Private View

DCI Sheldon Hunter #1

by Meg Elizabeth Atkins

Chatfield, 1986. After a private art viewing on a bleak February evening, the local gallery owner – the flamboyantly camp Minim Minikin – is found murdered.

A painting on display has also been stolen. The case has DCI Sheldon Hunter stumped. After months of enquiry, the investigation has turned up nothing. No suspects, no murder weapon, no painting and, indeed, no artist. The identity of the painter, Fayne, whose work disappeared that fateful night was as much a mystery to the police as to the art world at large.
Reluctantly, with no leads to pursue, the case is marked unsolved and forgotten amongst heap of other unresolved cases.

Four years later and Hunter receives a series of anonymous letters and phone calls alleging that a family in the picturesque town of Rush Deeping is somehow involved in the death. His interest piqued, he decides to investigate further. Apart from being pillars of the community and monstrously self-regarding, the Saddlers seem somewhat unremarkable.

But as Hunter digs around, he soon discovers that their son, Ian, is missing and his mystery caller claims it has something to do with the artist Fayne. Can Hunter get to the truth before another body turns up?

Private View is the latest enthralling mystery in the popular series featuring DCI Sheldon Hunter and his team.

Genres: Crime

204 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 13, 2003

Reviews

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four years ago a local art gallery owner, Minim Minikin, was murdered. A painting by the artist, Fayne, was also stolen. DCI Sheldon Hunter has never found the killer, the painting, or the artist.
Today, Hunter has received several anonymous letters and phone calls stating that a prominent family in the small town of Rush Deeping is somehow involved in the cold case.

Descending upon the town to investigate further, he finds the Sandler family pretty normal … until he looks a little deeper.

There are 2 sisters who absolutely cannot abide each other. They have argued over the care of their father, who has passes, to the care of their mother. Who will get the house, the money when mom passes? Unsurprisingly, the mother goes missing. So which sister Is telling the truth?

Hunter also finds out there is a brother, Ian, who has also disappeared. He was raised by a distant aunt when his mother and especially, his father did not want him. Where is he and what could he possibly have to do with murder and a stolen painting?

And who and where is Fayne, the artist no one has ever seen or spoken to except for the murdered gallery owner?

It’s a quirky town with peculiar residents. Some are comical, some are secretive, hiding their secrets from everyone.

DCI Hunter is a straight-shooter, having no time for shenanigans. Members of his team supply a little humor here and there, and ease the discomfort of being investigated by Hunter.

The book is written in the manner of older mysteries. Not a lot of blood and guts, but murder nonetheless. I especially liked some of the characters, they were funny, and a few were frustrating. This was a short, easy read … very entertaining.

Many thanks to the author / Endeavor Press / NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

[Andrew Pender-Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the better books I have read in this genre. 'Private View' is a story in which there is a murder for the police to solve and a highly dysfunctional family possibly involved. The story lost pace a little, especially in the middle, but picked up well in the last third. So much so, that it became a page-turner. I felt compelled to keep reading. The author's particular strength lies in her ability to create fully nuanced characters. 'Private View' is an entertaining and worthwhile read.

[Leyla Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started off being very good and a decent mystery, it just got a little jumbled towards the middle. I found it a little annoying, but having said that it was a surprise ending and all the ends tied up nicely. Lots of well developed characters involved, to the extent that I found myself disliking or liking some. All in all a fairly good read with good mystery.
This book was provided to me in return for an honest and unbiased review

[Gail Daley · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Oldfashioned Mystery

This is in truth an old fashioned British mystery in the line with those done by Dame Agatha Christie. The writer played fair; all the clues are there. The clues do hinge on the temperaments of the finely drawn characters. I am proud to say I had figured out the identity of the missing artist some time before his appearance on the book stage. (I’m not giving away a plot: there’s a jumping jack in the package 🤩). If you like Dame Agatha’s mysteries, you’ll like this one.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just couldn't get in to this, 20 of the first 30 percent was about a funeral which brought in a huge cast of characters that was difficult to keep track of who was who. Finished up speed reading the remainder.

[Fleurtje Eliza · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very easy going likeable book, not your average detective mystery where things are all messed up, with a lot of twists and turns, and those so-called gripping, bloody scenes. Instead, this is a murder inquiry that is just like a puzzle that needs to be solved.

I especially liked the Saddler characters, their descriptions are highly entertaining.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

DCI Sheldon Hunter investigates the death of an art galley owner but is unable to determine the guilty person. The story wanders around in the middle and covers the next four years, of the lives of the Saddler family, until another body is found. The Hunter starts to investigate the first murder again, but can it be solved.

[CeeMarie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I needed more from this book. It was pretty straight forward mystery and while I really like a good mystery, I like them to have more to them. Also the ending was too open for me.

[Paula R. C. Readman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this an interesting read with a great storyline and enjoyable characters. This has a great twist, but I found it was a slow read.

[Samuel Storicks · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mediocre at best

Rambling, disjointed, with an unsatisfactory ending. Will not be reading anything else by this author. Not very well written. Boring.

[Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 100% just couldn't get into the story , even re started it like 3 times and still couldn't get into it.will.not be go with this series

[Marbea Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't been so frustrated and intrigued about fictional characters in many years! I would've never come to the conclusion took, it was too much going on for me to concentrate on certain aspects of the different murders. But I laughed and screamed during every page turned. This is a very thorough dramatic mystery.

[D Nichols]

British mystery. Bit of a slow read but ok.