What do you think?
Rate this book
Detective Temeke #3
Past Rites
Lies hurt. Truth kills.
Four years after the tragic suicide of Alice Delgado, eldest daughter of Albuquerque’s top racing driver, her younger sister, Lily, is reported missing and two of her peers are found dead. Detective Temeke’s investigation leads him to a private boarding school on the Rio Grande where the discovery of occult practices and an ancient book ignite a chain reaction of heartbreaking truths and demonic attacks.
What madness connects these girls to a ruthless killer? Against a background of simmering police tension and mounting victims, detectives Temeke and Santiago are in a desperate race to learn the truth before it’s too late.
Past Rites is a dark and gripping novel that challenges heartache and reveals the truths about our hidden demons.
Spread thick with winter chill, Stibbe delivers a richly textured, breathtaking novel that gives us an insight into the dark places of the psyche. Some secrets can never be buried. Litouture Café.
Excellent third novel. Fans of psychological fiction will enjoy Claire Stibbe’s original and unnerving portrayal of the darker side of human nature. Dr. Marco Storey, PhD in Narrative Theory & Criticism.
Vividly and believably drawn characters that are the series hallmark. It should be put at the top of every "to be read” pile! Paul Henderson, Crime Fiction New Mexico.
Watch out for more from Detective Temeke and Malin Santiago
1.THE 9TH HOUR
2.NIGHT EYES
3.PAST RITES
What people are saying about PAST RITES:
"Tense action and complex psychological motivation is woven into a wonderfully satisfying novel." ~ Kristin Gleeson - Author of the Celtic Knot Series
Despite - or because of - knowing so many writers, I still feel the magic when a book comes out that makes the hairs on my arm tingle because I think it's GOOD. I read MANY books and I only review and recommend those I really like, so of course this shows my taste as a reader. If you like modern detectives, think Ian Rankin set in New Mexico, you'll love this. A new detective walks the mean streets of my bookshelves - Temeke. The 13th Sign Publishing.
"Gripping, innovative, brutal and yet redemptive. This is crime fiction with a serrated edge and a brilliant sheen." ~ Marco Storey, author and speaker
"An assured page-turner that leads inexorably to a satisfying conclusion. I can't wait for Detective Temeke Book 4!" ~Jean Gill - The Troubadours Quartet
~~~
Four years after the tragic suicide of Alice Delgado, eldest daughter of Albuquerque’s top racing driver, her younger sister, Lily, is reported missing and two of her peers are found dead. Detective Temeke’s investigation leads him to a private boarding school on the Rio Grande where the discovery of occult practices and an ancient book ignite a chain reaction of heartbreaking truths and demonic attacks.
What madness connects these girls to a ruthless killer? Against a background of simmering police tension and mounting victims, detectives Temeke and Santiago are in a desperate race to learn the truth before it’s too late.
Past Rites is a dark and gripping novel that challenges heartache and reveals the truths about our hidden demons.
Spread thick with winter chill, Stibbe delivers a richly textured, breathtaking novel that gives us an insight into the dark places of the psyche. Some secrets can never be buried. Litouture Café.
Excellent third novel. Fans of psychological fiction will enjoy Claire Stibbe’s original and unnerving portrayal of the darker side of human nature. Dr. Marco Storey, PhD in Narrative Theory & Criticism.
Vividly and believably drawn characters that are the series hallmark. It should be put at the top of every "to be read” pile! Paul Henderson, Crime Fiction New Mexico.
Watch out for more from Detective Temeke and Malin Santiago
1.THE 9TH HOUR
2.NIGHT EYES
3.PAST RITES
What people are saying about PAST RITES:
"Tense action and complex psychological motivation is woven into a wonderfully satisfying novel." ~ Kristin Gleeson - Author of the Celtic Knot Series
Despite - or because of - knowing so many writers, I still feel the magic when a book comes out that makes the hairs on my arm tingle because I think it's GOOD. I read MANY books and I only review and recommend those I really like, so of course this shows my taste as a reader. If you like modern detectives, think Ian Rankin set in New Mexico, you'll love this. A new detective walks the mean streets of my bookshelves - Temeke. The 13th Sign Publishing.
"Gripping, innovative, brutal and yet redemptive. This is crime fiction with a serrated edge and a brilliant sheen." ~ Marco Storey, author and speaker
"An assured page-turner that leads inexorably to a satisfying conclusion. I can't wait for Detective Temeke Book 4!" ~Jean Gill - The Troubadours Quartet
~~~
Unknown Binding
54 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Claire Stibbe
15 books123 followersClaire Stibbe is the winner of the 2021 Page Turner Award for Fiction and a prolific novelist. Today, she writes dark, domestic suspense novels that draw on her experiences as a survivor of domestic abuse. Her aim is not just to tell gripping stories but to inspire other survivors to find freedom and independence.
Claire worked as an Executive Assistant for twenty years in both London and the Far East. She now devotes herself full-time to writing. Her novels owe much to her years as a member of the Albuquerque Police Citizen’s Academy where her main focus was the impact of violence towards women and their families.
Claire now lives in Utah with her husband and son, and her cat, Edward, who sleeps on her desk while she writes. She is addicted to reading and sharing the crime fiction love. To keep up-to-date with her new books and blogs, sign up for her newsletter at: https://linktr.ee/ClaireStibbe
Member: Albuquerque Police Citizen’s Academy, International Thriller Writers, CWA, Sisters in Crime, Alliance of Independent Authors and Mystery Writers, New Mexico Book Co-op, and Southwest Writers.
Awards: Winner of the Page Turner Writing Award and the New Mexico/Arizona Book Awards, Wishing Shelf Silver Medal Award, Award-Winning Finalist 2019 Best Book Awards sponsored by American Book Fest.
Claire worked as an Executive Assistant for twenty years in both London and the Far East. She now devotes herself full-time to writing. Her novels owe much to her years as a member of the Albuquerque Police Citizen’s Academy where her main focus was the impact of violence towards women and their families.
Claire now lives in Utah with her husband and son, and her cat, Edward, who sleeps on her desk while she writes. She is addicted to reading and sharing the crime fiction love. To keep up-to-date with her new books and blogs, sign up for her newsletter at: https://linktr.ee/ClaireStibbe
Member: Albuquerque Police Citizen’s Academy, International Thriller Writers, CWA, Sisters in Crime, Alliance of Independent Authors and Mystery Writers, New Mexico Book Co-op, and Southwest Writers.
Awards: Winner of the Page Turner Writing Award and the New Mexico/Arizona Book Awards, Wishing Shelf Silver Medal Award, Award-Winning Finalist 2019 Best Book Awards sponsored by American Book Fest.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 27, 2016
My favourite read of 2016!
I’m completely sold on the Detective Temeke series, so much so that I’m already waiting with anticipation for book 4. They really are addictive. Past Rites is no exception. Not only are we treated to another exceptionally well crafted thriller, the relationship between the two, very different, main characters and the developing back story adds real depth to the read. I’m sure there’s a lot more to learn about their past and I can’t wait to find out!
In Past Rites Temeke and Santiago are tasked to investigate the disappearance of a young socialite and in doing so uncover a web of secrets and dangerous occult practises. I loved the whole Wicca/demon premise and the undercurrent of unease that underpins the investigation. As usual the author’s prose is delicious, switching mood effortlessly between subtle dark suspense and frantic edge of the seat action. One scene at a craft market was so well written I felt I was there dodging behind stalls with Temeke and Santiago. It would make such a good movie!
If you’re a fan of John Connolly’s Charlie Parker series, then I’m confident you’ll enjoy this.
I’m completely sold on the Detective Temeke series, so much so that I’m already waiting with anticipation for book 4. They really are addictive. Past Rites is no exception. Not only are we treated to another exceptionally well crafted thriller, the relationship between the two, very different, main characters and the developing back story adds real depth to the read. I’m sure there’s a lot more to learn about their past and I can’t wait to find out!
In Past Rites Temeke and Santiago are tasked to investigate the disappearance of a young socialite and in doing so uncover a web of secrets and dangerous occult practises. I loved the whole Wicca/demon premise and the undercurrent of unease that underpins the investigation. As usual the author’s prose is delicious, switching mood effortlessly between subtle dark suspense and frantic edge of the seat action. One scene at a craft market was so well written I felt I was there dodging behind stalls with Temeke and Santiago. It would make such a good movie!
If you’re a fan of John Connolly’s Charlie Parker series, then I’m confident you’ll enjoy this.
February 25, 2018
Quick read but the ending was disappointing. I won't give it away but....it was just disappointing. Also, some of the chapters describing the "villain" were a bit difficult to decipher. Additionally, somewhat confusing to keep Hackett and Fowler straight; the writer assumed you already knew who they were and what their hangups were.
Overall, decent. I'll try another book by this author.
Overall, decent. I'll try another book by this author.
May 28, 2018
Not bad. A little lack luster compared to the first 2 books, but still enjoyable.
April 12, 2017
Past Rites is the third book in Claire Stibbe’s Detective Temeke’s Crime Series and like the first two it packs a wallop. This is a deeply psychological examination of bullies and the cliques that engage in those behaviors. Beyond that Stibbe tackles the subject of child abuse and the subsequent psychological damage it does.
When Temeke is removed from Homicide he is assigned the laborious task of reviewing cold cases. Suddenly one of those cold cases becomes current with the disappearance of nineteen year old Lily Delgado. Lily’s older sister Alice had committed suicide years earlier. After seeing Temeke’s name in the newspaper in reference to a recently closed case, Mrs. Delgado specifically requests his assistance in locating the missing Lily. What happens from that point on is a tension building nightmare.
Suddenly girls are disappearing and being murdered. They all have something in common with Alice and Lily Delgado; they all attended Los Poblanos Academy, a pricey private school. As Temeke and his partner Malin Santiago investigate the disappearance of Lily and attempt to discover the connection between that and the girls from the school a dark secret comes to the surface. The girls were involved in an occult practice revolving around a mysterious book.
Meanwhile the killer is a young man named Gabriel Mann who also seemed to be a target of the bullying. As he takes his revenge on the girl he also searches for the book. Guided by a voice in his head he calls “Demon” he disposes of his victims in a very specific manner.
As all this is occurring there is the familiar political police tension within the police force. Bets are taken on whether Temeke will be able to solve this bizarre crime.
With twists and turns in both the investigation and the private lives of Temeke and Malin the story moves along smoothly. Stibbe weaves her tale with an expert hand, describing police procedures realistically. Set in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Stibbe uses her knowledge of the area effectively. Dark and moody, the city seems to be on a low boil that suddenly erupts into a volcano of bizarre and violent crimes.
I hope this is not the last of the Detective Temeke series as I see the relationships between the characters evolving and would love t see where things go. I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who enjoys a good old fashioned detective story with a twist.
When Temeke is removed from Homicide he is assigned the laborious task of reviewing cold cases. Suddenly one of those cold cases becomes current with the disappearance of nineteen year old Lily Delgado. Lily’s older sister Alice had committed suicide years earlier. After seeing Temeke’s name in the newspaper in reference to a recently closed case, Mrs. Delgado specifically requests his assistance in locating the missing Lily. What happens from that point on is a tension building nightmare.
Suddenly girls are disappearing and being murdered. They all have something in common with Alice and Lily Delgado; they all attended Los Poblanos Academy, a pricey private school. As Temeke and his partner Malin Santiago investigate the disappearance of Lily and attempt to discover the connection between that and the girls from the school a dark secret comes to the surface. The girls were involved in an occult practice revolving around a mysterious book.
Meanwhile the killer is a young man named Gabriel Mann who also seemed to be a target of the bullying. As he takes his revenge on the girl he also searches for the book. Guided by a voice in his head he calls “Demon” he disposes of his victims in a very specific manner.
As all this is occurring there is the familiar political police tension within the police force. Bets are taken on whether Temeke will be able to solve this bizarre crime.
With twists and turns in both the investigation and the private lives of Temeke and Malin the story moves along smoothly. Stibbe weaves her tale with an expert hand, describing police procedures realistically. Set in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Stibbe uses her knowledge of the area effectively. Dark and moody, the city seems to be on a low boil that suddenly erupts into a volcano of bizarre and violent crimes.
I hope this is not the last of the Detective Temeke series as I see the relationships between the characters evolving and would love t see where things go. I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who enjoys a good old fashioned detective story with a twist.
March 31, 2017
Another tense psychological crime thriller in a great series! ‘Past Rites’ develops the partnership between Temeke and Malin so that she is no longer the naïve protegée but a trusted colleague, working her side of a current case while Temeke follows a cold case trail. The two cases are linked from the start; a pyscopathic killer, some disturbed youngsters dabbling in black arts at a boarding school and a soupçon of gender confusion are all in the mix.
We see into the serial killer’s mind and motives but can’t tell which of the suspects he – or she – is until the final events reveal all.
A real page-turner, full of suspense, taking the detective story inside the psyche of the killer and making us wonder about mental health issues. Could demons be real and how can we deal with them?
Great sequel in this New Mexico crime series! Can be read as a stand-alone and highly recommended if you enjoy a walk on the dark side, heart pounding. If you like Camilla Lackberg and Val McDermid, this might be your cup of tea or, more aptly, your poison.
We see into the serial killer’s mind and motives but can’t tell which of the suspects he – or she – is until the final events reveal all.
A real page-turner, full of suspense, taking the detective story inside the psyche of the killer and making us wonder about mental health issues. Could demons be real and how can we deal with them?
Great sequel in this New Mexico crime series! Can be read as a stand-alone and highly recommended if you enjoy a walk on the dark side, heart pounding. If you like Camilla Lackberg and Val McDermid, this might be your cup of tea or, more aptly, your poison.
May 30, 2017
Did not like the first few chapters, but . . .
It turned into another good read. When I have a few bucks to spare I will likely buy the next in the series.
As I have written here before, these "Detective Temeke Crime Series" books are set up in a way that makes it easy to read just one chapter, when that is all the time you have
It turned into another good read. When I have a few bucks to spare I will likely buy the next in the series.
As I have written here before, these "Detective Temeke Crime Series" books are set up in a way that makes it easy to read just one chapter, when that is all the time you have
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews