similarly the gay relationship between the two does not predominant the story.
Overall a fully satisfactory read and worthy enough to explore other works is the series.
July 18, 2016
I joined Goodreads to become acquainted with some new authors, I was lucky enough to win this book. This is the first book that I have read, which was written by Gregory Harris. I was notably impressed. Colin Pendragon is an interesting character, who seems to love the chase of a mystery. I enjoyed reading about this murder in a monastery and, the steps that Mr. Pendragon took to solve it. Throw in another murder and it all seems in a days work for this sleuth. His sidekick (and partner in life), Ethan Pruitt, helps to investigate and keep things down to earth. I recommend this book if you enjoy murder mysteries.
April 21, 2016
This is the first Colin Pendragon Mystery I have ever read and I thoroughly enjoyed it --- the characters were most interesting and a tad unusual. The historic times of the novel seemed to be in time with what was going on and very interesting. The plot was well formed, the story well written and well worth the read! Quite entertaining, fun and easy to read!
August 23, 2016
Great book by an up and coming author. Love the writing style, unique characters and how they all fit together. The book had me guessing until the mysteries were revealed in a satisfying conclusion. Looking forward to the 5th book!
October 28, 2016
Honestly, there were so many monks, I couldn't keep up with who was who.
April 22, 2017
Now this novel was a mystery from beginning to end. It was wonderful to read and kept me interested the entire time. The characters are all great in this one. And this time Pendragon does not have an
attitude problem.
attitude problem.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews