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The Anglian Detective Agency #2
The Temptation
A gripping, thriller with the complexity of PD James mixed with the excitement of Peter James. Where is David Pemberton? It’s 1971. Thirteen year old David has been missing for two years. It's now up to Laurel Bowman and Frank Diamond, partners in the newly formed Anglian Detective Agency, to find him. But how do you solve a cold case with no leads? Are there connections to the brutal deaths of three local residents? As their first big case unravels, they uncover a circle of temptations, destruction and deceit. But the closer they get to solving the case, the more exposed they are to danger. And now both Laurel's and Frank's lives are at risk
- GenresCrime
384 pages, Paperback
Published June 4, 2018
17 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 29, 2018
The Temptation is the sequel to Some Particular Evil, which introduced many of the characters who also feature in The Temptation. Readers should be aware that The Temptation contains references to events in the earlier book, including the identity of the culprit. Therefore, although The Temptation works perfectly well as a standalone, readers who feel inclined to read the whole series should definitely start with Some Particular Evil.
The Temptation starts with the feel of a classic crime era novel but soon gets distinctly darker, especially when a number of unexplained deaths occur. Soon the members of the newly established Anglian Detective Agency (brought together as a result of events in the first book) start to find links between cases that initially seemed entirely unconnected. As the bodies pile up, it becomes clear that there are evil forces at work. I enjoyed the way the book explored the idea of temptation; whether that’s something as innocent as a weakness for bacon sandwiches (Any HP sauce, Mabel?) or a pint of Adnams…or something more illicit and sordid.
Set around Aldeburgh in Suffolk (home of the composer, Benjamin Britten), the author creates a convincing sense of the location through detailed descriptions of the town, its shops, the nearby villages and surrounding countryside. I particularly liked the way the author conjured up the energy of the sometimes storm-lashed Suffolk coastline. ‘It was deserted, the sea pounding the shingle; she put a hand over her mouth as the gusts were taking her breath away. Steel grey waves rushed in, piling on top of each other in their anxiety to reach land. A few gulls were riding the wind , banking and turning, likes planes in a dog fight.’
Mainly set in 1971, I would have liked to get a similarly vivid sense of the period. Although there were a few references to television programmes of the time (remember Softly, Softly or The Virginian, anyone?) and national events, I often found the need to remind myself when it was set. Having said that, towards the end of the book, when motives begin to emerge, I started to see why the author perhaps chose to set the story in this period.
The Temptation is a well-written, adeptly plotted crime mystery with engaging central characters and an interesting setting. Did I imagine it or, at the end of the book, did the author leave an opening for the story to continue in what would be an intriguing direction? I know from the author’s website that a third book in the series is planned for 2019… (3.5 stars)
(Although this didn’t affect my enjoyment of the book or my rating, I was surprised to find quite a few typo’s, more than I would usually expect in a finished version of a ebook.)
The Temptation starts with the feel of a classic crime era novel but soon gets distinctly darker, especially when a number of unexplained deaths occur. Soon the members of the newly established Anglian Detective Agency (brought together as a result of events in the first book) start to find links between cases that initially seemed entirely unconnected. As the bodies pile up, it becomes clear that there are evil forces at work. I enjoyed the way the book explored the idea of temptation; whether that’s something as innocent as a weakness for bacon sandwiches (Any HP sauce, Mabel?) or a pint of Adnams…or something more illicit and sordid.
Set around Aldeburgh in Suffolk (home of the composer, Benjamin Britten), the author creates a convincing sense of the location through detailed descriptions of the town, its shops, the nearby villages and surrounding countryside. I particularly liked the way the author conjured up the energy of the sometimes storm-lashed Suffolk coastline. ‘It was deserted, the sea pounding the shingle; she put a hand over her mouth as the gusts were taking her breath away. Steel grey waves rushed in, piling on top of each other in their anxiety to reach land. A few gulls were riding the wind , banking and turning, likes planes in a dog fight.’
Mainly set in 1971, I would have liked to get a similarly vivid sense of the period. Although there were a few references to television programmes of the time (remember Softly, Softly or The Virginian, anyone?) and national events, I often found the need to remind myself when it was set. Having said that, towards the end of the book, when motives begin to emerge, I started to see why the author perhaps chose to set the story in this period.
The Temptation is a well-written, adeptly plotted crime mystery with engaging central characters and an interesting setting. Did I imagine it or, at the end of the book, did the author leave an opening for the story to continue in what would be an intriguing direction? I know from the author’s website that a third book in the series is planned for 2019… (3.5 stars)
(Although this didn’t affect my enjoyment of the book or my rating, I was surprised to find quite a few typo’s, more than I would usually expect in a finished version of a ebook.)
January 3, 2022
I enjoyed this second Anglian murders series, although I found some of the subject matter distasteful, and the plot a bit implausible in places. I like being able to recognise the local setting and familiar places.
August 3, 2018
Another gripping story of the Anglian Detective Agency
Yet again I was gripped from start to finish. My only complaint about this book was the constant referencing back to either the previous case involving Laurel killing Nicholson, or Laurel's involvement in the death of the murdered of her sister. Even if you have not read the first book, I'm sure you only need to be told about those things once. Having said that though, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and am eagerly anticipating book 3.
Yet again I was gripped from start to finish. My only complaint about this book was the constant referencing back to either the previous case involving Laurel killing Nicholson, or Laurel's involvement in the death of the murdered of her sister. Even if you have not read the first book, I'm sure you only need to be told about those things once. Having said that though, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and am eagerly anticipating book 3.
July 26, 2018
Detective story set in Anglia
This is good sequel to the first book in the series, it stands on its own but better to read book 1. Both books are page turners with gripping stories and appealing and resourceful characters, not for the faint hearted. A couple of love stories although one is yet to be resolved, hint to the author. A good new series for those ,who like me, enjoy books showing the development of the same characters. A beautiful part of our country too!
This is good sequel to the first book in the series, it stands on its own but better to read book 1. Both books are page turners with gripping stories and appealing and resourceful characters, not for the faint hearted. A couple of love stories although one is yet to be resolved, hint to the author. A good new series for those ,who like me, enjoy books showing the development of the same characters. A beautiful part of our country too!
June 22, 2018
Left me unsatisfied
Without wishing to be a spoiler, the sheer improbability of the plot made me sceptical. Although, this is the early seventies, the cold war raging and there were dozens of bonkers plots by the communist bloc and their gullible supporters in the UK.
Without wishing to be a spoiler, the sheer improbability of the plot made me sceptical. Although, this is the early seventies, the cold war raging and there were dozens of bonkers plots by the communist bloc and their gullible supporters in the UK.
August 13, 2023
In for the long haul!!
Another winding road accompanied by the interesting characters who are fast becoming some of my favourite.
Will be moving straight on to the next book, leaving a pile of "to be read" patiently waiting their turn.
Another winding road accompanied by the interesting characters who are fast becoming some of my favourite.
Will be moving straight on to the next book, leaving a pile of "to be read" patiently waiting their turn.
June 16, 2018
Very good
A good and compelling book, as was the first in this series. Looking forward to reading more by this author.
A good and compelling book, as was the first in this series. Looking forward to reading more by this author.
July 1, 2018
Another good read
Another chilling story from the Anglian Detective Agency. I didn't like that a school was involved again otherwise a good read
Another chilling story from the Anglian Detective Agency. I didn't like that a school was involved again otherwise a good read
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews