Scaring Crows

DI Joanna Piercy #5

by Priscilla Masters

There was a hole in his chest. A big hole. A quick glance showed exposed flesh and bone, red gore. It had been an accurate shot. Truck driver Dave Shackleton senses that all is not well at Hardacre farm when he arrives to collect the morning’s milk. The cows are loose and the farmers nowhere to be seen … In the farmhouse, he discovers the bodies of Aaron Summers and his son Jack, killed with their own shotgun. Sweltering in a heatwave, Detective Inspector Joanna Piercy is now faced with solving a double murder by person or persons unknown; and when she learns that Aaron also had a daughter, Ruthie, she sets in motion a massive search to find her – either alive or dead … ‘Clear and well-crafted storytelling that pulled me in right from the start. The atmosphere of the heatwave and the claustrophobic community was beautifully done, and the lack of sentimentality in the relationship between Joanna and [her boyfriend] Matthew was fresh and entirely credible.’ - Ann Cleeves. ‘A masterpiece of crime fiction … The plot – which unfolds like an origami model – is intricate, clear and faultless … Every page of this gripping mystery deserves to be savoured.’ – femaledetective.com. ‘More than a match for Rendell and Christie’ – Broadway Ham & High. The fifth of Telos Publishing’s reissues of noted British crime author Priscilla Masters’ Joanna Piercy mystery series

Genres: Crime, Mystery, Fiction

260 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Priscilla Masters' writing career started in 1987 when she published Mr. Bateman's Garden, a children's book set in Biddulph Grange Gardens belonging to the National Trust. After that she created Inspector Joanna Piercy and has now also written a number of Medical Mysteries.

Priscilla Masters lives in Shropshire, England. She works part-time in Staffordshire as a practice nurse.

Reviews

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this continuing series - look forward to the next one :)

[Joanne M Brunelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great mystery, intriguing characters, had me guessing until the end. Still struggling with why Joanna is still with Matthew. As he notes, she is acting like an adolescent in her dislike of his daughter - who's the adult there? And there is not enough in the story to really explain what the attraction is between these two.

[Lilly Hi Way · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder in a Rural Setting

This is the first book I've read by Priscilla Masters and I can say that I was impressed. It's Book 5 but I didn't feel like I was missing out by not having read the first 4 books. In this story we have murder occurring on a family farm with a father and his son murdered and his daughter missing. The reason why only becomes clear at the very end and although shocking it's very believable. I plan on reading more books by this author.

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another good British crime thriller set in the 1990s.

Two murders at a farm begin the hunt for the killer and Joanna and crew investigate in the unusual sweltering heat.

The characters suited the plot but I still don't understand why Joanna is with Matthew who is deluded and selfish.

This was a mysterious story about old-fashioned thinking - sad, disturbing and a peek into intricate human behaviour.

Recommended.

[Eirlys · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enthralling book.

Another fantastic book from Priscilla Masters. There is murder with two farmers, shot by their own shotgun. The characters were so well crafted that, the interactions between them completely believable and intriguing. The suspense began with the victims' deaths, and ramped up as the story unfolded.

[Neil Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good old detective story

This story has quite good pace and a great mixture of characters, I thought I'd guessed the culprit about halfway through.

However, the author had me guessing again and again, the final outcome was a good, if little, twist.

Well worth a read, just why do we have to get so involved with our heroes private lives so much?

[Lyndsay Gunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75*

Was good and kept me guessing throughout as to who was guilty. The characters where intriguing and all had their individual quirks
I was a bit confused over the main relationship and why she stayed with him despite the incompatibilities and her childish hatred towards his daughter, I felt it was unnecessary for the story

[Debra Whisson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read the rest of the series I was disappointed with this one . I am irritated as to why the protagonist stays with a man she obviously dislikes , and a few plot holes were annoying.

If there is to be any more I hope they improve but I will give them a try .

[R.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the book. The author sets you right in the middle of the scene. The smell and grubby interior of the farmhouse is palpable. Detective Joanna is confused after asking after the missing girl that no clues arise.

[Marie Shirley Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

This is by far the best in this series that I have read so far.

I am not going to give any thing away, just don't start reading this before bedtime, because you really can't put it down!

[Marge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Find The Needle In the Haystack

This book’s plot is complicated but with a few repeats (Eloise and her parents’ relationship is one of the repeating complications). But stick with the story because it’s an awesome one!

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really enjoying this series. The mystery itself was quite perplexing and chilling.

My chief complaint is Joanna’s personal life. I’m tired of the Matthew/Eloise drama. I don’t think I will read more of this series.

[ElaineY]

Why Aborted: Now, that Matthew has broken up with his wife and, IIRC, has moved out of the home over a year already, Joanna is still bitching about his daughter, that he's putting her first instead of Joanna.

I cannot tolerate such relationship drama in my crime books.

[Wendy Biden · Rating 5 out of 5]

good reads

I love this series and I would never have guessed who murdered the man and his son. The only thing I ask of the author , please don’t let Jo sell her house and get her involved with that vet. It will never work with Matt, as he doesn’t want the same things as she does.

[Ivana Richards · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good mystery from Priscilla Masters.

[Mick Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read all the other books in the series, they are really well written and keep you on tender hooks to the end, can't wait to read "Murder on the Moors"

[Laura Poppenwimer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been going through this series and they books are all equally interesting. They are a quick read that keeps you engaged to the end.

[M R B Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Family ties

Eventually Joanna pieces the puzzle together. Secrets within a family and misunderstandings cause first and concern. Will the relationship survive?

[Saadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

great psychology

The female detective has to juggle her personal life challenges as well as the professional knotty puzzles. Shrewd understanding of human character and motives.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 ★

[David Stimpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Cracking Story in this series .plenty going on to keep you guessing and a back storyline as well .

[Helen]

,

[Gary Van Cott · Rating 3 out of 5]

While reading this book (I have been reading the series is order) I realized how similar it is to Ann Granger's Mitchell & Markby mysteries. This really isn't a good thing. The stories share a similar lack of complexity and depth that is found more often in more urban settings in the UK.

I can't say I am developing any fondness for DI Joanna Piercy who doesn't seem to have the flexibility to adapt to the personal situation she has found herself in.

[Alessandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

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