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A Bloody Hot Summer
It’s 1927 and Great Britain is sweltering in an unprecedented heatwave. On the morning after her eightieth birthday party, Lady Fitzhugh is discovered bound and butchered in her bed, with her family and staff the prime suspects...
Whilst holidaying at nearby Meadowford Village, Detective Dermot Carlyle is asked to help investigate the brutal murder. The clues all point to a robbery gone wrong, but Dermot suspects that there is more to the horrific crime. The Fitzhughs’ secrets take Dermot along a path linking some of the biggest events of the British Colonial Empire – from India to Africa, to the dark days of the Great War itself.
As more murders take place, Dermot is racing against time to discover the killer’s identity. What are the family hiding, why did Lady Fitzhugh have to die, and what horror was committed in the colonies that led to this trail of death and deceit?
Whilst holidaying at nearby Meadowford Village, Detective Dermot Carlyle is asked to help investigate the brutal murder. The clues all point to a robbery gone wrong, but Dermot suspects that there is more to the horrific crime. The Fitzhughs’ secrets take Dermot along a path linking some of the biggest events of the British Colonial Empire – from India to Africa, to the dark days of the Great War itself.
As more murders take place, Dermot is racing against time to discover the killer’s identity. What are the family hiding, why did Lady Fitzhugh have to die, and what horror was committed in the colonies that led to this trail of death and deceit?
245 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 12, 2019
About the author
Trevor D'Silva
12 books13 followersTrevor D’Silva has a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering; M.S. degrees in Engineering Management, and Environmental Engineering; and an Associate degree in Accounting. He has lectured in mechanical engineering and environmental science subjects at various colleges. Fateful Decisions is his first novel, encompassing history and fiction from WW I to the end of WW II. He uses his free time to expand his knowledge in history and reading crime, thrillers, and mystery novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
April 9, 2021
I’m sorry, some nice reviews on here but I didn’t take to it. Maybe you have to be in the right frame of mind for some books but I found the writing ‘flat’. When the detectives arrive they interview the household. That’s it. You don’t get to know what they say, and there are loads of them. We just know ‘they all said the same’.
I read loads of crime/mysteries but this one had me scratching my head. There were so many people and some weren’t even the people they purported to be so that in itself added to the amount of people. 🤪
There were Enderbys’ and Endecotts, Flora, Dora, and Cora, Alice and Abigail, folk in Scotland, India and South Africa people who had jobs in this place then jobs in that place, vicars and retired majors and sundry policemen.
The denouement went on for pages and pages (left me longing for Poirot who seemed concise by comparison). People were arrested, then others were arrested and you knew more would be along in handcuffs pretty soon. After it was all explained (!) to the assembled suspects Detective Dermot Carlyle had to do another version for his boss. Please no more.
The first murder is the gruesome killing of an 80 year old woman that may hark back to crimes committed in the past. More deaths, attempted murders and blackmail take place. We go back in time to the British rule in India and the horrors of the Boer War.
Talking of Poirot it put me in mind of ‘Hercule Poirot’s Christmas’ as I read this.
I read loads of crime/mysteries but this one had me scratching my head. There were so many people and some weren’t even the people they purported to be so that in itself added to the amount of people. 🤪
There were Enderbys’ and Endecotts, Flora, Dora, and Cora, Alice and Abigail, folk in Scotland, India and South Africa people who had jobs in this place then jobs in that place, vicars and retired majors and sundry policemen.
The denouement went on for pages and pages (left me longing for Poirot who seemed concise by comparison). People were arrested, then others were arrested and you knew more would be along in handcuffs pretty soon. After it was all explained (!) to the assembled suspects Detective Dermot Carlyle had to do another version for his boss. Please no more.
The first murder is the gruesome killing of an 80 year old woman that may hark back to crimes committed in the past. More deaths, attempted murders and blackmail take place. We go back in time to the British rule in India and the horrors of the Boer War.
Talking of Poirot it put me in mind of ‘Hercule Poirot’s Christmas’ as I read this.
November 8, 2021
The novel attempted to imitate a classic British murder mystery, but it was rather immaturely written, with short choppy sentences and irrelevant detail. E.g.,: “Suddenly, a cat came through the open door and stood next to Abigail. Miss Carter came into the room. “Abigail, I told you to get rid of that cat,” she said sternly. “Now go and put her outside.” Abigail picked up the cat and held it close to her. She looked at the two men and they told her that she could leave. Abigail got up and left with the cat.”
Clues came through totally improbable means. E.g., a woman was able to remember the exact street address (including apartment number) of two co-workers she barely knew that she last saw 13 years before (I couldn’t tell you the street number address for good friends I see every week). Also totally improbable: a cat solicits the investigator’s attention and then leads him to a clue.
When the investigator gathers everyone in the library (of course) and points out the murderer, instead of denying it or trying to run from the room, the murderer calmly acknowledges that this is correct then details everything that happened. How convenient. “Yes, Detective,” said [the murderer politely]. “Initially our intention was to kill Lord Fitzhugh.”
The glossary includes such ridiculous definitions such as ‘My God – An exclamation of astonishment.’ Really? I never would have known that. Sheesh.
Clues came through totally improbable means. E.g., a woman was able to remember the exact street address (including apartment number) of two co-workers she barely knew that she last saw 13 years before (I couldn’t tell you the street number address for good friends I see every week). Also totally improbable: a cat solicits the investigator’s attention and then leads him to a clue.
When the investigator gathers everyone in the library (of course) and points out the murderer, instead of denying it or trying to run from the room, the murderer calmly acknowledges that this is correct then details everything that happened. How convenient. “Yes, Detective,” said [the murderer politely]. “Initially our intention was to kill Lord Fitzhugh.”
The glossary includes such ridiculous definitions such as ‘My God – An exclamation of astonishment.’ Really? I never would have known that. Sheesh.
February 5, 2020
“Her screams reverberated throughout the mansion as the tray fell, scattering its contents on the bedroom floor…”
The Fitzhugh family had congregated at Fitzhugh Manor in the village of Meadowford, to celebrate Lady Doris Fitzhugh’s eightieth birthday. But the tranquillity of this small family union was shattered when Alice entered her mistresses’ bedroom the following morning, for Alice had unwittingly stumbled upon a gruesome discovery. Lady Doris’s throat had been slit, and her emerald jewelled necklace had been stolen.
Detective Dermot Carlyle was on leave when he was called in to help with the case. Young, though he may be, Dermot has a quick wit and a sharp intelligence, and this was the kind of case he had been waiting for to prove his worth. However, it soon becomes clear that this was not a simple robbery that had gone wrong — this was premeditated murder.
From a family celebration to the discovery of a shameful family secret that had remained hidden for three generations, A Bloody Hot Summer by Trevor D’Silva is an utterly enthralling murder mystery that will leave the reader guessing right up until the very last minute.
With an exceptional eye on the historical detail and a keen understanding of what makes an entertaining read, D’Silva has penned a truly wonderful book. The narrative is rich, vibrant, and utterly irresistible. D’Silva has captured the very essence of what Britain was like in the 1920s. His attention to the language, along with all its glorious slang, and the richness of the local dialects have all been wonderfully explored and skilfully executed.
A Bloody Hot Summer isn’t just set in the 1920s. It also touches upon the Indian Rebellion of 1857 as well as the “Scorched Earth” policy applied by the British and the subsequent imprisonment of tens of thousands of men, women and children. These terrible camps were poorly administered, and conditions were horrendous. Many died. I thought D’Silva depicted this shameful and sinister era of British history with great skill and diligence. Kudos, Mr D’Silva.
A Bloody Hot Summer is both exciting and dark in almost equal measures. It is also incredibly fast-paced and immensely readable. As with all good murder mysteries, I put on my amateur detective hat and tried to piece the clues together to come up with a culprit as well as a motive. However, D’Silva is the king of plot twists, and I found myself dismissing my own theories more than once as to who the killer was. A Bloody Hot Summer is undoubtedly a book that captured my imagination. The Fitzhugh family is suffocating in secrets and lies, which made for a cracking read. Just one more page became one more chapter. This is the kind of book that a reader will forgo sleep to finish!
Detective Dermot Carlyle was the ideal protagonist. He is an intelligent man who does not take things at face value. He is always looking for a motive, and he finds himself entangled in this web of egotistic individuals who all have a motive for murder. The more Dermot uncovers, the more there is to learn. I thought Dermot’s depiction was fabulous, and he was by far my favourite character in this book — and the most honest. Dermot reminded me at times of Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes — he is always thinking, he always sees the bigger picture. Dermot is certainly the eponymous hero of this novel.
I also thought the portrayal of young Hector was fabulous. This young thirteen-year-old boy is the heir to the Fitzhugh estate, and he is the only member of the Fitzhugh family whom I did not suspect of foul play. He has an air of innocence about him, and the thought that someone was trying to kill him, made me even more compelled to read on. I thought Hector’s depiction was brilliant.
Another character who piqued my interest was the dismissed servant, Irene Shaw. Irene’s character has been maligned by the Fitzhugh’s, without having had the chance to defend herself of what she had been accused of. Through Irene, D’Silva has demonstrated just how superior the Fitzhugh family thinks they are when compared with everyone else, which says more about them than Irene.
I enjoyed every minute of A Bloody Hot Summer by Trevor D’Silva. It is a book worthy of any bookshelf.
I Highly Recommend.
Review by Mary Anne Yarde.
The Coffee Pot Book Club.
January 5, 2024
1927 Arthur Endecott has returned to the Fitzhugh Manor in time for Lady Doris 80th birthday party. But by the next morning Lady Doris is discovered dead. What could be the possible motive for the guilty party. What connection is there to the events of 1903 and Argyle Castle, and of the events in Kamalpore in 1857.
Inspector Lester Enderby calls in the Metropolitan Police who send Detective Dermot Lucian Carlyle who is visiting his family in the area.
Enjoyable fast paced historical murder mystery, with many suspects.
Inspector Lester Enderby calls in the Metropolitan Police who send Detective Dermot Lucian Carlyle who is visiting his family in the area.
Enjoyable fast paced historical murder mystery, with many suspects.
December 1, 2021
An interesting and complex series of deaths and murder
An interesting and complex series of deaths and murder, with history back to the Boer Wars and familiar stories complicated with the intricacies of “social status” and challenging cast of characters.
An interesting and complex series of deaths and murder, with history back to the Boer Wars and familiar stories complicated with the intricacies of “social status” and challenging cast of characters.
December 30, 2021
A Bloody Hot Summer
I never know what to write , here goes i'never heard of Trevor D'Silva .
It was a free book among many and A Bloody Hot Summer i picked !
I started reading and could'nt stop ,beleave me when it came to the end of the i wanted it to carry on.
Its about two familys, murder and greed , from there is mistory intrige 1900s to now .
Please read this book and find out for yourselfs x thanks to Trevor for the read x
I never know what to write , here goes i'never heard of Trevor D'Silva .
It was a free book among many and A Bloody Hot Summer i picked !
I started reading and could'nt stop ,beleave me when it came to the end of the i wanted it to carry on.
Its about two familys, murder and greed , from there is mistory intrige 1900s to now .
Please read this book and find out for yourselfs x thanks to Trevor for the read x
January 8, 2024
Challenging plots
Book kept me trying to figure out what was happening. Kept me scratching my head and kept my interest on a high level
Book kept me trying to figure out what was happening. Kept me scratching my head and kept my interest on a high level
November 17, 2021
Good book
It's a good read. Had me stumped for a few chapters, buy I soon began to figure out who was the bad guys.
It's a good read. Had me stumped for a few chapters, buy I soon began to figure out who was the bad guys.
December 1, 2021
A Who Done Its Of Who Done It’s
What to try and figure one out. Here is you chance. A big cast of characters and well covered in the end on all angles
What to try and figure one out. Here is you chance. A big cast of characters and well covered in the end on all angles
March 14, 2026
Really liked it! The novel blends classic British detective storytelling with historical intrigue, creating a suspenseful mystery that keeps readers guessing.
November 9, 2021
An entertaining read but a bit challenging remembering who everyone is or is pretending to be. I had to go back a few times to sort out who is still alive and when you find out why they are all being killed it doesn't get a lot clearer. The plot is very convoluted.
December 22, 2021
I enjoyed this book and would read another like it. The plot is complex and the reader has to concentrate on the events. Dermot the main character, is exhaustive in checking out clues much like Sherlock Holmes. The book ended with Dermot bringing everyone together and explaining every fact. I was reminded of a 1930s period movie. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
December 15, 2021
Great book. Loved the history. Enjoyed the challenging way the author makes you think about who the murderers are and then you think they are somebody else.
Cannot believe some of the mean comments here. People should not be mean when they write comments but encourage or give constructive criticism.
Cannot believe some of the mean comments here. People should not be mean when they write comments but encourage or give constructive criticism.
December 11, 2019
A Lively Mystery that Exposes Murderers and Empires
Trevor D’Silva’s A Bloody Hot Summer is an old-fashioned British mystery, marked by an ever-building body count and a delicious parade of clues. Yet the novel also serves as a penetrating commentary on the price of Empire with its enemies made near (Scotland and Germany) and far (India and South Africa). By interweaving the complex history of the Fitzhugh family from 1850s India to fin de siècle South Africa (during the Boer Wars) to the Great War right up to the story’s present day 1927, D’Silva delivers a narrative soiled by the undercurrents of violence and greed.
Yet the serious price of that brutal colonial history is given buoyancy by the author’s playful approach to the mystery genre. The author clearly is having fun here as he draws on the traditional tropes and hints with elements ranging from poisoned medicines to cut saddle straps to secret passageways to dull knives to evidence hidden behind paintings. The presence of the charming, unassuming detective Dermot Carlyle on the scene gives the novel a measure of British restraint that keeps the tone wry and pensive.
Plus, D’Silva’s assured pacing propels the story ahead so that the clues and deaths accumulate in intriguing ways. As I mentioned in the opening, all of this cultivated, amusing mayhem is offset by the darker legacies of British history, one for which the Fitzhugh family paid an extremely high price, even as it gained great fortune. Indeed, no fortune could be more unfortunate.
At one point Pippa says to her boyfriend Richard, “You will have to wash your shirt or the stain will never come off.” The stains are everywhere in this novel and they hurtle back to a dark past, most pointedly in the concentration camps during the Boer War. Through his weather motif, D’Silva slyly hints how the legacy of colonialism permeates every aspect of English life. As Major Havelock points out, “This heat reminds me of South Africa and India.” That heat bears down on the characters through A Bloody Hot Summer, an environment that can be withering. The atmosphere is one ripe for exposure and revelation.
Finally, the elaborate maneuvers Dermot employs to draw out the murderers are masterful and lead to a very satisfying climax. I highly recommend A Bloody Hot Summer since it serves as a fun, engaging mystery while unearthing a past the evokes both shame and the opportunity for redemption.
Trevor D’Silva’s A Bloody Hot Summer is an old-fashioned British mystery, marked by an ever-building body count and a delicious parade of clues. Yet the novel also serves as a penetrating commentary on the price of Empire with its enemies made near (Scotland and Germany) and far (India and South Africa). By interweaving the complex history of the Fitzhugh family from 1850s India to fin de siècle South Africa (during the Boer Wars) to the Great War right up to the story’s present day 1927, D’Silva delivers a narrative soiled by the undercurrents of violence and greed.
Yet the serious price of that brutal colonial history is given buoyancy by the author’s playful approach to the mystery genre. The author clearly is having fun here as he draws on the traditional tropes and hints with elements ranging from poisoned medicines to cut saddle straps to secret passageways to dull knives to evidence hidden behind paintings. The presence of the charming, unassuming detective Dermot Carlyle on the scene gives the novel a measure of British restraint that keeps the tone wry and pensive.
Plus, D’Silva’s assured pacing propels the story ahead so that the clues and deaths accumulate in intriguing ways. As I mentioned in the opening, all of this cultivated, amusing mayhem is offset by the darker legacies of British history, one for which the Fitzhugh family paid an extremely high price, even as it gained great fortune. Indeed, no fortune could be more unfortunate.
At one point Pippa says to her boyfriend Richard, “You will have to wash your shirt or the stain will never come off.” The stains are everywhere in this novel and they hurtle back to a dark past, most pointedly in the concentration camps during the Boer War. Through his weather motif, D’Silva slyly hints how the legacy of colonialism permeates every aspect of English life. As Major Havelock points out, “This heat reminds me of South Africa and India.” That heat bears down on the characters through A Bloody Hot Summer, an environment that can be withering. The atmosphere is one ripe for exposure and revelation.
Finally, the elaborate maneuvers Dermot employs to draw out the murderers are masterful and lead to a very satisfying climax. I highly recommend A Bloody Hot Summer since it serves as a fun, engaging mystery while unearthing a past the evokes both shame and the opportunity for redemption.
March 6, 2024
Fun read though pretty complicated. Challenging to try to figure out the “whodoneit” before the author wrapped it up at the end.
December 3, 2019
THE WISHING SHELF BOOK AWARDS
19th October, 2019
TITLE: A Bloody Hot Summer
AUTHOR: Trevor D’Silva
Star Rating: 4
To Sum Up
‘A cleverly plotted murder mystery populated with complex characters. Very enjoyable.’
REVIEW
I do enjoy a good murder mystery. And this is what A Bloody Hot Summer is. Set mostly in England during the 1920s, it kicks off with the murder of Lady Fitzhugh, a murder Inspector Lester Enderby and the younger Dermot Carlyle must try to solve. What follows is a cleverly interwoven plot involving a number of well-developed secondary characters and a vividly described historical setting.
Although not overly long for a novel of this genre, the author works hard to ‘pack a lot in’! I particularly enjoyed the chapter called Revolt in Kamalpore. This historical/geographical twist to this very English novel added further mystery to the story as I attempted to work out how everything fitted in.
So, what needs work? Well, there is a little too much telling and not showing. Also, the pacing is uneven here and there. But, all in all, it’s a solid story, well-crafted and well-planned. Also, I congratulate the author not only on his excellent attempt at showing Cockney and Scottish accents but also at having the intelligence to put a glossary at the end to help any confused readers.
I would recommend this book to anybody who enjoys a good historical murder/mystery. I saw, at the front of the book, the author thanked Sir Arthur Conan Doyle for inspiring him. Well, this novel reflects this and has many aspects of Doyle’s work within it. Although it’s not up to Doyle’s level in terms of plot complexity, I could imagine anybody who enjoys Sherlock Holmes enjoying this too.
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
19th October, 2019
TITLE: A Bloody Hot Summer
AUTHOR: Trevor D’Silva
Star Rating: 4
To Sum Up
‘A cleverly plotted murder mystery populated with complex characters. Very enjoyable.’
REVIEW
I do enjoy a good murder mystery. And this is what A Bloody Hot Summer is. Set mostly in England during the 1920s, it kicks off with the murder of Lady Fitzhugh, a murder Inspector Lester Enderby and the younger Dermot Carlyle must try to solve. What follows is a cleverly interwoven plot involving a number of well-developed secondary characters and a vividly described historical setting.
Although not overly long for a novel of this genre, the author works hard to ‘pack a lot in’! I particularly enjoyed the chapter called Revolt in Kamalpore. This historical/geographical twist to this very English novel added further mystery to the story as I attempted to work out how everything fitted in.
So, what needs work? Well, there is a little too much telling and not showing. Also, the pacing is uneven here and there. But, all in all, it’s a solid story, well-crafted and well-planned. Also, I congratulate the author not only on his excellent attempt at showing Cockney and Scottish accents but also at having the intelligence to put a glossary at the end to help any confused readers.
I would recommend this book to anybody who enjoys a good historical murder/mystery. I saw, at the front of the book, the author thanked Sir Arthur Conan Doyle for inspiring him. Well, this novel reflects this and has many aspects of Doyle’s work within it. Although it’s not up to Doyle’s level in terms of plot complexity, I could imagine anybody who enjoys Sherlock Holmes enjoying this too.
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
January 1, 2021
https://www.grumpybookreviewer.com/fi...
I was invited by the author, Trevor D’Silva, to read his second novel, A Bloody Hot Summer, in exchange for an honest review. The book is set in early 20th century England, and covers the time from the Boer Wars to The Great War, and examines much of the greed and abuses of that time in both India and South Africa under British rule. It is written, of course, in British English. This is a saga of an aristocratic English family whose greed still exists, but within the family rather than being visited upon those in other countries.
There are many twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. I actually recognized the killer early on, but began doubting myself as several equally likely candidates for blame rose to my attention. There is a large cast of life-like characters — so many, in fact, I had a little trouble keeping them all straight, but they were needed to be able to tell this delightful story. For anyone who loves a good murder mystery, I recommend A Bloody Hot Summer.
What made The Grumpy Book Reviewer grumpy?
The story itself is wonderful, and almost seems to be in the spirit and style of Agatha Christie. Unfortunately, the writing needs work, as there are distractions such as:
• the voice of the narrator often sounds as if he is listing activities rather than describing action;
• there are multiple missing commas, which can change the meaning of a sentence, or at least, confuse the meaning;
• there are a couple of redundancies;
• there is excessive and unnecessary use of the word “that”.
I was invited by the author, Trevor D’Silva, to read his second novel, A Bloody Hot Summer, in exchange for an honest review. The book is set in early 20th century England, and covers the time from the Boer Wars to The Great War, and examines much of the greed and abuses of that time in both India and South Africa under British rule. It is written, of course, in British English. This is a saga of an aristocratic English family whose greed still exists, but within the family rather than being visited upon those in other countries.
There are many twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. I actually recognized the killer early on, but began doubting myself as several equally likely candidates for blame rose to my attention. There is a large cast of life-like characters — so many, in fact, I had a little trouble keeping them all straight, but they were needed to be able to tell this delightful story. For anyone who loves a good murder mystery, I recommend A Bloody Hot Summer.
What made The Grumpy Book Reviewer grumpy?
The story itself is wonderful, and almost seems to be in the spirit and style of Agatha Christie. Unfortunately, the writing needs work, as there are distractions such as:
• the voice of the narrator often sounds as if he is listing activities rather than describing action;
• there are multiple missing commas, which can change the meaning of a sentence, or at least, confuse the meaning;
• there are a couple of redundancies;
• there is excessive and unnecessary use of the word “that”.
February 19, 2021
Lady Doris Fitzhugh is celebrating her eightieth birthday and surrounded by friends, family and important members of the English countryside where she lives in her inherited Fitzhugh Manor. The day is hot, bloody hot, but that doesn’t deter from the celebratory confusion of the day. As guests come and go, it is easy to be misplaced, but at the end of the day no one expects to be murdered. There is no reason to expect foul play, even within a family of dark secrets. Fortunately Inspector Dermot Lucian Carlyle is vacationing nearby. Surprised that anyone would want Her Ladyship dead as he remembered her as a harmless old lady from church, Dermot knew he had a true mystery on his hands. As he works through a series of complicated events leading up to the death of Lady Doris Fitzhugh, Dermot uncovers far too many hidden facts for the comfort of the occupant of Fitzhugh Manor.
A Bloody Hot Summer by Trevor D’Silva is written in the comfortable flavor of a stately British murder mystery. Set in a sprawling countryside manor complete with large rooms and darkened hallways, a riding stable and plenty of hidden hidey holes, any seasoned mystery lover will be cozy within the confine of D’Silva’s muted descriptions and shadowy characters. As the mystery draws to a conclusion, fresh questions emerge adding to the atmosphere of intrigue and old-world drama. The author includes a glossary of Cockney terminology for those unfamiliar with that particular verbiage. Agatha Christie fans will love A Bloody Hot Summer.
A Bloody Hot Summer by Trevor D’Silva is written in the comfortable flavor of a stately British murder mystery. Set in a sprawling countryside manor complete with large rooms and darkened hallways, a riding stable and plenty of hidden hidey holes, any seasoned mystery lover will be cozy within the confine of D’Silva’s muted descriptions and shadowy characters. As the mystery draws to a conclusion, fresh questions emerge adding to the atmosphere of intrigue and old-world drama. The author includes a glossary of Cockney terminology for those unfamiliar with that particular verbiage. Agatha Christie fans will love A Bloody Hot Summer.
June 12, 2023
Title : A Bloody Hot Summer Author: Trevor D'silva Genre: contemporary British fiction, mystery ,crime. Rating : 4.5 / 5
Summary : It's 1927 and Great Britain is sweltering in an unprecedented heatwave. On the morning after her eightieth birthday party, Lady Fitzhugh is discovered bound and butchered in her bed, with her family and staff the prime suspects...Whilst holidaying at nearby Meadowford Village, Detective Dermot Carlyle is asked to help investigate the brutal murder. The clues all point to a robbery gone wrong, but Dermot suspects that there is more to the horrific crime. The Fitzhughs' secrets take Dermot along a path linking some of the biggest events of the British Colonial Empire - from India to Africa, to the dark days of the Great War itself.As more murders take place, Dermot is racing against time to discover the killer's identity. What are the family hiding, why did Lady Fitzhugh have to die, and what horror was committed in the colonies that led to this trail of death and deceit? Review : An engaging mystery novel to keep you feeling good during the scorching summer of mangalore ! My debut read of this author on recommendation by a friend and bookclub member who coincidentally shares her name with a character in the book ! The author keeps you captivated with the storyline all through,loved the vocabulary too. The plot is so well written,reminded me of the Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot Mysteries. This one was a page turner that kept me hooked on. Can't wait to read more by this author.
Summary : It's 1927 and Great Britain is sweltering in an unprecedented heatwave. On the morning after her eightieth birthday party, Lady Fitzhugh is discovered bound and butchered in her bed, with her family and staff the prime suspects...Whilst holidaying at nearby Meadowford Village, Detective Dermot Carlyle is asked to help investigate the brutal murder. The clues all point to a robbery gone wrong, but Dermot suspects that there is more to the horrific crime. The Fitzhughs' secrets take Dermot along a path linking some of the biggest events of the British Colonial Empire - from India to Africa, to the dark days of the Great War itself.As more murders take place, Dermot is racing against time to discover the killer's identity. What are the family hiding, why did Lady Fitzhugh have to die, and what horror was committed in the colonies that led to this trail of death and deceit? Review : An engaging mystery novel to keep you feeling good during the scorching summer of mangalore ! My debut read of this author on recommendation by a friend and bookclub member who coincidentally shares her name with a character in the book ! The author keeps you captivated with the storyline all through,loved the vocabulary too. The plot is so well written,reminded me of the Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot Mysteries. This one was a page turner that kept me hooked on. Can't wait to read more by this author.
March 26, 2021
"A Bloody Hot Summer" is a Contemporary British Fiction written by the author Trevor D'Silva. Story is set in 1927 in Meadowford Village. Lady Doris Fitzhugh had inherited Fitzhugh Manor from her father. Preparations for her eightieth birthday party were going on. In the evening the guests arrived and Lady Doris cut the cake for her birthday. The next morning, when a maid Alice went to Doris' room with tea and toast, she found Doris murdered in her bed.
Inspector Enderby went to the murder scene but since he didn't have much experience to solve murder case, Dermot Lucian Carlyle was asked to investigate the case. Dermot was in London on a holiday but since he was nearby crime scene, he was asked to investigate the case. Dermot and Inspector Enderby interviewed Doris' family, maid Alice Hall, etc. Emerald necklace that Doris wore on her birthday is missing. Grab a copy of this novel and find out yourself what will happen next.
Glossary given at the end of the book helped me to understand the meaning of British English words. Storyline is intriguing and kept me on the edge. Cover photo of the book is nice and title couldn't have been more appropriate. It is the first book that I have read by the author and I am now interested to read more of his work.
Inspector Enderby went to the murder scene but since he didn't have much experience to solve murder case, Dermot Lucian Carlyle was asked to investigate the case. Dermot was in London on a holiday but since he was nearby crime scene, he was asked to investigate the case. Dermot and Inspector Enderby interviewed Doris' family, maid Alice Hall, etc. Emerald necklace that Doris wore on her birthday is missing. Grab a copy of this novel and find out yourself what will happen next.
Glossary given at the end of the book helped me to understand the meaning of British English words. Storyline is intriguing and kept me on the edge. Cover photo of the book is nice and title couldn't have been more appropriate. It is the first book that I have read by the author and I am now interested to read more of his work.
April 2, 2020
Overall Rating = 4.88
Storyline & Concept = 5
Writing & Delivery = 5
Cover Marketability = 5
Editorial = 4.5
A Bloody Hot Summer offers a fine influential mix and feel of two of England’s most famous literary giants. The Dickens-like introduction immediately releases mystery and flashes the twists to come. An intricately laid out cast of characters is introduced with purpose and the flavor of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle fitting each one into the puzzle. Classic storyline points are used in a learned and sharp approach and are mixed with circumstantial origins and family history that helps to shift speeds in well-pace moments. This book brings the reader back to a time when intrigue and crime were fresh subjects for consumption.
Sublime Line: “A Bloody Hot Summer is a fantastic visit home to the style and genre that made mysteries ever so intriguing.”
Storyline & Concept = 5
Writing & Delivery = 5
Cover Marketability = 5
Editorial = 4.5
A Bloody Hot Summer offers a fine influential mix and feel of two of England’s most famous literary giants. The Dickens-like introduction immediately releases mystery and flashes the twists to come. An intricately laid out cast of characters is introduced with purpose and the flavor of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle fitting each one into the puzzle. Classic storyline points are used in a learned and sharp approach and are mixed with circumstantial origins and family history that helps to shift speeds in well-pace moments. This book brings the reader back to a time when intrigue and crime were fresh subjects for consumption.
Sublime Line: “A Bloody Hot Summer is a fantastic visit home to the style and genre that made mysteries ever so intriguing.”
January 2, 2022
Good idea poor execution
By half way I'd worked out who the murders were and their true identity - so why plough through the rest of the book. There are many murders by many different methods. The author has tried to throw everything into the book and it doesn't work.
A really annoying aspect was the way the author kept switching between dialogue and telling you what the characters said/did. This inconsistency should of been picked up by an editor. It's always better to show than tell.
The detectives came across as naive and slow witted. Clues are really emphasised so you can't miss them giving the book a childish feel.
By half way I'd worked out who the murders were and their true identity - so why plough through the rest of the book. There are many murders by many different methods. The author has tried to throw everything into the book and it doesn't work.
A really annoying aspect was the way the author kept switching between dialogue and telling you what the characters said/did. This inconsistency should of been picked up by an editor. It's always better to show than tell.
The detectives came across as naive and slow witted. Clues are really emphasised so you can't miss them giving the book a childish feel.
May 13, 2020
A gratifying read
A book with lots of twists in the plot which includes historical fact as pert of the story. Following the twisting plot tests the brain at times though satisfying when you grasp the relationship.
Felt at times the detective a little slow in picking up the clues. His age and rank make the reader wonder why the older higher ranked inspector didn’t take more of a leading role. Enjoyed The adventure. A reminder the Norman governing class have not been perfect in treatment of other cultures.
A book with lots of twists in the plot which includes historical fact as pert of the story. Following the twisting plot tests the brain at times though satisfying when you grasp the relationship.
Felt at times the detective a little slow in picking up the clues. His age and rank make the reader wonder why the older higher ranked inspector didn’t take more of a leading role. Enjoyed The adventure. A reminder the Norman governing class have not been perfect in treatment of other cultures.
February 6, 2021
Interesting mysyery
I enjoyed this mystery, written like the vintage English detectives story. I got lost in the family tree at the beginning but it was all detailed by the end. Look forward to another one.
I enjoyed this mystery, written like the vintage English detectives story. I got lost in the family tree at the beginning but it was all detailed by the end. Look forward to another one.
March 14, 2021
Only for emergencies...
Torturous plotting, labored writing, flat characters; not worth the effort unless you’re stuck with nothing else to read
(Also several “Americanisms” & minor typos—“disappointingly” for “disappointedly “, etc.)
Torturous plotting, labored writing, flat characters; not worth the effort unless you’re stuck with nothing else to read
(Also several “Americanisms” & minor typos—“disappointingly” for “disappointedly “, etc.)
March 17, 2021
I started out enjoying this book but soon got confused as to what era or decade it was in. A what-a- be Agatha Christy. I liked the idea but just too many characters. Maybe his next book will be better.
May 23, 2022
A great mystery
D’Silva has woven an intricate, fascinating murder mystery. His attention to historical research is impressive. I felt like I was there in the midst of this fascinating web of intrigue.
D’Silva has woven an intricate, fascinating murder mystery. His attention to historical research is impressive. I felt like I was there in the midst of this fascinating web of intrigue.
November 27, 2023
Greed, revenge and murder
A great murder mystery, that spans the Indian mutiny, the Boar wars and onwards. So many twists to this tale before it is solved, all makes for a great read.
A great murder mystery, that spans the Indian mutiny, the Boar wars and onwards. So many twists to this tale before it is solved, all makes for a great read.
January 20, 2022
good old who dun it
Fun to read, quick and contorted detective story. Shades of the greats, everything needed, lots of murder intrigue and conspiracy.
Fun to read, quick and contorted detective story. Shades of the greats, everything needed, lots of murder intrigue and conspiracy.
March 27, 2022
This is a GREAT MURDER MYSTERY! It keeps you guessing to the very end. It is a plot that thickens and then comes full circle to the unexpected. A must-read!
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