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Alistair Fitzjohn #8
Rose Scented Murder
The Adelphi Theatre is about to close its doors for the last time when Howard Greenwood’s lifeless form is found on the floor of his dressing room shrouded in long-stemmed red roses. Was this the act of a killer looking to ridicule the celebrated actor or did it reflect a darker connotation for his murder?
DCI Fitzjohn questions the significance of the roses as layer upon layer of Howard’s life unfolds to reveal a man fixated on revenge for his wife’s death and a predator who will stop at nothing to hide the truth.
Meanwhile, Constance Parsons, bookshop owner and ghost writer of Howard’s memoir, is unaware of his demise or that her work in chronicling his life story could seal her own fate.
DCI Fitzjohn questions the significance of the roses as layer upon layer of Howard’s life unfolds to reveal a man fixated on revenge for his wife’s death and a predator who will stop at nothing to hide the truth.
Meanwhile, Constance Parsons, bookshop owner and ghost writer of Howard’s memoir, is unaware of his demise or that her work in chronicling his life story could seal her own fate.
109 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 29, 2019
125 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Jill Paterson
17 books118 followersJill Paterson is best known for her popular Fitzjohn Mystery Series. Set in the city of Sydney, Australia, her richly drawn characters include Alistair Fitzjohn. Now a police consultant since his retirement from the force, his methods of investigation remain the same, methodical and painstaking.
While continuing the Fitzjohn series, Jill is also working on a new series, the Phoebe Chadwick Mysteries. Set along the east coast of Australia in a small township, Phoebe Chadwick heads the cast of characters as the female sleuth.
When not writing, Jill explores settings for her books and enjoys painting, photography and tai chi.
If you would like to get an automatic email when Jill’s next book is released, sign up on her blog at: https://theperfectplot.blogspot.com
Alternatively, join Jill’s mailing list on her website at: https://www.jillpatersonfitzjohnmyste...
Your email address will never be shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.
While continuing the Fitzjohn series, Jill is also working on a new series, the Phoebe Chadwick Mysteries. Set along the east coast of Australia in a small township, Phoebe Chadwick heads the cast of characters as the female sleuth.
When not writing, Jill explores settings for her books and enjoys painting, photography and tai chi.
If you would like to get an automatic email when Jill’s next book is released, sign up on her blog at: https://theperfectplot.blogspot.com
Alternatively, join Jill’s mailing list on her website at: https://www.jillpatersonfitzjohnmyste...
Your email address will never be shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
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February 6, 2021🎁 FREE on Amazon today (2/6/2021)! 🎁
April 1, 2020
Author Jill Paterson has put together an interesting story with plausible, interesting characters. I love this series, all the characters and how they are all intertwined. Although the series takes places in modern times, the Fitzjohn series seems a little old fashioned; it often reminds me of Adam Dalgleish or even a Barry Fitzgerald character in an English flavored Christie mystery. (Which is good!) “Rose Scented Murder” features a surprisingly complex, murder plot that baffles police protagonists, DCI Alistair Fitzjohn and DS Martin Betts.
“Rose Scented Murder” opens when the Adelphi Theatre is about to close its doors for the last time. Then noted actor Howard Greenwood’s lifeless form is found on the floor of his dressing room shrouded in long-stemmed red roses. Several twists and very some good red herrings kept me turning pages . . . . and guessing. Paterson has excellent characterizations and a plausible, carefully crafted-plot. The story has a good sense of place in Australia complete with a continuing subplot regarding Fitzjohn’s cantankerous neighbor, Rhonda Butler, who wants to make his life miserable. This is one of a few mystery series that I make sure I do not miss. I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good mystery with likable main characters.
“Rose Scented Murder” opens when the Adelphi Theatre is about to close its doors for the last time. Then noted actor Howard Greenwood’s lifeless form is found on the floor of his dressing room shrouded in long-stemmed red roses. Several twists and very some good red herrings kept me turning pages . . . . and guessing. Paterson has excellent characterizations and a plausible, carefully crafted-plot. The story has a good sense of place in Australia complete with a continuing subplot regarding Fitzjohn’s cantankerous neighbor, Rhonda Butler, who wants to make his life miserable. This is one of a few mystery series that I make sure I do not miss. I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good mystery with likable main characters.
July 7, 2019
Enjoyable, quick-read police procedural with cozy-ish ambiance
This short book features a surprisingly complex, murder storyline that baffles police protagonists, DCI Alistair Fitzjohn and DS Martin Betts. Several twists and very good red herrings kept me turning pages.
An amusing subplot has Fitzjohn “talking to” his cantankerous neighbor, Rhonda Butler, about a large number of plants she’s growing for her nephew’s school horticultural project.
As usual, I enjoyed following the believable police characters as they investigated double murders and an attempted murder. I believe this book can be read as a stand-alone, but if you’re new to this series, the author provides a list of characters at the end of the book.
This short book features a surprisingly complex, murder storyline that baffles police protagonists, DCI Alistair Fitzjohn and DS Martin Betts. Several twists and very good red herrings kept me turning pages.
An amusing subplot has Fitzjohn “talking to” his cantankerous neighbor, Rhonda Butler, about a large number of plants she’s growing for her nephew’s school horticultural project.
As usual, I enjoyed following the believable police characters as they investigated double murders and an attempted murder. I believe this book can be read as a stand-alone, but if you’re new to this series, the author provides a list of characters at the end of the book.
November 4, 2019
Baffling case, that ties in an old case, and then two new murders and attempted murder. With roses and the strong scent of roses being left at the crime scene. Fitzjohn and .Betts, come across that a manuscript saying his wife was murdeeed. Then we have blackmail, the drama seemed real they were actirs. The final show, the place is being demolished. A hint of romance, trouble with his neighbor, and a decision he makes that surprises even him. Good easy mystery to figure out, and one loves the two main characters.
August 25, 2020
Each one better than the last
I have just finished reading this entire series sequentially. I enjoyed each book, the plots were similar, but differed enough to keep my interest. They are quick reads and I found them a nice diversion after a busy day.
The last book has some editing issues with names at key points. Madeline is replaced by Margot, Greenway for Greenwood, and when an important scene is described Delores (another character) is named when it should have been Madeline. I did not notice issues like this in the previous books.
I have just finished reading this entire series sequentially. I enjoyed each book, the plots were similar, but differed enough to keep my interest. They are quick reads and I found them a nice diversion after a busy day.
The last book has some editing issues with names at key points. Madeline is replaced by Margot, Greenway for Greenwood, and when an important scene is described Delores (another character) is named when it should have been Madeline. I did not notice issues like this in the previous books.
January 9, 2026
Stage actor Howard Greenwood is murdered at a Sydney theater one night after a post-performance party for the cast and crew. When his body is found the next morning, roses have placed on it. The case is a puzzling one for DCI Fitzjohn and DS Betts, who have to uncover the truth a bit at a time. (Fitzjohn at one point compares the investigation to peeling an onion layer by layer.)
Meanwhile Fitzjohn continues to struggle with a malicious neighbor and with his feelings for his new boss, Peta Ashby. There's lots of mystery and action in this eighth entry in a solid series.
Meanwhile Fitzjohn continues to struggle with a malicious neighbor and with his feelings for his new boss, Peta Ashby. There's lots of mystery and action in this eighth entry in a solid series.
October 19, 2024
The 8th book in the Fitzjohn mystery series. An actor is found dead following a final night performance and party. As Fitzjohn and Betts investigate, there are an increasing number of possible suspects. Meanwhile Grieg appears out of the blue, supposedly for a family funeral, but could there be other reasons for his appearance at the station? Or is it more that he has eyes and ears on the inside still willing to do his bidding?
April 27, 2019
Love this series!
Love reading the Inspector Fitzjohn series. There are a lot of ups and downs concerning this double murder case. You will be on pins and needles up to the very end. There is also some intrigue of a personal nature which we will hopefully hear more about in the next book!
Love reading the Inspector Fitzjohn series. There are a lot of ups and downs concerning this double murder case. You will be on pins and needles up to the very end. There is also some intrigue of a personal nature which we will hopefully hear more about in the next book!
May 17, 2024
Rose Scented Murder by Jill Paterson (Alistair Fitzjohn Book 8)
Another great installment in this series. This is a police/crime/who dun-it with a cozy mystery feel to it. It is set in modern times but the main character Alistair Fitzjohn seems a old worldly type of person, who doggedly pursues the clues and investigates all possibilities until he gets a result. This could be read as a stand-alone book. 4 stars.
Another great installment in this series. This is a police/crime/who dun-it with a cozy mystery feel to it. It is set in modern times but the main character Alistair Fitzjohn seems a old worldly type of person, who doggedly pursues the clues and investigates all possibilities until he gets a result. This could be read as a stand-alone book. 4 stars.
March 22, 2020
Excellent!
DCI Fitzjohn and DS Betts are a great team of police investigating murders in Sydney. Each entry has a different type case, is a terrific murder mystery, and a delightful reading experience. Traditional cozy mystery at its finest!
DCI Fitzjohn and DS Betts are a great team of police investigating murders in Sydney. Each entry has a different type case, is a terrific murder mystery, and a delightful reading experience. Traditional cozy mystery at its finest!
May 30, 2019
Intriguing
A fast moving at that kept me fascinated. Characters were amazing. I was constantly wondering who was the culprit. Enjoy
A fast moving at that kept me fascinated. Characters were amazing. I was constantly wondering who was the culprit. Enjoy
September 11, 2019
I am enjoying this series. This may be my favorite.
January 7, 2020
Loved this one as well, really too bad this is the last book of the series
March 10, 2020
Fitzjohn series
I binge read your Fitzjohn series and enjoyed them all. I'm hoping there will be a book 9. Characters are extremely interesting
I binge read your Fitzjohn series and enjoyed them all. I'm hoping there will be a book 9. Characters are extremely interesting
February 13, 2021
Rainy day good reading
Love following the various character development of the story and the glimpses of Australian living. Award winning Orchids to Jill Paterson
Love following the various character development of the story and the glimpses of Australian living. Award winning Orchids to Jill Paterson
September 16, 2021
Loved this series
I've enjoyed all the books in this series. The plots are well crafted and the characters come alive through the description of their quirks and relationships.
I've enjoyed all the books in this series. The plots are well crafted and the characters come alive through the description of their quirks and relationships.
February 9, 2025
Delightful
I thoroughly enjoy the adventures of Fitzjohn and Betts as they work together solving murder cases around Sydney. I’m looking forward to future adventures.
I thoroughly enjoy the adventures of Fitzjohn and Betts as they work together solving murder cases around Sydney. I’m looking forward to future adventures.
February 24, 2025
This was a great read. A complicated mystery for Fitzjohn and Betts to solve.
October 17, 2024
Murder in the Theater
What happens when the death of the leading man coincides with the closing of the theater? Are they related? Why? Fitzroy has his hands full with this one.
What happens when the death of the leading man coincides with the closing of the theater? Are they related? Why? Fitzroy has his hands full with this one.
May 1, 2021
A good read, it was clean, so that’s a plus Fitzjohn’s character is likable and the story kept me interested
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews