Festering Lilies

Willow King #1

by Natasha Cooper

The Department of Old Age Pensions is not noted for drama. Nor for scandal, corruption or even the odd leak to the tabloids. Not until Algernon Endlesham, its high-flying Minister, is brutally bludgeoned to death.

Willow King, Assistant Secretary (Finance), is noted for her formidably enquiring mind. Though an enquiry is the last thing she could wish for. Especially if daunting ex-SAS Inspector Worth uncovers her figment of an alibi and well-kept secret.

Disconcertingly for Willow, however, someone has a very violent means of silencing the curious . . .

‘A smart plot with some clever twists’ Oxford Times

‘Festering Lilies is witty and elegant. It is a pleasure to light on a new talent’ The Bookseller

‘Instead of the physical violence in which heroes of thrillers usually engage, Willow proves her superiority by verbal decimation . . . as she effortlessly trumps male condescension’ Observer

Genres: Mystery, Crime

228 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

aka N.J. Cooper, Kate Hatfield, Clare Layton, Daphne Wright.

Natasha Cooper was Chairman of the Crime Writers' Association in 2000/2001. She reviews books in THE TIMES, THE TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT and the NEW LAW JOURNAL. She is the author of, among others, FAULT LINES and PREY TO ALL.

Reviews

[Sandi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad amateur detective story but not really to my tastes. More romance than what I expected and the plotting was a bit too drawn out. Liked the main character well enough to finish but probably will not read further in the series.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published in 1990, this is a good read but feels quite dated. Willow King works for the Department of Old Age Pensions but leads a double life as the author of romantic bestsellers.

When a minister, Algernon Endesham, is killed on Clapham Common, Inspector Tom Worth comes in to investigate. Willow is frightened that her identity will be unearthed and decides to discover the murderer before the police.

This was fun. I liked Willow and would definitely read the next in the series. However, if you are planning to read this, remember it was written in a different time - one I lived through - and so it does jar a little with modern sensibilities. Be warned and avoid if you think it will annoy you.

[Kim Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good start to a series

This is really good. Not one of the characters felt anything other than real, and the plot was believable. And best of all I didn't guess who it was until almost the ending the book! I'm looking forward to reading the next one.

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally titled "Festering Lilies" (I have no idea why), I read this because Natasha Cooper was a presenter at Magna Cum Murder ( a murder mystery convention that I've attended for many years) several years ago and I enjoyed meeting her and listening to her speak. This is not an amazing great book, it was actually the first in a series which I think has some potential. It looks like there are maybe 6 more books in the series and I'd be willing to try one more to see how it goes. Willow King lives a double life, in one she's a civil servant helping in the DOAP (department of old age pensions) and in the other she's a glamorous author. Regardless of which role she's playing, she's intrigued by the death of a co-worked and goes after solving the mystery with all her abilities.

[Deb · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this series "Willow King" heroine sounded good when I read about it. I read this book and for me it was awful. I should have read the bio first on the author as she is a romance novelist...need I say more?! The writing was simple (cant think of a better word) and I skimmed to the end just to see who the killer was -- like it mattered. I rate this in the minus zone.

[Pauline]

aka A Common Death