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Miss Dimont #3
A Quarter Past Dead
Murder can strike at any hour…
It’s the late 1950s in tranquil Temple Regis, Devon.
For holidaymakers it’s a glorious time of breathtaking scenery, picnics on beaches, and flocks of tourists on their summertime holidays.
But for Miss Judy Dimont, this is all a trifle dull. As a reporter for local rag, The Riviera Express, she needs scandal and intrigue – and one morning, as the clock strikes the quarter hour, she gets it. A woman has been shot dead in one of Buntorama’s upmarket holiday huts, the toffee-nosed rival hotelier next door is rubbing his hands with glee, and Judy and her trusty moped Herbert are off like a shot to survey the scene of the crime.
But nobody can tell her who the dead girl is and there’s no clear motive. To have a story to write, Judy must solve the case – and the intrepid Miss Dimont will leave no pebble unturned until the truth is out!
313 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2018
43 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 17, 2020
When a woman’s lifeless body is found in a chalet at the local holiday park in Temple Regis, the editor of the Riviera Express sends his chief reporter Judy Dimont to cover the story. She arrives to find that the woman was murdered, cause of death a single gunshot to the chest. As Judy starts to investigate, she’s drawn into a story that houses lies, deceit and revenge and a heartbreaking conclusion.
This book is a cozy mystery that is easy to read. The setting is very lovely, the writer’s description of Temple Regis made me want to pack my suitcase and go there immediately.
Unfortunately, I found that there were too many characters in the book and I struggled to remember who they were and how they related to the story. I also felt that it was too twee and fluffy and the ending was somewhat contrived. That said, it was an entertaining read.
Many thanks to Netgalley and HQ for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
This book is a cozy mystery that is easy to read. The setting is very lovely, the writer’s description of Temple Regis made me want to pack my suitcase and go there immediately.
Unfortunately, I found that there were too many characters in the book and I struggled to remember who they were and how they related to the story. I also felt that it was too twee and fluffy and the ending was somewhat contrived. That said, it was an entertaining read.
Many thanks to Netgalley and HQ for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
November 8, 2018
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A Quarter Past Dead is a historical crime fiction set in Devon in the late 1950s. It is the third book in the Miss Dimont Mystery series but can be read as a standalone.
The story revolves around Miss Judy Dimont, a reporter at a local newspaper and an amateur sleuth.
She needs to put together the pieces of a puzzle that the murder mystery is, to write her story. And oh boy she has a knack for that! The book is written in a very sophisticated way and is packed with drama and extravaganza. It is an easy and breezy read and shows you a good time. Best as a fun weekend or a beach read, A Quarter Past Dead is bound to make you fall for mysteries all over again.
But what I loved the MOST was the witty and head strong woman Miss Judy Dimont was. She with her Herbert is so chic and saucy. I'm in love with her style and am surely looking forward to explore the other two books in the series.
This book is guaranteed to delight for historical crime/mystery fans.
P.S.: It also has an undeniable Agatha Christie vibe to it.
A Quarter Past Dead is a historical crime fiction set in Devon in the late 1950s. It is the third book in the Miss Dimont Mystery series but can be read as a standalone.
The story revolves around Miss Judy Dimont, a reporter at a local newspaper and an amateur sleuth.
She needs to put together the pieces of a puzzle that the murder mystery is, to write her story. And oh boy she has a knack for that! The book is written in a very sophisticated way and is packed with drama and extravaganza. It is an easy and breezy read and shows you a good time. Best as a fun weekend or a beach read, A Quarter Past Dead is bound to make you fall for mysteries all over again.
But what I loved the MOST was the witty and head strong woman Miss Judy Dimont was. She with her Herbert is so chic and saucy. I'm in love with her style and am surely looking forward to explore the other two books in the series.
This book is guaranteed to delight for historical crime/mystery fans.
P.S.: It also has an undeniable Agatha Christie vibe to it.
November 8, 2018
A Quarter Past Dead by T.P. Fielden is a nostalgic crime drama set in Devon in the late 1950's. It is the third book in the Miss Dimont Mystery series but can be read as a stand-alone.
The reader is in for a real treat as we step back in time to a quieter age - or is it? Wealth, power, status and riches still have a hold over people. For some, manipulation is the order of the day.
A Quarter Past Dead is very reminiscent of an afternoon drama, with Miss Dimont reminding me of Joan Hickson's portrayal of Miss Marple in the ITV series. With wonderful musings by Miss Dimont, the reader enters the world of the small town 1950's style.
Whilst the location was fictional (although I wondered if it was Lyme Regis), there are other places mentioned such as Slapton Sands where I holidayed with my family as a teenager. This added an air of familiarity as I felt welcomed.
An entertaining, light hearted read, perfect to brighten any afternoon. See if you can join the pieces of the puzzle before the tale concludes.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
The reader is in for a real treat as we step back in time to a quieter age - or is it? Wealth, power, status and riches still have a hold over people. For some, manipulation is the order of the day.
A Quarter Past Dead is very reminiscent of an afternoon drama, with Miss Dimont reminding me of Joan Hickson's portrayal of Miss Marple in the ITV series. With wonderful musings by Miss Dimont, the reader enters the world of the small town 1950's style.
Whilst the location was fictional (although I wondered if it was Lyme Regis), there are other places mentioned such as Slapton Sands where I holidayed with my family as a teenager. This added an air of familiarity as I felt welcomed.
An entertaining, light hearted read, perfect to brighten any afternoon. See if you can join the pieces of the puzzle before the tale concludes.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
February 17, 2020
When a woman’s lifeless body is found in a chalet at the local holiday park in Temple Regis, the editor of the Riviera Express sends his chief reporter Judy Dimont to cover the story. She arrives to find that the woman was murdered, cause of death a single gunshot to the chest. As Judy starts to investigate, she’s drawn into a story that houses lies, deceit and revenge and a heartbreaking conclusion.
This book is a cozy mystery that is easy to read. The setting is very lovely, the writer’s description of Temple Regis made me want to pack my suitcase and go there immediately.
Unfortunately, I found that there were too many characters in the book and I struggled to remember who they were and how they related to the story. I also felt that it was too twee and fluffy and the ending was somewhat contrived. That said, it was an entertaining read.
Many thanks to Netgalley and HQ for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
This book is a cozy mystery that is easy to read. The setting is very lovely, the writer’s description of Temple Regis made me want to pack my suitcase and go there immediately.
Unfortunately, I found that there were too many characters in the book and I struggled to remember who they were and how they related to the story. I also felt that it was too twee and fluffy and the ending was somewhat contrived. That said, it was an entertaining read.
Many thanks to Netgalley and HQ for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
November 13, 2020
2020 bk 373. Fielden never ceases to amaze me - I read his mysteries very closely. After the first one, I learned the clues are there, but are very subtle. I thought I had the pattern in book 2, but then A Quarter Past Dead arrived in my mailbox, a new mystery set again in Temple Regis featuring our intrepid reporter with her Naval Intelligence past again intruding on the scene. We learn more of Miss Dimont's back story and family, and watch as they help dive into the past of the town's newest murder victim. This will be read again and remain on my shelf for those times when I think to myself "what did I miss the first time?"
July 9, 2023
I really enjoyed this one so much more than book two. The plot was more interesting and was revolved around the murder which I didn't find to be the case in book two. We are getting to know Judy Dimond much more as a character and her friends and Co workers at the Riviera Express paper. Flows easily.
January 20, 2019
Enjoyed it, will look out for the other two books in the series
November 14, 2018
I have been a fan of TP Fielden since the moment I first picked up a copy of ‘The Riviera Express’, which is the first book in the series featuring Miss Judy Dimont, who is a reporter for the local paper and she is also an amateur sleuth. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy of the latest book in the series ‘A Quarter Past Dead’ and the wait is finally over. I absolutely loved this latest instalment but more about that in a bit.
I absolutely love the character of Miss Judy Dimont. She’s sassy, feisty, determined, stubborn, nosy, isn’t afraid to say exactly what she thinks and she is most certainly quirky. Miss Dimont sounds like she would be a real hoot on a night out. What’s not to love about her? Judy is aided and abetted in her adventures by her trusty Herbert. Now you might think that Herbert is a man but no, Herbert is a moped! Miss Dimont has a fair few sleuthing successes under her belt. If Miss Dimont is on your trail, then you should be afraid, very afraid.
This has to be one of the most fun books that I have read so far this year. I don’t mean that negatively- far from it. ‘A Quarter Past Dead’ reminds me of the golden era of crime writing and to me that’s the era of Agatha Christie. The author’s writing style is such that you are drawn into the story from the first word and before you know it bam you are addicted to reading the story and you find it extremely difficult to put the book down. That’s what happened to me anyway. I was hooked on the book from the start and I think that this was in part due to the fact that meeting Miss Judy Dimont again was like reuniting with old friends. The author writes so realistically and convincingly that I really did feel as though I was Miss Dimont’s partner in investigating the crime she comes up against. I even found that I was interacting with the book. I know ‘A Quarter Past Dead’ is fiction but if I am swept away by the writing, the characters and the storylines then I tend to ‘live’ the story and I have been known to shout out the odd remark, the odd question and the odd rude word because of something I have read. Reading ‘A Quarter Past Dead’ soon became an addiction and I was an addict in constant need of my next fix. The book wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it came everywhere with me and I sulked if I had to put the book down for any reason. I had mixed feelings about finishing this book. Don’t get me wrong I was pleased to finish the book because at least I knew how the story ended but I was enjoying everything about the book so much that I just wanted it to continue.
In short I really loved reading ‘A Quarter Past Dead’ and I would definitely recommend it, this author and this series to other readers and particularly to those people who enjoy historical/ nostalgic crime stories. I can’t wait to read what TP Fielden comes up with next. Here’s hoping we don’t have too long to wait. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
I absolutely love the character of Miss Judy Dimont. She’s sassy, feisty, determined, stubborn, nosy, isn’t afraid to say exactly what she thinks and she is most certainly quirky. Miss Dimont sounds like she would be a real hoot on a night out. What’s not to love about her? Judy is aided and abetted in her adventures by her trusty Herbert. Now you might think that Herbert is a man but no, Herbert is a moped! Miss Dimont has a fair few sleuthing successes under her belt. If Miss Dimont is on your trail, then you should be afraid, very afraid.
This has to be one of the most fun books that I have read so far this year. I don’t mean that negatively- far from it. ‘A Quarter Past Dead’ reminds me of the golden era of crime writing and to me that’s the era of Agatha Christie. The author’s writing style is such that you are drawn into the story from the first word and before you know it bam you are addicted to reading the story and you find it extremely difficult to put the book down. That’s what happened to me anyway. I was hooked on the book from the start and I think that this was in part due to the fact that meeting Miss Judy Dimont again was like reuniting with old friends. The author writes so realistically and convincingly that I really did feel as though I was Miss Dimont’s partner in investigating the crime she comes up against. I even found that I was interacting with the book. I know ‘A Quarter Past Dead’ is fiction but if I am swept away by the writing, the characters and the storylines then I tend to ‘live’ the story and I have been known to shout out the odd remark, the odd question and the odd rude word because of something I have read. Reading ‘A Quarter Past Dead’ soon became an addiction and I was an addict in constant need of my next fix. The book wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it came everywhere with me and I sulked if I had to put the book down for any reason. I had mixed feelings about finishing this book. Don’t get me wrong I was pleased to finish the book because at least I knew how the story ended but I was enjoying everything about the book so much that I just wanted it to continue.
In short I really loved reading ‘A Quarter Past Dead’ and I would definitely recommend it, this author and this series to other readers and particularly to those people who enjoy historical/ nostalgic crime stories. I can’t wait to read what TP Fielden comes up with next. Here’s hoping we don’t have too long to wait. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
April 23, 2019
This is the third in the series and I do enjoy life in Temple Regis in the 1950s.
A new holiday camp is disturbing the peace of the far more upmarket neighbouring hotel. The owner of the holiday camp goes to the hotel for a drink. He spends some time chatting up a lone woman guest at the bar, then the hotel owner appears, there is a row and he is thrown out of the hotel. The same woman is staying at the holiday camp and next day is found dead in her chalet. She registered under a false name so no-one knows who she really is or why she had to die.
Judy Dimont is on the story and she has to do a lot of digging to reach an answer.
But other residents have their own stories and problems to resolve so you get a good picture of life in Temple Regis.
I enjoyed the story, as I have the others but I do find the characters are quite ‘snippy’ with each other at times, Judy, Terry the photographer, Rhys the editor, Inspector Topham, Betty, they can sound a bit ....well rude and uncaring at times. Maybe it’s the job. Judy is still finding it hard to let go of the memory of fiancé Eric killed at the end of the war, could she not have a bit of fun anyway. Her dreaded mother pops up but not to the reader, I was waiting to hear just how awful she can be but we just had to go by Judy’s temper after the meeting. Her uncle seemed nice though.
I look forward to the next story.
A new holiday camp is disturbing the peace of the far more upmarket neighbouring hotel. The owner of the holiday camp goes to the hotel for a drink. He spends some time chatting up a lone woman guest at the bar, then the hotel owner appears, there is a row and he is thrown out of the hotel. The same woman is staying at the holiday camp and next day is found dead in her chalet. She registered under a false name so no-one knows who she really is or why she had to die.
Judy Dimont is on the story and she has to do a lot of digging to reach an answer.
But other residents have their own stories and problems to resolve so you get a good picture of life in Temple Regis.
I enjoyed the story, as I have the others but I do find the characters are quite ‘snippy’ with each other at times, Judy, Terry the photographer, Rhys the editor, Inspector Topham, Betty, they can sound a bit ....well rude and uncaring at times. Maybe it’s the job. Judy is still finding it hard to let go of the memory of fiancé Eric killed at the end of the war, could she not have a bit of fun anyway. Her dreaded mother pops up but not to the reader, I was waiting to hear just how awful she can be but we just had to go by Judy’s temper after the meeting. Her uncle seemed nice though.
I look forward to the next story.
April 9, 2019
An unknown woman is shot dead in a Holiday Camp cabin, and of course, Judy Dimont gets to ask questions.
The late 1950's is really brought to life with the Buntorama holiday camp (with a nasty piece of work as its owner), having a feud with the posh upper-class hotel sited next to it (and owned by a pompous piece of work too).
Judy and Terry (the photographer) investigate - as does Betty, the little, pretty, nincompoop reporter who really doesn't like her job.
There are times within the story where I wanted to hit people upsides their heads - they made such daft statements, or did such silly things; but I think it is part of the author's intent to show this, and also how much people's lives were affected by the war (over for 13 yrs here). As an example: Judy brought her Uncle into the investigation because he knew one of the "pieces of work" prior to this time - and so gave us another clue in the mystery. There are in fact lots of characters around, so I wouldn't blame anyone who got 'lost'.
Anyway, it's good fun, and a fair bit of sleuthing. A nice, gentle read of the past.
The late 1950's is really brought to life with the Buntorama holiday camp (with a nasty piece of work as its owner), having a feud with the posh upper-class hotel sited next to it (and owned by a pompous piece of work too).
Judy and Terry (the photographer) investigate - as does Betty, the little, pretty, nincompoop reporter who really doesn't like her job.
There are times within the story where I wanted to hit people upsides their heads - they made such daft statements, or did such silly things; but I think it is part of the author's intent to show this, and also how much people's lives were affected by the war (over for 13 yrs here). As an example: Judy brought her Uncle into the investigation because he knew one of the "pieces of work" prior to this time - and so gave us another clue in the mystery. There are in fact lots of characters around, so I wouldn't blame anyone who got 'lost'.
Anyway, it's good fun, and a fair bit of sleuthing. A nice, gentle read of the past.
July 23, 2020
Rating between 2.5 & 3
The third book in the series and I’m not sure why I have kept reading them.
They aren’t badly written, the characters are well drawn if a little obvious and the locality is nicely described. The use of the local newspaper as the base for the main characters is not one I can really remember being used before, as is the time period of mid 1950’s.
But the downside for me was the murder mystery plot which never really seemed to get going. Through most of the book it felt like the secondary storyline especially when the second plot began centred on the admiral, which looks like it might continue into the next couple of book/s.
Not much else to say really other than an okay read but nothing special. Probably will not pick up the next book in the series unless I see it very cheap.
The third book in the series and I’m not sure why I have kept reading them.
They aren’t badly written, the characters are well drawn if a little obvious and the locality is nicely described. The use of the local newspaper as the base for the main characters is not one I can really remember being used before, as is the time period of mid 1950’s.
But the downside for me was the murder mystery plot which never really seemed to get going. Through most of the book it felt like the secondary storyline especially when the second plot began centred on the admiral, which looks like it might continue into the next couple of book/s.
Not much else to say really other than an okay read but nothing special. Probably will not pick up the next book in the series unless I see it very cheap.
May 6, 2025
A new holiday camp (think Butlins or Pontins) has opened up right next to an exclusive hotel catering to high class guests. Both the owners have a history, and they don't like each other. When the body of a young woman is found at the camp site the owner points the finger at the hotel owner, claiming it is a bid to get the camp shut down. The woman is not known to anyone, but with Miss Dimont on the case that is not likely to last long. The story goes deeper when it is found the woman is connected to an unsolved murder from 4 years ago. Can Judy Dimont connect the dots and bring the murderers to book?
A good story line, much better than the first one I read. The characters are developing nicely.
A good story line, much better than the first one I read. The characters are developing nicely.
August 24, 2021
I love a Miss Dimont mystery. Well written and thought out as ever with characters who are an enjoyable pastiche of post war small town journalists with their own considerable quirks.
As fun as expected and an easy read, a lovely way to pass some time!
As fun as expected and an easy read, a lovely way to pass some time!
June 14, 2025
Fine enough when you need something to fall asleep to. Otherwise, too dull, too full of filler text that has been repeated through the books to the point of nausea, too little going on with the mystery but at the same time too much going on in all the wrong places, too infuriating.
January 30, 2019
A great follow up book and look forward to, I hope, rthe next in the series. A relaxing read based in the South West of England in the 1950s. Always a good story line and a satisfying ending.
February 26, 2019
After the write ups I was very disappointed.
August 19, 2020
Cozy fun read with those quirky characters you love. Past war intelligence experience helps Miss Dimont-star reporter- solve the case.
September 5, 2020
A worthy entry in the series, Quarter Past Dead has the plot twists the author delights in and further development of the principal characters.
November 9, 2021
Surprisingly there were two loose ends not tied up. Maybe solved in book 4. Good story.
February 10, 2024
Didn't enjoy this one as much as the other book I have reading this series. Will still read all of the books though!
December 16, 2025
Another violent death in the fictional English riviera town of Temple Regis, with reporter Miss Dimonde getting to the crux of the matter speedily.
September 19, 2020
Read 100 pages and nothing really happened, besides some flirting, so gave up. Probably a good light read but not what I was looking for.
March 25, 2019
Very, very slow to get into. Didn’t really excite me even through to the end. Sorry, but not my kind of book.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews