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Lake District #1
The Windermere Witness
Following a personal tragedy, florist Persimmon 'Simmy' Brown has moved to the beautiful region of the Lake District to be nearer her charismatic parents. Things are going well, with her latest flower arrangements praised and Simmy content to lose herself in her work. But the peace she has found is shattered when, at the wedding of a millionaire's daughter, the bride's brother is found brutally murdered in the lake. As the florist of the wedding and one of the last people to talk to Mark Baxter alive, Simmy gradually becomes involved with the grief-ridden and angry relatives. All seem to have their fair share of secrets and scandals - an uncaring mother, a cheating father, and a husband twenty-five years older than his bride. When events take another sinister turn, Simmy becomes a prime witness and finds herself at the heart of a murder investigation. The chief suspects are the groom and his closely knit band of bachelor friends. They are all intimidating, volatile and secretive - but which one is a killer?
352 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2012
161 people are currently reading
579 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Tope
81 books218 followersRebecca Tope is best known as the author of over twenty crime novels. She has also recently produced the e-book entitled 'The Indifference of Tumbleweed'. She has every intention of continuing with the murder stories, as well as a variety of other kinds of fiction.
She has experienced many different kinds of work in her time - running antenatal classes, counselling troubled couples and being an office girl for an undertaker, for example. There were also several years monitoring the output of dairy cows, as well as every sort of task associated with book publishing. In 1992, she founded Praxis Books, a small British press.
She lives surrounded by trees she has planted herself, tending her own sheep.
She has experienced many different kinds of work in her time - running antenatal classes, counselling troubled couples and being an office girl for an undertaker, for example. There were also several years monitoring the output of dairy cows, as well as every sort of task associated with book publishing. In 1992, she founded Praxis Books, a small British press.
She lives surrounded by trees she has planted herself, tending her own sheep.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
August 19, 2023
Disappointing. Rebecca Tope has produced some good whodunnits in the past and I picked this one up with great anticipation. A great premise and an initially interesting heroine - Persimmon, the florist with a tragic backstory. The reliance on coincidences and happenstance was just lazy and strained credulity to the limits. The characters got lost and became so utterly unbelievable as to make the story of little interest. I could not empathise with any of the murder victims’ friends or family and started to find Persimmon an absolute pain by the end. The sidekicks Ben and Melanie looked as if they would be more suitable as main characters and quite why the policeman Moxon was there is anyone’s guess. As someone else said, characters were introduced and then abandoned and none of them actually developed into someone you might be interested in. Having just finished one of Nicola Upson’s Josephine Tey mysteries, I could not help but contrast the characterisation in both books. The Windermere Witness fell far short of what makes a cracking detective story in my eyes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2020
3.5 stars. An enjoyable mystery teeming with quirky characters. I especially appreciated the atmosphere and descriptive writing. The vivid rain imagery had me feeling the need for a hot tea to combat the damp chill! I can’t wait to sink into ‘A Cotswold Killing’.
January 3, 2019
The Lake District setting is perfect to curl up with a good mystery book about a murder in the area. And Rebecca Tope gets the local colour and the feel of the place just right in a mix of geographic fact and a little fiction.
A wedding is about to take place at Storrs Hall and Persimmon ('Simmy') Brown is the florist who is to deliver the whole array of flowers. She doesn't realise what she is walking into when, having dropped off her goods, on leaving she encounters the brother of the bride who chats amiably to her.
Having returned to her shop, Persimmon Petals, the next thing she is aware of is the death of the brother who she had spoken to. She is shocked and is called back as one of the last people to engage him in conversation but his death is shrouded in mystery. The wedding meanwhile goes ahead before the death is discovered.
A whole cast of colourful characters permeate the book and any number of them could well have been involved in the death, so much so that Simmy is left wondering, 'Could poor Inspector Moxon ever hope to entangle it?'
Of course, initially he can't and Simmy, along with her lively shop assistant, Melanie, deliberate on what had happened and form their own theories. But then a shooting takes place and Simmy is in the vicinity once again, as is an intelligent schoolboy Ben Harkness. The latter becomes quite the little detective as the mystery unravels and even Inspector Moxon gets in on the detection.
The initially suspected guilty party comes as a surprise but, with the help of Simmy, Melanie and Ben, the eventual criminal is unmasked, much to everyone's, including the reader's, surprise. And life then goes on in the idyllic Lake District ... that is at least until the second volume of the area's mysteries comes out!
A wedding is about to take place at Storrs Hall and Persimmon ('Simmy') Brown is the florist who is to deliver the whole array of flowers. She doesn't realise what she is walking into when, having dropped off her goods, on leaving she encounters the brother of the bride who chats amiably to her.
Having returned to her shop, Persimmon Petals, the next thing she is aware of is the death of the brother who she had spoken to. She is shocked and is called back as one of the last people to engage him in conversation but his death is shrouded in mystery. The wedding meanwhile goes ahead before the death is discovered.
A whole cast of colourful characters permeate the book and any number of them could well have been involved in the death, so much so that Simmy is left wondering, 'Could poor Inspector Moxon ever hope to entangle it?'
Of course, initially he can't and Simmy, along with her lively shop assistant, Melanie, deliberate on what had happened and form their own theories. But then a shooting takes place and Simmy is in the vicinity once again, as is an intelligent schoolboy Ben Harkness. The latter becomes quite the little detective as the mystery unravels and even Inspector Moxon gets in on the detection.
The initially suspected guilty party comes as a surprise but, with the help of Simmy, Melanie and Ben, the eventual criminal is unmasked, much to everyone's, including the reader's, surprise. And life then goes on in the idyllic Lake District ... that is at least until the second volume of the area's mysteries comes out!
September 11, 2019
This is the first Rebecca Tope I have read and although I enjoyed it on the whole, I did find it frustratingly slow getting to the point which was finding out who the murderer was.
It was set in the Lake District which I found enjoyable as I have holidayed there many times over the years and could picture Windermere and Bowness clearly in my mi d.
This is a first on a series and as I have the next one I will read that eventually.
It was set in the Lake District which I found enjoyable as I have holidayed there many times over the years and could picture Windermere and Bowness clearly in my mi d.
This is a first on a series and as I have the next one I will read that eventually.
November 8, 2013
I chose this book to read as I know the area well and was curious about a crime novel set in Windermere. The author, although not a resident of the Lakes, clearly has done her homework and describes the places well. It was good to be able to place the events in my mind, especially Storrs Hall and Troutbeck.
At first I thought I'd enjoy the book with an interesting idea for a main character [a florist off-comer whose wedding work leads her to meet a complex wealthy family]. However, as it went on a few things began to grate on me and, as they became more common, I felt less admiration for the author's techniques.
Firstly, was the dialogue. So many conversations seemed unrealistic, almost contrived, using language and idioms the characters would just not say. Secondly, was the number of unbelievable ways in which Simmy, the florist, got to meet the rich family and thus involved with the intrigue. Thirdly, and related to this, were the forced coincidences that made me grimace. The people she needed to meet just happened to appear at the right time; vital conversations just happened to be overheard, etc. When, near the end, one character impulsively decided to catch a bus, it appeared at that moment [and the 599 is not that frequent!] and the relevant person in the tale [desperately trying to avoid spoilers here!] just happened to be on it. Then there were the redundant characters, especially Felix - why was he in it at all?
Finally, the book is a whodunnit. We are supposed to be in suspense as to who committed the murders. But I guessed half way through and I guessed the motive. This was not genius on my behalf but the realisation as to which character was being left out of the suspicions and thus most likely to be brought in at the climax. Moreover, the dénouement was so rapidly reached with too little explanation that I closed the book feeling yes, I knew the murderer and the motive, but confused as to precisely how killing those two people would hep him achieve his aim.
Sorry, even two stars is generous.
At first I thought I'd enjoy the book with an interesting idea for a main character [a florist off-comer whose wedding work leads her to meet a complex wealthy family]. However, as it went on a few things began to grate on me and, as they became more common, I felt less admiration for the author's techniques.
Firstly, was the dialogue. So many conversations seemed unrealistic, almost contrived, using language and idioms the characters would just not say. Secondly, was the number of unbelievable ways in which Simmy, the florist, got to meet the rich family and thus involved with the intrigue. Thirdly, and related to this, were the forced coincidences that made me grimace. The people she needed to meet just happened to appear at the right time; vital conversations just happened to be overheard, etc. When, near the end, one character impulsively decided to catch a bus, it appeared at that moment [and the 599 is not that frequent!] and the relevant person in the tale [desperately trying to avoid spoilers here!] just happened to be on it. Then there were the redundant characters, especially Felix - why was he in it at all?
Finally, the book is a whodunnit. We are supposed to be in suspense as to who committed the murders. But I guessed half way through and I guessed the motive. This was not genius on my behalf but the realisation as to which character was being left out of the suspicions and thus most likely to be brought in at the climax. Moreover, the dénouement was so rapidly reached with too little explanation that I closed the book feeling yes, I knew the murderer and the motive, but confused as to precisely how killing those two people would hep him achieve his aim.
Sorry, even two stars is generous.
January 4, 2021
Not an exceptional book, but I am more than just okay with it. The plot progresses slowly for the first half of the book, but it is an easy read. I was attracted to the book because it is the first book of the Lake District mystery series. I will not rush to read the second book.
February 21, 2022
This was a average murder mystery so I would of given it 2 stars. However because it was based in Windermere, and the places were real I have given it a 3 star rating! Think you will only really enjoy this murder mystery if you like or are interested in Windermere! 👍🏽
March 2, 2023
A nonsensical murder, one of those ones where the motive boils down to "crazy" which is problematic both for the portrayal of mental illness and lazy plotting. Unlikeable family treating each other abysmally. There's a kid. I didn't really relate to any of the characters
February 19, 2016
Glad I've finished it. Don't like to leave a book unread, but just couldn't get into this one...shame
August 23, 2016
Unbelievable characters and plot, not sure if I can be bothered to try the next in the series!
May 5, 2025
Long-winded, unlikeable characters, and an unsatisfying outcome.
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January 25, 2025I found this one very disappointing. So much so that if I hadn't read #2 first I never would have read it after reading #1. More than anything else, I've been annoyed recently by the way so many women characters appear to be so stupid and so ruled by their hormones--in books written by women authors. If men wrote these female characters, they would be dismissed as extremely misogynistic and inadequate representations. I liked 'Simmy' in The Ambleside Alibi but I found her much less convincing here, frequently indecisive, uncertain, or too easily convinced to do the wrong thing. Bridget (the bereaved bride) seems hopeless, apparently ready to say "Oh well. Live and let live. So my husband killed my brother and my father. So it goes. We'll get over it." Perhaps needless to say the solution is not that simple and this is not really a spoiler. But the women characters in this novel, major and minor, mostly come across as stereotypes--ditzy, airheaded, 'little' women, the sweethearts. And that kind of representation coming from female authors really makes me wonder.
April 14, 2020
Struggled to just about give this book two stars. Started off with a great premise for a mystery. Set in the picturesque Lake District, the central character, Persimmon is doing the flowers for a wedding in a country house hotel. Then a murder occurs.
All well and good, but the book goes downhill immediately. All mystery stories stretch believability, but Persimmon is allowed to take a child to stay with her from the murder scene despite having no experience of child care!! This completely silly occurrence is set up so Persimmon can get access to the murdered man’s family.
This continues throughout the book. Persimmon just happens to be around when things are said so there is no actual deducing and she really is an irritating person. The flimsy plot is then wrapped up in the final pages like an afterthought. I won’t carry on with the rest of the series.
All well and good, but the book goes downhill immediately. All mystery stories stretch believability, but Persimmon is allowed to take a child to stay with her from the murder scene despite having no experience of child care!! This completely silly occurrence is set up so Persimmon can get access to the murdered man’s family.
This continues throughout the book. Persimmon just happens to be around when things are said so there is no actual deducing and she really is an irritating person. The flimsy plot is then wrapped up in the final pages like an afterthought. I won’t carry on with the rest of the series.
January 28, 2021
3.5 stars
This started as a good cosy mystery. For the 1st half of the book, the characters were well-written and the plot moved at a steady pace. However, in my opinion, the book was let down by the second half. The plot degenerated into almost farce and the motive for the murder was suddenly introduced to the plot - and then ignored. There were too many unanswered questions and the book just seemed to stop rather than have a finality about it. I think Rebecca Tope's Cotswald series is a better one - but I will try another in this series to see if it improves.
This started as a good cosy mystery. For the 1st half of the book, the characters were well-written and the plot moved at a steady pace. However, in my opinion, the book was let down by the second half. The plot degenerated into almost farce and the motive for the murder was suddenly introduced to the plot - and then ignored. There were too many unanswered questions and the book just seemed to stop rather than have a finality about it. I think Rebecca Tope's Cotswald series is a better one - but I will try another in this series to see if it improves.
November 16, 2024
Took a while for me to get in to this book, but once I’d persevered it got more interesting after the first few chapters,. Bit of an unexpected ending.
August 21, 2024
Beetje saai en in 416 pagina’s gebeurde er naar mijn gevoel bar weinig 🙃 Nu kan dat heel fijn zijn in een detectiveroman, maar kreeg bij dit boek helaas ook niet de ‘cosy feels’ die andere detectives me doorgaans wel geven 🙈
April 26, 2025
There are some massive leaps in logic, ridiculous coincidences and nobody seems to act like actual people but it was enjoyable enough. Weirdly disconnected from the central mystery though.
July 28, 2018
1st in the series of cosy mysteries set in the Lake District. Persimmon Brown (Simmy) has moved to be near her patents and open a florists after her marriage broke down following the still birth of her daughter.
Simmy delivers some wedding flowers to a hotel on the morning of the wedding, stops to speak to the bride's brother and is drawn into a murder investigation with DI Moxon.
She's further drawn into the mystery when the family involve her by asking her what she saw on the day of the murder; there's a second murder, the bride turns up at Simmy's shop needing sanctuary and friends of the brides much older husband come looking for her.
Sinister in parts but well written and characters well defined.
As well as Simmy there's Melanie, Simmy's part time shop assistant and Ben, a very intelligent schoolboy who is the other witness to the 2nd murder. Between them they help the police find out who has been committing the murders and why.
A new series for me but not a new author, I enjoyed reading the book and would recommend.
Simmy delivers some wedding flowers to a hotel on the morning of the wedding, stops to speak to the bride's brother and is drawn into a murder investigation with DI Moxon.
She's further drawn into the mystery when the family involve her by asking her what she saw on the day of the murder; there's a second murder, the bride turns up at Simmy's shop needing sanctuary and friends of the brides much older husband come looking for her.
Sinister in parts but well written and characters well defined.
As well as Simmy there's Melanie, Simmy's part time shop assistant and Ben, a very intelligent schoolboy who is the other witness to the 2nd murder. Between them they help the police find out who has been committing the murders and why.
A new series for me but not a new author, I enjoyed reading the book and would recommend.
January 26, 2018
I didn't like this one as well as the Cotswold series and I have a hard time picking out a reason for it. I guess I have no sympathy for the Bridget character. There are two murders but nothing being done to solve them. It just seems that the story plods along until the murderer is found by a very slim thread at the end ... the reason given is that he wanted Bridget for himself but I fail to see how killing her father and her half-brother would accomplish that ??
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2019
Just about 'ok', it's a cozy murder mystery that isn't really credible. The main character "somehow" gets swept up into a murder investigation and attempts to investigate it herself, IRL that would lead to a swift slap from the local plod! Anyway I'll try the second book of the series as not too much badness and certainly not mysogynistic murdering of local women. Gentle pool/summer reading as longs you look away from the plot holes.
September 28, 2015
Harmless. Easy read.
October 6, 2018
It was Ok. Was mostly introducing you to the characters. Was written well a little slow in places. I will be carrying on with the series 🙂
November 22, 2023
I didn’t have high hopes for this book as I didn’t know the author. I was going to use it as my work reading; a way to turn my mind off for a few moments on my daily commute.
However, I was deeply impressed. Although it did feel a bit mundane, I was kinda glad about that. It was simple. The characters were everyday people in everyday lives. There was no need for fanciful over the top characters or over zealous vigilante characters. Even the characters who fitted in the obvious “rich” stereotypes had a little more of a toned down feel to them.
I also enjoyed her use of time; fitting in days as of the were mere weeks before you were rudely slammed back into reality. This technique helped not only to build tension but also somewhat help the reader piece together a case study of who, what had happened to those the killer choose to murder. It also helped to disorient (at least in my opinion ) the reader as it gave the a false impression they knew who the killer might be as well as forcing them to question all that they thought they knew.
It was also quite nice that the key link was not who I had suspected it would be. Very nice touch.
Although, I did enjoy the book, I felt the ending was as Simmy put it “anti climactic”. By the middle of the book, I had sussed out who the killer was. The killer motive seemed flat and their “mistake” was rather dumb.
Overall, 7/10
However, I was deeply impressed. Although it did feel a bit mundane, I was kinda glad about that. It was simple. The characters were everyday people in everyday lives. There was no need for fanciful over the top characters or over zealous vigilante characters. Even the characters who fitted in the obvious “rich” stereotypes had a little more of a toned down feel to them.
I also enjoyed her use of time; fitting in days as of the were mere weeks before you were rudely slammed back into reality. This technique helped not only to build tension but also somewhat help the reader piece together a case study of who, what had happened to those the killer choose to murder. It also helped to disorient (at least in my opinion ) the reader as it gave the a false impression they knew who the killer might be as well as forcing them to question all that they thought they knew.
It was also quite nice that the key link was not who I had suspected it would be. Very nice touch.
Although, I did enjoy the book, I felt the ending was as Simmy put it “anti climactic”. By the middle of the book, I had sussed out who the killer was. The killer motive seemed flat and their “mistake” was rather dumb.
Overall, 7/10
December 4, 2021
This book is the first in a series set in the Lake District. I read the second book first. During that there was mention of a character with an artificial eye, no further explanation, so I thought I would read this to see if any more details were forthcoming. It was explained a bit further.
In this story, the main character, Persimmon or ‘Simmy’ for short, is a florist trying to build her business after relocating to The Lakes following the breakdown of her marriage. Her shop is in Windermere, and her parents have guest house just down the road. She is commissioned to provide flowers for a wedding, at which there is a murder. She gets involved in this because before the victim is murdered he tells Simmy that he used to live in her house in Troutbeck, what a coincidence!. The story wasn’t bad. The thin plot was moved along by a few coincidences and padded out with some quite bizarre behaviours from the characters involved in the murder. The identity of the murderer was fairly obvious, the only surprise being that the characters hadn’t realised earlier as they were all supposed to be such good friends and know each other so well.
In this story, the main character, Persimmon or ‘Simmy’ for short, is a florist trying to build her business after relocating to The Lakes following the breakdown of her marriage. Her shop is in Windermere, and her parents have guest house just down the road. She is commissioned to provide flowers for a wedding, at which there is a murder. She gets involved in this because before the victim is murdered he tells Simmy that he used to live in her house in Troutbeck, what a coincidence!. The story wasn’t bad. The thin plot was moved along by a few coincidences and padded out with some quite bizarre behaviours from the characters involved in the murder. The identity of the murderer was fairly obvious, the only surprise being that the characters hadn’t realised earlier as they were all supposed to be such good friends and know each other so well.
June 1, 2025
"She woke up. Had a shower using new shampoo she'd bought on sale - usually £4.99 it had been a steal at £3.50. She got in her car and went to the petrol station. Did anyone every buy premium fuel?!" Completely bored and feel like you are wasting your life reading this?! Welcome to the Lake District themed books by Rebecca Tope. I feel like a English GCSE student who is failing their GCSE could write a better book than this. The "heroine" is completely unlikable and the story is so boring. Pages and pages of filler, very little happens. It is written to make you actively dislike Persimmon "Simmy" I'm sure. As the books progress you dislike her even more! She is selfish and insipid. Don't waste your life on these books. - I was foolish enough to read up to The Hawkshead Hostage as they had been given to me as a gift and I felt bad not reading them, but they are all truly awful! The only saving grace is they are quite short (because nothing happens, which actually makes them feel really long!).
April 11, 2018
This one is a little more than two stars. I had decided not to read any more of Rebecca Tope’s Cotswold series, but, just having visited the Lakes District, thought I’d try this one.
I thought she evoked the area quite well and the narrative was well-paced. What I find frustrating is the author’s acceptance of a model of the protagonist who ignores police advice, misleads (= lies to) her parents and friends and puts herself and others in danger by her curiosity or misguided loyalty. This leaves the tolerant DI as a kind of indulgent Deus ex Machina, needing only the trigger of a memory detail to bring the solution together.
In spite of the fact this maintained my interest and kept me reading, the model is not one I want to continue with.
I thought she evoked the area quite well and the narrative was well-paced. What I find frustrating is the author’s acceptance of a model of the protagonist who ignores police advice, misleads (= lies to) her parents and friends and puts herself and others in danger by her curiosity or misguided loyalty. This leaves the tolerant DI as a kind of indulgent Deus ex Machina, needing only the trigger of a memory detail to bring the solution together.
In spite of the fact this maintained my interest and kept me reading, the model is not one I want to continue with.
September 25, 2023
I fancied something a bit more “slightly-frothy whodunnit”. The Lake District being a familiar & favourite area of mine, I chose Rebecca Tope’s LD Murders. And in all respects it didn’t disappoint. Compelling, well written and certainly no procedural “drudge” it introduced likeable and disparate (and in their own way) flawed characters, which I invested in and a typically LD based, weather wise at least(!), story. With a dollop of local background this story held together well and I will continue with the series, as although it tied up things nicely, I do want to know “what happened next” iro the main characters. The loss of a star is, perhaps unfairly, is that only as it isn’t Christie or Doyle. But not far from the former!
October 26, 2025
I’m a big fan of Rebecca Tope and her mysteries. They’re always a nice, easy read, and in a short time she manages to draw you into the world of her characters. This one, however, was a bit of a struggle at first, but I eventually found myself immersed in the story and eager to uncover who the killer was.
Persimmon Brown, the protagonist, is an interesting character—lacking confidence and unsure of herself—but with the help of her quirky group of friends, she slowly finds her voice and begins to stand up for herself. The mystery was cleverly written, hiding the murderer in plain sight while keeping you guessing right to the end.
I’m looking forward to seeing what Persimmon gets up to next in the second book of the Lake District series.
Persimmon Brown, the protagonist, is an interesting character—lacking confidence and unsure of herself—but with the help of her quirky group of friends, she slowly finds her voice and begins to stand up for herself. The mystery was cleverly written, hiding the murderer in plain sight while keeping you guessing right to the end.
I’m looking forward to seeing what Persimmon gets up to next in the second book of the Lake District series.
January 24, 2019
I'm officially hooked. I love Persimmon Brown, even though she becomes caught up in a truly improbable number of homicides in her tiny hamlet. She has a history of personal tragedy, the nature of which I share with her; this might explain some of my attachment to the character. However, I would enjoy Rebecca Tope's handling of the genre regardless of Persimmon's personal details. All the traditions of the British "cozy" mystery are preserved, with ample room for new twists and nuances of character to keep things interesting. Sometimes you just need a cuppa and cozy to get through a long winter's night.
November 21, 2023
This started with promise, then by the end it felt like the author suddenly realised she'd forgotten to put a plot in and just threw stuff together to end it.
The setting is nice, the locality has obviously been researched, but the plot is just terrible. Having finished the book I have no idea why the murderer killed the people he did, or why any of the other characters acted the way they did. Then throw in a florist who weirdly hangs around with teenagers, calmly witnesses murders, and then makes a big deal about making an amazing window display that doesn't even happen, and I'm left feeling a bit confused by the entire novel.
The setting is nice, the locality has obviously been researched, but the plot is just terrible. Having finished the book I have no idea why the murderer killed the people he did, or why any of the other characters acted the way they did. Then throw in a florist who weirdly hangs around with teenagers, calmly witnesses murders, and then makes a big deal about making an amazing window display that doesn't even happen, and I'm left feeling a bit confused by the entire novel.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews