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Peter Marklin #2
Die-Cast
Peter Marklin, the antique toy dealer and amateur detective, is called in to investigate the brutal murder of Lana-Lee Claudell, a retired Hollywood actress
214 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1987
31 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Neville Steed
22 books5 followersPseudonym of Norman Keith Sharam. He worked in advertising before setting up his own advertising agency. After six years he sold the business to become a novelist. He lives in Devon with his wife Kate Sharam.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 31, 2021
Crisply written, very entertaining
I recommend this book even if you haven't yet read Book 1. Antique toy dealer Peter Marklin does even more amateur sleuthing in a murder case. The story again takes place in southern England. There's a mere glance of curse words, and a bit of sex but nothing explicit.
Very enjoyable read.
I recommend this book even if you haven't yet read Book 1. Antique toy dealer Peter Marklin does even more amateur sleuthing in a murder case. The story again takes place in southern England. There's a mere glance of curse words, and a bit of sex but nothing explicit.
Very enjoyable read.
February 25, 2016
I would like to thank Netgalley and Endeavour Press for a review copy of Die-Cast which is a cosy mystery of amateur sleuthing written in 1987. Mr Steed is a new author to me so I was interested to try his writing.
Die-Cast opens with harsh words and an attempted assault. It then goes on to introduce the main characters and the background to the opening. Peter Marklin is the amateur sleuth when he is not dealing in antique/vintage models and is a witness to the opening scene when he and his girlfriend, Arabella, are invited to a party at Lana Lee Claudell's mansion. Lana Lee is an American film star and the altercation is between her formerly estranged husband, Ben Maxwell, and her boyfriend until Ben's return, Adam Longhurst. Ben Maxwell is killed a few days later and Adam Lonhurst is arrested on very strong circumstantial evidence. Lana Lee asks Peter to get Adam out of jail.
Die-Cast is a very enjoyable read. The plot is satisfactorily convoluted and kept me turning the pages, some of it I could guess, most of I couldn't. Mr Steed has a very pleasant writing style which is easy to read and has a light touch with some humour. The characters are generally pleasant and appealing which adds to the reading pleasure. The forensics, however, give away the age of the novel. Much of the plot relies on supposed phone calls but with no digital exchanges no one can prove if they happened or not or where they originated, frustrating for any reader used to modern technology in their fiction. The same goes for the circumstances which cause Adam to be arrested. DNA would have cleared him, but it wasn't widely used if at all back then. It all gives the novel a certain innocence you can't get nowadays.
I would be interested in reading more in the series and can recommend Die-Cast if you want a good, escapist read which will hold your attention and don't mind a certain old fashionedness.
Die-Cast opens with harsh words and an attempted assault. It then goes on to introduce the main characters and the background to the opening. Peter Marklin is the amateur sleuth when he is not dealing in antique/vintage models and is a witness to the opening scene when he and his girlfriend, Arabella, are invited to a party at Lana Lee Claudell's mansion. Lana Lee is an American film star and the altercation is between her formerly estranged husband, Ben Maxwell, and her boyfriend until Ben's return, Adam Longhurst. Ben Maxwell is killed a few days later and Adam Lonhurst is arrested on very strong circumstantial evidence. Lana Lee asks Peter to get Adam out of jail.
Die-Cast is a very enjoyable read. The plot is satisfactorily convoluted and kept me turning the pages, some of it I could guess, most of I couldn't. Mr Steed has a very pleasant writing style which is easy to read and has a light touch with some humour. The characters are generally pleasant and appealing which adds to the reading pleasure. The forensics, however, give away the age of the novel. Much of the plot relies on supposed phone calls but with no digital exchanges no one can prove if they happened or not or where they originated, frustrating for any reader used to modern technology in their fiction. The same goes for the circumstances which cause Adam to be arrested. DNA would have cleared him, but it wasn't widely used if at all back then. It all gives the novel a certain innocence you can't get nowadays.
I would be interested in reading more in the series and can recommend Die-Cast if you want a good, escapist read which will hold your attention and don't mind a certain old fashionedness.
February 25, 2016
Don’t be fooled by the cover - it has absolutely no relation to the novel whatsoever. The die in die-cast refers to a method used to create model toys, not to dice or gambling.
Die-Cast is a delightful British cozy filled with all of the important ingredients - an interesting village setting removed from the bustle of the city, unique characters, a charming and clever lead, an unusual theme, and a scene-stealing cat.
Peter Marklin collects and sells rare and unusual toys at his shop in Dorset. He plans to stay far away from any form of amateur detective work. Unfortunately, his plans are for naught when Lana-Lee Claudell, a famous Hollywood actress asks him to uncover the truth about her ex-husband’s murder. The police suspect Adam Longhurst, her former lover who was seen threatening him at a party weeks before. As he has no alibi, the local police are uninterested in investigating further. Marklin’s friend, Inspector Blake from Scotland Yard, encourages Peter to do what he can.
Apart from the whodunnit aspect of the novel, I enjoyed learning about antique toys and the popularity of the intensely detailed die-cast models of vehicles. Peter and Arabella are a charming couple who work well together. I loved how their relationship was depicted. And Gus - he is a stalwart figure - always present, good natured, likes a good solid gossip, and is always ready to help in his own unique way.
Although originally published in the late 80’s, Die Cast has held up well over time. I chuckled a few times over the Dynasty reference and Marklin’s Burt Reynolds imitations.
I very much enjoyed this charming, well written British cozy. It is a pleasure to see it released in ebook form.
5/5
I received a copy of Die Cast from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
—Crittermom
Die-Cast is a delightful British cozy filled with all of the important ingredients - an interesting village setting removed from the bustle of the city, unique characters, a charming and clever lead, an unusual theme, and a scene-stealing cat.
Peter Marklin collects and sells rare and unusual toys at his shop in Dorset. He plans to stay far away from any form of amateur detective work. Unfortunately, his plans are for naught when Lana-Lee Claudell, a famous Hollywood actress asks him to uncover the truth about her ex-husband’s murder. The police suspect Adam Longhurst, her former lover who was seen threatening him at a party weeks before. As he has no alibi, the local police are uninterested in investigating further. Marklin’s friend, Inspector Blake from Scotland Yard, encourages Peter to do what he can.
Apart from the whodunnit aspect of the novel, I enjoyed learning about antique toys and the popularity of the intensely detailed die-cast models of vehicles. Peter and Arabella are a charming couple who work well together. I loved how their relationship was depicted. And Gus - he is a stalwart figure - always present, good natured, likes a good solid gossip, and is always ready to help in his own unique way.
Although originally published in the late 80’s, Die Cast has held up well over time. I chuckled a few times over the Dynasty reference and Marklin’s Burt Reynolds imitations.
I very much enjoyed this charming, well written British cozy. It is a pleasure to see it released in ebook form.
5/5
I received a copy of Die Cast from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
—Crittermom
April 24, 2016
A fun romp...
Die-Cast sports a challenging plot and likeable characters. Although I wouldn't consider it a
page-turner, it was a pleasant read....thus the four stars instead of five.
Die-Cast sports a challenging plot and likeable characters. Although I wouldn't consider it a
page-turner, it was a pleasant read....thus the four stars instead of five.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews