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Sergeant Frank Hardy #2.5
A Dark and Painful Mystery
NEW ZEALAND, 1878: Has the missing man been murdered in the dense bush, or has he simply abandoned his wife and children for another woman?
Sergeant Frank Hardy and his new wife Mette attempt to solve two real mysteries from nineteenth century New Zealand: the whereabouts of Peter Kane, who left his home to look for work and did not return, and the brutal murder of an accommodation house owner who was splitting palings in the bush. Were they connected? If so, how?
As one newspaper said at the time about the Peter Kane disappearance:
"...the fate of the poor fellow may be cleared up, and the state of horrible suspense in which his unfortunate wife has been kept in for months brought to an end; and we would ask not only the people of Woodville, but of the other districts he may have visited, to take all possible steps to throw light upon what at present appears to be a dark and painful mystery." The Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 81, 20 July 1878
This engaging novella is perfect for readers who have enjoyed the other three Sergeant Frank Mysteries, or who love Australian writers Paul Haworth, and Peter Carey, or historical mystery writers Anne Perry and Charles Todd. For readers who have not read the series already, the novella includes a backstory/history of the two main characters.
NOTE: THIS BOOK FALLS BETWEEN BOOKS 2 & 3 OF THE SERGEANT FRANK HARDY MYSTERIES. HOWEVER, YOU CAN START THE SERIES WITH THIS SHORT READ.
Sergeant Frank Hardy and his new wife Mette attempt to solve two real mysteries from nineteenth century New Zealand: the whereabouts of Peter Kane, who left his home to look for work and did not return, and the brutal murder of an accommodation house owner who was splitting palings in the bush. Were they connected? If so, how?
As one newspaper said at the time about the Peter Kane disappearance:
"...the fate of the poor fellow may be cleared up, and the state of horrible suspense in which his unfortunate wife has been kept in for months brought to an end; and we would ask not only the people of Woodville, but of the other districts he may have visited, to take all possible steps to throw light upon what at present appears to be a dark and painful mystery." The Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 81, 20 July 1878
This engaging novella is perfect for readers who have enjoyed the other three Sergeant Frank Mysteries, or who love Australian writers Paul Haworth, and Peter Carey, or historical mystery writers Anne Perry and Charles Todd. For readers who have not read the series already, the novella includes a backstory/history of the two main characters.
NOTE: THIS BOOK FALLS BETWEEN BOOKS 2 & 3 OF THE SERGEANT FRANK HARDY MYSTERIES. HOWEVER, YOU CAN START THE SERIES WITH THIS SHORT READ.
110 pages, ebook
First published September 1, 2019
74 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 30, 2020
A nice novella/companion piece to the Sergeant Frank Hardy series.
January 20, 2024
Less well known that the disappearances of Amelia Earhart, Judge Force Crater or Lord Lucan, the disappearance of pioneer Peter Kane remains a singular event in New Zealand history.
Kane disappeared within a day’s walk of his home in 1877. He was flush with money and eager to reunite with his wife and three children. But he never made it home. The third installment of Wendy M. Wilson’s set in late-19th century colonial New Zealand (a novella rather than a full novel) features a fictionalized account of Kane’s disappearance. As usual, Sergeant Frank Hardy is joined by his Danish-born wife in this investigation. The plot is a bit thin — if you’ll pardon the pun when discussing a novel — and not as good as previous Hardy books, but I enjoyed it well enough.
Kane disappeared within a day’s walk of his home in 1877. He was flush with money and eager to reunite with his wife and three children. But he never made it home. The third installment of Wendy M. Wilson’s set in late-19th century colonial New Zealand (a novella rather than a full novel) features a fictionalized account of Kane’s disappearance. As usual, Sergeant Frank Hardy is joined by his Danish-born wife in this investigation. The plot is a bit thin — if you’ll pardon the pun when discussing a novel — and not as good as previous Hardy books, but I enjoyed it well enough.
November 6, 2020
Frank and Mette are busy creating their horse farm and building their house in NZ but feeling the pinch for money when Frank is approached to find a man who has disappeared. He seems to have disappeared about the same time as a murder and in about the same area. Frank follows his logical footsteps asking questions and piecing things together while Mette stays in the village offering support to the man's family and learning a few things along the way. I really enjoy the pacing of these stories and learning some of New Zealand's history. This is set in 1879.
May 12, 2022
1878 Frank Hardy is engaged to discover the whereabouts, if alive, of missing Peter Kane. Travelling for over a year and last heard of four months previously. He was seen lastly in Woodville at the same time as the murder of George Ollandt. Is there a connection.
An entertaining mystery
An entertaining mystery
September 9, 2021
Another adventure with Frank and his now wife, Meta, will be a page turner! As Ms. Wendy Wilson attempts is to always include an actual happening, Frank and Meta become part of this so colorful history of New Zealand. Frank is commissioned to search for a missing man. The man's wife and three children have become destitute and her town as collected money for Frank's services. Excellent ending!
May 12, 2021
CHIRP AUDIOBOOK
It’s a nice clean storyline, but it’s a bit like watching an episode of Little House On The Prairie... in New Zealand. It’s a good story, but not too exciting.
It’s a nice clean storyline, but it’s a bit like watching an episode of Little House On The Prairie... in New Zealand. It’s a good story, but not too exciting.
April 29, 2022
True events
This part of the Frank and Mette story is based on true events. Maybe because of that less exiting. But I like reading about New Zealands history.
This part of the Frank and Mette story is based on true events. Maybe because of that less exiting. But I like reading about New Zealands history.
June 3, 2022
taking a real historic mystery and creating a fictional solution> Good reading but not that good as earlier books.
August 2, 2022
Love this series. The characters are beautifully written.
January 9, 2023
A novella early in the series. Easy listening and good narration, as usual.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews