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DCI Peter Hatherall Mystery #3
Point of no Return
A stand-alone mystery featuring DCI Peter Hatherall.
Malicious pranks or a deadly obsession? Everyone knew the significance of the noose left hanging in the tree outside James Palmer's home. A young man hung himself from the tree two years earlier. Someone is determined this time the guilty ones will pay. DCI Hatherall must unmask a master of disguise before everyone connected to the suicide is slaughtered.
Malicious pranks or a deadly obsession? Everyone knew the significance of the noose left hanging in the tree outside James Palmer's home. A young man hung himself from the tree two years earlier. Someone is determined this time the guilty ones will pay. DCI Hatherall must unmask a master of disguise before everyone connected to the suicide is slaughtered.
244 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2015
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45 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
September 30, 2016
Mystery Lovers! Diana J. Febry has a fabulous Giveaway going on right now!
Intl where allowed - Ends Oct 10, 2016 - click on Banner to enter!
Are you ready for a good old-fashioned murder mystery that starts out with the tumultuous thoughts of a man in the depths of despair? Was Digby the monster the world thinks he is? After all, he was driving the vehicle that went out of control and killed his passenger in a horrific accident. He blamed James Palmer, who was driving the tractor that impaled his passenger and although cleared of fault, Digby took his life by hanging himself on Palmer’s property. Is that what really happened or is there more to the story than meets the eye? Why has someone put another noose in that very tree? What does “You’re next,” mean?
Enter DCI Peter Haterall and his partner, DI Fiona Williams when Palmer becomes the target of threats. Are these threats more than just idle thoughts or have Palmer’s sins finally caught up with him? A wealthy womanizer who seemed to forget he was married with family, he is an outsider in this close-knit community. Accused of everything from being gay to being too rich, the threats are turning actively deadly and the list of possible suspects becomes longer by the day and, as they say, the plot thickens as it becomes an uphill battle for Haterall and Williams to get to the truth.
Point of No Return by Diana J. Febry is a twisted, character driven tale with a dash of dry humor, a cast of often quirky suspects with good cause and a twisted path of clues to follow. From the great dialogue to the mystery of “who dunnit” to amazing world building, Diana J. Febry will stump even the best sleuth out there as we all don our detective gear to ferret out the answers before those dreaded words, THE END!
Enjoy the rollercoaster twists, the subplots and pick your perpetrator, who knows, maybe it was the butler! Great reading and a great mystery that peels back each layer one page at a time as you become hooked and have reached the Point of No Return!
I received this copy from Diana J. Febry in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: Wings ePress
Publication Date: August 1, 2015
Genre: Mystery | Thriller
Print Length: 245 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Intl where allowed - Ends Oct 10, 2016 - click on Banner to enter!
Are you ready for a good old-fashioned murder mystery that starts out with the tumultuous thoughts of a man in the depths of despair? Was Digby the monster the world thinks he is? After all, he was driving the vehicle that went out of control and killed his passenger in a horrific accident. He blamed James Palmer, who was driving the tractor that impaled his passenger and although cleared of fault, Digby took his life by hanging himself on Palmer’s property. Is that what really happened or is there more to the story than meets the eye? Why has someone put another noose in that very tree? What does “You’re next,” mean?
Enter DCI Peter Haterall and his partner, DI Fiona Williams when Palmer becomes the target of threats. Are these threats more than just idle thoughts or have Palmer’s sins finally caught up with him? A wealthy womanizer who seemed to forget he was married with family, he is an outsider in this close-knit community. Accused of everything from being gay to being too rich, the threats are turning actively deadly and the list of possible suspects becomes longer by the day and, as they say, the plot thickens as it becomes an uphill battle for Haterall and Williams to get to the truth.
Point of No Return by Diana J. Febry is a twisted, character driven tale with a dash of dry humor, a cast of often quirky suspects with good cause and a twisted path of clues to follow. From the great dialogue to the mystery of “who dunnit” to amazing world building, Diana J. Febry will stump even the best sleuth out there as we all don our detective gear to ferret out the answers before those dreaded words, THE END!
Enjoy the rollercoaster twists, the subplots and pick your perpetrator, who knows, maybe it was the butler! Great reading and a great mystery that peels back each layer one page at a time as you become hooked and have reached the Point of No Return!
I received this copy from Diana J. Febry in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: Wings ePress
Publication Date: August 1, 2015
Genre: Mystery | Thriller
Print Length: 245 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
November 8, 2015
I loved the author's murder story 'Bells On Her Toes' which was based in the same rural setting with Peter and Fiona making an excellent police investigation team. This second book is every bit as good as the first. The author is brilliant at describing an English country setting with all the typical country characteristics of farmers, horses, pubs and closely knit locals. As with the first book, it is the larger than life characters who make this such a fun read. The relationship between Peter and Fiona remains interesting. The actual plot is clever and it takes a long way into the book before you start to unravel who is good and bad. I said about the first book, I thought it would make a great TV series and believe that to be even more the case now I've read this book.
Will appeal to anyone who likes a well written, murder mystery.
Will appeal to anyone who likes a well written, murder mystery.
February 5, 2016
"Will you do some forensic tests, look for footprints around the tree and establish where the rope came from?" James asked, the words tumbling from his mouth in a rush. "I'm at my wit's end trying to reassure Linda. I thought if we simply ignored it, they would stop but it's starting to damage my wife's health. I've called you in for her benefit. It would help if I could tell her something constructive is being done..."
Digby returns to his parents home after being released by the courts. The accident that sent him there becomes the focus of a possible revenge plot against the man, James Palmer, that lied and blamed him.
Two years later Detective Chief Inspector Peter Hatherall is assigned to Palmer's complaint case. He feels someone is after him. Threats and vandalism seem to prevail at his farm. A noose hanging in his yard is the current threat.
Peter and his partner Fiona are looking into the case when things take a turn for the worse. Slowly the clues and the vandalism build, resulting is some more serious crime. Can Peter and Fiona find who is doing this? Will Palmer and his wife Linda and their boys be safe?
Chasing clues through the English countryside, Peter and Fiona have their own issues to deal with, along with mounting crime scenes and suspects. James Palmer isn't someone you're going to feel sorry for. If anything you want them to solve it for his wife's and son's sake. Not everyone is going to survive intact through the revenge plot. One complication leads to another. You'll have to follow the clever clues!
This story was full of little twists and turns. The obvious is not necessarily the answer. Cleverly written with characters that became more clear as the story progressed. It started out surprising and continued through until the end. I really enjoyed reading this unique mystery.
Thank you Diana J. Febry
http://michellebookends.blogspot.com/...
Digby returns to his parents home after being released by the courts. The accident that sent him there becomes the focus of a possible revenge plot against the man, James Palmer, that lied and blamed him.
Two years later Detective Chief Inspector Peter Hatherall is assigned to Palmer's complaint case. He feels someone is after him. Threats and vandalism seem to prevail at his farm. A noose hanging in his yard is the current threat.
Peter and his partner Fiona are looking into the case when things take a turn for the worse. Slowly the clues and the vandalism build, resulting is some more serious crime. Can Peter and Fiona find who is doing this? Will Palmer and his wife Linda and their boys be safe?
Chasing clues through the English countryside, Peter and Fiona have their own issues to deal with, along with mounting crime scenes and suspects. James Palmer isn't someone you're going to feel sorry for. If anything you want them to solve it for his wife's and son's sake. Not everyone is going to survive intact through the revenge plot. One complication leads to another. You'll have to follow the clever clues!
This story was full of little twists and turns. The obvious is not necessarily the answer. Cleverly written with characters that became more clear as the story progressed. It started out surprising and continued through until the end. I really enjoyed reading this unique mystery.
Thank you Diana J. Febry
http://michellebookends.blogspot.com/...
November 13, 2015
POINT OF NO RETURN is the third murder mystery that I have read by English author Diana Febry in which she has showcased her detective team of DCI Peter Hatherall and DI Fiona Williams. I have enjoyed all of those novels and Ms. Febry just keeps getting better. In POINT OF NO RETURN a noose is hung from a tree on the property of a wealthy farm owner and everyone in the area knows the meaning of the act. This is the sort of small town/rural England in which all of Ms. Febry’s mystery novels have been set. Eyes are watching from behind hedges and window curtains, but not always cooperating with the police. It makes for an enjoyable visit. Once again, we are treated to a mix of characters, rich and poor, lazy and hard-working, sincere and sarcastic who make the journey toward the solving of the mystery a unique experience. The detectives, Hatherall and Williams, are also a very human pair, fighting their own personal demons and trying to understand themselves, as they investigate threats and warnings that soon lead to murder in the idyllic English countryside. Be forewarned that in this book bad things sometimes happen even to good people, and you better be prepared for some unexpected twists and turns that won’t necessarily leave you happy but create a sense of suspense that will keep you reading. Believe me, I will read her next book as soon as it is available.
February 24, 2016
This is a sequel to Bells on Her Toes and the second book that I have read by this author. I enjoyed the first book so much that when I was asked to read and review the second book I was happy to do so. I would consider this a good old fashioned British murder mystery. It has the elements of a cozy mystery (the death occurs off the pages) and there is plenty of elements of traditional police procedural mysteries.
This book allows the reader to return to many of the same locations as the first book but there are plenty of new locations to discover. I was happy to see this as the author did such a wonderful job of describing the rural location in the first book that it allowed the reader to clearly picture the locations. She continues with that same style in this book. Both DCI Peter Hatherall and DI Fiona Williams are back as the investigative team in this story. I personally think they make a good pair. They are wonderfully written and we get a glimpse into how they are dealing with their personal issues as well as their relationship. As in the first book, there is great wit and dialogue between these two characters.
The story has a intriguing opening scene and then jumps two years to when Peter and Fiona are called out on an investigation. I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery in this second installment. There is intrigue and suspense and just a good old fashioned, well written mystery that kept me guessing until the end. What I have enjoyed about these two books is that they are plot-driven books that keep the reader engaged with each new clue, event or suspect.
Although this is the second in the series, I don't think you would be missing out if you didn't read the first one, in terms of characters and past history. You would definitely be missing out on an enjoyable read. If you are looking for a well written, wonderfully crafted story that has intrigue, action and suspense along with wonderful characters then I don't think you will be disappointed.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence my review and the opinions expressed are my own.
This book allows the reader to return to many of the same locations as the first book but there are plenty of new locations to discover. I was happy to see this as the author did such a wonderful job of describing the rural location in the first book that it allowed the reader to clearly picture the locations. She continues with that same style in this book. Both DCI Peter Hatherall and DI Fiona Williams are back as the investigative team in this story. I personally think they make a good pair. They are wonderfully written and we get a glimpse into how they are dealing with their personal issues as well as their relationship. As in the first book, there is great wit and dialogue between these two characters.
The story has a intriguing opening scene and then jumps two years to when Peter and Fiona are called out on an investigation. I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery in this second installment. There is intrigue and suspense and just a good old fashioned, well written mystery that kept me guessing until the end. What I have enjoyed about these two books is that they are plot-driven books that keep the reader engaged with each new clue, event or suspect.
Although this is the second in the series, I don't think you would be missing out if you didn't read the first one, in terms of characters and past history. You would definitely be missing out on an enjoyable read. If you are looking for a well written, wonderfully crafted story that has intrigue, action and suspense along with wonderful characters then I don't think you will be disappointed.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence my review and the opinions expressed are my own.
September 3, 2015
I'm turning into a Diana J Febry fan. This is the second book I have read from her in the last month and I have to be honest - that's a rarity for me. I like to add variety to my reading schedule but in this case I had picked up both books for my Kindle and having read and enjoyed the first, I decided to read the second and I am glad I did. I had forgotten all about good old fashioned murder mystery tales of late as I have veered away from them in recent years. They can be tedious and predictable but not so with this book. While both Bells on her toes and this follow on book Point of no return, retain the same two detective leads, they stand alone and there is no need to read the first before the second although for character development I would say it is best. This book is an example of a writer getting better with experience and also a good demonstration of how to develop characters in follow on books. Very much in the vein of solid thought provoking, keep you guessing, old fashioned, dare I say English (as a compliment) murder mystery stories, this is a quality piece of work. The great thing I think is the pace of the story, it engaged me from start to finish and the thing I had forgotten that I mentioned earlier was the fun I had as I began to try and guess the ending. Believable dialogue, a strong narrative and very much a character driven book, Diana J. Febry hit all my key markers for a good read here. Most importantly, I enjoyed the story. She sets the scene right from the start and allows it to develop in a way that is natural, entertaining and engaging. I can forgive most things if a story is good, here I had nothing to forgive. Really worth adding to your library. Pick it up you wont be disappointed.
December 5, 2015
This detective/crime mystery begins with a puzzling flashback. We are pulled into the mind of Digby, who had been wrongfully accused of the death of a friend--"His unborn brothers and sisters rose up from the foot well, mocking him. 'You were the one to make it. Look at what a screw-up you are....We are together, watching you. We should have been the ones to survive to full-term.'" He proceeds to commit suicide--"He didn't want some innocent dog walker to find him. It had to be Palmer. He hoped the guilt of finding him swinging from his tree would stay with him forever."
This is probably too complex to "hook readers" but a writer must write as moved. Then the scene shifts two years and describes in a very leisurely fashion the investigation of things that happen to Palmer and his wife. (As a character, the hairdresser turned gentleman farmer sounds improbable.)
Peter and Fiona, older detective and younger female assistant, with awkward sexual freight between the two - this must be almost a required pairing on TV -- reappear, together with an almost overwhelming host of others, many tangentially related to the case. There is, naturally, another senior detective who is unsympathetic. These ingredients are gently mixed and simmered.
There are horses too, and the green out-of-doors with "the strong smell of wild garlic wafting in through his open window [that] triggered childhood memories of riding his bike through similar lanes."
The writing is competent, but I wish the author had concentrated either on the psychology of the main characters or on the action.
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is probably too complex to "hook readers" but a writer must write as moved. Then the scene shifts two years and describes in a very leisurely fashion the investigation of things that happen to Palmer and his wife. (As a character, the hairdresser turned gentleman farmer sounds improbable.)
Peter and Fiona, older detective and younger female assistant, with awkward sexual freight between the two - this must be almost a required pairing on TV -- reappear, together with an almost overwhelming host of others, many tangentially related to the case. There is, naturally, another senior detective who is unsympathetic. These ingredients are gently mixed and simmered.
There are horses too, and the green out-of-doors with "the strong smell of wild garlic wafting in through his open window [that] triggered childhood memories of riding his bike through similar lanes."
The writing is competent, but I wish the author had concentrated either on the psychology of the main characters or on the action.
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 2, 2017
Actual rating 3.5*
Point of No Return starts with a very sad moment; a young lad returning to his family home after having been on trial, you can tell he’s not a happy bunny and his actions that night speak volumes. Fast forward a couple of years and DCI Hatherall is called to a farm where there are some strange goings on. Who is harassing the farmer and his family and why?!
Despite the rather sad opening to the story, this read settled in to an enjoyable cozy crime mystery. I did guess just over half way through who the culprit was and I was waiting to be proved wrong, which never came unfortunately.
I didn’t warm to DCI Hatherall. He’s a very aggressive policeman, with limited sympathy for people. He jumped to the wrong conclusion and was very confrontational in his questioning techniques and accusing victims of allsorts.
Saying that, I did enjoy the story, the whole premise was right up my street. There was the intrigue, it just wasn’t quite dark enough for me.
The one thing I will say, with most novels, at some point in the story, the cover and title makes perfect sense. With Point of No Return, the title did make sense however the cover I really didn’t make the connection with.
Many thanks to the author and Crimebookjunkie Book Blog for my copy of Point of No Return.
Point of No Return starts with a very sad moment; a young lad returning to his family home after having been on trial, you can tell he’s not a happy bunny and his actions that night speak volumes. Fast forward a couple of years and DCI Hatherall is called to a farm where there are some strange goings on. Who is harassing the farmer and his family and why?!
Despite the rather sad opening to the story, this read settled in to an enjoyable cozy crime mystery. I did guess just over half way through who the culprit was and I was waiting to be proved wrong, which never came unfortunately.
I didn’t warm to DCI Hatherall. He’s a very aggressive policeman, with limited sympathy for people. He jumped to the wrong conclusion and was very confrontational in his questioning techniques and accusing victims of allsorts.
Saying that, I did enjoy the story, the whole premise was right up my street. There was the intrigue, it just wasn’t quite dark enough for me.
The one thing I will say, with most novels, at some point in the story, the cover and title makes perfect sense. With Point of No Return, the title did make sense however the cover I really didn’t make the connection with.
Many thanks to the author and Crimebookjunkie Book Blog for my copy of Point of No Return.
October 3, 2015
The book leads DCI Peter Hatherall and DI Fiona Williams to Grange Farm, owned by James Palmer; weird stuff is happening. I will not tell you more about the story than shown in the Goodreads plot description. This would spoil the fun of reading this book yourself.
With Point of No Return, Diana J. Febry has once again created an intriguing story of a relatively easy seeming case that is just the beginning of a strange series of events. Point of No Return is a very gripping read with lovingly elaborated characters; I learned a lot about the characters, helping me to come to my own conclusions, being involved in solving the case. Diana J. Febry gives the reader time to get acquainted with the characters and the case and it gets more and more thrilling as the story proceeds – thanks to a cleverly woven plot line. I was drawn into the story right away, was really close to Peter, Fiona and all events. Point of No Return is a great British mystery – a highly enjoyable read. You will enjoy it even if you usually prefer fast-paced reads.
This a book to read again. Highly recommended.
With Point of No Return, Diana J. Febry has once again created an intriguing story of a relatively easy seeming case that is just the beginning of a strange series of events. Point of No Return is a very gripping read with lovingly elaborated characters; I learned a lot about the characters, helping me to come to my own conclusions, being involved in solving the case. Diana J. Febry gives the reader time to get acquainted with the characters and the case and it gets more and more thrilling as the story proceeds – thanks to a cleverly woven plot line. I was drawn into the story right away, was really close to Peter, Fiona and all events. Point of No Return is a great British mystery – a highly enjoyable read. You will enjoy it even if you usually prefer fast-paced reads.
This a book to read again. Highly recommended.
June 13, 2017
4.5*
Digby Pearce, wrongly accused of causing the death of his best friend by dangerous driving, was acquitted at the trial. Maintaining all along that James Palmer had lied about his involvement, the resulting anger and grief crushed and overwhelmed Digby completely, to the point where he made a terrible and drastic decision, hoping to point the finger of blame squarely at Palmer. Digby’s inner struggle and emotions were depicted extremely well, conveying the strength of feeling that ultimately ended in tragedy.
'Jim would have been fine, a seat belt bruise at worst, if Palmer had not been on the road with the tractor forks in the wrong position. He was not in the field where he said he was. He had reversed. Digby’s stomach cramped and he pulled his knees to his chest, waiting for the spasms to pass. Palmer killed Jim and lied, leaving him, in his confused state to take the blame.'
Two years later, ex hairdresser and wealthy ladies man, James Palmer is on the receiving end of threats and petty vandalism at his farm. Detective Chief Inspector Peter Hatherall and Detective Inspector Fiona Williams are assigned the case. The vandalism takes an alarming turn when Palmer’s wife, Linda, is seriously injured. With an escalation in the violence, resulting in multiple motives and suspects, Peter and Jane follow trails and clues which take many twists and turns.
Set in rural England amongst small villages, close knit communities and the horsey set, this is a classic English murder/mystery. A well paced, effectively narrated police procedural with realistic dialogue and defined, archetypal characters. As with the other books, Diana Febry has created a well thought through, intricate plot with attention grabbing twists and layers. A conventional whodunit without graphically violent scenes or unnecessary padding.
Although I began reading with the last book of the series, it hasn’t affected my enjoyment of the stories. Filling in the gaps was interesting, especially the relationship between Peter and Fiona, as I got the impression initially there was some personal history between them. I hope there will be more investigations with the two of them.
Digby Pearce, wrongly accused of causing the death of his best friend by dangerous driving, was acquitted at the trial. Maintaining all along that James Palmer had lied about his involvement, the resulting anger and grief crushed and overwhelmed Digby completely, to the point where he made a terrible and drastic decision, hoping to point the finger of blame squarely at Palmer. Digby’s inner struggle and emotions were depicted extremely well, conveying the strength of feeling that ultimately ended in tragedy.
'Jim would have been fine, a seat belt bruise at worst, if Palmer had not been on the road with the tractor forks in the wrong position. He was not in the field where he said he was. He had reversed. Digby’s stomach cramped and he pulled his knees to his chest, waiting for the spasms to pass. Palmer killed Jim and lied, leaving him, in his confused state to take the blame.'
Two years later, ex hairdresser and wealthy ladies man, James Palmer is on the receiving end of threats and petty vandalism at his farm. Detective Chief Inspector Peter Hatherall and Detective Inspector Fiona Williams are assigned the case. The vandalism takes an alarming turn when Palmer’s wife, Linda, is seriously injured. With an escalation in the violence, resulting in multiple motives and suspects, Peter and Jane follow trails and clues which take many twists and turns.
Set in rural England amongst small villages, close knit communities and the horsey set, this is a classic English murder/mystery. A well paced, effectively narrated police procedural with realistic dialogue and defined, archetypal characters. As with the other books, Diana Febry has created a well thought through, intricate plot with attention grabbing twists and layers. A conventional whodunit without graphically violent scenes or unnecessary padding.
Although I began reading with the last book of the series, it hasn’t affected my enjoyment of the stories. Filling in the gaps was interesting, especially the relationship between Peter and Fiona, as I got the impression initially there was some personal history between them. I hope there will be more investigations with the two of them.
March 24, 2017
I have now read all Diana Febry's Peter Hatherall mysteries and have enjoyed them immensely. This one had me hooked from the first page and although I found it a bit more graphic about the violence than I usually like, it was all the more gritty and realistic. I also loved the tension between Peter Hatherall and his partner Fiona. Their relationship as partners and tentative friends after being almost more than that is incredibly well done. As far as the plot goes, it was a fascinating and very real depiction of the twists and false leads that take the police on many a wild goose chase. The story is compelling involving revenge, love and jealousy alongside country life, horses and a great sense of place. There is also continuity from the previous books with excellent country characters like Andi, the gamekeeper and Gladys, the slightly mystic and colourful main character of the previous story. As with all real life police investigations, there are inevitably leads and background stories that are abandoned and not carried through, and while the reader might like to know what happened to X or how they dealt with Y, it would not be true to life if everything were explained. These things are simply not pertinent to the investigation, and I appreciated that greatly. I am now very sorry to have finished this series and I sincerely hope Ms Febry will write some more DI Hatherall mysteries. I shall pounce on the next one!
July 2, 2017
A friend of mine has a theory that the third book in any trilogy or series is inevitably weaker than this which preceded it. If that hadn’t already been disproved (by Tolkien and Rowling, among others) Diana Febry’s Point of No Return lays that theory well and truly to rest.
I’m a fan of Febry’s rural cosy crime adventures, and love the way she develops her main characters, police officers Peter Hatherall and Fiona Williams. They feel like real people with lives — complicated and unsatisfying — away from their jobs.
In Point of No Return, someone has it in for the Palmer family, after James Palmer was present at the scene of a fatal road accident. The Palmers are dysfunctional yet somehow endearing, and bewilderingly believable as the attacks upon them increase. I daren’t say too much about the book itself because of the risk of spoilers — but for me, this was the best of Febry’s books. The tension kept racking up, and there were a couple of genuinely shocking moments at the plot moved to a gripping conclusion. I loved it.
I’m a fan of Febry’s rural cosy crime adventures, and love the way she develops her main characters, police officers Peter Hatherall and Fiona Williams. They feel like real people with lives — complicated and unsatisfying — away from their jobs.
In Point of No Return, someone has it in for the Palmer family, after James Palmer was present at the scene of a fatal road accident. The Palmers are dysfunctional yet somehow endearing, and bewilderingly believable as the attacks upon them increase. I daren’t say too much about the book itself because of the risk of spoilers — but for me, this was the best of Febry’s books. The tension kept racking up, and there were a couple of genuinely shocking moments at the plot moved to a gripping conclusion. I loved it.
February 4, 2017
It is amazing to realize how insidious a person can be if they feel 'wronged.' In this volume of the Detective Chief Inspector Peter Hatherall, and Detective Inspector Fiona Williams, their culprits are people that seem unexceptional and rarely noticed.
As a son is lost to suicide, a mother loses her legs, and her spouse and children put in jeopardy, we learn that a person's emotions can smolder and finally burn out of control.
As a colleague is lost, it is time for the crime solving duo to reflect upon their true motives for doing a job that is often thankless and, really...does it matter to society?
This is an excellent novel in a truly surprisingly excellent series. Each volume truly makes you look at human conditions from a different perspective. Not a cozy but an excellent British police procedural.
As a son is lost to suicide, a mother loses her legs, and her spouse and children put in jeopardy, we learn that a person's emotions can smolder and finally burn out of control.
As a colleague is lost, it is time for the crime solving duo to reflect upon their true motives for doing a job that is often thankless and, really...does it matter to society?
This is an excellent novel in a truly surprisingly excellent series. Each volume truly makes you look at human conditions from a different perspective. Not a cozy but an excellent British police procedural.
March 26, 2018
This is the second book I’ve read with Peter and Fiona working as a team to solve murders. I’m fairly certain I read them out of order, but that doesn’t matter as the author has written these so that each one can stand on its own. I really enjoy the unique feel of these that is somewhere between cozy and procedural. There is a wonderful dry humor that works its way in at unexpected yet perfect places.
The characters are all given such attention that the cast comes to life presenting a myriad of suspects to keep even the most seasoned mystery readers guessing. Of course my favorites would have to be a tossup between Peter and Fiona, who are so different yet work together so well. Their dynamics are wonderful. Mystery fans will enjoy this treat. I’m looking forward to reading the next part.
The characters are all given such attention that the cast comes to life presenting a myriad of suspects to keep even the most seasoned mystery readers guessing. Of course my favorites would have to be a tossup between Peter and Fiona, who are so different yet work together so well. Their dynamics are wonderful. Mystery fans will enjoy this treat. I’m looking forward to reading the next part.
October 20, 2019
This is one of my favorites so far. I really love the way the author builds the action, ever mounting to the ending climax. There was one place however, I must have missed it. It was a high action scene. The boy was bound to a pipe in the basement, the detectives were there and there was a fire. I never saw the boy was rescued, but at the end the boy was back with his parents. That was a bit confusing and I'm sure I just missed where he was gotten out of the basement before the fire and explosion. I like that DCI Hatherall was sidelined and then was part of the ending.
May 31, 2017
I am sure I am reading these out of order, but I don't think that takes away from the stories any. I am becoming a huge DCI Peter Hatherall fan! If I am in the mood for a good English Mystery Febry is my new go-to author.
I love unravelling the clues right along with the characters. I have to say this one kept me guessing the outcome!
Febry's strong writing skills are sure to please who-done-it fans!
I love unravelling the clues right along with the characters. I have to say this one kept me guessing the outcome!
Febry's strong writing skills are sure to please who-done-it fans!
April 11, 2016
4.5 Stars
The author bucks conventional wisdom and, instead of giving us a high octane hook chapter to launch the reader into the rest of the story, gives us a man so broken, he’s thinking of committing suicide. His grief after being wrongfully accused of a murder, and his anger at the person who killed someone so dear to him, have him a welter of self-loathing and hate for the killer. He’s so over-boiling with negative emotions he ultimately decides to hang himself. This goes on for two chapters. A Debbie-downer of a beginning if ever there was one. But the author clearly has the chops to pull it off; you’re carried through it with the skill of her story-telling, and the masterful depiction of the Digby character, and by how easy it is to put yourself in his position and empathize. Indeed, many of us have been in his position.
Diana Febry has been spewing out a consistent output of cozy mysteries for a while, all featuring her two chief protagonists, a male and female detective duo, and their cases all feature investigations in and around the equestrian community in England, that is to say, the rich, upscale countryside. Any fan of Dick Francis mysteries will feel right at home; these books have a similar feel, setting, and focus. The feel of the series is also reminiscent of the TV series, Midsomer Murders. In this latest installment, Peter, one of the two lead detectives, has finally broken from his wife and kids, who’ve left him, leaving him a largely broken, and certainly very pained individual. He would seem, even from the beginning of the story, to be battling a war on at least two fronts between his home life, or lack thereof, and with his investigation into a case that initially seems like teen pranks in and around a country estate but quickly escalates into murder.
The plot advances at a clip and it isn’t long before menacing pranks turn to murder. Ironically, the subject of all the psychological torture is a man who you’re convinced entirely deserves it; he’s the one who lied about killing the boy and set up another man who ultimately hung himself in the first couple chapters of the book. You’re actually rooting for this guy to get his comeuppance and for the lead detectives to fumble the case. Will James Palmer, the source of so many other people’s pain and ruination get his just deserts? Will having the tables turn on him lead to some kind of character redemption and transformation into a fit human being for society? Or will we just have a lot of sadistic fun at his expense until his karma catches up with him? These are questions propelling the story forward.
The author’s attention to small details when it comes to describing life on these large estates shows she’s clearly grown up in and around these gentrified folks and horse people. It adds tremendous authenticity, and helps the settings to come alive.
I was on the fence between 4 and 5 stars; overall the book was quite excellent. So I’m scoring this one 4.5 stars. If I have a nitpick it’s that the author’s formula is so tight for a while I had to search through my library to make sure I hadn’t read this one before. Turned out Bells on her Toes was the last one I’d read. Some of this may not be her fault; that’s the problem with writing sub-genre and sticking to the formulas so well. Indeed as the story wore on the subtle differences in the characters, even when the settings were very much the same, started to shine through. Also, I would like to have seen the relationship dynamic between the two lead detectives tweaked some more. I think there needs to be a little more electricity and crackle between them.
The author bucks conventional wisdom and, instead of giving us a high octane hook chapter to launch the reader into the rest of the story, gives us a man so broken, he’s thinking of committing suicide. His grief after being wrongfully accused of a murder, and his anger at the person who killed someone so dear to him, have him a welter of self-loathing and hate for the killer. He’s so over-boiling with negative emotions he ultimately decides to hang himself. This goes on for two chapters. A Debbie-downer of a beginning if ever there was one. But the author clearly has the chops to pull it off; you’re carried through it with the skill of her story-telling, and the masterful depiction of the Digby character, and by how easy it is to put yourself in his position and empathize. Indeed, many of us have been in his position.
Diana Febry has been spewing out a consistent output of cozy mysteries for a while, all featuring her two chief protagonists, a male and female detective duo, and their cases all feature investigations in and around the equestrian community in England, that is to say, the rich, upscale countryside. Any fan of Dick Francis mysteries will feel right at home; these books have a similar feel, setting, and focus. The feel of the series is also reminiscent of the TV series, Midsomer Murders. In this latest installment, Peter, one of the two lead detectives, has finally broken from his wife and kids, who’ve left him, leaving him a largely broken, and certainly very pained individual. He would seem, even from the beginning of the story, to be battling a war on at least two fronts between his home life, or lack thereof, and with his investigation into a case that initially seems like teen pranks in and around a country estate but quickly escalates into murder.
The plot advances at a clip and it isn’t long before menacing pranks turn to murder. Ironically, the subject of all the psychological torture is a man who you’re convinced entirely deserves it; he’s the one who lied about killing the boy and set up another man who ultimately hung himself in the first couple chapters of the book. You’re actually rooting for this guy to get his comeuppance and for the lead detectives to fumble the case. Will James Palmer, the source of so many other people’s pain and ruination get his just deserts? Will having the tables turn on him lead to some kind of character redemption and transformation into a fit human being for society? Or will we just have a lot of sadistic fun at his expense until his karma catches up with him? These are questions propelling the story forward.
The author’s attention to small details when it comes to describing life on these large estates shows she’s clearly grown up in and around these gentrified folks and horse people. It adds tremendous authenticity, and helps the settings to come alive.
I was on the fence between 4 and 5 stars; overall the book was quite excellent. So I’m scoring this one 4.5 stars. If I have a nitpick it’s that the author’s formula is so tight for a while I had to search through my library to make sure I hadn’t read this one before. Turned out Bells on her Toes was the last one I’d read. Some of this may not be her fault; that’s the problem with writing sub-genre and sticking to the formulas so well. Indeed as the story wore on the subtle differences in the characters, even when the settings were very much the same, started to shine through. Also, I would like to have seen the relationship dynamic between the two lead detectives tweaked some more. I think there needs to be a little more electricity and crackle between them.
June 11, 2016
Point of No Return by Diana J. Febry
Digby Pearce, the only child of William Pearce, was acquitted for murder causing death by dangerous driving. Instead of picking up the pieces and rebuilding a life, Digby commits suicide. According to Digby, James Palmer had lied on the witness stand. James Palmer gets off ‘scot free’ or does he? Two years later and in another location, about a two hour drive from where things had happened two years ago, the happily married ‘scot free’ philandering hair stylist turned farmer begins to have things happen around his home. Who is responsible? Are they connected? Are they more than teenage pranks done by neighborhood kids?
The author, Diana J. Febry in her novel Point of No Return, has created a fast paced, page-turning mystery masterpiece. This quality piece of work is a captivating, intriguing novel which leaps into immediate action and catches the reader in the opening scenes. It is a strong narrative with a cleverly woven plot line, great wit and believable dialogue.
The investigative team for the incidents at the Palmer farm, is strong and consistent in character, comprised of Chief Inspector Peter Hatherall and Inspector Fiona Williams who are in an interesting situation where they are having to deal with personal issues while in a professional role. Other very strong characters such as James and Linda Palmer are vivid and well developed. I read this novel not realizing that it is a part of a series. I found all characters to be real and well crafted and the past history of the story line is clear and understandable. It is definitely a stand alone mystery.
The vividly painted picture of the setting for the story is of the English countryside with its thread of connected but secluded villages along the roadside. The farmers, horses, farmsteads, closely knit local population and the neighborhood pubs denote the beauty and serenity of the countryside. Very well done Diana!
One concern I have of this novel has to do with the title. Point of No Return has been used by many authors and even though it may be felt by the author as the right title for this particular piece of work, I think a more creative choice would be an improvement.
I received a copy of this novel from the author through a Goodreads connection in return for an objective review. Many thanks to both the author and to Goodreads for enabling that to happen. It is truly an appealing read and mystery lovers will undoubtedly enjoy it’s flavor.
Digby Pearce, the only child of William Pearce, was acquitted for murder causing death by dangerous driving. Instead of picking up the pieces and rebuilding a life, Digby commits suicide. According to Digby, James Palmer had lied on the witness stand. James Palmer gets off ‘scot free’ or does he? Two years later and in another location, about a two hour drive from where things had happened two years ago, the happily married ‘scot free’ philandering hair stylist turned farmer begins to have things happen around his home. Who is responsible? Are they connected? Are they more than teenage pranks done by neighborhood kids?
The author, Diana J. Febry in her novel Point of No Return, has created a fast paced, page-turning mystery masterpiece. This quality piece of work is a captivating, intriguing novel which leaps into immediate action and catches the reader in the opening scenes. It is a strong narrative with a cleverly woven plot line, great wit and believable dialogue.
The investigative team for the incidents at the Palmer farm, is strong and consistent in character, comprised of Chief Inspector Peter Hatherall and Inspector Fiona Williams who are in an interesting situation where they are having to deal with personal issues while in a professional role. Other very strong characters such as James and Linda Palmer are vivid and well developed. I read this novel not realizing that it is a part of a series. I found all characters to be real and well crafted and the past history of the story line is clear and understandable. It is definitely a stand alone mystery.
The vividly painted picture of the setting for the story is of the English countryside with its thread of connected but secluded villages along the roadside. The farmers, horses, farmsteads, closely knit local population and the neighborhood pubs denote the beauty and serenity of the countryside. Very well done Diana!
One concern I have of this novel has to do with the title. Point of No Return has been used by many authors and even though it may be felt by the author as the right title for this particular piece of work, I think a more creative choice would be an improvement.
I received a copy of this novel from the author through a Goodreads connection in return for an objective review. Many thanks to both the author and to Goodreads for enabling that to happen. It is truly an appealing read and mystery lovers will undoubtedly enjoy it’s flavor.
January 2, 2016
Point of No Return begins with a man (Digby) being driven home by his father after his release from court. The reader learns he was the driver in an accident that left his best friend dead and impaled on the teeth of a tractor blade. He says the tractor driver was at fault, but it’s unclear if that’s really the case or if he just can’t face his own guilt. It’s mentioned that the man is 32 years old and his second marriage is on the rocks. There’s also mention made of an overweight girl named Emma who works for his father and has a crush on Digby. I won’t give a spoiler by telling what happens to Digby, but in the third chapter the action jumps ahead two years.
The man who owned and drove the tractor involved in the accident has had a series of minor vandalisms around his farm and some livestock injured. He calls in the police. Shortly after that initial encounter with the police, a car bomb goes off in his truck with his wife behind the wheel. The remainder of the book involves the police investigation to find out who was behind these attacks and others that follow.
For the most part, I enjoyed this book. I especially liked the atmosphere evoked by the writing. It was as if I were watching a BBC fictional crime show that takes place in a small town. The characters are well drawn, the dialogue believable, and the story good. However, it is in need of a good editing as I came across repeated instances of grammar and punctuation errors, as well as missing words or words that need to be removed.
There are also some plot inconsistencies. For example, while Digby is described as being a 32-year old man, later in the book his best friend who was killed is described as a “young boy.” Usually 32-year old men don’t have young boys as their best friends. And later in the book when three police officers are injured and two are taken to hospital in ambulances, their boss only tells the other officers about the condition of the third one. The two injured ones simply disappear except for when their names are mistakenly substituted for the names of two others in one paragraph. Good beta-readers should have been able to catch these sorts of problems and a good copyeditor should catch the other errors.
Overall, Point of No Return is a decent story. With some further attention, it would be a really good one.
The man who owned and drove the tractor involved in the accident has had a series of minor vandalisms around his farm and some livestock injured. He calls in the police. Shortly after that initial encounter with the police, a car bomb goes off in his truck with his wife behind the wheel. The remainder of the book involves the police investigation to find out who was behind these attacks and others that follow.
For the most part, I enjoyed this book. I especially liked the atmosphere evoked by the writing. It was as if I were watching a BBC fictional crime show that takes place in a small town. The characters are well drawn, the dialogue believable, and the story good. However, it is in need of a good editing as I came across repeated instances of grammar and punctuation errors, as well as missing words or words that need to be removed.
There are also some plot inconsistencies. For example, while Digby is described as being a 32-year old man, later in the book his best friend who was killed is described as a “young boy.” Usually 32-year old men don’t have young boys as their best friends. And later in the book when three police officers are injured and two are taken to hospital in ambulances, their boss only tells the other officers about the condition of the third one. The two injured ones simply disappear except for when their names are mistakenly substituted for the names of two others in one paragraph. Good beta-readers should have been able to catch these sorts of problems and a good copyeditor should catch the other errors.
Overall, Point of No Return is a decent story. With some further attention, it would be a really good one.
March 20, 2016
Mz. Febry is one of my favorite writers. Point of No Return takes up where Bells On Her Toes ends, but not to fret because other than featuring the same two principle characters, DCI Peter Hatherall and DI Fiona Williams, and being set in the same horsey country, it has nothing to do with the previous book.
I love police procedurals that have a bit of personal stuff going on as well, and this one fits the bill very nicely. DCI Hatherall is still dithering around about leaving the force and DI Williams is still intelligent and charming and bucking for promotion.
This case is about a former hairdresser from a larger city who has bought a farm which had gone bankrupt and set up as a wannabe farmer and his wife as a horsey person. I think she trains horses, but doesn't board them. Years ago, he was on a tractor in one of his fields when a neighboring young man lost control of his car, and his passenger was killed as the forks of the tractor impaled him. The driver was acquitted but hanged himself on the day of his acquittal, from a tree on the wannabe's property. He claimed that the wannabe farmer 'could have reversed'.
A few years later, vandalism began on the farm, which escalated rather dramatically to the farmer's truck blowing up, amputating the feet of the wife who started the engine. Shortly after, a young man who had worked on the tractor wiring was found dead on the local golf course. I told you that tenth hole was a Killer. Then the younger son of the farmer family disappears.
Trying to work all angles, it was discovered that one of the young people who knew the suicide, moved away shortly after, and no one has seen her since.
Well, my darlings, as we know, violence begets violence, and more things blow up and more people get injured and killed , and the action increases as the police try to keep the farmer family safe, and my nice tidy police procedural becomes darker and darker and morphs into a heart pounding thriller. I had to go get my digitalis to finish the book! Damn. I'm too old for this much excitement.
Gotta say, I am looking forward to the next in what seems to be becoming a series, because even though DCI Hatherall ended up in the hospital and on thinly disguised forced leave, he isn't leaving the force, even though he is claiming he will go be a writer. Yeah, sure. NONE of us believe that.
I love police procedurals that have a bit of personal stuff going on as well, and this one fits the bill very nicely. DCI Hatherall is still dithering around about leaving the force and DI Williams is still intelligent and charming and bucking for promotion.
This case is about a former hairdresser from a larger city who has bought a farm which had gone bankrupt and set up as a wannabe farmer and his wife as a horsey person. I think she trains horses, but doesn't board them. Years ago, he was on a tractor in one of his fields when a neighboring young man lost control of his car, and his passenger was killed as the forks of the tractor impaled him. The driver was acquitted but hanged himself on the day of his acquittal, from a tree on the wannabe's property. He claimed that the wannabe farmer 'could have reversed'.
A few years later, vandalism began on the farm, which escalated rather dramatically to the farmer's truck blowing up, amputating the feet of the wife who started the engine. Shortly after, a young man who had worked on the tractor wiring was found dead on the local golf course. I told you that tenth hole was a Killer. Then the younger son of the farmer family disappears.
Trying to work all angles, it was discovered that one of the young people who knew the suicide, moved away shortly after, and no one has seen her since.
Well, my darlings, as we know, violence begets violence, and more things blow up and more people get injured and killed , and the action increases as the police try to keep the farmer family safe, and my nice tidy police procedural becomes darker and darker and morphs into a heart pounding thriller. I had to go get my digitalis to finish the book! Damn. I'm too old for this much excitement.
Gotta say, I am looking forward to the next in what seems to be becoming a series, because even though DCI Hatherall ended up in the hospital and on thinly disguised forced leave, he isn't leaving the force, even though he is claiming he will go be a writer. Yeah, sure. NONE of us believe that.
June 1, 2016
Diana Febry's 'Point of No Return' is a cozy mystery set in a quiet town in England, where a local farmer is being tormented for a tragic accident that happened two years prior. James Palmer is no saint, but the noose hanging from a tree in his yard seems a bit ghoulish, even for the local townsfolk, so he calls the cops. The two detectives in charge of the investigation follow a series of clues that will lead them into a tangled small-town web of deceit, treachery, sex, and murder. 'Point of No Return' is a fine novel for those interested in cozy / procedural mysteries, especially those with an Anglo bent.
I have to admit that I wasn't overly thrilled with the book, at first. The opening chapters are overly heavy on description, but once the investigation kicks in, the novel settles into a nice rhythm. The story is well-paced and very procedural in nature. Peter and Fiona are somewhat flat (or maybe I should say blank) protagonists, but they have an interesting dynamic, so it all evens out in the wash. I did come to appreciate the sensitivity with which they approached the investigation.
I don't read a lot of procedurals, but 'PoNR' is reminiscent of the 87th Precinct Series in all the ways I can count, which is the highest compliment I can give it. Febry does a wonderful job of gathering together a whole mess of unrelated clues and herrings, red or otherwise, and throwing them at the reader, all before dismantling them and having the detectives (and the reader) look elsewhere. There's a healthy number of suspicious characters and shady people to be dealt with, along with upstanding folk who have to have their lives dashed over the rocks due to the secrets Farmer Palmer (and others) have been hiding.
In the end, I was enthralled with 'Point of No Return.' It's not in my subgenre wheelhouse, per se, but it's a quaint mystery, and great for a lazy afternoon. I'd recommend it to fans of Ed McBain, TV cop shows, and the myriad procedurals in existence out there.
I have to admit that I wasn't overly thrilled with the book, at first. The opening chapters are overly heavy on description, but once the investigation kicks in, the novel settles into a nice rhythm. The story is well-paced and very procedural in nature. Peter and Fiona are somewhat flat (or maybe I should say blank) protagonists, but they have an interesting dynamic, so it all evens out in the wash. I did come to appreciate the sensitivity with which they approached the investigation.
I don't read a lot of procedurals, but 'PoNR' is reminiscent of the 87th Precinct Series in all the ways I can count, which is the highest compliment I can give it. Febry does a wonderful job of gathering together a whole mess of unrelated clues and herrings, red or otherwise, and throwing them at the reader, all before dismantling them and having the detectives (and the reader) look elsewhere. There's a healthy number of suspicious characters and shady people to be dealt with, along with upstanding folk who have to have their lives dashed over the rocks due to the secrets Farmer Palmer (and others) have been hiding.
In the end, I was enthralled with 'Point of No Return.' It's not in my subgenre wheelhouse, per se, but it's a quaint mystery, and great for a lazy afternoon. I'd recommend it to fans of Ed McBain, TV cop shows, and the myriad procedurals in existence out there.
April 16, 2016
Point of No Return is a page-turning mystery set along the English countryside in a string of secluded villages. The atmosphere, plot, and voice are brilliantly balanced, each lending to this compelling read. The two main characters, Chief Inspector Peter Hatherall and his partner Detective Inspector Fiona Williams, are endearingly flawed and refreshingly authentic. The English countryside is almost a character unto itself—the vibrancy of the local pubs, the desolate beauty of the farmsteads, the long, winding roads lingering with hidden secrets.
The mystery is clever, with several entry points that initially present more questions than answers to the protagonists. At the outset, a young man is acquitted of a terrible accident in which he played a prominent but not singular role, and guilt wracks him; that event is followed by vandalism and threats on the farm of another man, Palmer, involved in the accident who declares blamelessness of wrongdoing, yet over whom a dark cloud hovers. Events unfold from there, with ever-building tension as the distant promise of retribution hangs in the air.
Peter Hatherall and Fiona are assigned to investigate Palmer's complaint case, officially kicking off the investigation. From there, it is a race against time as events escalate with more serious and distressing results, upping the ante with each passing day. The relationship shared by Peter and Fiona is complex and captivating, and is as much a mystery as the case itself. Their human sides are at times their greatest assets, and at times their most prevalent obstacles, making them endearing characters that will not soon be forgotten.
Sprinkled with hidden clues, breathless surprises, beautiful countryside, and a fast-paced, unique mystery, Point of No Return is a highly recommended read.
The mystery is clever, with several entry points that initially present more questions than answers to the protagonists. At the outset, a young man is acquitted of a terrible accident in which he played a prominent but not singular role, and guilt wracks him; that event is followed by vandalism and threats on the farm of another man, Palmer, involved in the accident who declares blamelessness of wrongdoing, yet over whom a dark cloud hovers. Events unfold from there, with ever-building tension as the distant promise of retribution hangs in the air.
Peter Hatherall and Fiona are assigned to investigate Palmer's complaint case, officially kicking off the investigation. From there, it is a race against time as events escalate with more serious and distressing results, upping the ante with each passing day. The relationship shared by Peter and Fiona is complex and captivating, and is as much a mystery as the case itself. Their human sides are at times their greatest assets, and at times their most prevalent obstacles, making them endearing characters that will not soon be forgotten.
Sprinkled with hidden clues, breathless surprises, beautiful countryside, and a fast-paced, unique mystery, Point of No Return is a highly recommended read.
October 2, 2015
How far would you go for revenge? When do you get to the point of no return? Even though this is the 2nd book in this mystery series, and I haven’t read it, that didn’t detract from this book. There were references to the previous case, and they actually made me want to read the first book.
The book grabbed my attention from the very beginning, with the plight of poor Digby. Diana Febry does a fantastic job getting the readers inside the character’s heads. Every one of them was well-developed. Even though I knew who the culprit was, almost from the beginning, it was entertaining, watching the two DI’s running around, tracking down the clues. I wouldn’t consider this a fast-paced book, until the end, but the storytelling kept me involved.
There were several “plot holes” that had me scratching my head. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, so I’ll try to be general. Two of them had to deal with James and Emma Palmer’s injuries. Emma should’ve been more severely burnt and James seemed to move around fairly fast for a stab wound to his leg. And I don’t think it was explained very well how old, frail William Pierce overpowered James. There was a lot of conjecture, but nothing concrete.
The writing is pretty straightforward, but here again, we have another writer that doesn’t understand the principle of Cause and Effect. Sentences and paragraphs read so much better, and are easier to understand, when they’re laid out in a linear format. You can’t have an effect before the cause. And what were all the “ C’s about?
This was an enjoyable story, and if you’re a person who loves a good detective story, this book is for you. I give it my 4 feathers.
The book grabbed my attention from the very beginning, with the plight of poor Digby. Diana Febry does a fantastic job getting the readers inside the character’s heads. Every one of them was well-developed. Even though I knew who the culprit was, almost from the beginning, it was entertaining, watching the two DI’s running around, tracking down the clues. I wouldn’t consider this a fast-paced book, until the end, but the storytelling kept me involved.
There were several “plot holes” that had me scratching my head. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, so I’ll try to be general. Two of them had to deal with James and Emma Palmer’s injuries. Emma should’ve been more severely burnt and James seemed to move around fairly fast for a stab wound to his leg. And I don’t think it was explained very well how old, frail William Pierce overpowered James. There was a lot of conjecture, but nothing concrete.
The writing is pretty straightforward, but here again, we have another writer that doesn’t understand the principle of Cause and Effect. Sentences and paragraphs read so much better, and are easier to understand, when they’re laid out in a linear format. You can’t have an effect before the cause. And what were all the “ C’s about?
This was an enjoyable story, and if you’re a person who loves a good detective story, this book is for you. I give it my 4 feathers.
November 8, 2015
In this murder mystery from Diana Febry we see the return of Peter and Fiona when they team up to investigate various crimes and misdemeanours that occur within another horse-involved community. I found the characterisation of both detectives and the murderer strong and believable, with improved switches of POV compared to the first novel from Diana Febry, which I read a few months ago. The story had pace and enough twists and turns to keep my interest, with the lead up to the finale exciting and gripping to the end. The banter and dialogue between characters, their innermost thoughts and reactions I found realistic throughout the story.
There were a few incidents left unexplained, giving this reader an unsatisfied and disappointed feeling, such as how a frail and elderly man managed to overpower the younger and stronger James Palmer. I found a few punctuation/spelling errors (missing apostrophe or hyphen space) and some curious phrases that made me give the words a second look: “a bald patch of hair”; “unexperienced” versus inexperienced; “police constable” abbreviated to P.C. at one point then PC for the remainder; and “Miss Powell/Mrs Powell” referring to the same person on the same page. The lack of a digitally active table of contents in an ebook is worth correcting in my opinion – surely expected nowadays.
Despite the criticisms above I enjoyed this novel much more than Bells On Her Toes and can definitely recommend it to lovers of the crime thriller/cozy murder mystery genre. I would certainly read another from the pen/keyboard of Ms Febry. I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest, non-reciprocal review.
There were a few incidents left unexplained, giving this reader an unsatisfied and disappointed feeling, such as how a frail and elderly man managed to overpower the younger and stronger James Palmer. I found a few punctuation/spelling errors (missing apostrophe or hyphen space) and some curious phrases that made me give the words a second look: “a bald patch of hair”; “unexperienced” versus inexperienced; “police constable” abbreviated to P.C. at one point then PC for the remainder; and “Miss Powell/Mrs Powell” referring to the same person on the same page. The lack of a digitally active table of contents in an ebook is worth correcting in my opinion – surely expected nowadays.
Despite the criticisms above I enjoyed this novel much more than Bells On Her Toes and can definitely recommend it to lovers of the crime thriller/cozy murder mystery genre. I would certainly read another from the pen/keyboard of Ms Febry. I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest, non-reciprocal review.
July 15, 2016
3/5 Stars
Point of No Return
By: Diana J. Febry
Published By: Smashwords Edition
Published on: August 1st 2015
Set in the English country side, Point of No Return features two detectives on the hunt for a suspect whose been vandalizing . DCI Peter Hatherall and DI Fiona Williams begin their journey at the property of James Palmer where a noose has been hung from his tree. The entire town knows the meaning of this act and everyone could be a suspect. However, when the seemingly innocent acts turn deadly, it’s up to Hatherall and Williams to find the culprit. What does a panty thief, a hangman’s noose and a country club have in common? Better yet, whose guilty and whose innocent? The adulterer? Or is it the grieving father of a man who committed suicide? How about the irritable gamekeeper?
Diana J. Febry gives us a cozy murder mystery with hints of psychological thriller bits. I appreciate the author’s attention to detail and how fast paced this story seemed to unfold. I enjoyed reading about life like characters and the motivations behind their actions.
That being said there were parts of the story that I had difficulty following. The relationship between Hatherall and Williams should have been a bit more in depth in order to really feel it. Either that or I could have done without it completely. I also felt like the beginning chapters were lengthy and a bit unnecessary. I would have preferred a shortened version in prologue form.
If you’re looking for a fun murder mystery and a quick cozy read, then this book is for you.
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest review.
Point of No Return
By: Diana J. Febry
Published By: Smashwords Edition
Published on: August 1st 2015
Set in the English country side, Point of No Return features two detectives on the hunt for a suspect whose been vandalizing . DCI Peter Hatherall and DI Fiona Williams begin their journey at the property of James Palmer where a noose has been hung from his tree. The entire town knows the meaning of this act and everyone could be a suspect. However, when the seemingly innocent acts turn deadly, it’s up to Hatherall and Williams to find the culprit. What does a panty thief, a hangman’s noose and a country club have in common? Better yet, whose guilty and whose innocent? The adulterer? Or is it the grieving father of a man who committed suicide? How about the irritable gamekeeper?
Diana J. Febry gives us a cozy murder mystery with hints of psychological thriller bits. I appreciate the author’s attention to detail and how fast paced this story seemed to unfold. I enjoyed reading about life like characters and the motivations behind their actions.
That being said there were parts of the story that I had difficulty following. The relationship between Hatherall and Williams should have been a bit more in depth in order to really feel it. Either that or I could have done without it completely. I also felt like the beginning chapters were lengthy and a bit unnecessary. I would have preferred a shortened version in prologue form.
If you’re looking for a fun murder mystery and a quick cozy read, then this book is for you.
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest review.
Read
July 4, 2016My last review dealt with Sasquatches, and this time I visit an English cozy mystery, Point of no Return by Diana Febry. Mysteries are not normally my genre of choice, but I do like to branch out occasionally. Read on to find out my thoughts!
Synopsis (from the author): The significance of the noose left hanging outside James Palmer’s barn is obvious to everyone in the village. When threats turn to violence DCI Peter Hatherall has to unmask a master of disguise determined to have their revenge.
What I liked: Diana Febry’s characters are colleagues, friends, and something more. Since this isn’t the first book with Peter Hatherall and Fiona, I didn’t have the backstory of those two, but it made no difference. I could easily relate to them. The story, involving a suicide victim, a gentleman farmer (Palmer) and his wife, and the mysterious Emma, moves along nicely most of the time. The tale flows from the death of Digby (the suicide) to escalating and more frequent attacks on the farm from persons unknown. Peter Hatherall and Fiona follow the clues along twisty paths. But, can they solve the mystery before the stalker kills Palmer?
What I didn’t like: Despite the pace of the story overall, there were a couple of slow spots. Additionally, I thought Daoma and Gordon’s parts were overplayed.
Overall impression: Point of No Return by Diana J. Febry was a nice cozy mystery. Nicely written, with good pace, interesting characters, and plenty of twists to keep the reader interested, I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries!
My rating: 4.5 Stars (rounded to 5)
Synopsis (from the author): The significance of the noose left hanging outside James Palmer’s barn is obvious to everyone in the village. When threats turn to violence DCI Peter Hatherall has to unmask a master of disguise determined to have their revenge.
What I liked: Diana Febry’s characters are colleagues, friends, and something more. Since this isn’t the first book with Peter Hatherall and Fiona, I didn’t have the backstory of those two, but it made no difference. I could easily relate to them. The story, involving a suicide victim, a gentleman farmer (Palmer) and his wife, and the mysterious Emma, moves along nicely most of the time. The tale flows from the death of Digby (the suicide) to escalating and more frequent attacks on the farm from persons unknown. Peter Hatherall and Fiona follow the clues along twisty paths. But, can they solve the mystery before the stalker kills Palmer?
What I didn’t like: Despite the pace of the story overall, there were a couple of slow spots. Additionally, I thought Daoma and Gordon’s parts were overplayed.
Overall impression: Point of No Return by Diana J. Febry was a nice cozy mystery. Nicely written, with good pace, interesting characters, and plenty of twists to keep the reader interested, I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries!
My rating: 4.5 Stars (rounded to 5)
June 30, 2016
Rural Revenge.
This book is essentially a police-procedural, in an English countryside setting. When Digby Pearce commits suicide after the death of his best friend in a car accident, in which he was also involved (and which he was wrongly accused of causing), someone out there begins to take steps to avenge him. The man who is allegedly responsible for the death of Digby’s friend becomes a target for the wrath of our mysterious avenger.
But the various nasty incidents that befall that man (a farmer by the name of James Palmer), tend to confuse the situation, rather than clarify it. In an attempt to find out what’s going on, the police pairing of Peter Hatherall and his colleague Fiona begin an investigation. There are plenty of suspects with possible motives, and as events become more violent the necessity of apprehending the perpetrator escalates accordingly.
There are some interesting characters portrayed in this book. The spectrum runs from glamorous to eccentric, with a few distinctly unattractive people along the way. The rural setting helps to bring them to life and it’s clear that the author knows the settings she writes about. I thought that Fiona and Peter showed an emotional fragility that you wouldn’t find in a couple of cops. Perhaps rural policemen and women aren’t as cynical as their city counterparts. But in their defence, they are both carrying plenty of emotional baggage. In summary, this is a competently written police procedural / mystery that fulfils its promise.
I was given a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
This book is essentially a police-procedural, in an English countryside setting. When Digby Pearce commits suicide after the death of his best friend in a car accident, in which he was also involved (and which he was wrongly accused of causing), someone out there begins to take steps to avenge him. The man who is allegedly responsible for the death of Digby’s friend becomes a target for the wrath of our mysterious avenger.
But the various nasty incidents that befall that man (a farmer by the name of James Palmer), tend to confuse the situation, rather than clarify it. In an attempt to find out what’s going on, the police pairing of Peter Hatherall and his colleague Fiona begin an investigation. There are plenty of suspects with possible motives, and as events become more violent the necessity of apprehending the perpetrator escalates accordingly.
There are some interesting characters portrayed in this book. The spectrum runs from glamorous to eccentric, with a few distinctly unattractive people along the way. The rural setting helps to bring them to life and it’s clear that the author knows the settings she writes about. I thought that Fiona and Peter showed an emotional fragility that you wouldn’t find in a couple of cops. Perhaps rural policemen and women aren’t as cynical as their city counterparts. But in their defence, they are both carrying plenty of emotional baggage. In summary, this is a competently written police procedural / mystery that fulfils its promise.
I was given a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
July 6, 2016
The title is not exactly an original title and I fault the author for either not performing the requisite due diligence to ensure she had a unique title or not caring to have one. The quality of the cover is excellent however and I feel it really draws in any potential readers. There is a lack of clarity in some of the writing, specifically in Chapter 3 regarding Peter's reminiscing about an affair he almost had with a partner, but my perceived lack of clarity might be due to the use of British terms. I would think that an author, who wants to see his or her books fly off the shelf, would try harder to appeal to an audience in the country where the book is to be sold, however, it could be that the author simply wanted to make the reader feel the unique cultural environment portrayed in the story. Still, I would have found the book more readable if the most of the words in question were in common usage and not colloquial terms.
Still, the plot develops into a pretty decent story. It starts out as a young man who had a car accident, his best friend is killed because the car hit a tractor facing the wrong way. The boy responsible kills himself and the farmer begins being victimized by vandals who escalate the vandalism to the point of someone planting a car bomb. A body turn up on the links and I'm wondering where that goes. After a while, I started to get into the plot and found it to be a nice little mystery. There are clues, but several major unresolved issues among the many threads that I found to be annoying and I can only give it three stars because of this.
Still, the plot develops into a pretty decent story. It starts out as a young man who had a car accident, his best friend is killed because the car hit a tractor facing the wrong way. The boy responsible kills himself and the farmer begins being victimized by vandals who escalate the vandalism to the point of someone planting a car bomb. A body turn up on the links and I'm wondering where that goes. After a while, I started to get into the plot and found it to be a nice little mystery. There are clues, but several major unresolved issues among the many threads that I found to be annoying and I can only give it three stars because of this.
May 11, 2016
I have to say, I wouldn't have picked up this book if I had seen it on a bookshelf, mainly because I though it looked like it was about something to do with the circus. Some people see a noose, I see trapeze artist! Having the read the book, the cover now makes perfect sense so Point of No Return is a perfect example of the saying "Don't judge a book by its cover".
There's so much going on in this book that it can't help but be a page-turner. With an eerie solitary farm in the countryside setting and a cast of characters who wouldn't look out of place in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, I was completely captivated from the start.
James Palmer is not a well-liked resident in the area - not only is he labelled as the local ladies man but he has also been blamed for a past accident. An accident that the town will never forget as its repercussions were felt far and wide. It felt like any one of the villagers could have been out for revenge, but just how far they were willing to go was anybody's guess. With a nail-biting showdown at the end I thoroughly enjoyed this from start to finish.
This is my first Diana J. Febry and I am keen to read the others. Her writing is vivid, suspenseful and enthralling; Point of No Return kept me on my toes and held my interest throughout. A top class murder mystery with a colourful, diverse bunch of characters - 5 stars all round.
I received this e-book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
There's so much going on in this book that it can't help but be a page-turner. With an eerie solitary farm in the countryside setting and a cast of characters who wouldn't look out of place in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, I was completely captivated from the start.
James Palmer is not a well-liked resident in the area - not only is he labelled as the local ladies man but he has also been blamed for a past accident. An accident that the town will never forget as its repercussions were felt far and wide. It felt like any one of the villagers could have been out for revenge, but just how far they were willing to go was anybody's guess. With a nail-biting showdown at the end I thoroughly enjoyed this from start to finish.
This is my first Diana J. Febry and I am keen to read the others. Her writing is vivid, suspenseful and enthralling; Point of No Return kept me on my toes and held my interest throughout. A top class murder mystery with a colourful, diverse bunch of characters - 5 stars all round.
I received this e-book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
June 19, 2016
Diana Febry is known for her mysteries featuring her dynamic male and female detective team of Peter Haterall and Fiona Williams. Her stories are usually set in a wealthy, rural, equestrian community in England. While the characters Haterall and Williams are well liked, I wished for there to be a little more personal interaction and chemistry between them.
Febry’s first chapter is quite the hook. She starts Point of No Return with a chapter about Digby, a man falsely accused of manslaughter. His sad spiral into depression sets the stage and premise for the rest of the novel. Point of No Return then jumps two years into the future.
In the fast-paced plot, seemingly random acts of vandalism turn to murder. The victim of the pranks is James Palmer who Digby believed caused the accident that killed his friend. Palmer is not liked in his community either, and I found myself feeling that Palmer deserved whatever came his way. The story moves along with the reader questioning if Palmer’s karma will finally catch up to him.
The author’s attention to descriptive details of life on a large estate gives the reader a clear view of the life of horsey people. I enjoyed the rich development of an emotionally disturbed killer. Febry’s story telling is gripping, and this intense psychological thriller will keep you turning pages until the culprit is revealed!
3.5-4 stars
For more reading recommendations, visit Book Junkie Reviews: https://abookjunkiereviews.wordpress.com
Febry’s first chapter is quite the hook. She starts Point of No Return with a chapter about Digby, a man falsely accused of manslaughter. His sad spiral into depression sets the stage and premise for the rest of the novel. Point of No Return then jumps two years into the future.
In the fast-paced plot, seemingly random acts of vandalism turn to murder. The victim of the pranks is James Palmer who Digby believed caused the accident that killed his friend. Palmer is not liked in his community either, and I found myself feeling that Palmer deserved whatever came his way. The story moves along with the reader questioning if Palmer’s karma will finally catch up to him.
The author’s attention to descriptive details of life on a large estate gives the reader a clear view of the life of horsey people. I enjoyed the rich development of an emotionally disturbed killer. Febry’s story telling is gripping, and this intense psychological thriller will keep you turning pages until the culprit is revealed!
3.5-4 stars
For more reading recommendations, visit Book Junkie Reviews: https://abookjunkiereviews.wordpress.com
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