Rack, Ruin and Murder

Campbell and Carter Mystery #2

by Ann Granger

When old Monty Bickerstaffe finds a dead body in his drawing room it comes as a nasty surprise. Monty lives alone in a crumbling Cotswold manor house and the last thing he wants is the police sniffing around his property. The identity of the corpse and how and why it was left in Monty's home remain a mystery. The locals swear they've seen nothing unusual and Monty's relatives claim they've never set eyes on the stiff before. But Inspector Jess Campbell is convinced that someone's lying and, with the help of Superintendent Ian Carter, she must dig deep into Monty's family history to reveal the shocking truth...

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Audiobook, British Literature, Mystery Thriller, Cozy, Fiction

Audio CD

First published September 16, 2011

About the author

Ann Granger attended the Northern Grammar School for Girls, and had thoughts about becoming a veterinarian, but discovered women were not accepted into vet schools because they were not believed to be strong enough. Instead she earned a Modern Languages degree at the University of London, where she first developed a desire to become a writer. worked in British embassies in various parts of the world. She met her husband, who was also working for the British Embassy, in Prague and together they received postings to places as far apart as Munich and Lusaka. They had two children.

Her first novels were historical romances published under the nom de plume Ann Hulme.

In 1991, Granger made the decision to switch to crime novels, saying, "Basically, there is only one plot in love stories: You can describe it in different ways, but you always come back to the subject of man and woman. Crime fiction opens up a world of possibilities for the writer. It lets you tackle deep and difficult issues." Her first crime novel, Say it with Poison, centred on the protagonists Meredith Mitchell, a consular clerk, and police officer Alan Markby. The book proved popular and Granger wrote 14 more Mitchell & Markby novels between 1991 and 2004.

Granger also wrote other crime novel series & in 2021, in recognition of thirty years of crime novels, Granger released a collection of eighteen short stories, Mystery in the Making.

On 24 September 2025, her publisher Headline announced that Granger had died at the age of 86

This autobiography was added to with information from Wikipedia & Encyclopedia.com.

Reviews

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rack, Ruin and Murder, the sequel to Mud, Muck and Dead Things, proves even better than the first. Inspector Jess Campbell investigates the appearance of a dead man in the moldering manor occupied by the eccentric Monty Bickerstaffe, nearly the last of a family very much gone down on its luck. Who is the expensively dressed corpse, who Monty swears he doesn’t recognize?

Amusing and well-plotted, Rack, Ruin and Murder contains a number of twists — including an unforeseen surprise on the very last page! What a wonderful series author Ann Granger has launched! (Not that I forgive her for abandoning her Mitchell and Markby mysteries in 2004; just sayin’.) Still, this series is definitely a keeper.

[Miriam Smith (A Mother’s Musings) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes all the brain needs is a well written and executed, cosy mystery. Ann Granger writes fabulous stories with great characterisation and “Rack, Ruin and Murder” was no exception. Thoroughly enjoyed.

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new author for me, not sure about her though as it took overhalf through the book it get going. Very slow. I love crime, mystery and cozy reads so, I'll give the next one a try.

[Rodica · Rating 3 out of 5]

The awkward spot of being better than a 3 stars, but not good enough for a 4 goes to the second installment in Ann Granger’s “Campbell and Carter” series. We are back in the English countryside with some elements very similar to the 1st book, such as a sprawling decrepit house (in this case, a formerly big and rich one), grumpy old man full of secrets, unknown body that doesn’t belong in the place it’s found, a stranger to the place, neighbors and locals that know things and will sometimes share it with our protagonists. The similarities make the second book less interesting for me, especially as I read both almost back to back. Also, the first book was more atmospheric and dark, more depressing. There was something gothic about the old boarded up house on the hill, where nobody stepped foot for 3 decades or so. The past secrets in the current one make you sad, not spooked out. Still, not s bad read.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mlle Alice, pouvez-vous nous raconter votre rencontre avec Manoir, Magouilles et Coq-au-Vin ?
"J'ai vraiment bien aimé le premier tome. J'avais hâte de retrouver certains personnages et d'en savoir plus sur les autres, d'enquêter à nouveau aux côtés de l'inspecteur Campbell et de me balader dans la campagne anglaise."

Dites-nous en un peu plus sur son histoire...
"Alors que le vieux Monty rentre chez lui après sa balade quotidienne au pub, une bouteille de whisky à la main, il tombe nez à nez avec le corps d'un homme qu'il n'a jamais vu, confortablement installé (autant que puisse l'être un cadavre) sur le canapé du salon..."

Mais que s'est-il exactement passé entre vous ?
"D'abord, je voudrais rappeler qu'il ne s'agit pas d'un cosy mystery mais bien d'une enquête de police, où la campagne anglaise n'est qu'un bonus non négligeable. En tant que tel, j'ai beaucoup apprécié ma lecture. J'ai vite été prise dans l'intrigue, intéressée par les différents protagonistes. Ann Granger a un réel talent pour dépeindre ses personnages mais malheureusement, elle ne sait absolument pas l'exploiter. Tout d'abord, comme dans son autre série, il semblerait qu'elle soit incapable de lier ses différents livres en créant tout un panel de personnalités. J'avais adoré par exemple deux personnages du tome précédent mais ils ont ici complètement disparus. Mais en plus, elle néglige finalement ses héros, qui ont l'air d'être des prétextes à l'histoire et dont on ne sait presque rien. C'est franchement un gâchis monumental quand on sait qu'elle est tout à fait capable de leur donner de l'épaisseur. En plus, c'est le seul bémol de ces romans que j'aime par ailleurs beaucoup. Je garde donc espoir pour la suite et ça ne m'empêche pas de me régaler mais je me demande toujours comment cela se fait que nous sommes de nombreux lecteurs à relever ce même point et que son éditeur, lui, ne s'en est jamais rendu compte !"

Et comment cela s'est-il fini ?
"J'ai apprécié la résolution de l'enquête et ses différentes ramifications mais j'ai vraiment eu de la peine pour le pauvre Monty et pour sa maison. C'est comme si Ann Granger se désintéressait de ses personnages dès que la police a terminé son travail. C'est, là encore, le reflet de son principal défaut et c'est vraiment dommage."


http://booksaremywonderland.hautetfor...

[Alissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

That had to be one of the best endings to a book I have EVER read! Just... holy shit.

The second installment blew it out of the water! I tend to worry when I love the first book in a series because normally it is so very hard for an author to recapture the magic in subsequent books. Not this time. I loved everything about it.

I must be dense, clueless or just plain stupid or a combination of all three. Seriously. Again, I had absolutely no clue to the identity of the murderer until they were revealed. I think because I'm so immersed into the story and anxiously awaiting for what is around the corner that I'm not paying as close attention to clues left in my lap. Because once we know "whodunit" I'm like "I remember that!"

Ms. Granger is one of the best I've ever read when it comes to writing secondary characters and their backstories. That includes suspects, witnesses or other members of the force. I was quite happy that we found out more about Mr. Enigma himself, Superintendent Ian Carter. Really the only niggle I had with this book... is I believe the author is not quite doing justice to Inspector Campbell. I still feel as if I quite don't know her. I don't mean about her family or childhood but what really makes her tick. Hopefully, the author addresses this in later books.

Now, my won wish from the last book was I wanted some development in the relationship between Carter and Campbell and I almost got it but something or rather someone got in the way and I was quite frustrated. But then... but then the author goes back to one of the characters from the story. I'm thinking the murder has been solved why is she doing this? And the answer is so she could drop a motherfucking bombshell! And it was BRILLIANT, unexpected but not unbelievable and just plain amazing. GAH!

If you love a good cozy mystery you MUST start this series. This book alone is worth it!

5 amazing stars

[Cheryl Landmark · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice little cozy mystery with a wonderful twist at the very end.

Despite being a grumpy, anti-social, curmudgeonly old coot, Monty was my favourite character! I haven't read the first book in the series, so I don't know what the relationship between Ian Carter and Jessica Campbell was like in it, but in this one, there seemed to be a hint of something developing between them. If only that pesky Tom Palmer would take himself out of the picture! :-)

All in all, the mystery was a good one, and I didn't guess the identity of the murderer until it was revealed. So, not exactly a scintillating mystery book, but an enjoyable read, nevertheless.

[Plum-crazy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well I much preferred this to the first in the series ("Mud, Muck & Dead Things") but again to say it's a Campbell & Carter mystery there seems little interaction between the two - though reading between the lines that could be on it's way. Pretty much the same format & once again there are very few suspects so the outcome is no surprise. Nothing else to say, entertaining enough but nothing to get excited over. 

[Renita D'Silva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thrilling. Loved cantankerous old Monty

[Ivar Volmar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Algas paljutõotavad, aga siis vajus ära ja ka lõpplahendus jäi lahjaks

[Svenja · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t exactly read these books for their story more because I really like Jess. And Carter.

[Vessy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the twists so it's really a 4.5

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a solid 4 star read and then the last 4 chapters happened and GREAT GOOGLY MOOGLY, that was a spectacular ending and bumped it instantly to 5 stars. Brilliant.

[BookAddict · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another fun read, not as good as the first but still a very solid mystery.

[Jane Glen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this new Granger series! Hope there are many more!

[Mairi Chong · Rating 5 out of 5]

When elderly drunk Monty returns to his country mansion to discover the dead body of a stranger lying on his chaise longue, he is horrified, but even more so when the police insist he moves out while they investigate. In doing so, they discover that one of the upper rooms that Monty has been unable to climb to for some years has been lived in. Inspector Jess Campbell and Superintendent Ian Carter have their work cut out to unravel the mess.
This is an incredibly satisfying read and the first of Granger’s books I have read. With an up-to-date golden-age feel, the story capers along at a steady pace with plenty of humourous touches, especially from cantankerous Monty thrown in. I was delighted with the ending especially, which gave a neat and satisfying surprise to the reader. I look forward to hunting down many more of Granger’s books!

[Reggie Billingsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this title for all its characters and the layers of "family secrets" theme that Granger continues right down to the last paragraph. Great finale!

So many families tout themselves as something special and then believing in their own legends, get all hypocritically concerned over their reputations and what others might think etc etc. It's been my experience that this almost arrested adolescent-like obsession with 'self' is largely imaginary... entirely absent in the minds and preoccupations of others. i.e. "They" are truly not paying that much attention to you if they think of you at all. You are NOT that important (or, if you were once, you are no longer)...is the message I would dearly like to impart to these self absorbed types.

Sad for them to realise I suppose, but very true.

[Mythical Bookwrym · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was an enjoyable enough listen, and the stakes where low enough where I felt like I didn't lose anything if I happened to 'space out' while listening to the novel.

That same 'low stakes' however, serve the book poorly.

None of the characters have life, which made me feel like I had no connection to any of them. The methods used by the police, and the stereotypes used to strengthen their suspicions of who committed the murder (Farming family that keeps to themselves are suspected of all sorts of nefarious deeds) made me like them even less.

This book is also very similar to the first novel of the series, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but it does make me question how many old abandoned homes will be featured in the rest of the series, and how long it'll take for the trope to get boring.

[Ursa Minor · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m trying to get through it but it’s like trudging through sludge. It’s a puzzle why this book isn’t easier to read - the characters are pleasant enough and there is some sort of plot and I like police procedurals that are neither interested in cheap sensational violence or apparent ‘realism’ and that don’t try to overreach themselves pretending to be literary masterpieces or handbooks of faux psychology. But it’s possible to be none of these other things and still not be dull. This book is unfortunately dull, I’m halfway through the book and I don’t care why the victim is dead, or who murdered him and, most damningly I don’t care if the two apparently personality-less main detectives work it out or not. Sigh, I will finish it at some point but I was hoping for better.

[Rupert Matthews · Rating 3 out of 5]

I reallly enoyed reading this book. The charactes had real depth and I came to care about them. The plot began well with a startling discovery, and went on with a story line sufficiently twisted to keep me guessing as to what was going on and why. I enjoyed the theme of "keeping secrets" that ran through the story - the way that some people keeping secrets turned out to be terrible, while other incidents turned out well.

My only real problem came at the end. The explanation for the murder was so tortuous and complicated as to be entirely unrealistic in any likely universe. It rather spoiled the book for me. But you might no be so pickey, and it was an enjoyable read.

[San · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5. I have to say this was a good addition to the Carter and Campbell series! Once again, I was charmed by the cozy British mystery vibe of it and I really found myself liking Monty and the whole unwinding backstory of his life and Balaclava House. Unlike the first one, I was actually able to figure out who the culprit was before it was revealed but this did not take away from my enjoyment of the book at all. It was also nice to finally learn more about Superintendent Carter's character, though I do hope we get to see Campbell and Carter actually interacting more later in the series since we haven't seen too much yet.

[Richard Christmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ann Granger nous livre une nouvelle série policière qui se passe de nos jours. Ça n'est pas sans rappeler Agatha Raisin même si l'inspectrice Jess manque de caractère. C'est moins original que la série "Ben et Lizzie" mais les intrigues sont toujours aussi bien construites et c'est toujours aussi plaisant à lire. J'ai bien aimé le personnage de Monty, un homme bourru et antipathique mais qui porte depuis longtemps un secret et qui l'a marqué au plus profond de lui même et l'a rongé toute sa vie, le rendant finalement attachant. Dans cette ville d'Angleterre, des évènements du passé que tout le monde croyait oubliés vont refaire surface; c'est prenant et passionnant jusqu'à la dernière page.

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not begin the Campbell & Carter series with the first book, but I did get hooked. The rural setting and rural characters are so thoughtfully drawn, so real and complex. Even in a social setting that is shaped by a class system, each character is treated with respect. (Even the ones you never want to see again!) Yes, we foresee that Campbell & Carter will grow closer, but that somewhat cliched plot element did not ruin the book for me. I am committed to reading more in this series. Brava! Oh, 4.5 stars, please.

[Szustalke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not sure if I am not as much in the mood for reading in general or whether that book is significantly worse than others from the same series- I am inclined to say it's the latter.
Few good characters but the rest was a little sloppy and not enough cues at early stages to be able to try to patch the story together which is always fun with crime books. It didn't feel like inspectors are progressing as characters or that we get to see them in a more private light either.
All in all, not horrible but she did write better books.

[Linda Amos · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy Ann Granger books. This is a new series for me. I'm not sure if it's the first one in the Campbell and Carter series bit I will be reading more.
Monty, an elderly, cantankerous gent who lives in Balaclava House on his own, comes back from town. Who is the dead body on the sofa? How did they get there? Who has been using the upstairs bedroom? A story of old secrets, family history and a change in fortune.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read 2 of Granger’s books now and intend to move on to a third. Very well written and enjoyable procedural in the style of the ‘old’ cozies. Not disgustingly silly and sugary as some newer ones are. Very to the point and convoluted in a good way, although some of the characters can go on and on about unnecessary topics. Could use a little humor to break things up. And thank goodness the covers are well done and not whimsical and cartoonish.

[C.G.Koens · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Repeat on Book #1

I was hoping "Rack, Ruin, and Murder" would be an improvement on "Mud, Much, and Dead Things"...but instead, and kept feeling like it was the same plot and characters warmed over. The only twist I didn't see coming was at the very, very end - nice touch! Otherwise, the ending felt rushed and the family line was confusing, and the only reason I'll read the next book is because I bought them as a set.

[Katie Wood · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe 2.5⭐️? Geez seeing the start and end dates laid out like that is wild 7/29-10/15 lol but I think that speaks for itself, it took me forever to get through this. the ending was really exciting so I appreciated that. kind of a lot of people to keep track of? and the writing style didn’t help by interchanging first and last names of all the characters all the time. Glad to be done with this one!

[Kelly Callaghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monty Bickerstaffe lives alone in the old and decaying family home. Upon arriving home he finds a dead man sitting on his sofa. He doesn’t know the man, and neither does anyone the police ask. And the police set about finding his identity and his murderer life in the small village is revealed.

A pleasant change from the many graphic crime novels that are published.

[Carole-Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another nice story, with some rather eccentric characters :) And a clever (unexpected) twist at the end.
Superintendent Ian Carter is becoming more involved; and Jess Campbell is quite clever in her deductions. Nice Sergeant in Phil Morton (good, solid detective-work); and a very cheery pathologist in Tom Palmer.
Good fun.