What do you think?
Rate this book
DCI Peter Hatherall Mystery #6
The Paperboy
A stand-alone murder mystery featuring DCI Peter Hatherall.
A young mother brutally stabbed in a busy park in front of her son.
A paperboy shot in an isolated farmhouse twenty-four years previously.
DI Fiona Williams is baffled when her senior officer, DCI Peter Hatherall makes a connection between the two cases.
As details of Hatherall's involvement in the old case emerge, her loyalty is tested to breaking point and she starts to question his decisions.
When the murdered woman's son does missing the time for hesitating is over.
A young mother brutally stabbed in a busy park in front of her son.
A paperboy shot in an isolated farmhouse twenty-four years previously.
DI Fiona Williams is baffled when her senior officer, DCI Peter Hatherall makes a connection between the two cases.
As details of Hatherall's involvement in the old case emerge, her loyalty is tested to breaking point and she starts to question his decisions.
When the murdered woman's son does missing the time for hesitating is over.
- GenresMurder Mystery
229 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 10, 2019
163 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 30, 2019
Diana J. Febry’s Peter Hatherall Mystery series latest addition is a tangled web ensnaring the past and the present as the murder of a young mother raises ghosts from the past for the DCI. Twenty-four years ago the newly minted officer was faced with the murder of a young paperboy in a sleepy village. The case was a shoddy representation of police work and now it appears there could be a connection that could blow both cases out of the water, but to do so will not be an easy task. Demons from the past will haunt Hatherall as DI Fiona Williams digs deeper into both cases, but the answers will be as elusive as a slippery eel and just as shocking.
THE PAPERBOY is a standalone mystery, but it contains all of that keen sense of timing and feeding of clues that Diana J. Febry is well known for, giving readers a chance to become thoroughly involved trying to guess the outcome in this enthralling who-dunnit.
Have you ever wondered if perhaps sometimes the police get things wrong? Just who pays the price and how can justice be truly served on both sides of the law? If you like a good old-fashioned English mystery dressed up with good old-fashioned detective work, this is an excellent way to meet Peter Hatherall, and to discover the talent of Diana J. Febry who writes with grit and a firm stroke of the pen!
I received a complimentary copy from Diana J. Febry!
Series: Peter Hatherhall Mystery - Book 6
Publication Date: May 10, 2019
Publisher: Diana J. Febry
Genre: Mystery
Print Length: 199 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
THE PAPERBOY is a standalone mystery, but it contains all of that keen sense of timing and feeding of clues that Diana J. Febry is well known for, giving readers a chance to become thoroughly involved trying to guess the outcome in this enthralling who-dunnit.
Have you ever wondered if perhaps sometimes the police get things wrong? Just who pays the price and how can justice be truly served on both sides of the law? If you like a good old-fashioned English mystery dressed up with good old-fashioned detective work, this is an excellent way to meet Peter Hatherall, and to discover the talent of Diana J. Febry who writes with grit and a firm stroke of the pen!
I received a complimentary copy from Diana J. Febry!
Series: Peter Hatherhall Mystery - Book 6
Publication Date: May 10, 2019
Publisher: Diana J. Febry
Genre: Mystery
Print Length: 199 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
October 18, 2019
This is a murder mystery with its roots in the past. Amanda Beresford is a single mother with a young son, Freddie. She is struggling to make ends meet and Freddie’s father is no help. While walking in the park one day with Freddie, in a seemingly random attack she is stabbed twice and her attacker flees without being caught.
In the 1990s Peter Hatherall was a young inexperienced police constable who, together with another constable, was sent to investigate the report of a missing boy. Jeff Powell had a paper round which he completed each morning before school, but on that particular morning the school telephoned his mother to say Jeff had failed to arrive. The two young officers were not prepared for what they found at a seemingly deserted and isolated farm near the village of Mickleburgh.
Back in the present, as Peter and his partner DCI Fiona Williams investigate the murder of Amanda Beresford, an old photograph is found at Amanda’s house which raises concerns for Peter. Despite the tragedy in his life at the time and the concerns he raised about the case, which resulted in his suspension, Peter has never completely forgotten his first major case. The doubts he had at the time about the validity of the conviction began to surface. The time has come for Peter to delve deeper into how the case was conducted all those years ago and find the connections between Jeff’s death and the murder of Amanda Beresford.
The look back at the young Peter added to his character development and both his and Fiona’s personal lives have changed over the course of the series. Reviewing the earlier case brings back bad memories for Peter. It also makes Fiona doubt Peter and question the reasons for his decisions. Her trust in him is tested almost to the limit.
A well crafted and intricate plot is written in the third person and comes from various perspectives, introducing several potential suspects, all who had motive. The two threads are woven together well as the investigation begins to uncover evidence and information that was either overlooked or discounted from the original murder. The only thing that didn’t quite gel for me was the later thought processes of the perpetrator, but other than that The Paperboy was another enjoyable addition to the series and I hope there’ll be more with Peter and Fiona.
In the 1990s Peter Hatherall was a young inexperienced police constable who, together with another constable, was sent to investigate the report of a missing boy. Jeff Powell had a paper round which he completed each morning before school, but on that particular morning the school telephoned his mother to say Jeff had failed to arrive. The two young officers were not prepared for what they found at a seemingly deserted and isolated farm near the village of Mickleburgh.
Back in the present, as Peter and his partner DCI Fiona Williams investigate the murder of Amanda Beresford, an old photograph is found at Amanda’s house which raises concerns for Peter. Despite the tragedy in his life at the time and the concerns he raised about the case, which resulted in his suspension, Peter has never completely forgotten his first major case. The doubts he had at the time about the validity of the conviction began to surface. The time has come for Peter to delve deeper into how the case was conducted all those years ago and find the connections between Jeff’s death and the murder of Amanda Beresford.
The look back at the young Peter added to his character development and both his and Fiona’s personal lives have changed over the course of the series. Reviewing the earlier case brings back bad memories for Peter. It also makes Fiona doubt Peter and question the reasons for his decisions. Her trust in him is tested almost to the limit.
A well crafted and intricate plot is written in the third person and comes from various perspectives, introducing several potential suspects, all who had motive. The two threads are woven together well as the investigation begins to uncover evidence and information that was either overlooked or discounted from the original murder. The only thing that didn’t quite gel for me was the later thought processes of the perpetrator, but other than that The Paperboy was another enjoyable addition to the series and I hope there’ll be more with Peter and Fiona.
May 28, 2019
April 1994, PC Peter Hatherall is part of an investigation into the shooting death of Jeff Powell, a paperboy in the small village of Mickleburgh.
Peter is young and learning the job. Despite a recent tragedy in his private life, he boldly stands up to his superiors. His supervisor, Malcolm O'Toole, runs what Hatherall considers a shoddy investigation, clinging onto unsubstantiated evidence, leaving too many questions unanswered, forgoing too many leads, making too many assumptions. It nearly ruins Peter's career It does send, what Peter believes, two innocent men to prison.
Fast forward twenty-four years later and a woman named Amanda Beresford is stabbed to death in a park. The only witness to the murder is her young son.
When an old photograph is discovered hidden away in a locked drawer at Amanda's home, the words 'Mickle April 1994' written on the back, alarm bells go off in Peter Hatherall's head.
The now seasoned DCI, teams up with his partner Fiona, and they reopen a case many don't want revisited.
The stakes get even higher when a friend of the murdered woman whom the police had interviewed and shown the photograph, goes missing.
'The Paperboy' is the 6th installment in the DCI Peter Hatherall Mystery collection.
The author, Diana J Febry, has proven once again, she knows her way around these small town crime tales, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat with her attention to detail and setting up a host of suspects with motive. The characters are real, and those who have read previous stories in the Hatherall Mysteries, will see the growth in Peter and Fiona. This book is a must read for all lovers of this genre. 5 Stars!
Peter is young and learning the job. Despite a recent tragedy in his private life, he boldly stands up to his superiors. His supervisor, Malcolm O'Toole, runs what Hatherall considers a shoddy investigation, clinging onto unsubstantiated evidence, leaving too many questions unanswered, forgoing too many leads, making too many assumptions. It nearly ruins Peter's career It does send, what Peter believes, two innocent men to prison.
Fast forward twenty-four years later and a woman named Amanda Beresford is stabbed to death in a park. The only witness to the murder is her young son.
When an old photograph is discovered hidden away in a locked drawer at Amanda's home, the words 'Mickle April 1994' written on the back, alarm bells go off in Peter Hatherall's head.
The now seasoned DCI, teams up with his partner Fiona, and they reopen a case many don't want revisited.
The stakes get even higher when a friend of the murdered woman whom the police had interviewed and shown the photograph, goes missing.
'The Paperboy' is the 6th installment in the DCI Peter Hatherall Mystery collection.
The author, Diana J Febry, has proven once again, she knows her way around these small town crime tales, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat with her attention to detail and setting up a host of suspects with motive. The characters are real, and those who have read previous stories in the Hatherall Mysteries, will see the growth in Peter and Fiona. This book is a must read for all lovers of this genre. 5 Stars!
August 4, 2019
The Paper Boy
This is the sixth in a series of English police procedurals. I have not read the earlier books.
I read right straight through and finished the book in about two days because the plot interested me. I was curious and wanted to find out how all the pieces would fit together. The mystery involves the past, the present, and a relatively large cast of characters so it was intriguing discover how all those seemingly disconnected elements would fuse into a whole.
I think the relationships and characterizations would have felt deeper if I had read the earlier books. As it was, I had to play catch up. This is a series where character and relationship development are at least as important as the mystery plot, so I think starting with the sixth book put me at a disadvantage. That said, the characters all felt authentic and nuanced and I got emotionally involved with them.
The writing is functional and straightforward as befits a police procedural.
My one issue with the book is the lack of authenticity in the police procedures. Granted, I’m not English and not a police officer, so what do I know? Only what I’ve picked up from reading a lot of UK police procedurals, and who knows how accurate the other books are? Still the polices procedures seemed casual compared to how procedures are presented in other books. For example, the interview with a person who was confessing to a crime was not taped. And an officer comments that she wants a written report on evidence pertaining to the investigation of the murder of a child to be available to her in a few days. Things like that just didn’t feel right.
But, as I said, I read straight through from beginning to end because I wanted to keep reading. I enjoyed the mystery and plan to start reading the series from the beginning.
This is the sixth in a series of English police procedurals. I have not read the earlier books.
I read right straight through and finished the book in about two days because the plot interested me. I was curious and wanted to find out how all the pieces would fit together. The mystery involves the past, the present, and a relatively large cast of characters so it was intriguing discover how all those seemingly disconnected elements would fuse into a whole.
I think the relationships and characterizations would have felt deeper if I had read the earlier books. As it was, I had to play catch up. This is a series where character and relationship development are at least as important as the mystery plot, so I think starting with the sixth book put me at a disadvantage. That said, the characters all felt authentic and nuanced and I got emotionally involved with them.
The writing is functional and straightforward as befits a police procedural.
My one issue with the book is the lack of authenticity in the police procedures. Granted, I’m not English and not a police officer, so what do I know? Only what I’ve picked up from reading a lot of UK police procedurals, and who knows how accurate the other books are? Still the polices procedures seemed casual compared to how procedures are presented in other books. For example, the interview with a person who was confessing to a crime was not taped. And an officer comments that she wants a written report on evidence pertaining to the investigation of the murder of a child to be available to her in a few days. Things like that just didn’t feel right.
But, as I said, I read straight through from beginning to end because I wanted to keep reading. I enjoyed the mystery and plan to start reading the series from the beginning.
September 11, 2019
This standalone detective story begins with a tragic event but already we know that cause of this sudden stabbing is another murder 24 years earlier. Readers of the previous Peter Hatherall mysteries will enjoy seeing Peter as a young inexperienced copper and as we read of the mismanaged case in 1994, we begin to see the connection to this new investigation. DI Fiona Williams, who is first on the scene, cannot understand why her boss DCI Hatherall is linking an old case solved in the past, to this event, when there are other leads to follow.
As we read about the movements of the culprit, we also observe the careful detective process. Handicapped by accusations that he is using old resentments to cloud his judgement, Peter tries to convince his friend, Fiona, that the answer lies in a blurred photo kept by the recent victim. Before they can solve the case there are two abductions, while Fiona and Peter deal with major problems in their home lives. The characters of the detectives and the victims are strongly drawn and I became involved in their believable predicaments.
Although a good read on its own I am now tempted to read earlier books from the series to learn more about this likeable detective.
As we read about the movements of the culprit, we also observe the careful detective process. Handicapped by accusations that he is using old resentments to cloud his judgement, Peter tries to convince his friend, Fiona, that the answer lies in a blurred photo kept by the recent victim. Before they can solve the case there are two abductions, while Fiona and Peter deal with major problems in their home lives. The characters of the detectives and the victims are strongly drawn and I became involved in their believable predicaments.
Although a good read on its own I am now tempted to read earlier books from the series to learn more about this likeable detective.
May 25, 2020
OMG, this is a ripper!
For DCI Peter Hatherall, a fatal stabbing is linked to an old case he was involved in 24 years previously. He and his team are running around in circles with this very complicated case, and an uncooperative brother and sister are trying to lead the investigation in another direction.
Written in Diana J Febry's now familiar style, this is a story that has the heart pounding on several occasions.
An excellent read which I can't recommend highly enough.
For DCI Peter Hatherall, a fatal stabbing is linked to an old case he was involved in 24 years previously. He and his team are running around in circles with this very complicated case, and an uncooperative brother and sister are trying to lead the investigation in another direction.
Written in Diana J Febry's now familiar style, this is a story that has the heart pounding on several occasions.
An excellent read which I can't recommend highly enough.
July 4, 2019
Having read all the previous book in the Peter Hatherall Mystery series, I was quick to grab this one. And like all the others, this standalone story did not disappoint. Hatherall and his partner Fiona Williams team up once again with smart dialogue in this fast paced mystery. Two murders are tied together from Hatherall: one recent and another some twenty+ years prior. What starts out with Williams not understanding the connection goes deeper. To doubting her partner, questioning his decision-making. What was great writing here is how Febry connected the earlier murder to deepening Hatherall’s character. As Hatherall and Williams navigate the case they face internal and external conflicts which intensified the storyline conflict/tension and propel the plot along at a rapid clip. I especially like the interactions between the partners and the ostensibly rejected invitation half way through the story, which played into Fiona’s internal self-conscious dialogue when she arrived at work the next morning and was excluded from a conversation Peter was involved in. Lots of good relationship interchanges with them and others unfolded throughout the story’s narrative. But ultimately it was the mystery, the questions I wanted answered that really propelled it along. To name a few: What’s the tie in between the murder of a paperboy and years later a woman in a park? What is the significance of a photograph in the murdered woman’s home? And what does the name on the back mean? Who is guilty? Who is innocent? As the cast of characters, all complex and nicely developed, continue to reveal pieces of the puzzle, these questions and so much more kept me guessing. Wanting to know. Unable to put this one down. No spoilers here but suffice it to say this was a compelling read right down to the unexpected satisfying ending. This ranks up with my growing list of favorites by this author.
June 28, 2019
It is impossible to forget your first murder scene. More so if you believe the case in question hadn't been resolved correctly. When a recent stabbing appears to have a connection to these events it is time for DCI Hatherall to finally explore the overlooked leads in a case that almost ruined his career. He can see things no one else can, avenues left unexplored that are now able to be reopened, but will his desire to prove he was right back then endanger the case, or had justice turned a blind eye all those years ago?
I do so love it when a plot comes together, and in Diana J Febry's The Paper Boy, it certainly does. Pete Hatherall is back in this engaging murder mystery, not only tackling murder, but sensitive issues. I loved watching the plot unfold as Fiona and Peter delve deeper into the mystery, uncovering links that, if not for Peter's past, would have gone undetected. This isn't the first book I have read by this talented novelist, I love how the murder investigation and character development progress, and appreciated the attention to detail. There are parts of this novel that remind me of a combination of Morse, Midsomer Murders, and Lewis. This is a book you can really lose yourself in, and you can't help but guess how the escalating situation will conclude.
I do so love it when a plot comes together, and in Diana J Febry's The Paper Boy, it certainly does. Pete Hatherall is back in this engaging murder mystery, not only tackling murder, but sensitive issues. I loved watching the plot unfold as Fiona and Peter delve deeper into the mystery, uncovering links that, if not for Peter's past, would have gone undetected. This isn't the first book I have read by this talented novelist, I love how the murder investigation and character development progress, and appreciated the attention to detail. There are parts of this novel that remind me of a combination of Morse, Midsomer Murders, and Lewis. This is a book you can really lose yourself in, and you can't help but guess how the escalating situation will conclude.
May 16, 2019
“The Paperboy” is the newest installment in “Peter Hatherall” series and I devoured it in one day, much like all the previous books in the series. What I particularly enjoyed in this newest installment was the glimpse into Peter’s past, which helped me better understand him as a character. Interestingly enough, one of the first cases on which he worked and which was handled by a retiring detective quite carelessly, is now haunting Detective Hatherall once again. When a woman is stabbed to death in the park and a strange photo is found in her desk, Peter begins questioning if the woman’s murder may be in some way connected to an old, “closed” case and if two innocent people were made to pay for someone else’s crimes.
Diana Febry never disappoints with her stories. I absolutely love how she introduces different characters and makes the reader guess at their motives and connections to each other. A great detective story, masterfully written. Highly recommended to all fans of the genre!
Diana Febry never disappoints with her stories. I absolutely love how she introduces different characters and makes the reader guess at their motives and connections to each other. A great detective story, masterfully written. Highly recommended to all fans of the genre!
May 25, 2019
It's been a while since I've read a good who-dun-it, but I'm glad I picked up this one. This is the first book in this series that I've read, and it can be read without reading the others. The story is compelling, and your heart aches for the characters. Without giving the story away, there's so much sadness that could have been prevented. Little events, by themselves, would have caused some damage, but when one is built upon the other, they produce a disaster. It shows what can happen when you let your anger, or despair, take control of your life. All of this is worked well into a story that ties the past with the present. When an author can make you feel emotions, you know he/she has succeeded. Well done.
October 22, 2019
When it comes to murder mysteries this book fits the bill for me. I love nothing but to relax with a good mystery. What i call - sunshine TV style novels. The story is easy and refreshing to follow without losing the intrigue along the journey.
I found myself trying to solve the puzzle of a -who dunnit.
Great detective story involving two cases one of which was shoddily managed 20 yrs ago and a recent murder case which ties the two together.
This well researched and steadily paced story was a great read . DCI Peter Hatherall is engaging and a genius and i recommend this book for fans of murder mystery.
I found myself trying to solve the puzzle of a -who dunnit.
Great detective story involving two cases one of which was shoddily managed 20 yrs ago and a recent murder case which ties the two together.
This well researched and steadily paced story was a great read . DCI Peter Hatherall is engaging and a genius and i recommend this book for fans of murder mystery.
January 1, 2021
This was a fantastic read. DCI Hatherall is away, so when the woman is stabbed in broad daylight in the park, Fiona is put in charge of the investigation. When Peter returns, he links the death of the woman to the first murdered body he ever encountered as a young constable twenty-four years earlier. Fiona thinks he is wrong, but knows from experience that the DCI is often right. Despite her misgivings, she goes along with his decision to investigate the current murder by delving into the past. The suspects are interesting, but the murderer is not who everyone thinks it is. A good start to a new year of reading.
August 13, 2019
Beautiful and engaging beginning. Not far into the book there is a shock. The characters like real people are nervous and confident alternatively and show remarkable empathy and patience for the boy. It is a heinous crime. I liked Fiona’s character the most. It still needs some elements to make it unexpected throughout the book and not just the beginning. The characters also resemble in personalities to similar ones in other popular novels. They would be better off developing into their own distinct traits abd values.
Sal
Sal
Read
November 11, 2019Pretty good mystery
20 years passed after PC Hatherall saw his first murder . He had questions then, however they were ignored by the higher ups who closed the case quickly convicting two men of the murder of the young paper boy . He felt they were innocent of the murder. Then a young mother was murdered in the park in front of her very young son. DCI Hatherall is convinced the two cases are related . Several typos or I would give this a 5 star review. Best book she's written so far .
20 years passed after PC Hatherall saw his first murder . He had questions then, however they were ignored by the higher ups who closed the case quickly convicting two men of the murder of the young paper boy . He felt they were innocent of the murder. Then a young mother was murdered in the park in front of her very young son. DCI Hatherall is convinced the two cases are related . Several typos or I would give this a 5 star review. Best book she's written so far .
August 13, 2019
There’s a great idea for a mystery here, although I personally found getting into the novel difficult. This is nominally a Peter Hatherall mystery, but it feels as if the reader is waiting forever for him to show. Investing in a story without a clear protagonist is a tricky proposition. Still, connecting a crime from the past to today is smart, and ultimately, I think fans of this series will enjoy the novel.
March 16, 2026
This mystery connected a recent murder with the decades-old killing of a paperboy, drawing DI Fiona Williams into a complicated investigation led by DCI Peter Hatherall. As the past and present cases intertwined, buried secrets and difficult loyalties surfaced while the search for the truth intensified. The story took a while to fully get going, but the premise was intriguing and the connection between the two crimes was clever!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2019
Wow!
Peter's first murder case was not handled correctly, he always thought. A stabbing murder of a young mother resurrects this old murder case . The ensuing investigation is thorough, and it involves both old and new suspects. It is an outstanding and interesting plot, with a satisfactory outcome!
Peter's first murder case was not handled correctly, he always thought. A stabbing murder of a young mother resurrects this old murder case . The ensuing investigation is thorough, and it involves both old and new suspects. It is an outstanding and interesting plot, with a satisfactory outcome!
May 21, 2019
This was another detective mystery masterpiece! Book 7 has me wondering if the whole series was planned out in advance! I think it was...
I've become a major Peter Hatherall fan, so I hope there is more to come!
I've become a major Peter Hatherall fan, so I hope there is more to come!
November 21, 2020
Series is a keeper
I say that now having completed the 6th one, and guess I’ll have to wait for the next one. This one was especially good since it had a case from the past. I like those type plots, your left to the end to know how it all went down, but it was all good.
I say that now having completed the 6th one, and guess I’ll have to wait for the next one. This one was especially good since it had a case from the past. I like those type plots, your left to the end to know how it all went down, but it was all good.
June 25, 2021
Redemption & Triumph
Another twisted storyline with excellent characterization and believable plot. Very satisfying ending for the criminals and for the characters on both sides of the law.
Another twisted storyline with excellent characterization and believable plot. Very satisfying ending for the criminals and for the characters on both sides of the law.
June 8, 2019
This is the first book I have read by this author. I found the rich detail of each scene to be compelling. Clearly the author enjoys the characters, and the dialogue and rhythm move the story nicely.
Read
October 24, 2022Not well written. Too many errors and definitely not edited properly.
August 8, 2019
I was thoroughly engrossed in this Peter Hatherall mystery in which DI Fiona Williams takes the lead over Peter whose involvement is questioned in connection two murders so many years apart. I have to say, Febry outdid herself in this novel, which carries on the Hatherall tradition, but also takes her writing to a whole new level. I loved the pacing in this one, and the depth of character development. Loved it.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews