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Inspector Thanet #7
Element of Doubt
There’s no shortage of suspects when a body turns up in a charming English village in this mystery starring mild-mannered Detective Inspector Thanet.
Det. Inspector Luke Thanet is pulling into his driveway, anticipating a long, lazy evening at home, when murder intervenes. A village so lovely it seems straight out of a fairytale, Ribbleden is far from the main roads and Thanet’s usual beat. When the inspector pulls into town, the quiet country streets are deserted: Everyone is crowded outside the manor gates, waiting to learn what happened to Nerine Tarrant.
A notorious woman with a taste for married men, Nerine was found dead on her patio, her neck broken by the fall from the second floor. The wall was too high for an accidental tumble, and a woman with Nerine’s lust for life would never have committed suicide. Many in Ribbleden wanted her dead—but who gave her the final push?
Written by the CWA Silver Dagger–winning Dorothy Simpson, this classic village mystery with a shocking modern twist is perfect for fans of P. D. James or Midsomer Murders.
Element of Doubt is the 7th book in the Inspector Thanet Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
Det. Inspector Luke Thanet is pulling into his driveway, anticipating a long, lazy evening at home, when murder intervenes. A village so lovely it seems straight out of a fairytale, Ribbleden is far from the main roads and Thanet’s usual beat. When the inspector pulls into town, the quiet country streets are deserted: Everyone is crowded outside the manor gates, waiting to learn what happened to Nerine Tarrant.
A notorious woman with a taste for married men, Nerine was found dead on her patio, her neck broken by the fall from the second floor. The wall was too high for an accidental tumble, and a woman with Nerine’s lust for life would never have committed suicide. Many in Ribbleden wanted her dead—but who gave her the final push?
Written by the CWA Silver Dagger–winning Dorothy Simpson, this classic village mystery with a shocking modern twist is perfect for fans of P. D. James or Midsomer Murders.
Element of Doubt is the 7th book in the Inspector Thanet Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
331 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1987
190 people are currently reading
203 people want to read
About the author
Dorothy Simpson
38 books118 followersDorothy Preece Simpson writes...
"I was born and brought up in South Wales, went to Bridgend Grammar School and then on to Bristol University, where I read modern languages before moving to Kent, the background of the Thanet novels, to teach French at Dartford and Erith Grammar Schools.
Moving to the Maidstone area on my marriage, I then spent several years devoting myself to bringing up my three children. During that time I trained as a marriage guidance counsellor and subsequently worked as one for thirteen years.
You may think that marriage guidance counsellor to crime writer is rather a peculiar career move, but although I didn’t realise it at the time, of course, the training I received was the best possible preparation for writing detective novels. Murder mysteries are all about relationships which go disastrously wrong and the insights I gained into what makes people tick, into their interaction and motivations, have been absolutely invaluable to DI Thanet, my series character, as have the interviewing skills I acquired during my years of counselling.
I began to write after a long illness in 1975. The success of my first book, a suspense novel called HARBINGERS OF FEAR, gave me sufficient impetus to carry me through the two rejections which followed - very disheartening at the time, but invaluable in retrospect.
It was during this period that I realised that the crime novel is of such diversity that it offers enormous scope to the writer and decided to attempt to lay the foundation for a series of detective novels in my next book. This was the THE NIGHT SHE DIED." This was the first in a 15 book series starring Detective Inspector Luke Thanet. Severe repetitive stress injury caused her to stop writing in 2000.
She is an award winning author, receiving a Silver Dagger Award from the Crime Writers' Association of Great Britain.
"I was born and brought up in South Wales, went to Bridgend Grammar School and then on to Bristol University, where I read modern languages before moving to Kent, the background of the Thanet novels, to teach French at Dartford and Erith Grammar Schools.
Moving to the Maidstone area on my marriage, I then spent several years devoting myself to bringing up my three children. During that time I trained as a marriage guidance counsellor and subsequently worked as one for thirteen years.
You may think that marriage guidance counsellor to crime writer is rather a peculiar career move, but although I didn’t realise it at the time, of course, the training I received was the best possible preparation for writing detective novels. Murder mysteries are all about relationships which go disastrously wrong and the insights I gained into what makes people tick, into their interaction and motivations, have been absolutely invaluable to DI Thanet, my series character, as have the interviewing skills I acquired during my years of counselling.
I began to write after a long illness in 1975. The success of my first book, a suspense novel called HARBINGERS OF FEAR, gave me sufficient impetus to carry me through the two rejections which followed - very disheartening at the time, but invaluable in retrospect.
It was during this period that I realised that the crime novel is of such diversity that it offers enormous scope to the writer and decided to attempt to lay the foundation for a series of detective novels in my next book. This was the THE NIGHT SHE DIED." This was the first in a 15 book series starring Detective Inspector Luke Thanet. Severe repetitive stress injury caused her to stop writing in 2000.
She is an award winning author, receiving a Silver Dagger Award from the Crime Writers' Association of Great Britain.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
July 20, 2017
The mystery itself was good, but the book was much too chatty; explaining, philosophizing, pondering, more explaining.
Looks like someone heaved Mrs. Tarrant over the balcony and there she lies on the patio below with her neck broken. Mrs. Tarrant was not a well-liked woman, but who is the one who hated her enough to push her over?
Rating explanation: The mystery deserves a 3 star, but there was so much explanation of everything, and then there was the situation between Thanet and his wife which bored me silly, that I was skimming after I found out who helped Mrs. Tarrant over the balcony. So I felt a 2 rating was more appropriate.
Looks like someone heaved Mrs. Tarrant over the balcony and there she lies on the patio below with her neck broken. Mrs. Tarrant was not a well-liked woman, but who is the one who hated her enough to push her over?
Rating explanation: The mystery deserves a 3 star, but there was so much explanation of everything, and then there was the situation between Thanet and his wife which bored me silly, that I was skimming after I found out who helped Mrs. Tarrant over the balcony. So I felt a 2 rating was more appropriate.
September 15, 2025
Well, I thought I had sorted through the clues and identified the perpetrator - at least three times. LOL Quite a keep 'em guessing mystery with a lot of twists and turns. Dorothy Simpson maintains her string of good old-fashioned mysteries with DI Luke Thanet and Sgt. Lineham working well together again in this rather complicated yet enjoyable mystery.
There is an unusual subplot involving discord between Luke and hid PO wife, Joan that has direct bearing on the case. I was a tiny bit disappointed when at the end of the story when Luke and Joan debrief, there is no mention of how the possible friction between the two 18-year-old potential suspects was or wasn't resolved.
Overall, a solid four stars ... and now looking forward to the next one in the series.
There is an unusual subplot involving discord between Luke and hid PO wife, Joan that has direct bearing on the case. I was a tiny bit disappointed when at the end of the story when Luke and Joan debrief, there is no mention of how the possible friction between the two 18-year-old potential suspects was or wasn't resolved.
Overall, a solid four stars ... and now looking forward to the next one in the series.
May 9, 2023
Recently I have been re-reading a set of mystery books read 30-40 years ago. It has been an enjoyable journey down British mystery-detective lane. I just hit a road block with this particular book…
While it is well written and the mystery intriguing, I could not get past the 1980’s attitude of body shaming and describing-judging women’s bodies by shape and weight. It startled and dismayed me.
I do understand writing can be a time capsule of particular eras, fads, mores. Many books I read I allow for the “history and norms” of the tones.
But this one touched a particularly sad note. I remembered year ago in the first reading that the internal critical dialogue of the detective having made me feel faulted for my body and thus lack of character, self discipline and worthiness.
So although I do admire this author and her examination of her detective, Thanet, his life, quirks, personal growth, etc. I would not recommend this one if the series.
While it is well written and the mystery intriguing, I could not get past the 1980’s attitude of body shaming and describing-judging women’s bodies by shape and weight. It startled and dismayed me.
I do understand writing can be a time capsule of particular eras, fads, mores. Many books I read I allow for the “history and norms” of the tones.
But this one touched a particularly sad note. I remembered year ago in the first reading that the internal critical dialogue of the detective having made me feel faulted for my body and thus lack of character, self discipline and worthiness.
So although I do admire this author and her examination of her detective, Thanet, his life, quirks, personal growth, etc. I would not recommend this one if the series.
September 20, 2023
This looked like a case of a woman throwing herself from a balcony to her death. However with careful gathering of evidence and forming a timeline Inspector Thanet and Sergeant Lineham discover the truth and unmask the murderer.
One of the characters who is subject to a Probation Order administered by Thanet's wife causes some domestic strife. This seems to be a significant factor in a weak storyline. Comes out to a 3-star for me.
One of the characters who is subject to a Probation Order administered by Thanet's wife causes some domestic strife. This seems to be a significant factor in a weak storyline. Comes out to a 3-star for me.
September 6, 2018
3.5 stars. I honestly cannot remember how I stumbled across this 1980s detective series, but I have found them enjoyable, but also odd. This is the seventh book and, with every one, I have found them unfathomably old-fashioned. I couldn't quite figure out why: was it just sleepy British villages, behind the times? Was it the author? The series... although as old/older than me (I was born in 84) (I mean I'll be 34 this year, so possibly I am in denial of the passage of time) didn't seem so old to have been so old-fashioned. In the last 3 books or so, Thanet has been struggling with his wife having a job; he would prefer her to be home with their kids and making him dinner. It has been so weird to me.
But, finally, in this book, I got it. Joan, his wife, says (during a discussion of her job), "I think that the next generation will find it easier. Ours was brought up in a transition period, and there have been a lot of casualties along the way." It hit me: this book, pub. 1988, is set about that time and their eldest is 14. Probably making their marriage about 1972. Yeah. Talk about transitions. I think I had been thinking Joan and Luke were similar in years to my parents (married 1983), but it is clear to me now that those ten years make quite a bit of difference. Being a teen of the late 60s vs late 70s. I feel badly for not seeing it and understanding it before. I feel guilt, ultimately, because I think it shows a lack of respect for the women of those years who paved the way for so many after them. Thank you, wives of the 70s, and thank you for your casualties and sacrifices.
But, finally, in this book, I got it. Joan, his wife, says (during a discussion of her job), "I think that the next generation will find it easier. Ours was brought up in a transition period, and there have been a lot of casualties along the way." It hit me: this book, pub. 1988, is set about that time and their eldest is 14. Probably making their marriage about 1972. Yeah. Talk about transitions. I think I had been thinking Joan and Luke were similar in years to my parents (married 1983), but it is clear to me now that those ten years make quite a bit of difference. Being a teen of the late 60s vs late 70s. I feel badly for not seeing it and understanding it before. I feel guilt, ultimately, because I think it shows a lack of respect for the women of those years who paved the way for so many after them. Thank you, wives of the 70s, and thank you for your casualties and sacrifices.
May 12, 2018
Was Nerine Tarrant accidentally killed or murdered outright? Because she was a slag of the 1st order, there is no end of suspects. This should be an interesting trip for Thanet and Lineham to find the killer. (finished today 05/11/2018) - This was a story which proves that the opposite of love is NOT hate, but selfishness and the chaos that selfishness leaves in its wake, tearing apart people's lives, shattering their optimistic views of the world around them. The ending to this book was, in my opinion, draw dropping, but upon further reflection, not surprising.
Nerrine Tarrant lay sprawled on her back on the wide stone terrace, limbs splayed, neck at an unnatural angle, feet pointing away from the house. She must have been in her early thirties, Thanet thought, and even now, in death, was one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen: classic oval face, high cheekbones, and a Dallas-style tumble of long dark expensive curls. Already, in mid-June, her skin was tanned to a rich honey (sunbed? he wondered), and her simple linen dress the colour of an unripe lemon enhanced the slim youthful body, the long shapely legs. A second closer look told him that he had underestimated her age. The faintest lines at the corners of eyes and mouth reminded him that Damon Tarrant, aged eighteen, was her son. Late thirties, then, he decided. But exceedingly well preserved. He would guess that a great deal of money had been spent on maintaining that youthful facade. And to what end? To die only half-way through her allotted span in the garden of her own home on this tranquil June evening.
This may be the paramount reason as to what drives Thanet to seek justice for even unsavory victims - when Thanet went to ask the victim's husband follow up questions about his movements on the day of the murder "We are not suggesting anything, sir. Merely asking. As we must, however unpleasant the task may be." "Unpleasant!" {barked Tarrant} "Yes," said Thanet, more quietly. "Unpleasant, Mr. Tarrant. There is no pleasure, believe me, in appearing to harass people who are already suffering, as you are...But it has to be done, whether we like it or not. Your wife is dead, and if she was killed we have to try to find out who did it, you must see that." "What's the point? It won't bring her back." Mr. Tarrant, you are a surgeon. Your whole working life is dedicated to saving life, isn't it? You must, therefore, believe, as I do, that it is of paramount importance. The difference is that whereas your work ends with a patient's death, that's when mine begins. If people were allowed to kill whoever they liked without any attempt being made to bring them to justice, the whole fabric of society would disintegrate."
Nerrine Tarrant lay sprawled on her back on the wide stone terrace, limbs splayed, neck at an unnatural angle, feet pointing away from the house. She must have been in her early thirties, Thanet thought, and even now, in death, was one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen: classic oval face, high cheekbones, and a Dallas-style tumble of long dark expensive curls. Already, in mid-June, her skin was tanned to a rich honey (sunbed? he wondered), and her simple linen dress the colour of an unripe lemon enhanced the slim youthful body, the long shapely legs. A second closer look told him that he had underestimated her age. The faintest lines at the corners of eyes and mouth reminded him that Damon Tarrant, aged eighteen, was her son. Late thirties, then, he decided. But exceedingly well preserved. He would guess that a great deal of money had been spent on maintaining that youthful facade. And to what end? To die only half-way through her allotted span in the garden of her own home on this tranquil June evening.
This may be the paramount reason as to what drives Thanet to seek justice for even unsavory victims - when Thanet went to ask the victim's husband follow up questions about his movements on the day of the murder "We are not suggesting anything, sir. Merely asking. As we must, however unpleasant the task may be." "Unpleasant!" {barked Tarrant} "Yes," said Thanet, more quietly. "Unpleasant, Mr. Tarrant. There is no pleasure, believe me, in appearing to harass people who are already suffering, as you are...But it has to be done, whether we like it or not. Your wife is dead, and if she was killed we have to try to find out who did it, you must see that." "What's the point? It won't bring her back." Mr. Tarrant, you are a surgeon. Your whole working life is dedicated to saving life, isn't it? You must, therefore, believe, as I do, that it is of paramount importance. The difference is that whereas your work ends with a patient's death, that's when mine begins. If people were allowed to kill whoever they liked without any attempt being made to bring them to justice, the whole fabric of society would disintegrate."
September 5, 2024
Another cosy police procedural for our stereotypical 1950s Detective Inspector Thanet transported along with his pipe and chauvinism - astonished that his wife should need anything beside himself, their children and their home, to feel fulfilled - to the 1980s. The long-awaited row over a professional conflict of interest threatens to destabilise their happy marriage but they make up with a classic 1970s meal of avocado, prawns, blue cheese dressing and THREE (count them) different dips as well as polishing off a trifle AND an orange sorbet served inside an actual orange.
The case involves the death in a fall (yeah - she was pushed) of a beautiful promiscuous married woman. Any of her many lovers, family members or household staff (so hard to get these days) and even a recently released thief could’ve dunnit.
I do like this series with its switching between the fascinating peculiar lifestyles and deaths of the victims contrasting sharply with Thanet’s angst and prosaic family issues.
The case involves the death in a fall (yeah - she was pushed) of a beautiful promiscuous married woman. Any of her many lovers, family members or household staff (so hard to get these days) and even a recently released thief could’ve dunnit.
I do like this series with its switching between the fascinating peculiar lifestyles and deaths of the victims contrasting sharply with Thanet’s angst and prosaic family issues.
August 13, 2016
This is a classic mystery of the 'Did she fall or was she pushed?' variety. Nerine Tarrant is beautiful and spoiled and takes and discards lovers how other people might take up and discard hobbies. Her husband ignores the affairs because he loves her but others do not feel the same way about them. She is found dead underneath a balcony at her luxurious home and any one of half a dozen suspects could have been in the right place at the right time but all of them seem to have seen and heard nothing.
It is only by gradually piecing together tiny pieces of evidence and closely examining small discrepancies in timing that DI Luke Thanet and DS Mike Lineham are able to work out who did it and why. Thanet himself must work out how to resolve a difference in professional opinions between himself and his wife, Joan, a probation officer, when he realises that Nerine's son, Damon is one of Joan's clients and he has apparently left the family home in a hurry about the time of the murder.
I enjoyed trying to untangle this mystery and completely failed to work out why the crime was committed though I did narrow the suspects down to two. I liked the way the professional difference of opinion is resolved between Thanet and his wife and the way they really do try hard to keep their marriage on an even keel and bring up their two children in a responsible way. This is a well written series and the books can be read in any order.
It is only by gradually piecing together tiny pieces of evidence and closely examining small discrepancies in timing that DI Luke Thanet and DS Mike Lineham are able to work out who did it and why. Thanet himself must work out how to resolve a difference in professional opinions between himself and his wife, Joan, a probation officer, when he realises that Nerine's son, Damon is one of Joan's clients and he has apparently left the family home in a hurry about the time of the murder.
I enjoyed trying to untangle this mystery and completely failed to work out why the crime was committed though I did narrow the suspects down to two. I liked the way the professional difference of opinion is resolved between Thanet and his wife and the way they really do try hard to keep their marriage on an even keel and bring up their two children in a responsible way. This is a well written series and the books can be read in any order.
October 4, 2017
Only right now, when writing these reviews, I realize how much Dorothy Simpson's books seem to run together. Her books are not strong on individual memorability. I have to keep checking the plot synopses to make sure I have the right book.
The story is interesting enough to keep one reading, but all of the details slide out once finished. It shows a good glimpse of "cozy" England in a more realistic fashion: nothing about this book is cutesy or overly contrived (by fictional standards). The cases, and the characters affected, do not have a lot of depth to them. They are also fairly quick and easy reads.
The title implies science is involved somehow. It was not scientific. It was just another unhappy family situation to be resolved.
The story is interesting enough to keep one reading, but all of the details slide out once finished. It shows a good glimpse of "cozy" England in a more realistic fashion: nothing about this book is cutesy or overly contrived (by fictional standards). The cases, and the characters affected, do not have a lot of depth to them. They are also fairly quick and easy reads.
The title implies science is involved somehow. It was not scientific. It was just another unhappy family situation to be resolved.
October 13, 2015
Great little mystery. Solid characters, interesting mystery and resolved satisfactorily. Won't be the last one I will read.
December 26, 2023
This is when Thanet's case finally clashed with Joan's, and neither of them dealt with it very well. As this was integral to the story, it did cause some complication on how Thanet was solving the mystery.
Nerine was at first painted very black. Cold woman pursuing other women's husbands. Later on, there were some attempts at "justifying" her behavior, but at the end, she was still not a very likable person, although she didn't deserve to die the way she did. What still doesn't make sense is what she saw in Lance Speed. It's not just his looks, but he didn't seem to have anything to offer. The story with Lance, his wife, and his son was explained fairly well. I had my guesses fairly early, but just before we got to the explanation, this story became obvious, just like most things in this series. Even if you didn't guess five minutes ago, by the time they started talking about it, you could easily figure out what happened
Daphne's and Nerine's relationships with their father still seemed a bit odd to me. He supposedly couldn't stand either of them. He favored Nerine's marriage with Roland to the extreme while opposing Daphne's engagement - why did these even matter that much? He blamed Daphne for causing his wife's death, but somehow he also liked her enough to work with and give his nursery to her.
The story is one of the obvious guesses. I am not upset at the identity of the killer. I guess this is one of the better options, not someone I really felt bad for when they finally got caught.
Nerine was at first painted very black. Cold woman pursuing other women's husbands. Later on, there were some attempts at "justifying" her behavior, but at the end, she was still not a very likable person, although she didn't deserve to die the way she did. What still doesn't make sense is what she saw in Lance Speed. It's not just his looks, but he didn't seem to have anything to offer. The story with Lance, his wife, and his son was explained fairly well. I had my guesses fairly early, but just before we got to the explanation, this story became obvious, just like most things in this series. Even if you didn't guess five minutes ago, by the time they started talking about it, you could easily figure out what happened
Daphne's and Nerine's relationships with their father still seemed a bit odd to me. He supposedly couldn't stand either of them. He favored Nerine's marriage with Roland to the extreme while opposing Daphne's engagement - why did these even matter that much? He blamed Daphne for causing his wife's death, but somehow he also liked her enough to work with and give his nursery to her.
The story is one of the obvious guesses. I am not upset at the identity of the killer. I guess this is one of the better options, not someone I really felt bad for when they finally got caught.
December 1, 2021
This was my first crime/detective book since grade school and I thought it was GREAT! I think the author did a great job describing scenes, emotions between characters (especially Thanet and Joan) and the overall plot.
I have not read the rest of the books in the series, so maybe I am missing some critical information regarding their relationship, however I really enjoyed watching the couple’s argument unfold. On top of seeing Thanet realize his own mistakes, it was nice to see him apologize and make up for lost emotion as well. I have read that he struggled with the fact that his wife needed more than him and his family in other reviews, but I really did enjoy reading the conclusion of that internal struggle within this book.
When Joan discusses the transitioning period for their generation, I felt a better understanding of my parents and how their generation paved the way (as immigrants) for their children (me, my friends and siblings).
ONE LINE really did it for me. Crazy. I think I liked this book for that chapter alone, while the plot comes second to me.
I have not read the rest of the books in the series, so maybe I am missing some critical information regarding their relationship, however I really enjoyed watching the couple’s argument unfold. On top of seeing Thanet realize his own mistakes, it was nice to see him apologize and make up for lost emotion as well. I have read that he struggled with the fact that his wife needed more than him and his family in other reviews, but I really did enjoy reading the conclusion of that internal struggle within this book.
When Joan discusses the transitioning period for their generation, I felt a better understanding of my parents and how their generation paved the way (as immigrants) for their children (me, my friends and siblings).
ONE LINE really did it for me. Crazy. I think I liked this book for that chapter alone, while the plot comes second to me.
July 29, 2018
I liked the plot and the way it was resolved, but I found Thanet's constant introspection and angst a bit off-putting. I felt a tad bludgeoned by the end, having sat through way too much hand-wringing over his job conflicting with his wife's. At this point I'm much more interested in hearing about his daughter's burgeoning cooking career than I am in sitting through another conversation between Luke and his wife. I will probably hang on and read the rest of the series but I'm not as invested as I was in the earlier books. If you haven't read any of this series, be sure to start at the beginning and don't jump into a later novel. The characters age along with the books and much of the personality creation of Thanet and Lineham is dealt with in the first three or four novels. If you haven't read those Lineham, especially, will come across as less than three dimensional.
December 10, 2018
Nerine Tarrant was the promiscuous wife of a rich doctor, until she took a header over a balcony and died. Inspector Thanet thinks the behavior of many of the people around Mrs. Tarrant is so strange as to be improbable - but it's a strange situation. So many secrets are coming to light, and a lot of people are uncomfortably considering how their lives have changed with understanding.
Dorothy Simpson's career as a marriage counselor shows in the way she handles the occasional bumps in the Thanets' family life.
Read 2 times
Dorothy Simpson's career as a marriage counselor shows in the way she handles the occasional bumps in the Thanets' family life.
Read 2 times
August 6, 2019
I like the main characters, love the slower pace of life in this series - even though I think it's set in the 1980's. Anyway, there were a few too many characters introduced for the mystery - it was a little hard to keep track of them - but otherwise, this was a solid story that kept me guessing until the end.
February 24, 2021
While I found the ending pretty much up to par for Dorothy Simpson's endings (always a twist of some kind) I found the storyline of Thanet and Joan a little ridiculous and totally unnecessary. The fact that it caused "marital discord" made me laugh. I appreciate the rapport that they have but this storyline could have easily been left out.
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December 30, 2023Simpson's books are a favorite because each time Luke and Mike interview a witness, their thoughts about what they learn make the reader believe that this is the perpetrator. This was the story of a woman whom no one particularly liked, so there were many suspects. This story had a great twist at the end, so I did not know who the murderer was until almost the very end.
December 7, 2019
I really enjoy this series Inspector Thanet and his wife’s careers clash for the first time as one of her client’s as a probation officer is wanted by Thanet and she feels he should have held off for 24 hours before sending out an appeal.
January 22, 2023
Boring police procedural about a terrible woman that many people wanted to kill. I skipped some of it as I couldn’t stay awake. The most ridiculous part was the marital difficulties that Thanet and his wife had over their careers. The wife appeared to be the unreasonable one in that couple.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 30, 2017
Good British murder mystery with Inspector Thanet. Lots of suspects and a satisfying conclusion.
February 25, 2018
A nice diverting read. Suffered a bit for at least part of the big twist being predictable.
March 13, 2018
4 Stars
Very entertaining story. A classic who done it. In the style of Agatha Christie, well written highly recommended. Love mysteries!
Very entertaining story. A classic who done it. In the style of Agatha Christie, well written highly recommended. Love mysteries!
March 16, 2018
A very good story with some wonderful character development. I'm enjoying both the mystery and finding out more about Inspector Thanet and his wife and colleagues.
April 24, 2018
One of the best in this series. Continue to enjoy the Thanet series
August 18, 2018
Another good book in the series.
April 12, 2019
I enjoy her books very much. They are just good detective stories. They are not overly long (under 300) pages.
July 31, 2019
Solid B level mystery.
July 11, 2020
Solid police procedural. I’d read more by Dorothy Simpson
February 13, 2021
Least liked of this series. I think I may need to break it off with Thanet and find myself a new inspector. Maybe we'll run into each other again.
February 11, 2022
Police procedural. England. Cozy
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews