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Deadly Cases: A Montague Pluke Omnibus
Nicholas Rhea’s bestselling Montague Pluke mysteries are collected together for the first time in this chilling collection.
OMENS OF DEATH
Detective Inspector Montague Pluke is determined to solve a noteworthy murder before he retires, but it seems unlikely in the sleepy town of Crickledale.
So when the naked body of a young woman is discovered at the local Druids’ Circle – rumoured to be the site of orgies, witchcraft and other bizarre goings-on - it seems fate is on his side.
Or is it…
SUPERSTITIOUS DEATH
When a neighbour’s bay tree withers and dies for no apparent reason, the superstitious DI Montage Pluke suspects something terrible has happened.
His fears are confirmed when the body of a beautiful young woman is found in a shallow grave.
With nothing to identify her, Pluke tries to solve the case with little more to go on than the mirror she was buried with and the pathologist’s declaration that she was a virgin.
Can he and his trusted sidekick Wayne Wain solve the mystery?
A WELL-PRESSED SHROUD
Detective Inspector Montague Pluke is enjoying a much-needed holiday to Trippingdale Castle, when he stumbles upon the body of the estate’s heir floating face down in the shallow waters.
To make matters even stranger, the heir and several other people in the village had recently received a single pressed snowdrop – a well-known sign of death.
Much to Pluke’s displeasure, his quiet countryside holiday is turning into a hair-raising murder investigation. Can he find the murderer before another body turns up?
'A gripping page-turner' – Tom Kasey, best-selling author of Cold Kill
‘Splendid reading.’ – Police Journal
‘It’s original, it’s funny – discovering Pluke has been one of life’s little pleasures.’ – Yorkshire Post.
For the last 30 years, Nicholas Rhea has been writing books, drawing on his experiences in the police force, his never-ending enthusiasm for Yorkshire and his continuing interest in crime fact and fiction. His best known work, the Constable stories, provided the inspiration for the hugely popular Heartbeat TV series, and he remained involved with the series as a consultant until filming ended in 2009.
OMENS OF DEATH
Detective Inspector Montague Pluke is determined to solve a noteworthy murder before he retires, but it seems unlikely in the sleepy town of Crickledale.
So when the naked body of a young woman is discovered at the local Druids’ Circle – rumoured to be the site of orgies, witchcraft and other bizarre goings-on - it seems fate is on his side.
Or is it…
SUPERSTITIOUS DEATH
When a neighbour’s bay tree withers and dies for no apparent reason, the superstitious DI Montage Pluke suspects something terrible has happened.
His fears are confirmed when the body of a beautiful young woman is found in a shallow grave.
With nothing to identify her, Pluke tries to solve the case with little more to go on than the mirror she was buried with and the pathologist’s declaration that she was a virgin.
Can he and his trusted sidekick Wayne Wain solve the mystery?
A WELL-PRESSED SHROUD
Detective Inspector Montague Pluke is enjoying a much-needed holiday to Trippingdale Castle, when he stumbles upon the body of the estate’s heir floating face down in the shallow waters.
To make matters even stranger, the heir and several other people in the village had recently received a single pressed snowdrop – a well-known sign of death.
Much to Pluke’s displeasure, his quiet countryside holiday is turning into a hair-raising murder investigation. Can he find the murderer before another body turns up?
'A gripping page-turner' – Tom Kasey, best-selling author of Cold Kill
‘Splendid reading.’ – Police Journal
‘It’s original, it’s funny – discovering Pluke has been one of life’s little pleasures.’ – Yorkshire Post.
For the last 30 years, Nicholas Rhea has been writing books, drawing on his experiences in the police force, his never-ending enthusiasm for Yorkshire and his continuing interest in crime fact and fiction. His best known work, the Constable stories, provided the inspiration for the hugely popular Heartbeat TV series, and he remained involved with the series as a consultant until filming ended in 2009.
759 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 27, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 5, 2017
This review is for a bundle of 3 books from a series by Nicholas Rhea, introducing Detective Inspector Montague Pluke. Firstly I must say that these are very different from the "Constable" books by the author, and having said that I found them rather moreish.
The first book "Omens of Death" of was a little hard to read and I nearly gave up on it. It is the start of the series so I guess there where some perimeters to lay down, and characteristics to introduce.
The second novel A Superstitious Death" was really enjoyable and having got to know the characters, I really found the book very hard to put down, and I got to love the quirks in the nature of the players. The mystery was good and well detailed.
The third novel "Well - Pressed Shroud" was probably even better, even if I guessed who and why in the early stages, but by this time I worked out that is wasn't all about the mystery but the characters and all that when with them. Again I had trouble putting this down and read the three books very quickly, and they aren't short stories by any standards.
There isn't any vicious violence in the telling, the language is gentile and the mysteries are well spun and told. I really enjoy these books.
The first book "Omens of Death" of was a little hard to read and I nearly gave up on it. It is the start of the series so I guess there where some perimeters to lay down, and characteristics to introduce.
The second novel A Superstitious Death" was really enjoyable and having got to know the characters, I really found the book very hard to put down, and I got to love the quirks in the nature of the players. The mystery was good and well detailed.
The third novel "Well - Pressed Shroud" was probably even better, even if I guessed who and why in the early stages, but by this time I worked out that is wasn't all about the mystery but the characters and all that when with them. Again I had trouble putting this down and read the three books very quickly, and they aren't short stories by any standards.
There isn't any vicious violence in the telling, the language is gentile and the mysteries are well spun and told. I really enjoy these books.
December 5, 2017
Nicholas Rhea is one of my favourite authors, after reading the Constable series.
Much prefer them to the TV series.
I think Montague Pluke will be my new hero!
Recommended.
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher Endeavour Press via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.
Much prefer them to the TV series.
I think Montague Pluke will be my new hero!
Recommended.
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher Endeavour Press via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.
December 24, 2017
A Right Proper Detective
I read the omnibus edition in two goes; first two books then a break to read an American crime novel, then I returned to the Plukedom for the final book. It was like putting on a comfy pair of slippers. In the world of Pluke, some things just fit. These stories did fit very nicely indeed, thank you, and I will be on the lookout for more tales.
I read the omnibus edition in two goes; first two books then a break to read an American crime novel, then I returned to the Plukedom for the final book. It was like putting on a comfy pair of slippers. In the world of Pluke, some things just fit. These stories did fit very nicely indeed, thank you, and I will be on the lookout for more tales.
June 8, 2017
Uncommonly Good British Mystery
I liked just about everything about this story. Chief Detective Inspector Montegue Pluke is a hoot! He started off very goofy in the first book but had become more intense by book 3. I hope there are more books to come. Very enjoyable reading.
I liked just about everything about this story. Chief Detective Inspector Montegue Pluke is a hoot! He started off very goofy in the first book but had become more intense by book 3. I hope there are more books to come. Very enjoyable reading.
June 2, 2017
Book received from NetGalley.
These books are different than his Constable Nick series. While they also take place in Yorkshire and are also police procedurals but that's where the similarities end. Detective Inspector Pluke reminds me a bit of Monk, if you remember the tv series, though DI Pluke is more caught up in superstitions than OCD. They were good stories, though the first one took a bit to get through, I liked his other series better.
These books are different than his Constable Nick series. While they also take place in Yorkshire and are also police procedurals but that's where the similarities end. Detective Inspector Pluke reminds me a bit of Monk, if you remember the tv series, though DI Pluke is more caught up in superstitions than OCD. They were good stories, though the first one took a bit to get through, I liked his other series better.
April 3, 2017
The first three books of the eccentric Detective Inspector Montague Pluke based
in the small Yorkshire town of Crickledale.
Pluke is very superstitious & these books may not appeal to some readers but I found them very readable & felt myself being drawn into the stories.
I’ve read other series from the author which I’ve really enjoyed & the reason I read these. Having read the first three I’ll now read the rest of the Pluke books
I voluntarily reviewed a special copy of this book
in the small Yorkshire town of Crickledale.
Pluke is very superstitious & these books may not appeal to some readers but I found them very readable & felt myself being drawn into the stories.
I’ve read other series from the author which I’ve really enjoyed & the reason I read these. Having read the first three I’ll now read the rest of the Pluke books
I voluntarily reviewed a special copy of this book
April 9, 2017
2 and 1 / 2 stars
Detective Inspector Montague Pluke is an oddball. He is superstitious, affects strange sartorial displays, collects stone horse troughs, does not engage in sex with his wife and is promoted beyond his capabilities through no effort of his own. He is arrogant and stuffy.
That being said there is very little crime in his city of Crickledale. It is a small town of just 4,000 souls. He wishes for a murder to solve before his retirement so that he can put his remarkable detective skills to work. Or, so he thinks. When the naked body of a young woman is found at the local druid circle he thinks, “at last!”
DI Pluke and his trusty sidekick DS Wayne Wain have trouble identifying the young woman. But finally they do and find out some explosive information about her and her friend. Another body turns up in another district and they feel it is tied to their mysterious death. This adds pressure to Pluke and Wain.
The case finally comes together for Pluke and Wain. The murderer comes as a surprise.
This book, although competently written, moves as slow as the proverbial molasses. It wanders and Pluke’s little asides are an annoyance. Now more specifically about this book. What seemed amusing at first became irritating when the device was used over and over. I became tired of the superstitious nonsense. If I ever hear about another uninteresting horse trough, I will literally scream. I got tired of Pluke’s preachy superior attitude. And Sergeant “Cockfield pronounced Cofield” was terribly overused. Twice would have been sufficient.
Perhaps Nicholas Rhea is not for me.
I want to thank Netgalley and Endeavour Press for forwarding to me a copy of this book to read.
Detective Inspector Montague Pluke is an oddball. He is superstitious, affects strange sartorial displays, collects stone horse troughs, does not engage in sex with his wife and is promoted beyond his capabilities through no effort of his own. He is arrogant and stuffy.
That being said there is very little crime in his city of Crickledale. It is a small town of just 4,000 souls. He wishes for a murder to solve before his retirement so that he can put his remarkable detective skills to work. Or, so he thinks. When the naked body of a young woman is found at the local druid circle he thinks, “at last!”
DI Pluke and his trusty sidekick DS Wayne Wain have trouble identifying the young woman. But finally they do and find out some explosive information about her and her friend. Another body turns up in another district and they feel it is tied to their mysterious death. This adds pressure to Pluke and Wain.
The case finally comes together for Pluke and Wain. The murderer comes as a surprise.
This book, although competently written, moves as slow as the proverbial molasses. It wanders and Pluke’s little asides are an annoyance. Now more specifically about this book. What seemed amusing at first became irritating when the device was used over and over. I became tired of the superstitious nonsense. If I ever hear about another uninteresting horse trough, I will literally scream. I got tired of Pluke’s preachy superior attitude. And Sergeant “Cockfield pronounced Cofield” was terribly overused. Twice would have been sufficient.
Perhaps Nicholas Rhea is not for me.
I want to thank Netgalley and Endeavour Press for forwarding to me a copy of this book to read.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews