The Art of Murder

Harriet Quigley Mysteries #3

by Nicola Slade

A weekend art course at an upmarket B&B near Winchester’s historic cathedral is bound to be relaxing and fun… But not when man-crazy Linzi Bray, Chairman of the local art group, is in charge and the house is full of people who loathe her. Accidents start to happen – in a ruined castle, in a fast-flowing river, in a peaceful garden. There’s a stalker – or is there? And there are far too many dead insects, as well as a vandalised Porsche and a pond full of blood. It’s not the first time former headmistress, Harriet Quigley, and her cousin, the Reverend Sam Hathaway, have been embroiled in a mystery, but this time they’re baffled at the “spiteful game” that seems to be being played. And then somebody else dies and the games all stop. Act of Murder is perfect for avid crime mystery fans – with festering secrets, potential motives and the opportunity for sweet – or spiteful – revenge. Praise for Nicola Slade ‘…an engrossing crime novel’ – Mystery Women Magazine ‘…one of the most entertaining books I have ever read.’ - Karen Wintle, Historical Novel Review ‘Highly recommended.’ - Lizzie Hayes, Mystery People Magazine Nicola Slade was brought up in Poole, Dorset. She wrote children’s stories when her three children were growing up, moving onto short stories for several national magazines. Winning a story competition in Family Circle galvanised her into writing seriously and since then her stories and articles have been commissioned regularly. Scuba Dancing was her first published novel and she has since gone on to specialise in murder mysteries with both contemporary and historical settings.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime

254 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 12, 2016

Reviews

[Damaskcat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Retired headmistress, Harriet Quigley, and her cousin and neighbour, Sam Hathaway are persuaded to make up the numbers at a painting weekend. The weekend is being held at a new B&B near the cathedral in Winchester. Harriet has some misgivings about the weekend and feels that there is something going on which she doesn't understand. The tensions seem to revolve round Linzi Bray, the chairman of the group.

Linzi is one of the most unpleasant females I have come across in crime fiction so it is hardly surprising that almost everyone on the weekend seems to hate her. There also seems to be a stalker at work with anonymous letters, text messages, a lot of dead insects and people being pushed into rivers. Is there really something more sinister going on or is it just that Linzi likes to be the centre of attention?

I enjoyed reading this interesting mystery. If you're looking for a crime novel where the murder happens on the first page then you will be disappointed. This is more a study of what happens when someone tries to control everyone around them by fair means or foul.

I thought the rise in tension was well done and you just know something is going to happen. I thought the background of the art weekend was interesting too and I like Harriet Quigley as a character. If you like your mystery novels with interesting backgrounds, believable characters and motivations and realistic dialogue then try this book. It is the third book in a series but it can be read as a standalone novel.

[Ashley Gillan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled with what to give this one. I settled on three stars because it's not bad......it's just not particularly good.

Based on the cover and description, I was expecting some kind of creepy tale with some great characters, but instead, it is a super cozy mystery akin to "Murder She Wrote." In fact, one of the main characters refers to the other, his cousin, as Miss Marple. It was a letdown.

The story centers on the cousins, Sam and Harriet, who join an art groups' weekend retreat to help out Harriet's friend make up the money for the trip. The group's leader organized it, but everyone on the weekend getaway pretty much hates her. And the leader, Linzi, thinks she's being stalked. Which of the cast of characters are responsible?

I'll start off by saying there are way too many characters to keep track of. I couldn't, really. That also means I really didn't care what happened to any of them. Plus, they were all kind of terrible.

It was drawn out and by the end, I didn't really care "who dunnit," I just read to finish it out.

I gave 3 stars because while I didn't love it, if you are a fan of Miss Marilee, you might. If crime-solving retirees don't excite you, skip this one.

[Caron Allan · Rating 4 out of 5]

If ever anyone brought it on themselves...

If anyone ever brought their murder on themselves, it was the horrible woman in this story! An enjoyable murder mystery set against a background of an art weekend and boasting a cast of characters, any of whom could have been the guilty party. See if you can guess whodunit in this engrossing classic murder mystery.

[ROBERT · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful story

The Author is a superb story writer, with really well drawn characters, and lively,intricate plots. Real page turners. I'm hoping for more Harriet Quigley books soon.
I have one criticism. The books (this,and the previous two in the series)don't appear to have be proof - read, because the number of typos are huge.
Lots of words are missed out, there are spelling mistakes, and words added all of which make sentences nonsensical.
Sorry to be critical, but this really does take the shine of otherwise excellent books.

[Kim Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good one!

I wouldn't be averse to reading another Harriet Quigley mystery. I quite enjoyed this one, though Harriet's angst at every 'bad' thought could get a bit wearing after a time.

[Miss Rachel Simms · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poorly written.

A good theme but disjointed writing made the characters and plot quite mundane. I couldn't warm to it. This book was free, so, I'm glad I didn't pay for it.

[Liz k · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it boring, the middle dragged but the end was rushed

[Colette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gentle murder mystery set around Winchester. Took me a while to warm to some of the characters but I got there in the end. Talking of the end - didn't see it coming.

[Timothy D Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enthralling read that keeps you guessing to the end

Having read the previous Harriet Quigley Mystery, I had high expectations of this novel. All I can say is that they were surpassed, I love the characters of Harriet and Sam, they work well together and have a believable, non romantic, relationship. Drawn into the story and wanting to know 'whodunit' I read this in one sitting - which meant I didn't put the book down until the early morning! Still my lack sleep was well worth it and I cannot recommend this author highly enough. This is also the first book I have written an online review for, despite being a voracious reader.

[Leyla Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like the type of mystery that has a group that come together at a venue, including a killer and lots of suspects, you will enjoy this book. It is a cosy mystery, but not silly with it. I did enjoy it, and read it through quickly as I really wanted to see what was happening. It was a little different and the characters certainly made you feel some emotion
This book was provided to me in return for an honest and unbiased review

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley, Endeavour Press and Nicolas Slade for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Art of Murder is set in a sleepy village, at a new B&B that is hosting an Art course. Harriet Quigley, retired headmistress, and her cousin Sam Hathaway, semi retired clergyman decide to attend as a favour to an old friend and for a well earned break. As the title suggests however there isn't much rest to be had and they soon find themselves embroiled in the drama of the groups chair, Linzi Bray who is convinced she is been stalked. Linzi seems to know pretty much everyone on the course but no one seems to like her much, nor she them. So what started out as an intended relaxing weekend ends up a hive of paranoia and danger.

This is the first novel that I have read by Nicola Slade and so I went in not really knowing what to expect. What I got was a classic British mystery in the vein of Miss Marple (although Harriet would not like that comparison) that despite it's subject was a pure pleasure to read. I hate to use the term gentle as it seems to turn some people off but that's what this is. You have stalkers, nasty tricks and murders and yet I found myself quite wanting to visit the sleepy little hamlet this was set in. It's the type of mystery that I think can only be set in England. As I was reading I felt that Sam and Harriet were characters that begged to be part of a series – imagine my delight when I found out they already are. I'll certainly be purchasing the first part and look forward to many more mysteries.

[Zuky the BookBum · Rating 2 out of 5]

Also read my review here: http://bookbum.weebly.com/book-review...

I thought this mystery was going to be a dark and creepy thriller, due to the fact the cover looks so angsty and sombre, but it’s not. This is the cosiest mystery I have ever put myself through… also the last I’ll ever put myself through too. It wasn’t a terrible novel, it just doesn’t fit into the genres I like to read. I’ll stick to my macabre thrillers from now on…

To me, Harriet and Sam felt like bored middle aged people who loved a bit of a nose into other people's business, not superb mystery solvers. It was all very reminiscent of the drama that used to occur in primary school (elementary school for you Americans out there) and how everyone would go around and create dumb theories on what they thought was happening.

Each of the characters were really well thought out, with their own individual back stories and unique personalities, but there were just too many! If you’re going to give us an in depth background for each character, stick to three or four people, don’t give us fourteen to remember! Yes, that’s right, fourteen characters.

I didn’t like a few of the characters, but that was to be expected for some of them, I think. Take Linzi, the victim, for example, she’s horrid to every single character in the novel, there’s no way we’re supposed to have sympathy for her. However, I think we’re supposed to like Harriet, yet I didn’t. Just because she was an old headmistress didn’t give her the right to talk to fully grown adults as if they were school children. She was snappy, rude and condescending. Sam was also a dislikable character, he was extremely demanding and stroppy. Other than those, I liked pretty much all the side characters, especially sweet little Madeline, Seren and kooky Bonnie!

I was definitely all for giving this an average 3 stars, but then the ending happened and everything went downhill. The book itself was pretty slow and (for me) dull, but the ending was just deathly boring. So, 2 stars it is.

Thanks to Netgalley and Endeavor Press for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

P.S I’m about to have a rant about the layout of this ARC, this has nothing to do with the plot so it’s not really worth reading, I just wanted to release my anger. This is probably the messiest Netgalley book I’ve ever read. How could they have got it so wrong? Some sentences were completely unreadable. They’d been split up and shuffled about, for example, ””...we’ve a full schedule tomorrow so I vote we move,” she slid a glance at Linzi while everyone checking their mobiles as individual bills. rummaged in bags and wallets, one or two inevitably the waiter produced his card machine along with their” , I mean what?! Yes, I could work it out in the end, but how could that have become so mixed up in editing?

[Briar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cosy Crime is a genre I like, since it's generally not too scary and is unlikely to give me nightmares (why yes, I am an enormous wimp). 'The Art of Murder' is an excellent and worthy addition to the genre which I recommend to anyone who likes good, well drawn characters and good plotting.

I don't much like the appellation 'Cosy Crime'. It sounds all warm and comfortable - which some is, but 'The Art of Murder' isn't really. I very much enjoyed the contrast between the real bleakness of the events and characters, and the - yes, the cosiness of the setting of the majority of the novel, which is a weekend art group course in a lovely-sounding B&B (address please!). I loved the way all the little happenings kept getting less and less little and more and more chilling (those wasps - bleargh).

For me, it's always the characters who make or break a book and I've got to say that this is an area in which Nicola Slade has never yet failed! There are, of course, Harriet and Sam, both of whom I am extremely fond of. Then there's the delightfully nasty victim - whom I also found myself feeling quite sorry for, despite her unmitigated horridness. I've got to say, though, I felt even sorrier for the murderer. I didn't guess who it was, either! As for the other characters - the necessary other suspects - there's a nice variety, ranging from horrendous to heavenly, and I particularly liked Seren, Bonnie and Donald. Ms Slade really has the knack of making good rounded characters, even when you don't see a massive amount of them in the story.

So, all in all, highly recommmended! This is one of a series but you don't need to have read any of the others to enjoy this (though you'll want to afterwards).

[Elaine Tomasso · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and Endeavour Press for a review copy of The Art Of Murder, a cosy set near Winchester, featuring retired headmistress, Harriet Quigley.

Harriet and her cousin, Sam Hathaway, are inveigled into going on an art weekend with the village's newly formed art club where they meet a variety of people, some old acquaintances and friends, others possible new friends. The queen bee of the club is Linzi Bray, an artist who actually has a market for her paintings. She is a deeply unpleasant woman whom all of the participants, except Harriet and Sam, have reason to dislike. It is no surprise that she has acquired a malicious stalker although those who know her suspect it may be histrionics.

I read and liked A Crowded Coffin a few years ago but I feel The Art Of Murder is very muted in comparison. The crime takes a back seat to the petty jealousies and rivalries of the art club and because Linzi Bray is so unpleasant it is hard to get involved and care about what happens to her. I will say however that the perpetrator came as a surprise to me, mostly because there was no hint of the motivation throughout the novel.

The Art Of Murder will appeal to many readers as it is character driven and is very well done. Unfortunately the doings of middle aged, middle class southerners are so far removed from my experience that it didn't fire my imagination or get me involved.

[Mystica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new start up group of art enthusiasts, some amateur some not, all quite talented getting together for what would hopefully be a new gathering of like minded people for the future.

The setting was also good - a new picturesque B&B with enthusiastic owners who were hoping that this initial weekend would be the beginning of new business for them.

Linzi Bray was the Chairperson of the group and she had a knack for creating strife, tension and dissension wherever she went. Individually lots of the group had pet hates against her with the exception of Harriet and Sam who were able to look on the entire proceedings with a certain amount of distance and fairness. What they learnt was not pleasant at all.

Everyone of the participants had an axe to grind with Linzi and there was no hesitation on their side to show their animosity and dislike. Reading the story you knew things were not going to end well before the weekend was over and it did end badly.

The story was well told, with nicely deduced step by step unraveling of the mystery. The who dun it was quite mysterious till the end because so many of them had good reasons for murder! Lots of clues, lots of tense situations, and lots of nasty scary incidents well before the murder all helped to bring it to a climax.

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

I've always love this style of writing. Fast flowing with many different characters. Each one with a different tale to add to the growing mystery. If you are like minded with a need to be creative you may think twice about joining an art group, after reading this brilliant book.

It is one thing to wield a paint brush, while being creative on an art weekend, but to be plotting murder, well that's a master piece.

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

An updated cozy that perhaps suffers from a few too many characters and a thoroughly unpleasant victim - I think it spends a bit too much time establishing the nastiness of Linzi Bray and the world building suffers because of it. The writing style is a bit disjointed but I think there are some glimmers of an interesting future here.

I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Donna Ann Sutcliffe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do not really know how to describe this book. I decided to stick with it and finish it. It was a slow book nothing much happens and it never picks up pace. The characters were not very exciting or interesting and this book just plodded along. If you like a nice slow murder mystery this will be for you.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher via netgalley.com.

If you love a good murder mystery with an Agatha Christie feel, you'll love this book.

[Colin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Art of Murder

OK plot but really disliked the style. Just skipped right over the middle of the book. Tried to go back but...

[Liane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love the Harriet Quigley books, and this is no exception!

[Sara Rossi]

Not finish