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Joanna McKenzie #1
Dressed to Kill
A gripping murder mystery from a master of the genre
Nobody likes Mrs Pryce.
Meddling, miserable and small-minded, she is the Scrooge of the square where she lives in Bath.
Her neighbours are weary of her constant allegations — the latest being that someone is stealing her plants.
When Joanna McKenzie, ex-policewoman turned private detective, is called to investigate, she finds she doesn’t care for Mrs Pryce either — but a minor source of unpleasantness turns major when Mrs Pryce is battered to death.
If this was not challenging enough, Joanna is forced to work alongside her former colleague and old flame, Inspector James Carrick.
Heat begins to build on all fronts when a young red-headed nurse, mistaken for Joanna, winds up murdered, and the eccentric characters living in the square begin to show their true colours.
Joanna and James must put their feelings on hold and unite to catch the killer before the killer finds them.
Dressed to Kill is a gripping murder mystery set in the cosy town of Bath.
Praise for Margaret Duffy
‘Combines derring-do with a cozy, upper-crust charm — somewhat reminiscent of Golden Age detective fiction. The steely Rolt and the dashing Piers will wow devoted Anglophiles.’ - Kirkus Reviews on Man of Blood .
‘Such a romp that it is not difficult to suspend disbelief. These are the folks who taught James Bond all he knows’ - The Washington Times on Rook Shoot
'The many-layered plot delivers plenty of satisfying action.' – Publishers Weekly on Who Killed Cock Robin?
'Margaret Duffy writes so well and Ingrid is so appealing … There is excitement, adventure, action, violence, and all the other bits and pieces of the derring-do that lovers of thrillers have come to expect' - The Drood Review of Mystery on Death of a Raven
‘The Gillards leap from one fantastic feat of derring-do to the next … It’s fun to suspend disbelief and revel in the extravagant adventure’ - Publishers Weekly on Death of a Raven
Margaret Duffy , born in Essex, England, now lives in Beith, Scotland, with her husband of twenty-nine years, Gordon, and their daughter, Hayley Ann. Before becoming an author, she was a civil servant with the Ministry of Defence. Her many interests include reading crime novels, cooking, and underwater archaeology; however, the majority of her time is spent gardening in her six-and-a-half-acre woodland garden. Duffy attributes her ability to tell stories to her paternal grandfather, who regaled her with many of the wonderful folktales of his homeland, Bohemia. Noted on many occasions for her mastery of action scenes as well as character development in her seven previous crime novels, including Who Killed Cock Robin, Rook Shoot, and Brass Eagle , Margaret Duffy continues to please fans with her unusual characters and unique plot twists.
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.
Nobody likes Mrs Pryce.
Meddling, miserable and small-minded, she is the Scrooge of the square where she lives in Bath.
Her neighbours are weary of her constant allegations — the latest being that someone is stealing her plants.
When Joanna McKenzie, ex-policewoman turned private detective, is called to investigate, she finds she doesn’t care for Mrs Pryce either — but a minor source of unpleasantness turns major when Mrs Pryce is battered to death.
If this was not challenging enough, Joanna is forced to work alongside her former colleague and old flame, Inspector James Carrick.
Heat begins to build on all fronts when a young red-headed nurse, mistaken for Joanna, winds up murdered, and the eccentric characters living in the square begin to show their true colours.
Joanna and James must put their feelings on hold and unite to catch the killer before the killer finds them.
Dressed to Kill is a gripping murder mystery set in the cosy town of Bath.
Praise for Margaret Duffy
‘Combines derring-do with a cozy, upper-crust charm — somewhat reminiscent of Golden Age detective fiction. The steely Rolt and the dashing Piers will wow devoted Anglophiles.’ - Kirkus Reviews on Man of Blood .
‘Such a romp that it is not difficult to suspend disbelief. These are the folks who taught James Bond all he knows’ - The Washington Times on Rook Shoot
'The many-layered plot delivers plenty of satisfying action.' – Publishers Weekly on Who Killed Cock Robin?
'Margaret Duffy writes so well and Ingrid is so appealing … There is excitement, adventure, action, violence, and all the other bits and pieces of the derring-do that lovers of thrillers have come to expect' - The Drood Review of Mystery on Death of a Raven
‘The Gillards leap from one fantastic feat of derring-do to the next … It’s fun to suspend disbelief and revel in the extravagant adventure’ - Publishers Weekly on Death of a Raven
Margaret Duffy , born in Essex, England, now lives in Beith, Scotland, with her husband of twenty-nine years, Gordon, and their daughter, Hayley Ann. Before becoming an author, she was a civil servant with the Ministry of Defence. Her many interests include reading crime novels, cooking, and underwater archaeology; however, the majority of her time is spent gardening in her six-and-a-half-acre woodland garden. Duffy attributes her ability to tell stories to her paternal grandfather, who regaled her with many of the wonderful folktales of his homeland, Bohemia. Noted on many occasions for her mastery of action scenes as well as character development in her seven previous crime novels, including Who Killed Cock Robin, Rook Shoot, and Brass Eagle , Margaret Duffy continues to please fans with her unusual characters and unique plot twists.
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.
- GenresMystery
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 1994
15 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Duffy
53 books14 followersMargaret Duffy has worked for both the Inland Revenue and the Ministry of Defence. She now lives in Devon in a one-time crossing-keeper`s cottage.
When not writing, Margaret works as a garden designer.
When not writing, Margaret works as a garden designer.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 17, 2016
Mrs. Pryce is hated by all the people that surround her, so when she is murdered, all her neighbors are suspects. And these are very peculiar neighbors!
Joanna McKenzie, an ex police woman who now runs a private detective agency, was hired by nasty Mrs. Pryce just before she was killed, to find out who was stealing the plants in her garden.
To make matters more complicated, the police officer in charge is Joanna's ex lover and colleague, Inspector James Carrick.
I'm not sure that the title matches the book very much (you get to know why it's called "Dressed to Kill", but to me it's a bit forced). And there's another investigation going on, about a very valuable artifact stolen from a church, that somehow ends up tied to this investigation.
This is a light, pleasant read and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Joanna McKenzie, an ex police woman who now runs a private detective agency, was hired by nasty Mrs. Pryce just before she was killed, to find out who was stealing the plants in her garden.
To make matters more complicated, the police officer in charge is Joanna's ex lover and colleague, Inspector James Carrick.
I'm not sure that the title matches the book very much (you get to know why it's called "Dressed to Kill", but to me it's a bit forced). And there's another investigation going on, about a very valuable artifact stolen from a church, that somehow ends up tied to this investigation.
This is a light, pleasant read and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 30, 2016
A thief and a murder. A nosey, busy body of a neighbour has hired a Private investigator to find out who is taking her plants. So Private investigator Joanna McKenzie, who is an ex policewoman begins to investigate. She soon finds out why not many of the neighbours like Mrs Pryce. But is shocked when Mrs Pryce turns up dead. Battered to death it seems on her own doorstep.
As the police are brought in Joanna realises and its her old work colleague and old flame Inspector James Carrick, and she is forced to work alongside him again.
This was quite a quick read compared to some books at just over 220 pages, so it something you could easily get through on a long journey, or full day sat in the garden.
I did occasionally get a little confused within the story. And went back to re read what i'd read.
It just seems like a typical whodunit type of book.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC of this book.
As the police are brought in Joanna realises and its her old work colleague and old flame Inspector James Carrick, and she is forced to work alongside him again.
This was quite a quick read compared to some books at just over 220 pages, so it something you could easily get through on a long journey, or full day sat in the garden.
I did occasionally get a little confused within the story. And went back to re read what i'd read.
It just seems like a typical whodunit type of book.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC of this book.
April 13, 2020
Mrs Pryce is not liked by her neighbours but when someone starts stealing her flowers she employs Joanna McKenzie, ex-detective now private investigativeto find the culprit. But then Mrs Pryce is found dead and her case is investigated by D.I. James Carrick. Joanna's old boss and ex-lover.
An enjoyable crime story
An enjoyable crime story
December 8, 2015
I would like to thank NetGalley and Endeavour Press for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest and open review.
When an obnoxious woman is murdered in Bath, ex-policewoman turned PI Joanne McKenzie investigates.
I really enjoyed this and read it in a couple of sittings.
There are 2 threads to this story, the murder and the theft of a church relic.
I loved Joanne, a well drawn character who was easy to like. The dialogue between her and James, her on/off partner flowed easily.
If you enjoy mysteries with a touch of romance this is definitely a book for you.
I hope there will be more books about Joanne McKenzie PI.
When an obnoxious woman is murdered in Bath, ex-policewoman turned PI Joanne McKenzie investigates.
I really enjoyed this and read it in a couple of sittings.
There are 2 threads to this story, the murder and the theft of a church relic.
I loved Joanne, a well drawn character who was easy to like. The dialogue between her and James, her on/off partner flowed easily.
If you enjoy mysteries with a touch of romance this is definitely a book for you.
I hope there will be more books about Joanne McKenzie PI.
December 1, 2015
A bit of a twist and turns type mystery, I did enjoy it and it was an easy read. Some murder, some romance and a little bit of non graphic violence. There is a lot to like with this book - but then Margaret Duffy never disappoints. The characters are well drawn, and there is a lot going on with all of them, and the mysteries are well entwined. In all a good read. This book was supplied to me in return for a honest and unbiased review.
January 9, 2016
A quick read and a good introduction to a potentially interesting private detective, Joanna McKenzie. The mystery was just okay - I always find it a bit lazy when a murder victim is so hateful and full of venom and spite such that the cast of potential suspects grows based on personality alone. That being said, I'd revisit the Bath of Ms. McKenzie in the next installment.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 14, 2015
I would like to thank NetGalley for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a great piece of work with plenty of twists to keep things interesting. Well developed characters really help.
This is a great piece of work with plenty of twists to keep things interesting. Well developed characters really help.
December 23, 2015
Another gripping whodunit set in the lovely town of Bath.
Margaret Duffy writes great stories with fascinating characters.
Great Read!
Margaret Duffy writes great stories with fascinating characters.
Great Read!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews