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DI Tremayne Thriller #6
Death in the Village
None confessed to having murdered the woman, but when the body count starts to rise, secrets start to be revealed.
Nobody liked Gloria Wiggins, a woman who regarded anyone who did not acquiesce to her jaundiced view of the world with disdain. James Baxter, the previous vicar, had been one of those, and her scurrilous outburst in the church one Sunday had hastened his death.
And now, years later, the woman was dead, hanging from a beam in her garage. Detective Inspector Tremayne and Sergeant Clare Yarwood had seen the body, interviewed the woman’s acquaintances, and those who had hated her.
Nobody liked Gloria Wiggins, a woman who regarded anyone who did not acquiesce to her jaundiced view of the world with disdain. James Baxter, the previous vicar, had been one of those, and her scurrilous outburst in the church one Sunday had hastened his death.
And now, years later, the woman was dead, hanging from a beam in her garage. Detective Inspector Tremayne and Sergeant Clare Yarwood had seen the body, interviewed the woman’s acquaintances, and those who had hated her.
- GenresAudiobook
234 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 23, 2018
146 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Phillip Strang
197 books82 followersPhillip Strang is a well-travelled writer who has spent considerable time in many remote and exotic parts of the World installing telecommunication networks.
A number of years in Afghanistan and Pakistan have given him a good insight into the culture of both of these countries, and an understanding of the problems they jointly share.
In recent years, there have been extended periods throughout many countries in Africa including Liberia, Nigeria, and Guinea.
He is married and lives in Australia.
A number of years in Afghanistan and Pakistan have given him a good insight into the culture of both of these countries, and an understanding of the problems they jointly share.
In recent years, there have been extended periods throughout many countries in Africa including Liberia, Nigeria, and Guinea.
He is married and lives in Australia.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 15, 2020
This is a page turning book which is decently written and well plotted. There’s enough murder to satisfy anyone including one particularly gory death. The characters are well drawn although most are not sympathetic. My reservation is that the ending is wrapped up too quickly leaving much of the motivation insufficiently described. That said, I enjoyed it.
October 18, 2024
Compton village would seem to be home of a serial killer, or is there more than one murderer. What secrets are exposed. DCI Keith Tremayne and DS Clare Yarwood investigate. But how many will die before the end.
An entertaining modern mystery
An entertaining modern mystery
October 9, 2021
Intriguing story
A convoluted case where suspects abound. A typical village with a mixture of people covering most of human frailties. Tremayne and Clare had very unusual reactions from a group of inhabitants, who were outspoken about the sins of other people. An interesting tale.
A convoluted case where suspects abound. A typical village with a mixture of people covering most of human frailties. Tremayne and Clare had very unusual reactions from a group of inhabitants, who were outspoken about the sins of other people. An interesting tale.
August 26, 2018
‘Distressing, I don’t think so. I hated the woman, just an old busybody and a gossip.’
Australian author Phillip Strang has gained his platform as an adventure writer through his career installing telecommunications networks in many remote and exotic parts of the globe, including time spent in Afghanistan and Pakistan - an experience that allowed him to gain direct insights in to the ongoing conflicts there. He has also spent considerable time in Africa including Liberia, Nigeria, and Guinea. It is this direct contact with troubled countries that gives his books intense credibility: he has first hand contact with the events he shares in his books such as DI TREMAYNE Thriller Series, of which this is Book 6 – the first books are DEATH UNHOLY, DEATH AND THE ASSASSIN’S BLADE, DEATH AND THE LUCKY MAN, DEATH AT COOMBE FARM, DEATH BY A DEAD MAN’S HAND and now DEATH IN THE VILLAGE
But it takes more than on the spot witness to bring the story Phillip has written to life in the format of a book - and that is where he towers above others creating novels with similar storylines. To bring a story of this magnitude into focus it is imperative that the foundation of the place and the people are presented accurately in order to bring the terror that is to come to meaningful life. Phillip sets his stage well form the very first page: ‘One minute, Gloria Wiggins was there in the main street making idle gossip, her passion as well as her hobby, and then the next, she was dead, a rope around her neck and hanging from a beam in the garage of her house. There were some that said it was poetic justice, retribution for the malignancy that she had perpetuated for too long. And some still blamed her for the death of the previous vicar after she had stood up in the church one Sunday and denounced him. The vicar, justifiably distraught, had left the church and headed out of the village on his motorcycle, only to slip on a patch of ice and go headfirst into a tree, cracking his helmet as well as his head. Mrs Wiggins – no one remembered her husband, and believed him to be a figment of her imagination – saw it as the hand of God, and that her outburst was only the Lord talking to her to denounce the sinner. And now, the evil-mouthed woman was dead, and Stephanie Underwood, her next-door neighbour, along with virtually everyone in the village was not sorry to see her go. Salisbury wasn’t that far away, only twenty-two minutes if the traffic on the main road two miles away was flowing, forty-five if it wasn’t, but Stephanie Underwood wasn’t bothered either way. For the last twenty-eight years, she had not left the village, except for the occasional emergency: root canal surgery, a touch of gout, an irregular heartbeat, and shortness of breath. Out there was a world of people and motor cars and exciting things to see and do, but not for her. She had completed her schooling, done well, five O levels, three A levels, and there were some, her parents included, who had thought she would go on to university, but never her. The village gave her what she wanted, and after her parents died, she had, at the age of nineteen, the cottage and their life insurance. Her days were routine: up at six in the morning, a walk around the area, and then back to her television. At ten in the evening, she would raise herself from her favourite chair, and go to bed. The only movement during those hours would be to feed herself and to commit to her ablutions. Now, the presence at her door of two people she did not want to see, and her favourite programme on the television as well. ‘Detective Inspector Keith Tremayne, Sergeant Clare Yarwood, Salisbury Police, Homicide,’ the man said. Stephanie saw a man in his fifties, not too fit, a belly that covered the upper part of his belt. Alongside him, a woman in her thirties, neatly dressed in a fitted jacket, a white blouse, and a skirt that was too short, knee-length. ‘We understand that you found the body of Gloria Wiggins,’ Tremayne said, momentarily talking to the back of the woman’s head as she strained to look at the television.’ Scene set with only a hint of what is to come.
The story is distilled well in Phillip’s synopsis: ‘None confessed to having murdered the woman, but when the body count starts to rise, secrets start to be revealed. Nobody liked Gloria Wiggins, a woman who regarded anyone who did not acquiesce to her jaundiced view of the world with disdain. James Baxter, the previous vicar, had been one of those, and her scurrilous outburst in the church one Sunday had hastened his death. And now, years later, the woman was dead, hanging from a beam in her garage. Detective Inspector Tremayne and Sergeant Clare Yarwood had seen the body, interviewed the woman’s acquaintances, and those who had hated her.’
Elegant writing and a keen sense of suspense – this is another Phillip Strang winner!
Australian author Phillip Strang has gained his platform as an adventure writer through his career installing telecommunications networks in many remote and exotic parts of the globe, including time spent in Afghanistan and Pakistan - an experience that allowed him to gain direct insights in to the ongoing conflicts there. He has also spent considerable time in Africa including Liberia, Nigeria, and Guinea. It is this direct contact with troubled countries that gives his books intense credibility: he has first hand contact with the events he shares in his books such as DI TREMAYNE Thriller Series, of which this is Book 6 – the first books are DEATH UNHOLY, DEATH AND THE ASSASSIN’S BLADE, DEATH AND THE LUCKY MAN, DEATH AT COOMBE FARM, DEATH BY A DEAD MAN’S HAND and now DEATH IN THE VILLAGE
But it takes more than on the spot witness to bring the story Phillip has written to life in the format of a book - and that is where he towers above others creating novels with similar storylines. To bring a story of this magnitude into focus it is imperative that the foundation of the place and the people are presented accurately in order to bring the terror that is to come to meaningful life. Phillip sets his stage well form the very first page: ‘One minute, Gloria Wiggins was there in the main street making idle gossip, her passion as well as her hobby, and then the next, she was dead, a rope around her neck and hanging from a beam in the garage of her house. There were some that said it was poetic justice, retribution for the malignancy that she had perpetuated for too long. And some still blamed her for the death of the previous vicar after she had stood up in the church one Sunday and denounced him. The vicar, justifiably distraught, had left the church and headed out of the village on his motorcycle, only to slip on a patch of ice and go headfirst into a tree, cracking his helmet as well as his head. Mrs Wiggins – no one remembered her husband, and believed him to be a figment of her imagination – saw it as the hand of God, and that her outburst was only the Lord talking to her to denounce the sinner. And now, the evil-mouthed woman was dead, and Stephanie Underwood, her next-door neighbour, along with virtually everyone in the village was not sorry to see her go. Salisbury wasn’t that far away, only twenty-two minutes if the traffic on the main road two miles away was flowing, forty-five if it wasn’t, but Stephanie Underwood wasn’t bothered either way. For the last twenty-eight years, she had not left the village, except for the occasional emergency: root canal surgery, a touch of gout, an irregular heartbeat, and shortness of breath. Out there was a world of people and motor cars and exciting things to see and do, but not for her. She had completed her schooling, done well, five O levels, three A levels, and there were some, her parents included, who had thought she would go on to university, but never her. The village gave her what she wanted, and after her parents died, she had, at the age of nineteen, the cottage and their life insurance. Her days were routine: up at six in the morning, a walk around the area, and then back to her television. At ten in the evening, she would raise herself from her favourite chair, and go to bed. The only movement during those hours would be to feed herself and to commit to her ablutions. Now, the presence at her door of two people she did not want to see, and her favourite programme on the television as well. ‘Detective Inspector Keith Tremayne, Sergeant Clare Yarwood, Salisbury Police, Homicide,’ the man said. Stephanie saw a man in his fifties, not too fit, a belly that covered the upper part of his belt. Alongside him, a woman in her thirties, neatly dressed in a fitted jacket, a white blouse, and a skirt that was too short, knee-length. ‘We understand that you found the body of Gloria Wiggins,’ Tremayne said, momentarily talking to the back of the woman’s head as she strained to look at the television.’ Scene set with only a hint of what is to come.
The story is distilled well in Phillip’s synopsis: ‘None confessed to having murdered the woman, but when the body count starts to rise, secrets start to be revealed. Nobody liked Gloria Wiggins, a woman who regarded anyone who did not acquiesce to her jaundiced view of the world with disdain. James Baxter, the previous vicar, had been one of those, and her scurrilous outburst in the church one Sunday had hastened his death. And now, years later, the woman was dead, hanging from a beam in her garage. Detective Inspector Tremayne and Sergeant Clare Yarwood had seen the body, interviewed the woman’s acquaintances, and those who had hated her.’
Elegant writing and a keen sense of suspense – this is another Phillip Strang winner!
September 3, 2018
DI Tremayne is edging ever closer to accepting the inevitability of retirement, as his body gets creakier, and technology plays an ever-greater role in policing. Tremayne is an old-fashioned police officer, wearing out shoe leather tracking down evidence. Looking for evidence electronically, and filing reports electronically, is alien to him. Yet he wants Detective Sergeant Clare Yarwood to succeed him in his job, so he needs to hold on a bit longer, so she can pass exams and qualify.
He also has no idea what he'll do when he retires, since crime solving is all he cares about.
In the meantime, he and Clare have another murder to solve, this time in the village of Compton. A malicious, self-righteous gossip has been found hanged in her own barn, and pretty much everyone has some sort of a motive. Most of them--most of the inhabitants of the tiny village--aren't especially likable either.
And, it turns out, even as the bodies accumulate, nobody wants to talk to the police, who aren't part of their incestuous little village.
This is a very challenging case, and it's making Tremayne feel his age, even as Clare, who also loves her work, is feeling the desire for a partner and a child--in addition to, not instead of, her career, but a career as a homicide detective is an extra challenge for finding someone, as is her grief over the death of her previous lover.
This is, as with any ongoing series, as much about the continuing characters as the particular mystery. Tremayne continues to develop as a character, and his relationship with his ex-wife, Jean, is an important factor. His relationship with his chief, Moulton, also grow more complex, as they develop in mutual respect and even friendship, even as Moulton is determined to tempt Tremayne into retirement, as both his health and his familiarity with current policing methods decline.
The police and their circle of associates, family, and friends are all good and decent people, but this is less true of the villagers than in most of the previous Tremayne stories. It is, in any case, an engrossing story.
Recommended.
I received a free electronic galley from the author, and am reviewing it voluntarily.
He also has no idea what he'll do when he retires, since crime solving is all he cares about.
In the meantime, he and Clare have another murder to solve, this time in the village of Compton. A malicious, self-righteous gossip has been found hanged in her own barn, and pretty much everyone has some sort of a motive. Most of them--most of the inhabitants of the tiny village--aren't especially likable either.
And, it turns out, even as the bodies accumulate, nobody wants to talk to the police, who aren't part of their incestuous little village.
This is a very challenging case, and it's making Tremayne feel his age, even as Clare, who also loves her work, is feeling the desire for a partner and a child--in addition to, not instead of, her career, but a career as a homicide detective is an extra challenge for finding someone, as is her grief over the death of her previous lover.
This is, as with any ongoing series, as much about the continuing characters as the particular mystery. Tremayne continues to develop as a character, and his relationship with his ex-wife, Jean, is an important factor. His relationship with his chief, Moulton, also grow more complex, as they develop in mutual respect and even friendship, even as Moulton is determined to tempt Tremayne into retirement, as both his health and his familiarity with current policing methods decline.
The police and their circle of associates, family, and friends are all good and decent people, but this is less true of the villagers than in most of the previous Tremayne stories. It is, in any case, an engrossing story.
Recommended.
I received a free electronic galley from the author, and am reviewing it voluntarily.
October 9, 2018
Unbelievable Storyline. 4 Eye-Rolling Emoji
I chose to read this new-to-me author because of the many five star reviews his book received. This British police procedural is mostly well-written and the very small village setting is convincing. The (seemingly) authentic characters grew up in this village, married people they knew as children, and few ventured far from the village.
Even as the number of murder victims grew, I was not able to tick boxes to find a culprit. How could the author hide a murderer amongst such a small group of villagers? As more characters were murdered, I cast about and looked for outsiders. No joy to be had, which aroused my suspicions. However, some authors I’ve recently read have withheld clues, waiting until the last chapter and epilogue to reveal all—which satisfies many readers.
This book was different. The denouement was more unbelievable than the multiple-murder(s)-in-a-very-small-village storyline. Taken as a whole, the plot was so preposterous that, if I’d have been I reading a hard copy, I’d have thrown it at a wall. Hence the eye-rolling emoji.
I chose to read this new-to-me author because of the many five star reviews his book received. This British police procedural is mostly well-written and the very small village setting is convincing. The (seemingly) authentic characters grew up in this village, married people they knew as children, and few ventured far from the village.
Even as the number of murder victims grew, I was not able to tick boxes to find a culprit. How could the author hide a murderer amongst such a small group of villagers? As more characters were murdered, I cast about and looked for outsiders. No joy to be had, which aroused my suspicions. However, some authors I’ve recently read have withheld clues, waiting until the last chapter and epilogue to reveal all—which satisfies many readers.
This book was different. The denouement was more unbelievable than the multiple-murder(s)-in-a-very-small-village storyline. Taken as a whole, the plot was so preposterous that, if I’d have been I reading a hard copy, I’d have thrown it at a wall. Hence the eye-rolling emoji.
September 1, 2018
"Remind me never to move to a village"
When you drive through picturesque English villages, you imagine the idyllic lives the inhabitants enjoy. All that fresh air, and wide-open spaces. Secluded spots where you can escape the rat-race and be surrounded by peace and quiet. A short walk to the two main community hubs - the church and the pub. That image is shattered in Compton a few miles from the cathedral city of Salisbury.
Tremayne and Yarwood are soon embroiled in yet another confusing murder inquiry. The body count rises and although there are plenty of the church's congregation and the pub's clients who had opportunity - motives are far harder to pin down. You can't believe a word any of the witnesses say and events in the village from past generations need to be uncovered before the case becomes clearer.
We get there in the end and the journey is worth the effort. This is a classic police procedural that keeps you guessing until the final pages.
When you drive through picturesque English villages, you imagine the idyllic lives the inhabitants enjoy. All that fresh air, and wide-open spaces. Secluded spots where you can escape the rat-race and be surrounded by peace and quiet. A short walk to the two main community hubs - the church and the pub. That image is shattered in Compton a few miles from the cathedral city of Salisbury.
Tremayne and Yarwood are soon embroiled in yet another confusing murder inquiry. The body count rises and although there are plenty of the church's congregation and the pub's clients who had opportunity - motives are far harder to pin down. You can't believe a word any of the witnesses say and events in the village from past generations need to be uncovered before the case becomes clearer.
We get there in the end and the journey is worth the effort. This is a classic police procedural that keeps you guessing until the final pages.
September 9, 2018
Village secrets lead to duplicity
A woman hanging in a barn brings DI Keith Tremayne and Sergeant Clare Underwood to Compton and a closely knit group of people with many secrets. The hanging woman was a fire and brimstone homophobe who was the instigator of rumors and innuendo. The more they did onto the murder, Tremayne and Clare find a jumble of strings that they must pull to get to the bottom. Then bodies of persons being investigated begin piling up. Is it one person or more and are the murders related? Tremayne’s and Clare’s frustration mount as each string leads to something from the past. The members of the group cover each other in layers of obfuscation and omission. The story moves along at a good pace and the conclusion lives up to the idiom that small places hold many secrets. This is a thoroughly engrossing read and should not be missed.
Note: I received this book free from the author and have freely provided this review.
A woman hanging in a barn brings DI Keith Tremayne and Sergeant Clare Underwood to Compton and a closely knit group of people with many secrets. The hanging woman was a fire and brimstone homophobe who was the instigator of rumors and innuendo. The more they did onto the murder, Tremayne and Clare find a jumble of strings that they must pull to get to the bottom. Then bodies of persons being investigated begin piling up. Is it one person or more and are the murders related? Tremayne’s and Clare’s frustration mount as each string leads to something from the past. The members of the group cover each other in layers of obfuscation and omission. The story moves along at a good pace and the conclusion lives up to the idiom that small places hold many secrets. This is a thoroughly engrossing read and should not be missed.
Note: I received this book free from the author and have freely provided this review.
April 9, 2021
Death in the Village - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Detective Inspector Tremayne and his subordinate Sergeant Clare Yarwood have a hard task ahead of them, when the universally disliked, self-opinionated Gloria Wiggins, is found hanged in by her garage, in the village of Crompton.
Many suspects have their own guilty secrets to hide, including the neighbour who found Gloria.
Why is Stephanie Underwood so sure police won't find the killer's fingerprints at the scene?
Who's the next to die?
With red herrings by the barrel that make it hard for the detectives to know who's being completely honest, or lying in their teeth, Philip Strange has time to ratchet up the tension ahead of the grande denouement.Want to find out whodunnit?
Get your copy of Death in the Village, Book 6, in the, A DI Tremayne Thriller series, that's worth every penny - a great addition to your bookshelf!
Detective Inspector Tremayne and his subordinate Sergeant Clare Yarwood have a hard task ahead of them, when the universally disliked, self-opinionated Gloria Wiggins, is found hanged in by her garage, in the village of Crompton.
Many suspects have their own guilty secrets to hide, including the neighbour who found Gloria.
Why is Stephanie Underwood so sure police won't find the killer's fingerprints at the scene?
Who's the next to die?
With red herrings by the barrel that make it hard for the detectives to know who's being completely honest, or lying in their teeth, Philip Strange has time to ratchet up the tension ahead of the grande denouement.Want to find out whodunnit?
Get your copy of Death in the Village, Book 6, in the, A DI Tremayne Thriller series, that's worth every penny - a great addition to your bookshelf!
September 11, 2018
Most small communities hide big secrets, and the village of Compton is no exception. When village gossip, Gloria Wiggins, is found hanging in her garage, DI Keith Tremayne must peel away the layers of deceit, hatred, and intrigue that has infected the village, in order to find a murderer. But, even as he investigates, more bodies start to appear, and he fears that he might have a serial killer on his hands. The reality, though, is even more bizarre.
If you want to know what that means, you’ll have to read Phillip Strang’s Death in the Village. A captivating story that I promise you, you’ll love.
I received a complimentary copy of this book.
Another great DI Tremayne thriller. I give it five stars.
If you want to know what that means, you’ll have to read Phillip Strang’s Death in the Village. A captivating story that I promise you, you’ll love.
I received a complimentary copy of this book.
Another great DI Tremayne thriller. I give it five stars.
September 7, 2021
DI Tremayne Murder Mysteries
This is the latest book I have read in the series and found it very hard to get into, too many murders and too many suspects, also all the suspects and victims were very unpleasant people which made it hard to have any sympathy for them. The reason for the murders was very thin and not really believable. I was very disappointed in this book and hope the next in the series is better.
This is the latest book I have read in the series and found it very hard to get into, too many murders and too many suspects, also all the suspects and victims were very unpleasant people which made it hard to have any sympathy for them. The reason for the murders was very thin and not really believable. I was very disappointed in this book and hope the next in the series is better.
May 16, 2020
Very confusing. Had a hard time keeping up with the characters and the relationships between the villagers. I was as frustrated as Tremayne and Yarwood. Few clues to figure out how it was resolved at the end.
August 13, 2020
Murder, gossip, lies, religion and a pub!
Tremayne and Yarwood spend the bulk of the investigation in the pub, the meeting place for all the inhabitants and their twisted intertwining lies and secrets. Who are the murderers? You have to wait to the explosive end to find out!
Tremayne and Yarwood spend the bulk of the investigation in the pub, the meeting place for all the inhabitants and their twisted intertwining lies and secrets. Who are the murderers? You have to wait to the explosive end to find out!
August 30, 2018
This is a very well written story with good characters. The pace is good as the mysteries develop constantly.
September 9, 2018
Death in the Village was an AWESOME READ!
Death in the Village keeps you guessing, until the very end! A can't put down book!!
Can never miss with a DI Tremayne book!!
Death in the Village keeps you guessing, until the very end! A can't put down book!!
Can never miss with a DI Tremayne book!!
December 20, 2019
Captivating thrillers!
These books are engaging and captivating! I read them constantly, one after the other. The endings are surprising, which makes for a great read!
These books are engaging and captivating! I read them constantly, one after the other. The endings are surprising, which makes for a great read!
October 13, 2021
Who killed Gloria Wiggins and why??? A better question might be who wouldn’t kill her??? Blackmail??? I enjoyed the story and recommend the book.
October 24, 2021
Brilliant
January 11, 2022
Another great addition to the DI Tremayne series.
October 1, 2023
Excellent continuation of the Tremaine arc, keeps you guessing through the entire book with many twists and turns. Bought the others in the series right after finishing
January 24, 2024
Quite a mystery. The people in this small village have so many secrets. There are lots of surprises in this one. I really enjoy Tremayne and Clare's stories. They work well together.
June 16, 2025
Death in the Village
DI Tremayne Thriller Series Book 6 is a good story but not a fast read. Lots of characters that all play an important roll in the village. Our favorite Detective and his Sargent are working hard to solve multiple murders.
DI Tremayne Thriller Series Book 6 is a good story but not a fast read. Lots of characters that all play an important roll in the village. Our favorite Detective and his Sargent are working hard to solve multiple murders.
September 8, 2021
A slow story but the village is realistic.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews