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Simon Farraday was a respectable business man; successful, wealthy and with a loving wife and family. He was also heavily into sadomasochistic sex with virtual strangers, judging by the manner of his brutal, squalid murder.
Detective Sergeant Kate Redman could do without the complexities of this case, coping as she is with trying to maintain her long-distance relationship with her boyfriend Tin, deal with her recurrent attraction to her boss DCI Anderton and support her friend DI Mark Olbeck in his efforts to adopt a child. But investigating a case with such dark undercurrents of desire and jealousy means that the solution to the mystery may hit just a little too close to home…
Siren is the ninth book in the bestselling series The Kate Redman Mysteries, from crime writer Celina Grace.
Praise for Celina Grace from Amazon and Goodreads reviewers:
"The gradual crescendo of action and pace remorselessly increases..."
"Love Kate. She is human, does not always make good choices just like us."
“At last, a mystery that delivers…I found this novel superb because I got all I needed to know and none of what I didn’t.”
“…a gripping detective story but the main character engages you, and as well as wanting to know how the mystery turns out you want to learn more about her too.”
“…amazing book, read it front to back in one visit, couldn`t help myself…”
“…the most enjoyable Kindle book I have so far read since the 'low cost electronic revolution' which has been sweeping my reading habits for the last couple of years! Thoroughly recommended.”
“This was my introduction to the author, and I'm so glad I discovered the book. Well-written and a real page turner.”
“I was awake till the early hours to finish it !! I really enjoyed it and the characters in it so I'm pleased I also have the sequel downloaded to read at some point. I know it should be great.”
“Attention to detail and great character building coupled with a mystery that keeps you guessing are all the ingredients that make me keep reading till the early hours of the morning.”
"Celina Grace has done it again, she compels you from page to page and chapter to chapter, a great, riveting read..."
"I found it difficult to put down and was completely distracted from all the other things I should have been doing with my time."
"This is a great series that I couldn't put down and grabbed the next book right away at 1 a.m. to keep reading."
Detective Sergeant Kate Redman could do without the complexities of this case, coping as she is with trying to maintain her long-distance relationship with her boyfriend Tin, deal with her recurrent attraction to her boss DCI Anderton and support her friend DI Mark Olbeck in his efforts to adopt a child. But investigating a case with such dark undercurrents of desire and jealousy means that the solution to the mystery may hit just a little too close to home…
Siren is the ninth book in the bestselling series The Kate Redman Mysteries, from crime writer Celina Grace.
Praise for Celina Grace from Amazon and Goodreads reviewers:
"The gradual crescendo of action and pace remorselessly increases..."
"Love Kate. She is human, does not always make good choices just like us."
“At last, a mystery that delivers…I found this novel superb because I got all I needed to know and none of what I didn’t.”
“…a gripping detective story but the main character engages you, and as well as wanting to know how the mystery turns out you want to learn more about her too.”
“…amazing book, read it front to back in one visit, couldn`t help myself…”
“…the most enjoyable Kindle book I have so far read since the 'low cost electronic revolution' which has been sweeping my reading habits for the last couple of years! Thoroughly recommended.”
“This was my introduction to the author, and I'm so glad I discovered the book. Well-written and a real page turner.”
“I was awake till the early hours to finish it !! I really enjoyed it and the characters in it so I'm pleased I also have the sequel downloaded to read at some point. I know it should be great.”
“Attention to detail and great character building coupled with a mystery that keeps you guessing are all the ingredients that make me keep reading till the early hours of the morning.”
"Celina Grace has done it again, she compels you from page to page and chapter to chapter, a great, riveting read..."
"I found it difficult to put down and was completely distracted from all the other things I should have been doing with my time."
"This is a great series that I couldn't put down and grabbed the next book right away at 1 a.m. to keep reading."
268 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 29, 2016
1253 people are currently reading
660 people want to read
About the author
Celina Grace
62 books455 followersI’ve been trying to get published as a writer since…. um… er…um…see, it was that long ago I can’t remember. A long time. I make it fifteen years and counting….
I’ve also been writing for as long as I can really remember. I wrote my first story, The Blue Ruby, when I was about seven (if I can find that deathless prose scribbled in an exercise book somewhere, I might upload it here for a bit of light relief). Throughout college and university, I experimented with screenplays and scripts (I was studying Film and English at the time at the University of East Anglia), as well as other more short stories. In my twenties, I started my first novel, finished it, then my second, then my third. In my thirties, I was slightly side-tracked by the birth of my son but, leaving aside that trifling distraction, managed to write my fourth..
I didn’t bother trying to get the first novel published as I saw it as more of a practise run at this business of being an author. With the second, I entered the 2004 Lit Idol competition and got to third place. That was my ticket to publication, I thought, surely? Hah! Just the first in a long line of disappointments, of which every writer must be familiar… hopes built up to then be smacked down again. I had an agent approach me after the competition and on their encouragement, I finished, edited and polished the manuscript, sent it off to them with happy hopes – to be told months later that they didn’t think it was quite right for them..
Gutted, but enthusiasm relatively undimmed, I started on a new novel, inspired in part by the dramatic events of 2005 – the London bombings. I also wrote a short story at the same time on the same subject – it was on my mind a lot that summer (unsurprisingly. Freedom Fighter is the story – available on Amazon as part of The Mourning After short story collection). This novel The House on Fever Street (written under my maiden name Celina Alcock) was shortlisted for the 2006 Crime Writers’ Association Debut Dagger Award. Aha, I thought, a fairly prestigious and industry recognised award. This will get me published. Did it? Did it buggery!.
The House on Fever Street was also longlisted in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award of that year, which garnered me some nice reviews and a much needed ego boost but didn’t advance my career as a published author much further..
So what next for our doughty heroine? She ups and writes her fourth novel, gains an agent and thinks now, now I have finally made it as a published author! And she waits. And waits. And waits some more. And then waits a bit more. And a bit more. Finally, for variety, she waits a bit more..
So, after two years of waiting, reading about self-publishing on Amazon and other platforms, I believe a phrase that ends in ‘…for a game of soldiers’ passed my lips and I decide to publish myself. So I did. And here I am on Amazon, making sales. No publisher. No agent. Just me..
And that makes me VERY happy.
I’ve also been writing for as long as I can really remember. I wrote my first story, The Blue Ruby, when I was about seven (if I can find that deathless prose scribbled in an exercise book somewhere, I might upload it here for a bit of light relief). Throughout college and university, I experimented with screenplays and scripts (I was studying Film and English at the time at the University of East Anglia), as well as other more short stories. In my twenties, I started my first novel, finished it, then my second, then my third. In my thirties, I was slightly side-tracked by the birth of my son but, leaving aside that trifling distraction, managed to write my fourth..
I didn’t bother trying to get the first novel published as I saw it as more of a practise run at this business of being an author. With the second, I entered the 2004 Lit Idol competition and got to third place. That was my ticket to publication, I thought, surely? Hah! Just the first in a long line of disappointments, of which every writer must be familiar… hopes built up to then be smacked down again. I had an agent approach me after the competition and on their encouragement, I finished, edited and polished the manuscript, sent it off to them with happy hopes – to be told months later that they didn’t think it was quite right for them..
Gutted, but enthusiasm relatively undimmed, I started on a new novel, inspired in part by the dramatic events of 2005 – the London bombings. I also wrote a short story at the same time on the same subject – it was on my mind a lot that summer (unsurprisingly. Freedom Fighter is the story – available on Amazon as part of The Mourning After short story collection). This novel The House on Fever Street (written under my maiden name Celina Alcock) was shortlisted for the 2006 Crime Writers’ Association Debut Dagger Award. Aha, I thought, a fairly prestigious and industry recognised award. This will get me published. Did it? Did it buggery!.
The House on Fever Street was also longlisted in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award of that year, which garnered me some nice reviews and a much needed ego boost but didn’t advance my career as a published author much further..
So what next for our doughty heroine? She ups and writes her fourth novel, gains an agent and thinks now, now I have finally made it as a published author! And she waits. And waits. And waits some more. And then waits a bit more. And a bit more. Finally, for variety, she waits a bit more..
So, after two years of waiting, reading about self-publishing on Amazon and other platforms, I believe a phrase that ends in ‘…for a game of soldiers’ passed my lips and I decide to publish myself. So I did. And here I am on Amazon, making sales. No publisher. No agent. Just me..
And that makes me VERY happy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
June 5, 2016
Ok so I am a huge Kate Redman fan and Siren blew me away I mean I've loved every Kate Redman mystery but this one by far was the best. The mystery went above and beyond for puzzling out the true murderer and the end twist was totally unexpected, there were actually a few unexpected twists which I love this story was anything but predictable which for me makes it an awesome mystery.
As for Kate's love life I like where it's heading as long as it can be open an honest it will work wonderfully.
As for Kate's love life I like where it's heading as long as it can be open an honest it will work wonderfully.
June 27, 2016
Review of SIREN by Celina Grace (Kate Redman Mystery #9)
I always enjoy this series because author Celina Grace has such a smooth, conversational, style, sort of in the cozy-mystery vein, yet with deeper understanding of character and some really ingenious plotting. In this newest, for example, a suspenseful opening leads to the discovery of the corpse of an upper-middle-class English entrepreneur, a man with a loving wife and three children and a sizable residence, in a compromising and very unpretty situation. While Kate Redman, her Detective Superintendent, and the others on the homicide team are tossed into the investigation, racking up long hours, viewing CCTV tapes, and conducting numerous interviews, all the team still have to maintain their personal lives and relationships, and their relations in terms of the team as an entirety and as individuals. So while this is a police procedural series, it is also much more, a series with real characters in real lives. I don't often say this, but I think the Kate Redman series would be an outstanding, long-running, television series if well casted.
I always enjoy this series because author Celina Grace has such a smooth, conversational, style, sort of in the cozy-mystery vein, yet with deeper understanding of character and some really ingenious plotting. In this newest, for example, a suspenseful opening leads to the discovery of the corpse of an upper-middle-class English entrepreneur, a man with a loving wife and three children and a sizable residence, in a compromising and very unpretty situation. While Kate Redman, her Detective Superintendent, and the others on the homicide team are tossed into the investigation, racking up long hours, viewing CCTV tapes, and conducting numerous interviews, all the team still have to maintain their personal lives and relationships, and their relations in terms of the team as an entirety and as individuals. So while this is a police procedural series, it is also much more, a series with real characters in real lives. I don't often say this, but I think the Kate Redman series would be an outstanding, long-running, television series if well casted.
December 7, 2016
I have read all the Kate Redman series novels, and Siren has such a beautiful feel about it. It's almost as if with the previous novels we were watching Kate as she turned from a caterpillar to a chrysalis, and in this current novel she has emerged a butterfly. Very arty farty poetic I know. It's just that with all the drama happening in her life and case in this novel she seems to be the calm in the middle of the maelstrom. I think, at last, Kate has grown up and shed the constant hand-wringing & second guessing of herself that appeared in previous novels.
Now on to the plot! This was a brilliant case with a strong psychological base. There were quite a few twists and turns and to be honest I didn't see the end coming. I LOVED how Kate KNEW there was something "wrong" about the way the murder presented but couldn't quite get to grips on it; like it was on the tip of her tongue but just out of reach. It's Kate's "a-ha" moment that bring this novel full round.
Loose ends are tied up with Tin and does she now have a chance at true love? I hope so.
I can't wait to read the new Kate Redman novel and see how she has evolved from here. Brilliant work from the author.
Now on to the plot! This was a brilliant case with a strong psychological base. There were quite a few twists and turns and to be honest I didn't see the end coming. I LOVED how Kate KNEW there was something "wrong" about the way the murder presented but couldn't quite get to grips on it; like it was on the tip of her tongue but just out of reach. It's Kate's "a-ha" moment that bring this novel full round.
Loose ends are tied up with Tin and does she now have a chance at true love? I hope so.
I can't wait to read the new Kate Redman novel and see how she has evolved from here. Brilliant work from the author.
July 15, 2016
First of all, a big thank you to Celina Grace for letting me read a free, pre-publication copy of this, her ninth D.S. Kate Redman novel. I am an enthusiastic member of her advanced reader group because I’m a huge fan of her crime writing (and I also rather like the idea of being an advanced reader!).
To me, at least, this book felt slightly different to the preceding volumes. The stories have always been a really effective blend of crime story and people and their relationships. Both aspects have moved the overarching story of Kate Redman forward and kept me completely hooked. The characters have evolved, matured and moved forward in time in a totally credible and gripping manner. The crime plots are compelling, convincing and are often based on current issues, which gives them an added emotional depth.
If some crime novels descend into gore and implausible macho brutality, Celina Grace’s books, whilst not shying away from the realities of serious crime, avoid this and deserve a wider audience than just hard-core crime fiction enthusiasts. Take them on holiday, knowing that when you and your partner have both finished your own books and you do the inevitable swapping, they’ll enjoy reading this as much as you.
So why does this book feel different? My feeling is that there has been a subtle re-balancing; the crime, for once, being subordinate to the characters and their connections (and disconnections), which have been such a solid part of the series. Having spent some time thinking about this, I’ve come to the conclusion that the book is perhaps not the one that I’d recommend people read first, but I would urge them to start at the beginning of the saga, knowing that they’ll relish this one all the more when they come to it.
I have a sense that this book marks a pivotal shift in Kate Redman life, and I’m as intrigued as ever to find out what happens next. There is a full cast of characters that have been present in Kate’s life throughout the book series that I feel very engaged with, and I really enjoy seeing them evolve. This is also the first time I’ve managed to unmask the killer before the big reveal, so I’d also like to thank D.S. Redman for honing my detective instincts!
Despite some very minor reservations, I feel it would be churlish to give this book anything less than five stars. As part of a series, this story felt necessary and is an excellent, engrossing and enjoyable way of regrouping the characters, ready for whatever criminals, and life, throw their way. I greatly hope that the story will continue far into the future, at least until Kate retires!
To me, at least, this book felt slightly different to the preceding volumes. The stories have always been a really effective blend of crime story and people and their relationships. Both aspects have moved the overarching story of Kate Redman forward and kept me completely hooked. The characters have evolved, matured and moved forward in time in a totally credible and gripping manner. The crime plots are compelling, convincing and are often based on current issues, which gives them an added emotional depth.
If some crime novels descend into gore and implausible macho brutality, Celina Grace’s books, whilst not shying away from the realities of serious crime, avoid this and deserve a wider audience than just hard-core crime fiction enthusiasts. Take them on holiday, knowing that when you and your partner have both finished your own books and you do the inevitable swapping, they’ll enjoy reading this as much as you.
So why does this book feel different? My feeling is that there has been a subtle re-balancing; the crime, for once, being subordinate to the characters and their connections (and disconnections), which have been such a solid part of the series. Having spent some time thinking about this, I’ve come to the conclusion that the book is perhaps not the one that I’d recommend people read first, but I would urge them to start at the beginning of the saga, knowing that they’ll relish this one all the more when they come to it.
I have a sense that this book marks a pivotal shift in Kate Redman life, and I’m as intrigued as ever to find out what happens next. There is a full cast of characters that have been present in Kate’s life throughout the book series that I feel very engaged with, and I really enjoy seeing them evolve. This is also the first time I’ve managed to unmask the killer before the big reveal, so I’d also like to thank D.S. Redman for honing my detective instincts!
Despite some very minor reservations, I feel it would be churlish to give this book anything less than five stars. As part of a series, this story felt necessary and is an excellent, engrossing and enjoyable way of regrouping the characters, ready for whatever criminals, and life, throw their way. I greatly hope that the story will continue far into the future, at least until Kate retires!
June 29, 2016
As many reviewers will note, *Siren* is the 9th book in the Kate Redman series. As we have come to expect, the book involves a satisfyingly convoluted mystery, some fairly realistic police work (at least good enough to fool us average readers), and some even more realistic interplay between a cast of characters we have come to know and care about. If you haven't read the series from the first book on, you really should. They're quick reads, relatively inexpensive (the first one in fact is free), and together they provide a facinating story line following the life of a flawed but likeable professional woman.
*Siren* in particular reveals some substantial personal growth in Kate as she handles her casework and the hard knocks that apparently constitute her personal life with distinctly more maturity than before. She still makes some seriously questionable choices, and often questions them herself, but she's clearly doing better - at least until the case she is working once again slams her flat at the climax.
It is interesting that although the author would undoubtedly characterize herself as a mystery writer, the most important elements of these stories are the lives and interactions of the recurrent characters. There is a distinct romance vibe here, every bit as important as the convoluted plots, keeping the stories interesting and keeping this reader coming back for the next installment.
*Siren* in particular reveals some substantial personal growth in Kate as she handles her casework and the hard knocks that apparently constitute her personal life with distinctly more maturity than before. She still makes some seriously questionable choices, and often questions them herself, but she's clearly doing better - at least until the case she is working once again slams her flat at the climax.
It is interesting that although the author would undoubtedly characterize herself as a mystery writer, the most important elements of these stories are the lives and interactions of the recurrent characters. There is a distinct romance vibe here, every bit as important as the convoluted plots, keeping the stories interesting and keeping this reader coming back for the next installment.
December 18, 2017
This series is amazing. Love the characters, the plot for Siren was outstanding.
October 7, 2018
This is not a review. I just wanted to remind myself that I don’t want to read more of this series
September 13, 2022
An excellent mystery
An excellent mystery that keeps you reading to the last page. Anderton, Kate, Olbeck, and Chloe are all relatable either in parts of myself or people I've known.
An excellent mystery that keeps you reading to the last page. Anderton, Kate, Olbeck, and Chloe are all relatable either in parts of myself or people I've known.
October 24, 2018
Another Kate Redman Procedural
Happy to read this further volume in this series. Competent and engaging procedural with Kate as a young woman willing to take risks and go forward with her life instead of constantly dithering about her choices and second-guessing herself.
Happy to read this further volume in this series. Competent and engaging procedural with Kate as a young woman willing to take risks and go forward with her life instead of constantly dithering about her choices and second-guessing herself.
February 18, 2019
But where does the title fit in?
Not the best in the series, but is the last written thus far. Several loose threads to address in #10 in the series?
Not the best in the series, but is the last written thus far. Several loose threads to address in #10 in the series?
October 24, 2018
Good as I Expected
Siren is perhaps the fifth or sixth book I have read in Celina Grace's Kate Redman series. I have enjoyed them all but I have a few favorites. I am adding this to my short list of favorites. The S & M twist to the case adds that extra spark. Enjoy!
Siren is perhaps the fifth or sixth book I have read in Celina Grace's Kate Redman series. I have enjoyed them all but I have a few favorites. I am adding this to my short list of favorites. The S & M twist to the case adds that extra spark. Enjoy!
October 25, 2018
Siren (9)
This story was a pretty good read, as I have found with the British writers the story was a bit dry at times but still decent.
This story was a pretty good read, as I have found with the British writers the story was a bit dry at times but still decent.
October 27, 2016
I pre-ordered this book (#9 in the Kate Redmond mystery series) that was downloaded from Amazon upon its publication last June. For some reason I didn't remember it was in my Kindle till I read Pulse (#10). I realized at that point there were story lines that had moved forward prior to Pulse, such as Kate's relationship with the reporter Tin and subsequently with her boss Anderton (the latter continued in #10) and her partner Olbeck's pursuing adoption.
I loved this book and stayed up very late to finish it! Although I enjoy Kate's personal life, I am most enamoured of her strength and intelligence in her job as a detective. She and her colleagues on the Abbeyford Homicide Squad exemplify good detective work. When Kate has a feeling all is not as it seems, she is usually proven right, and her colleagues have learned to take her seriously.
In this story a high-powered businessman, Simon Farraday, is found murdered under strange circumstances handcuffed to his bed. He is unlikeable for many reasons including having had a series of extramarital affairs. There are several likely suspects but the actual murderer was a surprise (isn't it fun when you don't guess the murderer till the very end?).
Celina Grace is one of my favorite authors both for her excellent writing and her character development. I have loved many strong female characters in different mystery series over the years, such as Kinsey Milhone, V.I. Warshawsky, Stephanie Plum and others. Kate Redmond is up there with the best! I highly recommend this book and series*.
*I would note as of this book, I still have 4 older books in the series to read. But every one I have read can be read as a stand-alone mystery. I look forward to catching up!
I loved this book and stayed up very late to finish it! Although I enjoy Kate's personal life, I am most enamoured of her strength and intelligence in her job as a detective. She and her colleagues on the Abbeyford Homicide Squad exemplify good detective work. When Kate has a feeling all is not as it seems, she is usually proven right, and her colleagues have learned to take her seriously.
In this story a high-powered businessman, Simon Farraday, is found murdered under strange circumstances handcuffed to his bed. He is unlikeable for many reasons including having had a series of extramarital affairs. There are several likely suspects but the actual murderer was a surprise (isn't it fun when you don't guess the murderer till the very end?).
Celina Grace is one of my favorite authors both for her excellent writing and her character development. I have loved many strong female characters in different mystery series over the years, such as Kinsey Milhone, V.I. Warshawsky, Stephanie Plum and others. Kate Redmond is up there with the best! I highly recommend this book and series*.
*I would note as of this book, I still have 4 older books in the series to read. But every one I have read can be read as a stand-alone mystery. I look forward to catching up!
October 26, 2018
DI Kate Redman is trying to maintain a long-distance, continent-to-continent relationship with her journalist boyfriend Tin, while fighting her attraction to her boss, DCI Anderson, helping her friend DI Mark Olbeck and his partner, Jeff, to adopt a child, and sussing out the complexities of a sadomasochistic sex murder case.
This is the ninth book in a tightly-written, well-plotted, gritty British police procedural. I like how the author gives a glimpse into Kate’s public and private lives, and the workings of a police squad. Kate might struggle in her private life, but she still manages to excel at work, and to fully-support her co-workers. There’s a great balance between the crime, police work, the interactions of the team, and Kate trying to figure out the non-work parts of her life. Her humanity makes her a better police officer. The resolution to the murder case was interesting, and the overall ending of the novel was very satisfying to me.
I have read this series in order and recommend others do so as well, because I think reading in order adds to the enjoyment – I enjoy watching the relationships between the characters grow and change, and how Kate comes into her own. But, you could start with this one and not be lost.
In the interests of full disclosure, I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this story from the author with the understanding I do an honest review. I will be buying an official copy, because I like the book, and this entire series that much. This goes into the re-read someday pile for me.
This is the ninth book in a tightly-written, well-plotted, gritty British police procedural. I like how the author gives a glimpse into Kate’s public and private lives, and the workings of a police squad. Kate might struggle in her private life, but she still manages to excel at work, and to fully-support her co-workers. There’s a great balance between the crime, police work, the interactions of the team, and Kate trying to figure out the non-work parts of her life. Her humanity makes her a better police officer. The resolution to the murder case was interesting, and the overall ending of the novel was very satisfying to me.
I have read this series in order and recommend others do so as well, because I think reading in order adds to the enjoyment – I enjoy watching the relationships between the characters grow and change, and how Kate comes into her own. But, you could start with this one and not be lost.
In the interests of full disclosure, I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this story from the author with the understanding I do an honest review. I will be buying an official copy, because I like the book, and this entire series that much. This goes into the re-read someday pile for me.
June 29, 2016
Siren is the 9th book in the Kate Redman Mystery series and is only the second I have read, but that doesn’t matter a jot. On the first page of Chapter One we soon get to know Detective Sergeant Kate Redman and learn about her friendship with Detective Inspector Mark Olbeck, who is in the early stages of adopting a child with his partner Jeff. Kate is prepared to work long hours, as her boyfriend, Tin, is in New York and she hasn’t seen him for three months.
The prologue has introduced an intriguing murder scene and soon Kate and Mark are summoned there by their boss, Detective Chief Inspector Anderton. Kate is surprised, when Anderton asks her to accompany him to interview the victim’s wife. It is soon evident that Simon Farraday, who has been murdered, had antagonised many people and liked to indulge in sexual fantasies. As the complex plot unwinds, Kate finds herself drawn to Anderton, although she is about to visit Tin in New York.
The balance between determining who might be the murderer and Kate’s dilemma about leaving her home and job to settle in New York, keep the reader guessing and you can’t help empathising with Kate’s problems. The unpleasant smell and sight of the murder scene is as vividly described as the beautiful garden of the Farraday home and the characters’ emotions are realistic. A great read, which certainly makes me want to seek out Kate’s earlier cases.
The prologue has introduced an intriguing murder scene and soon Kate and Mark are summoned there by their boss, Detective Chief Inspector Anderton. Kate is surprised, when Anderton asks her to accompany him to interview the victim’s wife. It is soon evident that Simon Farraday, who has been murdered, had antagonised many people and liked to indulge in sexual fantasies. As the complex plot unwinds, Kate finds herself drawn to Anderton, although she is about to visit Tin in New York.
The balance between determining who might be the murderer and Kate’s dilemma about leaving her home and job to settle in New York, keep the reader guessing and you can’t help empathising with Kate’s problems. The unpleasant smell and sight of the murder scene is as vividly described as the beautiful garden of the Farraday home and the characters’ emotions are realistic. A great read, which certainly makes me want to seek out Kate’s earlier cases.
December 27, 2019
I so appreciate the author's tact in handling sexual matters. In this book, there is a leather-clad corpse and the opportunity for many nasty observations that Kate and her crew do NOT make. Kate is a complicated character and we enjoy peeking deeper into her psyche as each book comes along. Ms. Grace has given us clever criminals and beautifully described bits of the English landscape as well. I have begun to feel quite at home in Kate's fictional town and now know the other detectives well, too. Just a terrific series and I am anticipating more. Excellent author with good stories to tell in a clear writing style. I recommend Celina Grace to thoughtful readers who will enjoy English detective stories that are well-paced but not action-packed with frenetic violence . There is indeed a lot going on - but it tends to be cerebral. If you are looking for guns blaring with blood and gore everywhere -- look elsewhere. This series is calmly civilized and always questions the reason behind every crime. Only nine books so far and I am hoping Ms. Grace keeps them coming.
November 22, 2018
I think the fact that I read this in one day says a lot for how good the writing is and how well the story flows. While this may not be ground-breaking, it is an intriguing and gripping story that allows new readers to pick things up without having to read the previous 8 books in the series (I'll get to them!) but also without losing the depth of the characters involved. The opening scenes really grab your attention and the rest of the story manages to keep it without a load of unnecessary twists and turns, false starts/ends or red herrings. I can see me reading a lot more by Grace in the future.
March 28, 2020
Another gem in this series. I love these books. The characters are great and the stories always fascinating and interesting. I am pleased Kate's making the decisions she is in her personal life......she chose things to happen the way I wanted her to so I'm a happy reader. I was also delighted to see more of the terrific Chloe as well in this book.
I laughed to myself at a description of a courtyard garden.....as up north over here the same thing's a yard and £120000 less, I guess !! One home in this book has an addition that's referred to yet not one person goes to take a look at it....I found this very peculiar as I'd have been dying to take a look myself and THEY'RE detectives !!
I spotted the odd apostrophe mistake and for some reason she keeps putting a space in print out and overused the word leant......not something I would notice as a rule but it cropped up a lot, even on the final page !! However, that's VERY little for me to complain about. This series and author both go from strength to strength. Roll on book 10 !!
I laughed to myself at a description of a courtyard garden.....as up north over here the same thing's a yard and £120000 less, I guess !! One home in this book has an addition that's referred to yet not one person goes to take a look at it....I found this very peculiar as I'd have been dying to take a look myself and THEY'RE detectives !!
I spotted the odd apostrophe mistake and for some reason she keeps putting a space in print out and overused the word leant......not something I would notice as a rule but it cropped up a lot, even on the final page !! However, that's VERY little for me to complain about. This series and author both go from strength to strength. Roll on book 10 !!
October 27, 2018
Warning: No Mermaids as On Book Cover. See last paragraph below.
3.5 Stars
This a very good, well-plotted police procedural that’ll keep most murder mystery aficionados happy. I enjoyed the well-drawn characters, and the many plot twists and turns—not to mention the little clues dropped by the author. It took me a while to guess whodunnit, but I certainly didn’t expect the twists at the end. Brava, Celina Grace!
I read this as a stand-alone without problems, and although the author mentions characters from other books, they are not germane to this plot. There was too much personal, life-choices introspection from the POV character, but I haven’t read enough of this series to judge the importance to the ongoing storyline.
As for the beautiful cover: the mermaid exists solely to distract the reader-to-be from the background. I’ll stop there, because that’s almost a spoiler.
3.5 Stars
This a very good, well-plotted police procedural that’ll keep most murder mystery aficionados happy. I enjoyed the well-drawn characters, and the many plot twists and turns—not to mention the little clues dropped by the author. It took me a while to guess whodunnit, but I certainly didn’t expect the twists at the end. Brava, Celina Grace!
I read this as a stand-alone without problems, and although the author mentions characters from other books, they are not germane to this plot. There was too much personal, life-choices introspection from the POV character, but I haven’t read enough of this series to judge the importance to the ongoing storyline.
As for the beautiful cover: the mermaid exists solely to distract the reader-to-be from the background. I’ll stop there, because that’s almost a spoiler.
December 23, 2018
A wealthy man is found murdered in a crime scene that suggests he engaged in some tawdry S&M practices. dopey detective Kate Redmond is more concerned with untangling or avoiding resolution of her long distance relationship and her growing attraction for her boss. The perp was easily identified. The last portion of this otherwise tiresome book picked up but the solution was less the result of insgihtful police work than it was mere happenstance. Kate is no genius and the way the other characters act like she is super gifted is laughable. The writing is mediocre. The mystery is okay and it was an average but unmemorable read. The problem has less to do with the mystery than a bland, uninteresting lead.
October 26, 2018
This is the 9th book in the Kate Redman series and while I have read most of them I think you could read this as a stand alone without much confusion.
The series had gone back to being most a police procedural after a lengthy dip into Kate's issues, Kate's family and Kate's insecurities. In this book there is a dead body with BDS&M clues in lovely Tudor townhouse. There aren't many clues and not many suspects. In the Britain of this book getting snarky with the police is enough to make you a suspect. And there was an OBVIOUS clue fairly early on that the fictional detectives just completely ignored.
Not great, not terrible a quick read
The series had gone back to being most a police procedural after a lengthy dip into Kate's issues, Kate's family and Kate's insecurities. In this book there is a dead body with BDS&M clues in lovely Tudor townhouse. There aren't many clues and not many suspects. In the Britain of this book getting snarky with the police is enough to make you a suspect. And there was an OBVIOUS clue fairly early on that the fictional detectives just completely ignored.
Not great, not terrible a quick read
November 27, 2025
Basically a good mystery although the killer was somewhat obvious. Still, in all a good work in this series, although perhaps a little overly sensational as Kate bounces between her boyfriend in NYC and sleeping with her boss back in England.. I would have given it a lower score but that would take away from the content. My lower score would have indicated that the Kindle version was atrocious. It had constant run-on words such as "Katesaid" and "Chloeasked" plus as number of typos. Does nobody proofread these anymore or is it that everything is turned over to AI which isn't yet the perfect tool people seem to think?
January 8, 2019
I’ve read a few of this series and I enjoy them. I like the side stories of all the characters. This mystery I did not find very compelling. I had much of it figured out before Kate did. There were. I surprised for me at all, even the final moments at Simon’s house. I thought Kate was a little dense on this one, especially after her second visit to Dorothy...that verified my theory and I don’t know how it could have taken Kate and the others so long to figure out the significance of that meeting. I give it 3.5 stars for the side stories, but the mystery is a definite 3.
March 29, 2020
The discovery of a wealthy man in bondage gear with a bashed in skull sends Kate and the rest of the team on a wild goose chase until Kate puts all if the disparate information together. In her personal life,Bactria to New York to see her boyfriend, Tin leads to a breakup after she realizes that he wants her to move to New York with out giving her any commitment. She finally gets together with Anderton, her boss who she had slept with once, a while ago and to whom she has been attracted for a long time
November 15, 2018
Intriguing
I'm really getting into the British novels. The story was especially mysterious. There just didn't seem to be a good suspect out of all the candidates. At the ending, the murderer was revealed but only from recent revelations. Still, the end was fitting and the read was good. I'm sure the other novels in the series are just as intriguing. Plus, the characters are likable.
I'm really getting into the British novels. The story was especially mysterious. There just didn't seem to be a good suspect out of all the candidates. At the ending, the murderer was revealed but only from recent revelations. Still, the end was fitting and the read was good. I'm sure the other novels in the series are just as intriguing. Plus, the characters are likable.
November 8, 2018
I really wanted to like this book
But it was bland, the characters had nothing that truly defined them, a unnecessary subplot at the beginning a semi- interesting one aftrewards
Maybe I should have started with book 1 instead of 9 but it was a free e-book anyway no real hook to grab a reader or anything to make it interesting
A bland read
But it was bland, the characters had nothing that truly defined them, a unnecessary subplot at the beginning a semi- interesting one aftrewards
Maybe I should have started with book 1 instead of 9 but it was a free e-book anyway no real hook to grab a reader or anything to make it interesting
A bland read
November 11, 2018
Thrilling with a twist
I really enjoyed this book. It kept me going from the first page. As soon as I thought I had figured out who the killer was something changed and I was kept on the edge of my seat. I loved the details in the characters that brought them to life. A truly good book you don't want to miss.
I really enjoyed this book. It kept me going from the first page. As soon as I thought I had figured out who the killer was something changed and I was kept on the edge of my seat. I loved the details in the characters that brought them to life. A truly good book you don't want to miss.
November 13, 2018
Simon Farraday is found by his wife - in their vacant holiday flat, dressed in s&m leathers and murdered. The murder scene contrasts with his life as a happily married father, ex-councillor and rich businessman. Kate Redman investigates the method and motive behind the murder. Good read with a few good twists.
December 18, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyed this one. I've read several of this author's books and always find her writing to be excellent. The story flows beautifully. The characters are well defined. The story line is absolutely believable. The author doesn't ask her reader to suspend reality in order to advance her story.
December 26, 2018
Good stuff as usual
Interesting plot and it was nice to see Kate more comfortable in her own skin, getting on with her workmates and with a female friendship. Not sure about the relationship with Anderton and it took a little long for the penny to drop about the alibi. Still a very good read.
Interesting plot and it was nice to see Kate more comfortable in her own skin, getting on with her workmates and with a female friendship. Not sure about the relationship with Anderton and it took a little long for the penny to drop about the alibi. Still a very good read.
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