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Pearl And Derek Mystery #1
A Lonely Death
A short murder mystery with ghosts.
Derek Quill is an elderly gent who can see the ghosts of murdered people. With the help of his ghostly friend, Pearl, he finds out who killed them.
In his first investigation, Derek meets the ghost of Eric Malone. Derek knows Eric from his schooldays. Eric bullied Derek mercilessly back then and now he’s asking for Derek’s help. Derek soon discovers that Eric never changed his bullying ways and there is more than one person who could be a suspect.
Derek Quill is an elderly gent who can see the ghosts of murdered people. With the help of his ghostly friend, Pearl, he finds out who killed them.
In his first investigation, Derek meets the ghost of Eric Malone. Derek knows Eric from his schooldays. Eric bullied Derek mercilessly back then and now he’s asking for Derek’s help. Derek soon discovers that Eric never changed his bullying ways and there is more than one person who could be a suspect.
50 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 14, 2015
113 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
About the author
Gillian Larkin
273 books111 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
July 24, 2020
Cute Senior mystery
A quick mystery with a Senior and his ghost lady friend. He can see and talk to ghost and she helps him. Cute couple and a story with a strong p!ot.
A quick mystery with a Senior and his ghost lady friend. He can see and talk to ghost and she helps him. Cute couple and a story with a strong p!ot.
February 21, 2019
Un petit cozy mystery teinté de fantastique bien agréable, avec des détectives amateurs seniors très sympathiques. L'enquête, bien que très rapide vu le petit nombre de pages, est bien menée et tient la route. De plus, il y a une touche d'humour qui ne gâche rien. Si j'en ai l'occasion, je lirai avec plaisir les autres tomes.
February 6, 2021
First book in the series is about an older widowed man who works with a ghost,Pearl, to solve how other ghosts were murdered. It was a fun cozy mystery. Short and light.
May 14, 2016
A Lonely Death
A Pearl and Derek Mystery, Book 1
Gillian Larkin
5 Stars
Synopsis:
A short murder mystery with ghosts.
Derek Quill is an elderly gent who can see the ghosts of murdered people. With the help of his ghostly friend, Pearl, he finds out who killed them.
In his first investigation, Derek meets the ghost of Eric Malone. Derek knows Eric from his schooldays. Eric bullied Derek mercilessly back then and now he’s asking for Derek’s help. Derek soon discovers that Eric never changed his bullying ways and there is more than one person who could be a suspect.
(Goodreads)
Review:
One of my favorite genres of books to read are paranormal ghost cozies. This short story was a good one that I enjoyed reading.
The characters are likable, funny, quirky and determined. Derek is able to see ghosts and he finds himself involved in his first murder investigation. Eric, he ghost victim, is someone he knew in his youth in school, someone who enjoyed bullying him. Derek sets aside his bad memories and agrees to try to solve the murder. Pearl is a friend of Derek’s, who also happens to be a ghost. With her help, Derek goes out of his comfort zone and does what is needed to solve the case.
I enjoyed the interaction between Derek and Pearl and cannot wait to see how it develops. Eric was someone who was very easy to dislike. I also enjoyed the action and mystery and it kept me turning pages. Considering this was a short story, I thought it was well developed. But I wish that more time and explanation had been given about the tragedy in Derek’s past, but perhaps I will found out more in future books. I look forward to reading more of Derek’s ghostly adventures. I am happy that I have found another author to read that writes one of my favorite types of books.
A Pearl and Derek Mystery, Book 1
Gillian Larkin
5 Stars
Synopsis:
A short murder mystery with ghosts.
Derek Quill is an elderly gent who can see the ghosts of murdered people. With the help of his ghostly friend, Pearl, he finds out who killed them.
In his first investigation, Derek meets the ghost of Eric Malone. Derek knows Eric from his schooldays. Eric bullied Derek mercilessly back then and now he’s asking for Derek’s help. Derek soon discovers that Eric never changed his bullying ways and there is more than one person who could be a suspect.
(Goodreads)
Review:
One of my favorite genres of books to read are paranormal ghost cozies. This short story was a good one that I enjoyed reading.
The characters are likable, funny, quirky and determined. Derek is able to see ghosts and he finds himself involved in his first murder investigation. Eric, he ghost victim, is someone he knew in his youth in school, someone who enjoyed bullying him. Derek sets aside his bad memories and agrees to try to solve the murder. Pearl is a friend of Derek’s, who also happens to be a ghost. With her help, Derek goes out of his comfort zone and does what is needed to solve the case.
I enjoyed the interaction between Derek and Pearl and cannot wait to see how it develops. Eric was someone who was very easy to dislike. I also enjoyed the action and mystery and it kept me turning pages. Considering this was a short story, I thought it was well developed. But I wish that more time and explanation had been given about the tragedy in Derek’s past, but perhaps I will found out more in future books. I look forward to reading more of Derek’s ghostly adventures. I am happy that I have found another author to read that writes one of my favorite types of books.
June 5, 2018
Can't really complain since it was a free download, but it's not really a book, more like a short story. Very quick read with unusual characters: a ghost Pearl, who brings other ghosts to Derek, a retired widower, so that he can solve the mysteries surrounding their deaths.
Although this is listed as first in a series, we're thrown into the story with Pearl and Derek already being acquainted, although it's not quite clear how they met. In an afterword, I saw that the characters had been introduced in an earlier story, but it was a bit confusing in the "first" in a series. Also, there were conflicting references: it shifted between their having just met earlier that day to references that seemed to suggest that they'd been acquainted for a while.
All in all, the story was cute (maybe even a bit too cute), but a bit overly simplistic. Was this meant for children? Maybe given the neighbor Cheryl, not quite, but that's what it seemed like.
It wasn't more than just OK. I doubt I'll read any more in the series.
Although this is listed as first in a series, we're thrown into the story with Pearl and Derek already being acquainted, although it's not quite clear how they met. In an afterword, I saw that the characters had been introduced in an earlier story, but it was a bit confusing in the "first" in a series. Also, there were conflicting references: it shifted between their having just met earlier that day to references that seemed to suggest that they'd been acquainted for a while.
All in all, the story was cute (maybe even a bit too cute), but a bit overly simplistic. Was this meant for children? Maybe given the neighbor Cheryl, not quite, but that's what it seemed like.
It wasn't more than just OK. I doubt I'll read any more in the series.
January 19, 2017
I really like the story it was fun and entertaining, however for my taste the character of Eric didn't finish in the right way. I was expecting a change of heart and at least a last conversation with Derek. That's the reason I give it a four start instead of five. I will read the rest of the series.
April 5, 2018
Juvenile
This was a pretty silly story, probably best aimed for Jr high age readers. Ghosts, unlikely situations, very short. Could have made a longer book at the hands of a more experienced writer, but still best for the very young.
This was a pretty silly story, probably best aimed for Jr high age readers. Ghosts, unlikely situations, very short. Could have made a longer book at the hands of a more experienced writer, but still best for the very young.
December 20, 2015
Uninspiring
I got this as a freebie on Amazon, I found it quite boring this is not a book I will be keeping
I got this as a freebie on Amazon, I found it quite boring this is not a book I will be keeping
September 24, 2016
Kindle Free
Disturbing read
Derek Quill is an eldery gent who can see ghosts of murdered people thanks to Pearl the helping ghost from storage ghost series
Disturbing read
Derek Quill is an eldery gent who can see ghosts of murdered people thanks to Pearl the helping ghost from storage ghost series
June 15, 2023
A Lonely Death (A Pearl And Derek Mystery Book 1) is a short story by Gillian Larkin. We begin the book with an introduction to the main characters, Derek and Pearl. Derek is a person who can see ghosts. Pearl is a ghost, who comes to Derek, with a fellow ghosts, who needs Derek’s help. Soon enough, we find out that this is a ghost who Derek used to know in real life, a guy who bullied him back in his school days.
To be critical, I kind of wish we had a bit more early explanation as to who each of the characters in the beginning are. I feel like the stuff going on between Derek and Pearl could have been explained a lot more. There were a lot of confusing aspects about it, for me. I would have especially liked to know a bit more about Pearl and her abilities. Like the way she can “choose” to show ghosts to Derek? Or something like that? I feel like a lot of that stuff wasn’t explained properly. It’s mentioned later that he got the ability once he kissed Pearl… But… It still feels really unexplained. It doesn’t make any sense to me. Like… If Pearl is a ghost… And he couldn’t see ghosts beforehand, and only got that ability once he and Pearl shared a kiss… So Pearl decided to kiss him, despite him not even being able to see her, and before that he had no idea that she even existed…? Honestly, that stuff just sounds creepy. It doesn’t sound like it’s been very well thought through.
And as we continue on, in Chapter 4, I can see that the bullying wasn’t just one sided. We go to Eric’s home and Derek mocks Eric’s home décor, degrading him for it. And then we later find out that Derek pulled the pigtails of a girl at school, that we soon meet. So he physically assaulted the girl character, when they were in school together, and now it’s being passed off as a joke? Yikes. And then, even though she specifically says she doesn’t want to talk about finding the dead body, because it’s clearly upsetting to her, he encourages her into it by saying that he loves a good murder mystery. Awful guy. I don’t really like any of the characters. There’s a lot of negativity going on between all of them. Yeah, Eric must have been an awful character to deal with. However, reading the stuff people are saying about him, they were obviously bullying him to, saying all sorts of nasty things about him. It’s such a double standard; that the writer is implying that one person must be an awful bully, yet failing to acknowledge the negative behaviour of all the other characters that bully that person.
Even if we disregard the whole thing with Eric, there’s just something off about the way Derek and Pearl speak to each other. There’s something really off about the way other people talk about others, such as the gardener. He’s all grumpy that his boss, Eric, never made him a drink. And then starts bragging about going into Eric’s house after Eric’s death, to make himself a “a cuppa and I’ve used his toilet.” What? Why would you brag about something like that? Entering a dead person’s house and using the toilet, just so you can brag about it…? This character sounds awful. We soon meet Roy and Lilly, and a lot of their remarks seem really odd. Such as talking about Cheryl, and making rude implications about her. “My Lilly thinks Cheryl should have been arrested on the grounds of indecent exposure! You’ve said that many times, haven’t you, love?” Ew. Creepy. These two are just awful. And Pearl gets in on the rudeness towards her too, “I don’t trust the look on her face. Look at all that make-up! Did she use a trowel to put it on?” Awful. “Look at her hands, Derek, they’re not at all ladylike.”
The mystery aspect isn’t great, if I’m honest. In the end, the person confesses, without even trying to deny it. Which just didn’t make any sense to me. They could have easily denied it; there was no evidence to suggest it was them and, prior to that, there had been no suspicion on them anyway… It just seemed like the crime, and outcomes of the investigation, didn’t make much sense at all.
For me, this was a pretty bad read. The characters are all awful, even the ones that we’re supposed to think are good characters. There’s a lot of bullying going on, and not just from Eric. Pearl and Derek are definitely bullies as well, and they treat others negatively. Especially Pearl who has several outbursts against Cheryl. Such as, at one point, yelling that Cheryl is a “Hussy! Tart! Strumpet!” And, ironically, she’s meant to be a protagonist? As for the mystery aspects, there just needed to be a lot more evidence and actual investigation. When we finally do get a confession, there had been very little to lead us to this conclusion; it had been pretty much a wild guess, from Derek, that this character had done it. Overall, I did not like this story at all. The genres portion on Goodreads suggests that it’s a “Cozy Mystery”, but I beg to differ. This book was a really miserable story, full of angst and negativity. Nothing cosy about it.
To be critical, I kind of wish we had a bit more early explanation as to who each of the characters in the beginning are. I feel like the stuff going on between Derek and Pearl could have been explained a lot more. There were a lot of confusing aspects about it, for me. I would have especially liked to know a bit more about Pearl and her abilities. Like the way she can “choose” to show ghosts to Derek? Or something like that? I feel like a lot of that stuff wasn’t explained properly. It’s mentioned later that he got the ability once he kissed Pearl… But… It still feels really unexplained. It doesn’t make any sense to me. Like… If Pearl is a ghost… And he couldn’t see ghosts beforehand, and only got that ability once he and Pearl shared a kiss… So Pearl decided to kiss him, despite him not even being able to see her, and before that he had no idea that she even existed…? Honestly, that stuff just sounds creepy. It doesn’t sound like it’s been very well thought through.
And as we continue on, in Chapter 4, I can see that the bullying wasn’t just one sided. We go to Eric’s home and Derek mocks Eric’s home décor, degrading him for it. And then we later find out that Derek pulled the pigtails of a girl at school, that we soon meet. So he physically assaulted the girl character, when they were in school together, and now it’s being passed off as a joke? Yikes. And then, even though she specifically says she doesn’t want to talk about finding the dead body, because it’s clearly upsetting to her, he encourages her into it by saying that he loves a good murder mystery. Awful guy. I don’t really like any of the characters. There’s a lot of negativity going on between all of them. Yeah, Eric must have been an awful character to deal with. However, reading the stuff people are saying about him, they were obviously bullying him to, saying all sorts of nasty things about him. It’s such a double standard; that the writer is implying that one person must be an awful bully, yet failing to acknowledge the negative behaviour of all the other characters that bully that person.
Even if we disregard the whole thing with Eric, there’s just something off about the way Derek and Pearl speak to each other. There’s something really off about the way other people talk about others, such as the gardener. He’s all grumpy that his boss, Eric, never made him a drink. And then starts bragging about going into Eric’s house after Eric’s death, to make himself a “a cuppa and I’ve used his toilet.” What? Why would you brag about something like that? Entering a dead person’s house and using the toilet, just so you can brag about it…? This character sounds awful. We soon meet Roy and Lilly, and a lot of their remarks seem really odd. Such as talking about Cheryl, and making rude implications about her. “My Lilly thinks Cheryl should have been arrested on the grounds of indecent exposure! You’ve said that many times, haven’t you, love?” Ew. Creepy. These two are just awful. And Pearl gets in on the rudeness towards her too, “I don’t trust the look on her face. Look at all that make-up! Did she use a trowel to put it on?” Awful. “Look at her hands, Derek, they’re not at all ladylike.”
The mystery aspect isn’t great, if I’m honest. In the end, the person confesses, without even trying to deny it. Which just didn’t make any sense to me. They could have easily denied it; there was no evidence to suggest it was them and, prior to that, there had been no suspicion on them anyway… It just seemed like the crime, and outcomes of the investigation, didn’t make much sense at all.
For me, this was a pretty bad read. The characters are all awful, even the ones that we’re supposed to think are good characters. There’s a lot of bullying going on, and not just from Eric. Pearl and Derek are definitely bullies as well, and they treat others negatively. Especially Pearl who has several outbursts against Cheryl. Such as, at one point, yelling that Cheryl is a “Hussy! Tart! Strumpet!” And, ironically, she’s meant to be a protagonist? As for the mystery aspects, there just needed to be a lot more evidence and actual investigation. When we finally do get a confession, there had been very little to lead us to this conclusion; it had been pretty much a wild guess, from Derek, that this character had done it. Overall, I did not like this story at all. The genres portion on Goodreads suggests that it’s a “Cozy Mystery”, but I beg to differ. This book was a really miserable story, full of angst and negativity. Nothing cosy about it.
March 10, 2017
Kindle Unlimited, some of the same characters as Storage Ghost Murders by the same writer. Read a lot of her books, so sometimes every now and then seems like maybe something of the same sort but not exactly as another book but that is bound to happen or me to think it did.
This collection contains short stories: A Lonely Murder - A Slip And A Trip - Gossip To Kill For - A Dreadful Day Out - Left To Die
also available separately
Butterworth Mysteries, Storage Ghost Murder, Ghost Storage Mysteries, Julia Blake Murder Mysteries, Second Hand Ghosts, Ruby and Nessa Ghost Hunters, A Ray and Cain Mystery, Cara Daniels Cozy Mystery, others
This collection contains short stories: A Lonely Murder - A Slip And A Trip - Gossip To Kill For - A Dreadful Day Out - Left To Die
also available separately
Butterworth Mysteries, Storage Ghost Murder, Ghost Storage Mysteries, Julia Blake Murder Mysteries, Second Hand Ghosts, Ruby and Nessa Ghost Hunters, A Ray and Cain Mystery, Cara Daniels Cozy Mystery, others
February 21, 2018
Since you can't do 1/2 stars, I gave this a 4-star. Really a solid 3.5. Short paranormal murder mystery. Derek has lost his wife and daughter. He finds he can see ghosts and is acquainted with Pearl who is mentoring him to assist other ghosts find peace. His first 'case' is Eric - a bully he went to high school with. Eric has been murdered and Derek is helping to find his murderer. It's VERY well edited...so nice in a short self-published cozy!!!!!
April 2, 2018
Likeable
The couple are interesting and different, for a cozy: one is alive and the other a ghost and they're pretty old. They seem very comfortable with each other, maybe because this isn't their first joint adventure. The book is short, and moves right along, so it's a good choice for a long commute or a plane flight.
The couple are interesting and different, for a cozy: one is alive and the other a ghost and they're pretty old. They seem very comfortable with each other, maybe because this isn't their first joint adventure. The book is short, and moves right along, so it's a good choice for a long commute or a plane flight.
April 27, 2019
Great Read!!!
This is first book I have by this author but definitely not my last. I Love, Love, Love Derek & Pearl, they make a fantastic team. I will go back to the earlier books just to see how they met & get a feel for their beginning. I also would like to find out what happened to Derek’s wife & daughter. Thanx so much & I look forward to reading more.
This is first book I have by this author but definitely not my last. I Love, Love, Love Derek & Pearl, they make a fantastic team. I will go back to the earlier books just to see how they met & get a feel for their beginning. I also would like to find out what happened to Derek’s wife & daughter. Thanx so much & I look forward to reading more.
August 22, 2019
I listened to the Audible version of this book. Although this is book 1 in this series, the book assumes that the reader/listener already knows who the characters are. There is no character development. This is a very short book, so development would be abbreviated, however it still needs to happen. The narrator was very good at differentiating the characters.
4 * Overall
5 * Narration
3 * Book
4 * Overall
5 * Narration
3 * Book
June 23, 2020
Never too old...
This was a quick cozy mystery that was easy to read. Sadly I didn't find it as entertaining as other books by Gillian Larkin. There was nothing wrong with the book, I just found the characters a little bland. I will definitely try another book in the series and hopefully change my idea about this main character.
This was a quick cozy mystery that was easy to read. Sadly I didn't find it as entertaining as other books by Gillian Larkin. There was nothing wrong with the book, I just found the characters a little bland. I will definitely try another book in the series and hopefully change my idea about this main character.
August 13, 2019
A short story about Pearl who is a ghost and can be seen by Derek. Derek lost his wife Dorothy and his daughter not so long ago. When Pearl realizes that he can see her, they talk about would he like to help her get the ghosts on their final journeys. I gave it a 4 due to the length.
July 20, 2022
A pearl and Derek mystery
This was a clean, easy short read and my very first book of the series looking to read more into the series. I really liked the ghost character Pearl.
I would recommend this book to all who enjoys reading light clean mysteries.
This was a clean, easy short read and my very first book of the series looking to read more into the series. I really liked the ghost character Pearl.
I would recommend this book to all who enjoys reading light clean mysteries.
January 17, 2024
Pearl is helping Derek with his first ghost, who happens to be a former classmate. Will Derek be able to find the murderer before he becomes victim #2?!?!
This lovely short read was a page turner for sure. The author knows her stuff!
This lovely short read was a page turner for sure. The author knows her stuff!
April 3, 2018
This was a good mystery that kept the reader on his or her toes. It was tightly written, with attention to detail.
May 21, 2018
Fun to read!
This was a very entertaining and fun story. It moves very quickly with lots of humor and interesting characters. A must read!
This was a very entertaining and fun story. It moves very quickly with lots of humor and interesting characters. A must read!
September 3, 2018
The book was so good 👍
The story was great and had me hooked from the beginning to end.I wanted to be right there helping find the killer. Thanks so much for sharing it with me
The story was great and had me hooked from the beginning to end.I wanted to be right there helping find the killer. Thanks so much for sharing it with me
April 28, 2019
A. Good quick story
I loved this story. My only complaint was i finished it too quickly! Pearl it's great! Will have to read other books to find her back story.
I loved this story. My only complaint was i finished it too quickly! Pearl it's great! Will have to read other books to find her back story.
June 1, 2019
Ghostly
Loved the main characters. They work really well together. Well plotted story and a few misdirections. A very enjoyable read.
Loved the main characters. They work really well together. Well plotted story and a few misdirections. A very enjoyable read.
June 6, 2019
Received a free copy for a review. Fun, entertaining and interesting read. Enjoyed the characters and the descriptions of the area.
March 19, 2020
Liked the background and profiles
I liked the way the story was presented. I can't wait to see what Pearl and Derek get involved with next!
I liked the way the story was presented. I can't wait to see what Pearl and Derek get involved with next!
April 28, 2020
A very nice and satisfying spin-off from the previous series.
April 28, 2020
Another great read
A great short mystery story with the loveable pearl at it again. I enjoy reading these short mysteries and look forward to reading more
A great short mystery story with the loveable pearl at it again. I enjoy reading these short mysteries and look forward to reading more
February 5, 2021
Short and fun
I enjoyed reading this and will read more from this author. It is the kind of book that I would take on a plane, doesn't. Requires lot of concentration.
I enjoyed reading this and will read more from this author. It is the kind of book that I would take on a plane, doesn't. Requires lot of concentration.
December 15, 2021
Fun to read.
So different from my normal read. Kept me guessing to the end. I need a Pearl and Derek in my life.
So different from my normal read. Kept me guessing to the end. I need a Pearl and Derek in my life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews