What do you think?
Rate this book
Tara Thorpe Mystery #3
Death Comes to Call
Tara Thorpe may be Cambridge Police’s youngest detective, but that doesn’t stop her from cracking its most dangerous cases. Perfect for fans of Faith Martin, LJ Ross and Joy Ellis.
When a promising local artist disappears, the victim’s brother begs Detective Tara Thorpe to take the case. It seems there’s no evidence of foul play… he simply disappeared without a trace.
Tara agrees to do some digging… never mind that her unorthodox approach to policing has got a few of her colleagues’ backs up. Amongst them is her former supervisor Detective Patrick Wilkins… he’s had enough of Tara calling the shots and will do anything to knock her down. She must be careful.
At least she has an ally in their boss, Detective Garstin Blake. He’ll always back her hunches. If anything, they work together too well… at least, that’s the rumour around the station these days.
When a body of a young woman is found frozen near the fens, Tara’s evidence suddenly becomes key to solving a high-profile murder. Is their missing artist still a victim… or in fact a clever murderer with a deadly plan?
An unputdownable page-turner that will keep you hooked until the very last page!
The Tara Thorpe Mystery Series:
Book 1 – Murder on the Marshes
Book 2 – Death on the River
Book 3 – Death Comes to Call
When a promising local artist disappears, the victim’s brother begs Detective Tara Thorpe to take the case. It seems there’s no evidence of foul play… he simply disappeared without a trace.
Tara agrees to do some digging… never mind that her unorthodox approach to policing has got a few of her colleagues’ backs up. Amongst them is her former supervisor Detective Patrick Wilkins… he’s had enough of Tara calling the shots and will do anything to knock her down. She must be careful.
At least she has an ally in their boss, Detective Garstin Blake. He’ll always back her hunches. If anything, they work together too well… at least, that’s the rumour around the station these days.
When a body of a young woman is found frozen near the fens, Tara’s evidence suddenly becomes key to solving a high-profile murder. Is their missing artist still a victim… or in fact a clever murderer with a deadly plan?
An unputdownable page-turner that will keep you hooked until the very last page!
The Tara Thorpe Mystery Series:
Book 1 – Murder on the Marshes
Book 2 – Death on the River
Book 3 – Death Comes to Call
296 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 20, 2019
1114 people are currently reading
271 people want to read
About the author
Clare Chase
34 books315 followersClare Chase writes classic mysteries. Her aim is to take readers away from it all via some armchair sleuthing in atmospheric locations.
Her debut novel was shortlisted for Novelicious’s Undiscovered Award, as well as an EPIC award post-publication, and was chosen as a Debut of the Month by LoveReading. Murder in the Marshes (Tara Thorpe 1) was shortlisted for an International Thriller Writers award.
Like her heroines, Clare is fascinated by people and what makes them tick. Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked in settings as diverse as Littlehey Prison and the University of Cambridge, in her home city. She’s lived everywhere from the house of a lord to a slug-infested flat and finds the mid-terrace she currently occupies a good happy medium.
As well as writing, Clare loves family time, art and architecture, cooking, and of course, reading other people’s novels.
You can find Clare's website and blog at www.clarechase.com
Her debut novel was shortlisted for Novelicious’s Undiscovered Award, as well as an EPIC award post-publication, and was chosen as a Debut of the Month by LoveReading. Murder in the Marshes (Tara Thorpe 1) was shortlisted for an International Thriller Writers award.
Like her heroines, Clare is fascinated by people and what makes them tick. Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked in settings as diverse as Littlehey Prison and the University of Cambridge, in her home city. She’s lived everywhere from the house of a lord to a slug-infested flat and finds the mid-terrace she currently occupies a good happy medium.
As well as writing, Clare loves family time, art and architecture, cooking, and of course, reading other people’s novels.
You can find Clare's website and blog at www.clarechase.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
February 16, 2019
Death Comes to Call, the third book in the DC Tara Thorpe mystery series, is another interesting and engaging read with well-hidden motives and an unexpected outcome. There is plenty going on to keep you reading, and the investigative team work with determination to uncover the truth. However, Tara's behaviour has changed drastically from the last two books; she now acts like a petulant teenager who goes off in a strop to investigate on her own at will, and her and Blake's unrequited love situation is not something I really care about. Despite this, I still enjoyed it but not as much as the previous two novels.
The sub-plots that explore the investigator's private lives run parallel to the search for answers in this murder case, and I feel in order to understand what is going on with each recurring character you need to read the books chronologically. It's a story that held my attention well and is written in an easy breezy style with excellent characterisation. That said, there was a bit too much focus on the characters lives with the mystery very much in the background rather than the forefront. I hope in the next instalment that Tara can find a real love interest to stop her pining after Blake which is getting rather irksome.
Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.
You can also find my reviews posted here on my blog.
The sub-plots that explore the investigator's private lives run parallel to the search for answers in this murder case, and I feel in order to understand what is going on with each recurring character you need to read the books chronologically. It's a story that held my attention well and is written in an easy breezy style with excellent characterisation. That said, there was a bit too much focus on the characters lives with the mystery very much in the background rather than the forefront. I hope in the next instalment that Tara can find a real love interest to stop her pining after Blake which is getting rather irksome.
Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.
You can also find my reviews posted here on my blog.
January 29, 2019
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookoutour Publishing for providing an advanced digital read copy of DEATH COMES TO CALL by Clare Chase in exchange for an honest review. This is the third book in a series which is best understood if read in order from the first book in the series.
Tara Thorpe is a Detective Constable who works for the Cambridgeshire Constabulary. While she is the primary character in this series, there are also other characters and story lines that continue across the series. In this novel, Tara is initially called in to investigate a missing painter who has been reported by his brother. As she explores, she discovers some disturbing paintings done by the missing man and then the body of a woman is discovered in a nature reserve. Police work is central to solving the cases, and Tara is shown to be an excellent, if independent, investigator.
There is a strong story line that happens in parallel to the solution of the murdered woman that involves Tara, her former job as an investigative reporter, a stalker from her teenage years, and Tara’s disgraced former boss who blames her for his suspension. These sub-plots clearly began in earlier books in the series and take up a large portion of this book. It became more a story of the sub-plots, with the police investigation one of the threads in trying to unravel Tara’s personal story.
In order to discover the resolutions of the various sub-plots, the reader will have to continue reading the series. It is unclear how many books are going to be in the series, or when the sub-plot solutions will be resolved. While it is relatively easy to grasp some of what has happened in the earlier books, to fully understand the reader will have to read the earlier books.
In this novel, the subplots seem to be more important the the mystery’s solution, almost in a soap opera type of storytelling. For me, they became disruptive and pulled me out of the portion of the book that interested me, mainly the police work and the resolution of the current crime.
Tara Thorpe is a Detective Constable who works for the Cambridgeshire Constabulary. While she is the primary character in this series, there are also other characters and story lines that continue across the series. In this novel, Tara is initially called in to investigate a missing painter who has been reported by his brother. As she explores, she discovers some disturbing paintings done by the missing man and then the body of a woman is discovered in a nature reserve. Police work is central to solving the cases, and Tara is shown to be an excellent, if independent, investigator.
There is a strong story line that happens in parallel to the solution of the murdered woman that involves Tara, her former job as an investigative reporter, a stalker from her teenage years, and Tara’s disgraced former boss who blames her for his suspension. These sub-plots clearly began in earlier books in the series and take up a large portion of this book. It became more a story of the sub-plots, with the police investigation one of the threads in trying to unravel Tara’s personal story.
In order to discover the resolutions of the various sub-plots, the reader will have to continue reading the series. It is unclear how many books are going to be in the series, or when the sub-plot solutions will be resolved. While it is relatively easy to grasp some of what has happened in the earlier books, to fully understand the reader will have to read the earlier books.
In this novel, the subplots seem to be more important the the mystery’s solution, almost in a soap opera type of storytelling. For me, they became disruptive and pulled me out of the portion of the book that interested me, mainly the police work and the resolution of the current crime.
January 19, 2019
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for this arc.
I have to admit I was disappointed with this one. I have read this 1st book in this series and enjoyed it very much. Somehow I missed the 2nd one, but that didn't slow me down before reading this one # 3. While the story was nice and twisty, definitely a real hunt and chase story. I thought the pacing was really bogged down by Tara's and Blake's continual mooning over their "unrequited love" obsessions with each other. Tara in particular felt extremely adolescent with her "I'll show 'em" attitude at work. While I'm not quite ready to give up on this series, I really don't like to see this devolving of the characters into juvenility.
2.5 stars
I have to admit I was disappointed with this one. I have read this 1st book in this series and enjoyed it very much. Somehow I missed the 2nd one, but that didn't slow me down before reading this one # 3. While the story was nice and twisty, definitely a real hunt and chase story. I thought the pacing was really bogged down by Tara's and Blake's continual mooning over their "unrequited love" obsessions with each other. Tara in particular felt extremely adolescent with her "I'll show 'em" attitude at work. While I'm not quite ready to give up on this series, I really don't like to see this devolving of the characters into juvenility.
2.5 stars
April 3, 2019
DC Tara Thorpe of the Cambridgeshire Constabulary has been assigned to look into a missing person report filed by the brother, Matthew Cope. It seems that the absent artist, Luke Cope, had gone off over a week previously and the situation had not been taken very seriously. When Tara visits Luke's messy house and art studio, she's shown a strange painting -- of a woman in the throes of being strangled. It looks to be the work of a seriously disturbed individual and it sets Tara's spider sense tingling. When it's revealed that the woman in the picture is Freya Cross, Luke's illicit lover, Tara becomes even more concerned. And when that very woman turns up dead in the nearby Paradise Nature Reserve, things really heat up for the constabulary as all hands on deck try to find the truth. Did Luke murder Freya and then vanish to avoid being caught? DI Garstin Blake leads Tara and the rest of the team -- DC Max Dimity and newly promoted DS Megan Maloney -- in a complicated investigation that involves art, heroin and greed. NO SPOILERS.
I really like this series and have read all 3 books in order and I'd recommend that others do the same as each provides some essential background to the development of the characters and their relationships. I enjoy the details of the police procedural and the description of Cambridge, the fens, and the surrounding countryside. I am not quite sure yet how I feel about the characters as both Tara and Blake have some serious flaws and issues that I wish would be resolved and not with some ridiculous or sappy romantic twist that makes her a twit and him a cad. Their whole "thing" needs to just stop and be over and they need to get on with their jobs and leave out all the yearning and whatnot that is affecting their ability to fully function as a team and makes them do stupid stuff. I'm also tired of the "stalker" thing -- seriously, that needs to be finished as well after 3 books and all that police power to figure out who's involved and why. Other than those two things, I'm ready to read more books about Tara and the team and the crime at Cambridge.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the e-book ARC to read and review.
I really like this series and have read all 3 books in order and I'd recommend that others do the same as each provides some essential background to the development of the characters and their relationships. I enjoy the details of the police procedural and the description of Cambridge, the fens, and the surrounding countryside. I am not quite sure yet how I feel about the characters as both Tara and Blake have some serious flaws and issues that I wish would be resolved and not with some ridiculous or sappy romantic twist that makes her a twit and him a cad. Their whole "thing" needs to just stop and be over and they need to get on with their jobs and leave out all the yearning and whatnot that is affecting their ability to fully function as a team and makes them do stupid stuff. I'm also tired of the "stalker" thing -- seriously, that needs to be finished as well after 3 books and all that police power to figure out who's involved and why. Other than those two things, I'm ready to read more books about Tara and the team and the crime at Cambridge.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the e-book ARC to read and review.
January 28, 2019
Tara Thorpe is a young detective in the Cambridge police force. She is not without her enemies though within and outside the force. Having being stalked from the age of eighteen Tara has developed a keen sense of self preservation especially since the stalker was never found.
Now after a death defying solving of a crime, Tara and the team face the problem of solving another murder. A young woman strangled on a lonely stretch of the fens, followed by the death of her lover opens the field to many suspects. There is the husband and boyfriend (before his death), the employer who shows a sense of being jittery and nervous way beyond his feelings as an employer, there is the victim's brother and the list goes on. Each one has to have their alibis checked and double checked, motives if any ruled out and seeing whether old enmities exist within the family.
Tara is working closing on the case with her boss Blake. There are a few other detectives on the case and her unorthodox methods and tendency to not work as a team can get people riled. To top it all, she is aware that her former employer (a magazine) hates her guts and will do anything to bring her down, insidiously planting vicious rumours about her work ethic and her morals.
his was a very good mystery murder. I would not call it a cozy as it went beyond the cozy! I liked the characterization, the descriptiveness of the Fens and the way the suspense built up to an ending that got me by surprise.
Now after a death defying solving of a crime, Tara and the team face the problem of solving another murder. A young woman strangled on a lonely stretch of the fens, followed by the death of her lover opens the field to many suspects. There is the husband and boyfriend (before his death), the employer who shows a sense of being jittery and nervous way beyond his feelings as an employer, there is the victim's brother and the list goes on. Each one has to have their alibis checked and double checked, motives if any ruled out and seeing whether old enmities exist within the family.
Tara is working closing on the case with her boss Blake. There are a few other detectives on the case and her unorthodox methods and tendency to not work as a team can get people riled. To top it all, she is aware that her former employer (a magazine) hates her guts and will do anything to bring her down, insidiously planting vicious rumours about her work ethic and her morals.
his was a very good mystery murder. I would not call it a cozy as it went beyond the cozy! I liked the characterization, the descriptiveness of the Fens and the way the suspense built up to an ending that got me by surprise.
February 20, 2019
I'm a great fan of mysteries and thrillers so, when I saw “Death Comes To Call” featuring DC Tara Thorpe being launched, I knew I had to read it. This is actually the third book in the Tara Thorpe Mystery Series. Although I haven’t come across the other two novels in the series - “Murder on the Marshes” (Book 0ne) and “Death on the River” (Book Two) - I thought “Death Comes To Call” worked fine as a stand alone as there was enough back-story provided to understand some of the dynamics between the different characters. Reading this novel, however, and Clare Chase’s excellent writing, have inspired me to go and get myself copies of the first two books!
In the opening chapter, we are introduced to DC Tara Thorpe who is Cambridge Police’s youngest detective and isn't afraid to step on toes to get results.
When a promising local artist disappears, the victim’s brother begs Tara to take the case. It seems there’s no evidence of foul play… he simply disappeared without a trace.
Tara agrees to investigate however her unconventional approach to policing has upset some of her colleagues, including her former boss DC Patrick Wilkins, currently suspended, but who is prepared to do anything to bring her down. Luckily, she’s on good terms with DI Garstin Blake…
I loved that in “Death Comes To Call,” the sub-plots that explore the detectives’ personal lives run parallel with the murder investigation. Clare Chase writes with flair and an easy style. I thought the characterisation was very well done and I liked the gripping plot, as well as the wonderful depictions of the setting.
All in all, this was a story that held my attention well and I loved that things came together for a great finish and wrapped everything up very neatly.
[My thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for providing me with a free advanced copy of this novel.]
In the opening chapter, we are introduced to DC Tara Thorpe who is Cambridge Police’s youngest detective and isn't afraid to step on toes to get results.
When a promising local artist disappears, the victim’s brother begs Tara to take the case. It seems there’s no evidence of foul play… he simply disappeared without a trace.
Tara agrees to investigate however her unconventional approach to policing has upset some of her colleagues, including her former boss DC Patrick Wilkins, currently suspended, but who is prepared to do anything to bring her down. Luckily, she’s on good terms with DI Garstin Blake…
I loved that in “Death Comes To Call,” the sub-plots that explore the detectives’ personal lives run parallel with the murder investigation. Clare Chase writes with flair and an easy style. I thought the characterisation was very well done and I liked the gripping plot, as well as the wonderful depictions of the setting.
All in all, this was a story that held my attention well and I loved that things came together for a great finish and wrapped everything up very neatly.
[My thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for providing me with a free advanced copy of this novel.]
February 7, 2019
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of Death Comes to Call, the third novel to feature Cambridge based DC Tara Thorpe.
Tara is trying to deal with Matthew Cope who feels the police are not taking the disappearance of his artist brother Luke seriously enough when she is called out to the scene of a murder where a woman’s body has been found strangled. As the team investigate personal issues, not least Tara’s former boss DS Patrick Wilkins’s meddling, complicate an already complicated situation.
I enjoyed Death Comes to Call which has a good mystery and some interesting characters. I hesitate to call it a police procedural as procedure doesn’t play a big part and Tara is as often off piste as on. Nevertheless it is a good mystery as the team slog their way to a solution, uncovering other crimes as they go and I would never have guessed the motive or solution which are well concealed. I took too much at face value. What I didn’t take at face value were DS Patrick Wilkins’ machinations. They aren’t overly explored in this novel but I expect them and the events introduced at the end of the novel to feature prominently in the next.
I liked Tara Thorpe in the previous novels but I can’t say I liked this latest version as she behaves like a stroppy teenager, storming off in a huff and doing her own thing investigatively when she feels overlooked. In the meantime she and DI Blake are still dancing about their feelings for each other and he’s navigating his shipwreck of a marriage - much more to come there I think.
Death Comes to Call is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
Tara is trying to deal with Matthew Cope who feels the police are not taking the disappearance of his artist brother Luke seriously enough when she is called out to the scene of a murder where a woman’s body has been found strangled. As the team investigate personal issues, not least Tara’s former boss DS Patrick Wilkins’s meddling, complicate an already complicated situation.
I enjoyed Death Comes to Call which has a good mystery and some interesting characters. I hesitate to call it a police procedural as procedure doesn’t play a big part and Tara is as often off piste as on. Nevertheless it is a good mystery as the team slog their way to a solution, uncovering other crimes as they go and I would never have guessed the motive or solution which are well concealed. I took too much at face value. What I didn’t take at face value were DS Patrick Wilkins’ machinations. They aren’t overly explored in this novel but I expect them and the events introduced at the end of the novel to feature prominently in the next.
I liked Tara Thorpe in the previous novels but I can’t say I liked this latest version as she behaves like a stroppy teenager, storming off in a huff and doing her own thing investigatively when she feels overlooked. In the meantime she and DI Blake are still dancing about their feelings for each other and he’s navigating his shipwreck of a marriage - much more to come there I think.
Death Comes to Call is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
February 20, 2019
When you are reading a series you enjoy, it’s always counting down the days until you can finally get your hands on the next part. A pity sometimes that writing does not go as fast as reading LOL, but on the other hand it would be rather difficult keeping up with all the ones you want to devour.
So it was back to Tara who is being Tara, which is a good but quite dangerous from time to time not only for herself but for other people as well. I like the way she is so committed but she seems to forget that she is part of a team now.
In this book the author gives us the chance to follow the investigation as usual, but she adds a bit more focus on Tara’s and Blake’s lives. By doing this she opens a door or keeps the door open to a blast from the past and/or new dangers forcing them to watch their backs.
The author leaves us with a nice cliffhanger which made me already start crossing the dates on the calendar even though this one is not even published when I write this up.
The book kept me entertained with its unexpected outcome and Tara is of course, once again, the star of the show. 5 stars.
Thank you, Clare Chase , Bookouture and Netgalley.
Book received courtesy of publisher/author.
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
So it was back to Tara who is being Tara, which is a good but quite dangerous from time to time not only for herself but for other people as well. I like the way she is so committed but she seems to forget that she is part of a team now.
In this book the author gives us the chance to follow the investigation as usual, but she adds a bit more focus on Tara’s and Blake’s lives. By doing this she opens a door or keeps the door open to a blast from the past and/or new dangers forcing them to watch their backs.
The author leaves us with a nice cliffhanger which made me already start crossing the dates on the calendar even though this one is not even published when I write this up.
The book kept me entertained with its unexpected outcome and Tara is of course, once again, the star of the show. 5 stars.
Thank you, Clare Chase , Bookouture and Netgalley.
Book received courtesy of publisher/author.
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
January 23, 2019
2 stars
Artist Luke Cope has disappeared. His brother Matthew calls the police frantic. Detective Tara Thorpe responds to the call. There is no evidence of foul play; he just seems to have disappeared.
I found this book to be unlike the previous two. As another reviewer mentioned, the book spent too much time on the relationship between Tara and Blake. It spoiled the story for me. The idea of the story was a good one, and the plot did contain surprises but it wasn't as interesting as the previous two novels.
This one just wasn't for me.
I want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for forwarding to me a copy of this book for me to read and review.
Artist Luke Cope has disappeared. His brother Matthew calls the police frantic. Detective Tara Thorpe responds to the call. There is no evidence of foul play; he just seems to have disappeared.
I found this book to be unlike the previous two. As another reviewer mentioned, the book spent too much time on the relationship between Tara and Blake. It spoiled the story for me. The idea of the story was a good one, and the plot did contain surprises but it wasn't as interesting as the previous two novels.
This one just wasn't for me.
I want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for forwarding to me a copy of this book for me to read and review.
August 10, 2019
If you like cosy mysteries, then this is a book for you. Tara Thorpe is a detective with a journalistic instinct. That’s because she used to be a journalist! I knew from the start that was going to spell trouble, but also that it would make Tara a great detective.
The case Tara looks at initially seems to be quite open and shut! But Tara is not so sure and keeps digging. Her journalistic nose is correct and soon she has 2 dead bodies to investigate. Whilst the investigation continues to question work colleagues, friends and family of the dead,Tara continues to rub some of her colleagues up the wrong way. This never stopped a journalist before and I think Tara maybe forgets she is now a detective not a journalist. Tara is likeable and clever. When she has a bit between her teeth she will not let go.
I enjoyed this book because of the good range of characters, each with their own depth of personality. It’s not often I read cosy mysteries, I tend to go more for the dark or psychological thrillers so it was a good change to be transported to Cambridge which sounds like a beautiful arty place with many chameleon type people and places. I got the impression from this book that the area where that the Author wrote of could come across as idyllic until you look more closely to see the underbelly of deceit amongst some of the inhabitants. ( always a good premise for a murder or two!)
Death Comes to Call is a fictional cosy mystery which is so well written that the words flow enough to transport you to Cambridge in the snow. Where with each chapter you get to know Tara better, and while getting a feel for her, I got a suspicion and dislike for many of the other characters, while never guessing whodunit!
Clare Chase is a fantastic Author and I highly recommend her books to all lovers of cosy mysteries and to anyone who has been to Cambridge!
The case Tara looks at initially seems to be quite open and shut! But Tara is not so sure and keeps digging. Her journalistic nose is correct and soon she has 2 dead bodies to investigate. Whilst the investigation continues to question work colleagues, friends and family of the dead,Tara continues to rub some of her colleagues up the wrong way. This never stopped a journalist before and I think Tara maybe forgets she is now a detective not a journalist. Tara is likeable and clever. When she has a bit between her teeth she will not let go.
I enjoyed this book because of the good range of characters, each with their own depth of personality. It’s not often I read cosy mysteries, I tend to go more for the dark or psychological thrillers so it was a good change to be transported to Cambridge which sounds like a beautiful arty place with many chameleon type people and places. I got the impression from this book that the area where that the Author wrote of could come across as idyllic until you look more closely to see the underbelly of deceit amongst some of the inhabitants. ( always a good premise for a murder or two!)
Death Comes to Call is a fictional cosy mystery which is so well written that the words flow enough to transport you to Cambridge in the snow. Where with each chapter you get to know Tara better, and while getting a feel for her, I got a suspicion and dislike for many of the other characters, while never guessing whodunit!
Clare Chase is a fantastic Author and I highly recommend her books to all lovers of cosy mysteries and to anyone who has been to Cambridge!
January 20, 2019
Having read and thoroughly enjoyed the previous two books in this series, I was very excited to get my hands on this, the third. Tara, ex-journalist now DC is visiting the brother of a missing man. He is frustrated by the lack of interest the police are showing, even though his brother is not deemed vulnerable, he is worried as it is out of character. Tara is sympathetic, especially when she tries to contact his colleague and something feels a bit off there. Then a body is found and Tara and her colleagues are catapulted into a really rather intriguing case indeed. Meanwhile, Tara's former supervisor and now suspended Wilkins is still trying to stir things up for her with, alluding to her relationship with her boss DI Blake to anyone who'll listen. Can Blake, Tara and the rest of the team cut through all the noise and get to the bottom of the death? Things then get more interesting when another body is found, one which takes their investigation down a completely different route...
As with a couple of other series I read, this one contains quite a lot of personal stuff going on for the main characters outside the crimes being investigated. Tara and her estranged family, Blake and his wife's shenanigans and the vendetta against Tara by her previous employers who she got the better of in the last book. But this is why I love series books, you really get to know the characters' whole lives. Yes, I love a good crime to solve too but, as long as everything remains in balance, which in my opinion, it does here, I also enjoy a bit of real life interspersed throughout. It can't always all be about procedure and clue-finding!
Tara is a bit of a lone wolf at times too, but I guess that fits with her investigative journalist background. She's also a bit annoying as she does act a bit childish at times, especially around her "relationship" with Blake, but given her backstory, I can let her off some of the things she does. Hopefully she'll man up a bit in her next outing though!
All in all a solid addition to what looks like a blossoming series. Roll on next time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
As with a couple of other series I read, this one contains quite a lot of personal stuff going on for the main characters outside the crimes being investigated. Tara and her estranged family, Blake and his wife's shenanigans and the vendetta against Tara by her previous employers who she got the better of in the last book. But this is why I love series books, you really get to know the characters' whole lives. Yes, I love a good crime to solve too but, as long as everything remains in balance, which in my opinion, it does here, I also enjoy a bit of real life interspersed throughout. It can't always all be about procedure and clue-finding!
Tara is a bit of a lone wolf at times too, but I guess that fits with her investigative journalist background. She's also a bit annoying as she does act a bit childish at times, especially around her "relationship" with Blake, but given her backstory, I can let her off some of the things she does. Hopefully she'll man up a bit in her next outing though!
All in all a solid addition to what looks like a blossoming series. Roll on next time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
September 1, 2022
Shortly after the previous book in the series, “Death on the River,” DC Tara Thorpe and her colleagues are working without DS Wilkins, her bête noire, as he has been suspended. She enjoys working with Max Dimity, a sound detective even if he is not as confident as Tara, but newly promoted Megan Maloney is not on the same wavelength. Megan is suspicious of the relationship between Tara and their boss DI Garstin Blake but they are no longer close since Tara had discovered that Blake’s wife was pregnant.
As usual, Tara follows hunches and this time she takes the disappearance of a local artist as a serious situation which needs investigation. She seems to have been proved right when the body of a young woman is found frozen on the Fens and one of the artist’s paintings shows her being strangled. The plot is complex, and suspicion falls on several members of their families. Each of the police team contributes to finding the solution which involves more than one crime. There is little time for Tara’s personal life since there is so much action, but she is concerned that her divorced parents seem to be manipulating her.
The final part of the book shows new developments in her family life but an old enemy has returned to haunt her. Next book, here I come.
As usual, Tara follows hunches and this time she takes the disappearance of a local artist as a serious situation which needs investigation. She seems to have been proved right when the body of a young woman is found frozen on the Fens and one of the artist’s paintings shows her being strangled. The plot is complex, and suspicion falls on several members of their families. Each of the police team contributes to finding the solution which involves more than one crime. There is little time for Tara’s personal life since there is so much action, but she is concerned that her divorced parents seem to be manipulating her.
The final part of the book shows new developments in her family life but an old enemy has returned to haunt her. Next book, here I come.
November 19, 2024
Death comes to call, and pays a return call
Matthew Cope requests that the police become more involved in finding his missing brother, Luke. But it isn’t Like whom they find—it’s Freya Cross, his lover. Believing Luke is the killer, they continue to search for him. It becomes complicated.
The book is difficult to put down. Again in this series, a killer who has methodically laid out plans to confuse detectives. Other than the mystery, the side stories are Tara’s nemesis Giles, the failing marriage between Blake and Babette, and the family of Tara herself. And the threat from her past that taints the present. On, to find out what comes next.
Matthew Cope requests that the police become more involved in finding his missing brother, Luke. But it isn’t Like whom they find—it’s Freya Cross, his lover. Believing Luke is the killer, they continue to search for him. It becomes complicated.
The book is difficult to put down. Again in this series, a killer who has methodically laid out plans to confuse detectives. Other than the mystery, the side stories are Tara’s nemesis Giles, the failing marriage between Blake and Babette, and the family of Tara herself. And the threat from her past that taints the present. On, to find out what comes next.
March 8, 2022
I am starting to enjoy this series less and less. The main character, Tara, is childish and petty towards her fellow officers. She seems to have a hard time comprehending she is the junior officer on her team. And her relationship with her father needs some serious counselling as she hasn’t gotten past her issues and feelings towards him. She needs to grow up!
April 6, 2019
Settling down with the third Tara Thorpe mystery was like having coffee with an old friend. Tara was her usual feisty, determined, disruptive self and I loved her for it. This story revolves around the disappearance of a young artist who has a penchant for depicting violence in his paintings. Police find strong evidence to suggest he’s gone to ground after allowing his ferocity to spill over from art into real life.
As Tara delves into the artist’s work and family background, she discovers an assortment of siblings, half-siblings, associates and colleagues who might have reason to do him harm. But is he a victim or a killer?
Tara’s boss, DI Garstin Blake, is again along for the ride, anguishing over his attraction to Tara while playing happy families with his mendacious wife. But page space is also given to Tara’s other colleagues - newly promoted DS Megan Maloney and likeable DC Max Dimity. And bad cop Patrick Wilkins still stirs the pot even though he’s suspended.
A well plotted story. I guessed what but not why. The denouement is a belter, particularly because of what happens afterwards. Roll on 24th June and the release of Book Four.
As Tara delves into the artist’s work and family background, she discovers an assortment of siblings, half-siblings, associates and colleagues who might have reason to do him harm. But is he a victim or a killer?
Tara’s boss, DI Garstin Blake, is again along for the ride, anguishing over his attraction to Tara while playing happy families with his mendacious wife. But page space is also given to Tara’s other colleagues - newly promoted DS Megan Maloney and likeable DC Max Dimity. And bad cop Patrick Wilkins still stirs the pot even though he’s suspended.
A well plotted story. I guessed what but not why. The denouement is a belter, particularly because of what happens afterwards. Roll on 24th June and the release of Book Four.
December 2, 2021
Good, not great, but solid
I enjoyed the book. I have very high expectations from this Author. I can't say I feel this book is as compelling a story with plot twists and turns along with dialogue and intricate side line plots woven in. It fell flat for me.I'm generally enjoying Tara Thorpe. I have admit that I prefer the Eve Mellow character as a protagonist and I definitely prefer the the way the writing pulls me into the story. Very immersive. This is not to say I don't recommend the series. I do. I'm about to start book four. This was a good story, I enjoyed it. I just didn't think it was the Authors best effort.
I enjoyed the book. I have very high expectations from this Author. I can't say I feel this book is as compelling a story with plot twists and turns along with dialogue and intricate side line plots woven in. It fell flat for me.I'm generally enjoying Tara Thorpe. I have admit that I prefer the Eve Mellow character as a protagonist and I definitely prefer the the way the writing pulls me into the story. Very immersive. This is not to say I don't recommend the series. I do. I'm about to start book four. This was a good story, I enjoyed it. I just didn't think it was the Authors best effort.
February 17, 2019
Death Comes to Call once again sees DC Tara Thorpe in the middle of a murder investigation. What initially starts off as a follow up to a missing person report made by Matthew Cope regarding his brother Luke soon turns into something more when the body of Luke’s close friend Freya Cross is discovered. Is Luke responsible for her death or is his disappearance a sign of something much worse.
This is the third book in the Tara Thorpe series and I have to say that I enjoyed it just as much as the first two so much so I read the whole book in a day. I will admit I like Tara. She just can’t quite give up on her journalistic background when it comes to digging into particular lines of enquiry and this usually produces results. That is not to say though that at times this can prove quite dangerous when she goes off on her own much to the exasperation of her boss DI Garstin Blake. She absolutely hates not being in the thick of all the investigations which can lead to a bit of sulking on her part but her attitude does not always sit well with the newly promoted DS Megan Maloney who secretly believes that Tara is given too much freedom for her level of experience and time in the force.
For someone who has not been in the police force very long Tara is managing to get on the wrong side of quite a few people and this could be trouble for her career. Her ex-boss from the magazine she used to work for is out to make as much trouble as possible for her and now her previous DS is also out for blood after he holds her responsible for him currently being on suspension. He has managed to put doubt in the mind of DS Maloney so you have to wonder if maybe despite her best intentions if she is really cut out for her chosen career. With her feelings for DI Blake becoming more evident her mind isn’t always on the job either and with him now about to become a father for the second time you kind of hope that she will stop hoping for something more and get on with her life… part of me even hopes she will hook up with DC Max Dimity as they seem to get on great and their partnership has even seen him start to focus on his career again. If there is anything that niggled me, its Blake’s attitude towards Tara. I can understand him wanting to encourage her to do well but as the least seasoned member of the team who still has a lot to learn, I would have thought he would have kept her under a little more control. Then again he is also dealing with his feelings for her that started when she was a journalist and before she joined the team but this is something else he should put a lid on before it becomes a real issue.
The pace of the book kept my attention and we start to see more of why Tara is the way she is. With the stalker of her childhood seemingly making his presence felt once again and others also determined to bring Tara down a peg or two I can’t wait to read what Clare Chase has in store for the next book in the series.
This is the third book in the Tara Thorpe series and I have to say that I enjoyed it just as much as the first two so much so I read the whole book in a day. I will admit I like Tara. She just can’t quite give up on her journalistic background when it comes to digging into particular lines of enquiry and this usually produces results. That is not to say though that at times this can prove quite dangerous when she goes off on her own much to the exasperation of her boss DI Garstin Blake. She absolutely hates not being in the thick of all the investigations which can lead to a bit of sulking on her part but her attitude does not always sit well with the newly promoted DS Megan Maloney who secretly believes that Tara is given too much freedom for her level of experience and time in the force.
For someone who has not been in the police force very long Tara is managing to get on the wrong side of quite a few people and this could be trouble for her career. Her ex-boss from the magazine she used to work for is out to make as much trouble as possible for her and now her previous DS is also out for blood after he holds her responsible for him currently being on suspension. He has managed to put doubt in the mind of DS Maloney so you have to wonder if maybe despite her best intentions if she is really cut out for her chosen career. With her feelings for DI Blake becoming more evident her mind isn’t always on the job either and with him now about to become a father for the second time you kind of hope that she will stop hoping for something more and get on with her life… part of me even hopes she will hook up with DC Max Dimity as they seem to get on great and their partnership has even seen him start to focus on his career again. If there is anything that niggled me, its Blake’s attitude towards Tara. I can understand him wanting to encourage her to do well but as the least seasoned member of the team who still has a lot to learn, I would have thought he would have kept her under a little more control. Then again he is also dealing with his feelings for her that started when she was a journalist and before she joined the team but this is something else he should put a lid on before it becomes a real issue.
The pace of the book kept my attention and we start to see more of why Tara is the way she is. With the stalker of her childhood seemingly making his presence felt once again and others also determined to bring Tara down a peg or two I can’t wait to read what Clare Chase has in store for the next book in the series.
March 1, 2019
Another hit for sure!
The more you read these wonderful books the better they get! Each one holds its own as far as reading them singularly, but why would you do that? By reading in the order they're written you get to know the backgrounds of all the characters. Of course the main character being Tara Thorpe. Then there's DCI Blake of course, and boy has he got baggage with a wife that's manipulated his life and his daughter he loves greatly besides the tricks his wife has done. Then the rest of the team, Max, and Maloney. She's being manipulated by a former colleague, Peter Wilkins. Who is a total piece of work, that starts with a capital P or any derogatory word there also s will do! Why he wants to go after Tara for doing nothing, except show him up, is weird. Also her old boss, Giles, at the newspaper she used to work at, Not Now. Humm I think that's the name, forgive me if its not I'll check on it and correct it on the next review. Patrick and Giles are up to something very underhanded to get back at Tara, and I believe it will cause them both to end upon jail. One can only hope that it does I guess, along with an old colleague, Shona. Who is a snake in her own right! Before that happens though I imagine they're going to cause allot of trouble and heartache, plus fear, for Tara. I just hope Kemp can keep investigating that group to see what they're up to before it get to bad, or life threatening for Tara. Of course she needs to take into consideration that she's part of a team not a single cop hear. Of course I'm not sure about Megan, she may pretend to want to be a team, but not Tara's team! I think she has her eye on Max also, but I believe Max is liking Tara. Of course he could just be a good friend and see what's she's really about where some others see her as meddling, & trying to push her way ahead of them. Of course that's jealousy on their part, she nothing like that she just has a hard time being close to others, but she's trying. Her past has left deep scars on her from being stalked as a teen. DON'T READ PAST THIS IF YOU DON'T WANT TO READ A SPOILER!!!
(She's always been to afraid to become close to anyone in case they were the stalker. It seems he's back tho, but I'm wondering if it isn't a nasty plot by Patrick & Giles!!! )
The more you read these wonderful books the better they get! Each one holds its own as far as reading them singularly, but why would you do that? By reading in the order they're written you get to know the backgrounds of all the characters. Of course the main character being Tara Thorpe. Then there's DCI Blake of course, and boy has he got baggage with a wife that's manipulated his life and his daughter he loves greatly besides the tricks his wife has done. Then the rest of the team, Max, and Maloney. She's being manipulated by a former colleague, Peter Wilkins. Who is a total piece of work, that starts with a capital P or any derogatory word there also s will do! Why he wants to go after Tara for doing nothing, except show him up, is weird. Also her old boss, Giles, at the newspaper she used to work at, Not Now. Humm I think that's the name, forgive me if its not I'll check on it and correct it on the next review. Patrick and Giles are up to something very underhanded to get back at Tara, and I believe it will cause them both to end upon jail. One can only hope that it does I guess, along with an old colleague, Shona. Who is a snake in her own right! Before that happens though I imagine they're going to cause allot of trouble and heartache, plus fear, for Tara. I just hope Kemp can keep investigating that group to see what they're up to before it get to bad, or life threatening for Tara. Of course she needs to take into consideration that she's part of a team not a single cop hear. Of course I'm not sure about Megan, she may pretend to want to be a team, but not Tara's team! I think she has her eye on Max also, but I believe Max is liking Tara. Of course he could just be a good friend and see what's she's really about where some others see her as meddling, & trying to push her way ahead of them. Of course that's jealousy on their part, she nothing like that she just has a hard time being close to others, but she's trying. Her past has left deep scars on her from being stalked as a teen. DON'T READ PAST THIS IF YOU DON'T WANT TO READ A SPOILER!!!
(She's always been to afraid to become close to anyone in case they were the stalker. It seems he's back tho, but I'm wondering if it isn't a nasty plot by Patrick & Giles!!! )
February 13, 2019
3.5 stars
Tara Thorpe is a former journalist, now a cop in the Cambridge Contabulary. When we enter her story, she has been there for some time now – time enough to cause some upheavals in the squad and to make some very sneaky enemies. The mystery begins with the disappearance of a budding artist, which is reported by his frantic brother. Finding him seems imperative when the police uncover some paintings of his that display some worrisome mental issues. The discovery of the body of a woman with known ties to him leads to full-scale man hunt for him with interesting results.
I enjoyed the whodunit aspect of the story immensely. The clues and the red herrings were placed just so and heightened interest in the story. The description of the countryside, the city and the weather were certainly very atmospheric. All characters who were part of the case were satisfyingly vague and hard to pin down. Trying to figure out who were being genuine and who were faking things was a bit difficult. Tara’s relationship with her parents is fascinating and would be enjoyable if it weren’t so sad. The introduction of siblings into the story lends hope for future family related fun for her.
What irked me was the so-called love story between Tara and her boss detective Blake. Blake’s married to a woman who is so devious and calculating that it boggles the mind. Blake is staying put in the marriage for his daughter and unborn child, which while a laudatory sentiment actually shows him to be a bit spineless especially now that he has developed feelings for Tara. This kind of love story that seems to be full of unrequited love and constant moon-eyed looks at each other begins to quickly grate on my nerves. I almost wish the author would have the gumption to find another solid love interest for Tara instead of keeping her hanging by a thread for Blake.
The book cover could have been better too. For some reason when I looked at it, I expected it to have a bit of an Agatha Christie vibe to it, with a manor standing solid in a field of snow.
This series seems to a engrossing one, except for the romance part which may seriously work for other people.
Tara Thorpe is a former journalist, now a cop in the Cambridge Contabulary. When we enter her story, she has been there for some time now – time enough to cause some upheavals in the squad and to make some very sneaky enemies. The mystery begins with the disappearance of a budding artist, which is reported by his frantic brother. Finding him seems imperative when the police uncover some paintings of his that display some worrisome mental issues. The discovery of the body of a woman with known ties to him leads to full-scale man hunt for him with interesting results.
I enjoyed the whodunit aspect of the story immensely. The clues and the red herrings were placed just so and heightened interest in the story. The description of the countryside, the city and the weather were certainly very atmospheric. All characters who were part of the case were satisfyingly vague and hard to pin down. Trying to figure out who were being genuine and who were faking things was a bit difficult. Tara’s relationship with her parents is fascinating and would be enjoyable if it weren’t so sad. The introduction of siblings into the story lends hope for future family related fun for her.
What irked me was the so-called love story between Tara and her boss detective Blake. Blake’s married to a woman who is so devious and calculating that it boggles the mind. Blake is staying put in the marriage for his daughter and unborn child, which while a laudatory sentiment actually shows him to be a bit spineless especially now that he has developed feelings for Tara. This kind of love story that seems to be full of unrequited love and constant moon-eyed looks at each other begins to quickly grate on my nerves. I almost wish the author would have the gumption to find another solid love interest for Tara instead of keeping her hanging by a thread for Blake.
The book cover could have been better too. For some reason when I looked at it, I expected it to have a bit of an Agatha Christie vibe to it, with a manor standing solid in a field of snow.
This series seems to a engrossing one, except for the romance part which may seriously work for other people.
June 10, 2019
This is the third book to feature Tara Thorpe (I have read the first where she is a reporter and makes the decision to change career to join the police, but haven’t read the second 🙁 )
In this book, Tara and her colleagues are called upon to investigate the disappearance of artist Luke Cope. A body is discovered but it isn’t his! It is his alleged lover, married woman Freya Cross. Did Luke kill her or was her husband involved. And where is Luke now?
I loved the first book, need to read the second book and loved this one too. I had no idea who was responsible for the murder of Freya and the motive behind it. There are lots of suspects and suspicious behaviour to keep the reader guessing until the end.
There is not a lot of gory detail in this book and the focus is on the investigation and relationships between the police officers.
There is a lot of tension in the team as one person is suspended follwing his behaviour in the second book where he gave out secret information to a journalist. He continues to stir up trouble, hinting that Blake and Tara have a more intimate relationship than they do.
Meanwhile they are struggling to keep their relationship professional for the sake of the case and also because Blake’s wife is pregnant (did she deliberately get pregnant to keep Blake and make amends for cheating on him in the past…?)
Tara is a great lead character and a positive role model for women. She won’t let her past get in the way of her future although the very end of the book lets us know that her past is coming back to haunt her: can’t wait for the next book!
In this book, Tara and her colleagues are called upon to investigate the disappearance of artist Luke Cope. A body is discovered but it isn’t his! It is his alleged lover, married woman Freya Cross. Did Luke kill her or was her husband involved. And where is Luke now?
I loved the first book, need to read the second book and loved this one too. I had no idea who was responsible for the murder of Freya and the motive behind it. There are lots of suspects and suspicious behaviour to keep the reader guessing until the end.
There is not a lot of gory detail in this book and the focus is on the investigation and relationships between the police officers.
There is a lot of tension in the team as one person is suspended follwing his behaviour in the second book where he gave out secret information to a journalist. He continues to stir up trouble, hinting that Blake and Tara have a more intimate relationship than they do.
Meanwhile they are struggling to keep their relationship professional for the sake of the case and also because Blake’s wife is pregnant (did she deliberately get pregnant to keep Blake and make amends for cheating on him in the past…?)
Tara is a great lead character and a positive role model for women. She won’t let her past get in the way of her future although the very end of the book lets us know that her past is coming back to haunt her: can’t wait for the next book!
February 16, 2019
My thanks to Bookouture for an eARC via NetGalley of Clare Chase’s ‘Death Comes to Call’, the third in her Tara Thorpe series.
DC Tara Thorpe has been assigned to follow up on a missing persons report involving Luke Cope, a promising local artist. A week has passed and his brother Matthew is not happy with the lack of progress by the police. Tara promises to continue digging. Tara is shown one of Luke’s paintings that depicts something disturbing and it isn’t long before Tara is caught up in a complex case.
I found this a solid police procedural with plenty of alibi checks, knocking on doors, driving about, and team discussions. Tara had originally been a reporter and she brings those instincts to her police work. However, that same skill set means she often takes unorthodox approaches that creates conflict with her colleagues.
Although the third in the series I didn’t have any problem understanding the dynamics between the characters. As I plan to read the earlier books in the series I allowed my eyes skim over paragraphs detailing events in them.
Certainly a thumbs up for this book as the case kept me guessing until the final reveal of whodunnit. It ended with a tantalising glimpse as to what troubles are coming next for Tara. Will certainly be looking forward to the next in this series as well as catching up on Tara’s previous adventures while I wait.
DC Tara Thorpe has been assigned to follow up on a missing persons report involving Luke Cope, a promising local artist. A week has passed and his brother Matthew is not happy with the lack of progress by the police. Tara promises to continue digging. Tara is shown one of Luke’s paintings that depicts something disturbing and it isn’t long before Tara is caught up in a complex case.
I found this a solid police procedural with plenty of alibi checks, knocking on doors, driving about, and team discussions. Tara had originally been a reporter and she brings those instincts to her police work. However, that same skill set means she often takes unorthodox approaches that creates conflict with her colleagues.
Although the third in the series I didn’t have any problem understanding the dynamics between the characters. As I plan to read the earlier books in the series I allowed my eyes skim over paragraphs detailing events in them.
Certainly a thumbs up for this book as the case kept me guessing until the final reveal of whodunnit. It ended with a tantalising glimpse as to what troubles are coming next for Tara. Will certainly be looking forward to the next in this series as well as catching up on Tara’s previous adventures while I wait.
January 30, 2019
Death Comes to Call, Tara Thorpe Mystery #3 by Clare Chase gives the reader several characters to consider as who could be the murderer! I like Tara Thorpe mysteries and in Death Comes to Call she is now a Detective Constable after a change of careers and formal training during the past five years. Tara is smart, motivated, and thinks independently which sometimes causes problems as she interacts with her team. I know she is attracted to Blake, but I wish she could have a true romance and love of her own. Tara deserves some happiness after her trauma with the stalker in her past and also she has grown up feeling she was an unwanted child.
Getting back to the plot of the story, Matthew Cope contacts the team about his missing artist brother. Later a married woman who has a connection to Luke Cope is found murdered and he is still missing! The edgy theme of the art is interesting.
Publication Date: February 20, 2019
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Getting back to the plot of the story, Matthew Cope contacts the team about his missing artist brother. Later a married woman who has a connection to Luke Cope is found murdered and he is still missing! The edgy theme of the art is interesting.
Publication Date: February 20, 2019
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
January 27, 2024
Ein Künstler ist verschwunden, der Bruder alarmiert die Polizei, auch wenn es keine Anhaltspunkte für ein Verbrechen gibt, ermittelt Tara Thorpe. Als ehemalige Journalistin hat sie unkonventionelle Ansätze und kommt dadurch an ihr Ziel. Unterstützung bekommt sie von ihrem Partner aber ihr ehemaliger Chef legt ihr in jeder Hinsicht Steine in den Weg.
Um die Zusammenhänge zu verstehen sollte man die Vorgängerbände gelesen haben, es fehlen sonst zu viele Informationen. Denn das menschliche Zwischenspiel zwischen den Ermittlern spielt eine große Rolle in der Geschichte.
Die kriminale Handlung war spannend und stellenweise sehr überraschend.
Die Handlungen im Revier und der Umgang der Protagonisten waren mir sehr suspekt. Diese Intrigen und Missgunst unter einander sowie das große Misstrauen gegenüber den Anderen fand ich sehr übertrieben. Wie soll bei so einem Zustand vernünftig gearbeitet werden.
Zum Schluss muss ich noch sagen ich hatte nach der Beschreibung des Buchs etwas anderes erwartet. Es ist kein Cosy Crime sondern ein Krimi mit zwei Seiten eine gute und eine schlechte.
Um die Zusammenhänge zu verstehen sollte man die Vorgängerbände gelesen haben, es fehlen sonst zu viele Informationen. Denn das menschliche Zwischenspiel zwischen den Ermittlern spielt eine große Rolle in der Geschichte.
Die kriminale Handlung war spannend und stellenweise sehr überraschend.
Die Handlungen im Revier und der Umgang der Protagonisten waren mir sehr suspekt. Diese Intrigen und Missgunst unter einander sowie das große Misstrauen gegenüber den Anderen fand ich sehr übertrieben. Wie soll bei so einem Zustand vernünftig gearbeitet werden.
Zum Schluss muss ich noch sagen ich hatte nach der Beschreibung des Buchs etwas anderes erwartet. Es ist kein Cosy Crime sondern ein Krimi mit zwei Seiten eine gute und eine schlechte.
February 25, 2019
I’m so annoyed with myself, when I saw Death Comes to Call was being released I had every intention of catching up with the first two books before hand but time got away from me and I didn’t manage it. I’d definitely say that I would have benefited from reading them as there are a lot of story lines being referred to that must have happened in previous books. That said though, I still thoroughly enjoyed this story.
Tara Thorpe used to be an investigative reporter before joining the police force and I’m not sure if this is doing her any favours. She tends to go off on her own and I found she struggled to work as a team sometimes. She’s a great character though and has clearly been through a lot, stalked as a teenager, landing her boss Detective Patrick Wilkins on suspension to name just a couple but she seems strong and determined if not a little sulky at times.
The main storyline was gripping with so many twists to it, I almost felt giddy. When Matthew Copes brother Luke goes missing Tara decides to investigate after its seemingly not a priority to the police. She has a hunch and decides to act on it and it’s just as well she does as not everything is as it appears to be. What follows is a real murder mystery, I kept trying to guess who the culprit was. Quite a few of the suspects could have done it and I kept changing my mind, it certainly kept me on my toes.
Death Comes to Call is a real page turner, even if I was a bit confused now and again due to the sub-plots it didn’t put me off and I got enough back story to not be completely lost but it’s now my mission to read the first two. I’m intrigued to find out what I’ve missed. I’d definitely recommend this book and I’ll certainly be looking forward to reading more in the series.
Tara Thorpe used to be an investigative reporter before joining the police force and I’m not sure if this is doing her any favours. She tends to go off on her own and I found she struggled to work as a team sometimes. She’s a great character though and has clearly been through a lot, stalked as a teenager, landing her boss Detective Patrick Wilkins on suspension to name just a couple but she seems strong and determined if not a little sulky at times.
The main storyline was gripping with so many twists to it, I almost felt giddy. When Matthew Copes brother Luke goes missing Tara decides to investigate after its seemingly not a priority to the police. She has a hunch and decides to act on it and it’s just as well she does as not everything is as it appears to be. What follows is a real murder mystery, I kept trying to guess who the culprit was. Quite a few of the suspects could have done it and I kept changing my mind, it certainly kept me on my toes.
Death Comes to Call is a real page turner, even if I was a bit confused now and again due to the sub-plots it didn’t put me off and I got enough back story to not be completely lost but it’s now my mission to read the first two. I’m intrigued to find out what I’ve missed. I’d definitely recommend this book and I’ll certainly be looking forward to reading more in the series.
April 23, 2022
The danger of art and drugs
Matthew Cope’s second call in anger to the police to look for his missing brother, an artist named Luke Cope, was a little uncomfortable for Detective Constable Tara Thorpe. He showed her a picture his brother had painted of a possibly nude female model named Freya Cross being strangled. A short time later her body was discovered at a nearby wilderness area. As the case develops Tara struggles with interference from the friendship between her former boss on the force, now suspender, and her former boss at a local news organization, the agitation from her somewhat dysfunctional family, and some resentment from some of her current colleagues. I enjoyed this book although there are a lot of extrinsic details complicating the plot but I would still more recommend it.
Matthew Cope’s second call in anger to the police to look for his missing brother, an artist named Luke Cope, was a little uncomfortable for Detective Constable Tara Thorpe. He showed her a picture his brother had painted of a possibly nude female model named Freya Cross being strangled. A short time later her body was discovered at a nearby wilderness area. As the case develops Tara struggles with interference from the friendship between her former boss on the force, now suspender, and her former boss at a local news organization, the agitation from her somewhat dysfunctional family, and some resentment from some of her current colleagues. I enjoyed this book although there are a lot of extrinsic details complicating the plot but I would still more recommend it.
February 21, 2019
I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley, in return for an unbiased review - thanks for the opportunity.
This had the potential to be good, although it did feel a little sluggish to get going. The developments with the team (changes, promotions) felt good and timely. I agree with other reviewers in that Tara comes across like a lovestruck teenager (Blake having his moments too), and that does start to grate. Even if I’d like them to get together, it’s a “do it or don’t do it, but stop moping” frustration. I found the murderer and their motives a little unbelievable, though wasn’t expecting the very end chapter with the seeming return of the stalker.
This had the potential to be good, although it did feel a little sluggish to get going. The developments with the team (changes, promotions) felt good and timely. I agree with other reviewers in that Tara comes across like a lovestruck teenager (Blake having his moments too), and that does start to grate. Even if I’d like them to get together, it’s a “do it or don’t do it, but stop moping” frustration. I found the murderer and their motives a little unbelievable, though wasn’t expecting the very end chapter with the seeming return of the stalker.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2020
Totally enthralling
I do believe that Clare Chase has acquired a new fan. This is the third book in as many days that I have been unable to put down. Ms Chase's writing is so rich that I feel I am a part of the story. It was darn cold, wet, and dreary in this one. Brrrr! The rain dripping down my neck. The desolation of the Fen. I can see it as well as feel it. Totally enthralling. The characters are awesomely layered. They are real people with real issues. That is besides the murders of the story and the surprising reasons they happened. Well done! I see there is more for me to devour. See you there.
I do believe that Clare Chase has acquired a new fan. This is the third book in as many days that I have been unable to put down. Ms Chase's writing is so rich that I feel I am a part of the story. It was darn cold, wet, and dreary in this one. Brrrr! The rain dripping down my neck. The desolation of the Fen. I can see it as well as feel it. Totally enthralling. The characters are awesomely layered. They are real people with real issues. That is besides the murders of the story and the surprising reasons they happened. Well done! I see there is more for me to devour. See you there.
April 8, 2022
This series is sold as a cosy" mystery. I refuse to misspell "cosy". Cosy it is not. A spiky fairly immature young woman who works as a DC in the lovely city of Cambridge with a past that she cannot seem to move away from and which comes back to haunt her. There is way too much second guessing about her colleagues motives and the sub plot with the corrupt sergeant and the the magazine editor is annoying and distracting to say the least. Time to resolve that once and for all. The actual mysteries are not "cosy" and are well plotted. I like Blake and the others but it is hard to "like ' the heroine. These books are so well written that the annoyance with the main character can be set aside.
October 16, 2025
Book #3 of what is now my current favorite mystery series! Love the plucky yet vulnerable Tara Thorpe! It feels like a visit with old friends when I start reading these. Lots of intriguing characters and side plots. This series keeps getting better and better. Did not see the end coming at all and I read a lot of mysteries. Do read these in order so you can savor the backstories of the characters. I love mysteries that have a full cast of recurring characters that develop more in each book - this completely fits the bill for me. Excellent mystery - excellent writing. Good for Elly Griffiths, Faith Martin, and Louise Penny fans.
April 5, 2020
Wow! What a book!
The stories just keep getting better and better. This latest book I just could not out down, it was fantastic and kept me guessing almost to the end. All you readers this one book is one you should really enjoy. In fact in the past 7 days I have read 5 of Clare Chase's books and I am now about to start the last book in this series. Keep up the good work and keep them coming. Thank you!
The stories just keep getting better and better. This latest book I just could not out down, it was fantastic and kept me guessing almost to the end. All you readers this one book is one you should really enjoy. In fact in the past 7 days I have read 5 of Clare Chase's books and I am now about to start the last book in this series. Keep up the good work and keep them coming. Thank you!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews