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Richard Patton #1
Face Value
With three days left until he retires, Detective Inspector Richard Patton doesn't want any more big cases.
Amelia Trowbridge reports her husband missing, and his car is soon discovered.
A burned out car in a ravine should be the perfect way to while away his last days in the force.
After all, there isn't even any proof of a crime.
But strange things begin to turn up.
A threatening message written on the window of convicted rapist Clive Kendall, recently released from prison.
A sinister bearded doll hanging from the branches outside.
When a mutilated body is found in a remote cottage, DI Patton knows his last days of work will be anything but dull.
Who is the dead man?
And where is the missing husband of Amelia Trowbridge, owner of the burned out car?
Will DI Patton discover the truth behind the hanging doll murder?
And can he take anything anyone tells him at Face Value?
Face Value is an expertly plotted crime thriller from a master storyteller.
Praise for Roger Ormerod
"A gripping tale, packed with clues, red herrings, and emotional conflict." - Bradford Telegraph and Argus
"An altogether taut piece of excitement" - The Journal (Newcastle)
"Eclectic, underrated Ormerod can be relied upon to come up with the startling goods" - Sunday Times
"I am glad to announce that the detective novel is still alive and well in Mr Ormerod's skilful hands" - The Spectator
"Fast-moving, with well-orchestrated jiggery-pokery; not unlike an early Dick Francis in tone and method" - Times Literary Supplement
Roger Ormerod worked as a civil servant and as a Social Security inspector - backgrounds which he made full use of in his fiction, as he did with his hobbies of painting and photography.
Published as The Hanging Doll Murder by Scribner in 1984.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent digital publisher. For more information on our titles please sign up to our newsletter at www.endeavourpress.com. Each week you will receive updates on free and discounted ebooks. Follow us on Twitter: @EndeavourPress and on Facebook via http://on.fb.me/1HweQV7. We are always interested in hearing from our readers. Endeavour Press believes that the future is now.
Amelia Trowbridge reports her husband missing, and his car is soon discovered.
A burned out car in a ravine should be the perfect way to while away his last days in the force.
After all, there isn't even any proof of a crime.
But strange things begin to turn up.
A threatening message written on the window of convicted rapist Clive Kendall, recently released from prison.
A sinister bearded doll hanging from the branches outside.
When a mutilated body is found in a remote cottage, DI Patton knows his last days of work will be anything but dull.
Who is the dead man?
And where is the missing husband of Amelia Trowbridge, owner of the burned out car?
Will DI Patton discover the truth behind the hanging doll murder?
And can he take anything anyone tells him at Face Value?
Face Value is an expertly plotted crime thriller from a master storyteller.
Praise for Roger Ormerod
"A gripping tale, packed with clues, red herrings, and emotional conflict." - Bradford Telegraph and Argus
"An altogether taut piece of excitement" - The Journal (Newcastle)
"Eclectic, underrated Ormerod can be relied upon to come up with the startling goods" - Sunday Times
"I am glad to announce that the detective novel is still alive and well in Mr Ormerod's skilful hands" - The Spectator
"Fast-moving, with well-orchestrated jiggery-pokery; not unlike an early Dick Francis in tone and method" - Times Literary Supplement
Roger Ormerod worked as a civil servant and as a Social Security inspector - backgrounds which he made full use of in his fiction, as he did with his hobbies of painting and photography.
Published as The Hanging Doll Murder by Scribner in 1984.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent digital publisher. For more information on our titles please sign up to our newsletter at www.endeavourpress.com. Each week you will receive updates on free and discounted ebooks. Follow us on Twitter: @EndeavourPress and on Facebook via http://on.fb.me/1HweQV7. We are always interested in hearing from our readers. Endeavour Press believes that the future is now.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1983
33 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Roger Ormerod
85 books9 followersRoger Ormerod was born in Wolverhampton, Staffordshire. He worked as a county court officer, an executive officer in the Department of Social Security, a postman, and a shop loader in an engineering factory.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 4, 2017
Face Value by Roger Ormerod really stretched my mind. My thought processes were darting about all over the place, as every theory that was proposed was viable. But what actually happened is something I had not even considered.
If you like a murder/mystery that has multiple twists and turns, then this is for you. it is very English, and it does contain a lot of investigative detail - all things I like. They also throw in a bit of emotional turmoil, a moral dilemma or two, and some professional and personal rivalry.
' With three days left until he retires, Detective Inspector Richard Patton doesn't want any more big cases.
Amelia Trowbridge reports her husband missing, and his car is soon discovered.
A burned out car in a ravine should be the perfect way to while away his last days in the force.
After all, there isn't even any proof of a crime.
But strange things begin to turn up.'
An absorbing crime novel that has you guessing....but one thing I know, I will be reading more from Ormerod.
Thank you to NetGalley and Endeavour Press for providing a digital ARC of Face Value by Roger Ormerod for review.
All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
If you like a murder/mystery that has multiple twists and turns, then this is for you. it is very English, and it does contain a lot of investigative detail - all things I like. They also throw in a bit of emotional turmoil, a moral dilemma or two, and some professional and personal rivalry.
' With three days left until he retires, Detective Inspector Richard Patton doesn't want any more big cases.
Amelia Trowbridge reports her husband missing, and his car is soon discovered.
A burned out car in a ravine should be the perfect way to while away his last days in the force.
After all, there isn't even any proof of a crime.
But strange things begin to turn up.'
An absorbing crime novel that has you guessing....but one thing I know, I will be reading more from Ormerod.
Thank you to NetGalley and Endeavour Press for providing a digital ARC of Face Value by Roger Ormerod for review.
All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
April 14, 2021
Every so often I enjoy a very specific sort of old or older British murder mystery. This fit the bill. Ormerod is one of those ridiculously productive authors, who specialized in series. In fact, this book is a series first too. Peculiar, since it features a police detective on a brink of retirement. There’s just that one last case…a case he’s technically meant to be passing over to the priggish detective hired in his stead, but there’s something so compelling about it, he just can’t let go.
That compelling something is, unsurprisingly, a lady. And so off he goes wildly tramping all over professional boundaries in order to both pursue this new if complicated romance with a woman who has just reported a disappearing spouse a few weeks ago and solve a murder while he’s at it. The murder is a doozy, the corpse is literally f*cked up beyond any recognition (these are pre DNA days).There’s a dangerous criminal that’s been let out. A weapon that’s been reported stolen. A car that’s been found burned down.
A lot is going on. And nothing can be taken at face value But will the balding aging chainsmokiing detective find love and the culprit? You bet. It’s his series, after all.
There are several variously plausible plot twists toward the end, but the real solution is satisfying. The bizarrely dated almost but not egregiously so sexist gender politics of the time might not be for everyone, but then again context, people, context. Few things age well or graciously. Overall, in that and other departments, this novel does ok. It’s entertaining and reads very quickly.
That compelling something is, unsurprisingly, a lady. And so off he goes wildly tramping all over professional boundaries in order to both pursue this new if complicated romance with a woman who has just reported a disappearing spouse a few weeks ago and solve a murder while he’s at it. The murder is a doozy, the corpse is literally f*cked up beyond any recognition (these are pre DNA days).There’s a dangerous criminal that’s been let out. A weapon that’s been reported stolen. A car that’s been found burned down.
A lot is going on. And nothing can be taken at face value But will the balding aging chainsmokiing detective find love and the culprit? You bet. It’s his series, after all.
There are several variously plausible plot twists toward the end, but the real solution is satisfying. The bizarrely dated almost but not egregiously so sexist gender politics of the time might not be for everyone, but then again context, people, context. Few things age well or graciously. Overall, in that and other departments, this novel does ok. It’s entertaining and reads very quickly.
June 13, 2016
DI Richard Patton is due to retire in just a few days. The last thing he wants at this time is to be called upon to investigate a crime. It’s been fairly quiet, and he’s not expecting anything to change .. until ….
Amelia Trowbridge reports her husband missing. His car, completely burned out is found a few miles from their home. Patton isn’t too concerned as there is no evidence of a real crime … no body. Great way to end his not-so-famous working days.
He is also informed that Clive Kendall has just been released from prison. That probably wouldn’t be so bad except that Kendall was sentenced to a life sentence for raping young girls.
Since he’s in the area, he runs by Kendall’s old home and finds a threatening message written on a window. There is also a doll, hanging from the neck in a nearby tree.
Talking to the family of one young girl who was Kendall’s victim, they inform Patton that if they see Kendall they will kill him. No if, and, or buts.
And then the unthinkable happens. A mutilated body is found in an abandoned cottage. With no face and hands to identify the victim, Patton knows that his last few days before retirement are going to be busy.
Who is the dead man? The missing husband? The convicted rapist?
FACE VALUE was first published in 1984 as THE HANGING DOLL MURDER. I had expected this to feel somewhat dated, but was happily surprised.
It has the feel of the old locked door mystery .. but there are several twists that will leave the reader wondering. Patton is a terrific character and this is the first of a series featuring him and his lovely wife, Amelia. Patton reminds me of COLUMBO … a little doddering but hiding a mind that just never stops thinking and evaluating.
There are some interesting secondary characters. His replacement, which no one seems to like. His supervisor, who can hardly wait for Patton to actually retire. His friend and colleague, Ken, who always has his back .. even when he acts outside the line.
All in all, a very good mystery. I will be taking a look at the rest of the series. If they are all as good as this one, I foresee a marathon read for me.
Many thanks to the author / Endeavor Press / NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Amelia Trowbridge reports her husband missing. His car, completely burned out is found a few miles from their home. Patton isn’t too concerned as there is no evidence of a real crime … no body. Great way to end his not-so-famous working days.
He is also informed that Clive Kendall has just been released from prison. That probably wouldn’t be so bad except that Kendall was sentenced to a life sentence for raping young girls.
Since he’s in the area, he runs by Kendall’s old home and finds a threatening message written on a window. There is also a doll, hanging from the neck in a nearby tree.
Talking to the family of one young girl who was Kendall’s victim, they inform Patton that if they see Kendall they will kill him. No if, and, or buts.
And then the unthinkable happens. A mutilated body is found in an abandoned cottage. With no face and hands to identify the victim, Patton knows that his last few days before retirement are going to be busy.
Who is the dead man? The missing husband? The convicted rapist?
FACE VALUE was first published in 1984 as THE HANGING DOLL MURDER. I had expected this to feel somewhat dated, but was happily surprised.
It has the feel of the old locked door mystery .. but there are several twists that will leave the reader wondering. Patton is a terrific character and this is the first of a series featuring him and his lovely wife, Amelia. Patton reminds me of COLUMBO … a little doddering but hiding a mind that just never stops thinking and evaluating.
There are some interesting secondary characters. His replacement, which no one seems to like. His supervisor, who can hardly wait for Patton to actually retire. His friend and colleague, Ken, who always has his back .. even when he acts outside the line.
All in all, a very good mystery. I will be taking a look at the rest of the series. If they are all as good as this one, I foresee a marathon read for me.
Many thanks to the author / Endeavor Press / NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
July 1, 2017
This book details a murder investigation with lots of a twists and turns and a very unexpected ending. I would've never guessed the story's conclusion. The story itself is weighed down with a great deal of investigative details. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but the reader really has to be paying attention in order to maintain a grasp of what's going on. Good mystery.
I received this book from the publisher and Net Galley for review.
I received this book from the publisher and Net Galley for review.
April 9, 2021
Several days from retirement D.I. Richard Patton becomes involved in a missing person case, that of the husband of Amelia Trowbridge, who's burnt out car has been discovered. Then the threats to convicted rapist and killer Clive Kendall become known. What is the identity of the dead man found in a cottage.
An enjoyable mystery
An enjoyable mystery
July 10, 2016
NOTE: Published as 'The Hanging Doll Murder' by Scribner in 1984.
I thank the author, Endeavour Press and Netgalley for providing a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
MY RATING: 3 1/2 out of 5
MY THOUGHTS: It was a good story. I cannot say I was bored, but I feel like it was a bit slow but no, maybe because it is very typically English novel, it did not excite me, but it was good. I like the story, especially how it turned out in the end. I did not expect that, and I was surprised.
I like Richard Patton; he is a strong character and an excellent DI. The way the author made this character is excellent. Very smart and excellent manipulator.
The other secondary characters were good too.
The story kept me guess whom the real murderer and it took me quite a while until I figured out. The twist of the story was surprising and as I said I did not expect the ending. The way how one person manipulated the whole police involved in the investigation and how the other person planned to manipulate others and the murderer, too.
Am I going to read the series? I do not know. Maybe in the future. I recommend this if you like stories about people found in some remote places shot to death and giving you lots of options who killed this person because there are lots of people hate him/her.
I thank the author, Endeavour Press and Netgalley for providing a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
MY RATING: 3 1/2 out of 5
MY THOUGHTS: It was a good story. I cannot say I was bored, but I feel like it was a bit slow but no, maybe because it is very typically English novel, it did not excite me, but it was good. I like the story, especially how it turned out in the end. I did not expect that, and I was surprised.
I like Richard Patton; he is a strong character and an excellent DI. The way the author made this character is excellent. Very smart and excellent manipulator.
The other secondary characters were good too.
The story kept me guess whom the real murderer and it took me quite a while until I figured out. The twist of the story was surprising and as I said I did not expect the ending. The way how one person manipulated the whole police involved in the investigation and how the other person planned to manipulate others and the murderer, too.
Am I going to read the series? I do not know. Maybe in the future. I recommend this if you like stories about people found in some remote places shot to death and giving you lots of options who killed this person because there are lots of people hate him/her.
June 10, 2016
Very topically an English novel. The retiring Inspector has a last case he would like to close involving a beautiful woman and a dead man. The man found in a deserted cottage shot in the face with a shot gun. An unloaded shotgun near his body and a window broken from the inside with all the doors locked. Who killed the man and what is the identity of the diseased. And for those of us who like story about people found in locked rooms shot to death, it is a complicated story. It will take some brain twisting to figure it all out but worth the time to do so. Face Value only goes to prove nothing in murder is ever what it seems so assume nothing.
June 13, 2016
A murder mystery and missing persons case that is seemingly impossible to solve with lots of brick walls being thrown up. Richard Patton is three days off retirement and determined to solve the case even with pressure from his bosses. Not a fast moving thriller but good none the less.
June 16, 2016
Thank you Net Galley. (four and a half stars) This was a gem of a police procedural with a twist. I enjoyed it immensely and look forward to reading more by Mr Ormerod.
July 24, 2016
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a free copy of the book.
A good enough mystery - nothing spectacular
A good enough mystery - nothing spectacular
October 11, 2025
I did struggle with this story. But I stayed to the end and found it enjoyable in a way. Clever plot involving a nearly retired Police Inspector, a burnt out car, a missing husband and a mutilated body in a locked and secluded cottage.
Twists and turns aplenty with a rather surprising ending. It just took a long time to get there. Will see what the next novel is like.
Twists and turns aplenty with a rather surprising ending. It just took a long time to get there. Will see what the next novel is like.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews