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Three Oaks #11
Dead Weight
When the universally disliked Jasmine Horner is found drowned, no one is sorry to see the back of her.
In fact, there are those who feel that, after a lifetime of meddling in other people’s business, her comeuppance is long overdue.
An innocent conversation in the local pub leads the police to Alastair Branch – much to the consternation of his friend, John Cunningham. And when Alastair is arrested, John decides to take matters into his own hands, enlisting several of his young kennel hands to gather information. John’s investigations gradually uncover a series of possible clues, including a cigar butt found near the body, a suspicious looking man witnessed near Mrs Horner’s house, some fake letters she typed under false names and the sinister disappearance of a pet rabbit.
One thing is certain – Jasmine Horner had made one enemy too many in the district, and everybody is a suspect.
Praise for Gerald Hammond:
‘The Scottish countryside has not been such an effective backdrop to adventure since The 39 Steps. If your interests include crime and canines, this one’s for you!’ - Crime Time
Gerald Hammond worked as an architect for thirty years, before taking early retirement in 1982. He lives in Scotland, with his wife, and has three sons and five granddaughters. He spends his time shooting, fishing and writing – ‘Anything else I do reluctantly and under protest.’ He is the author of over forty mystery novels, the most recent being Follow That Gun, Twice Bitten, A Shocking Affair and Dogsbody. He currently writes three mystery series: one featuring dogbreeder John Cunningham, one based around the gun expert Keith Calder and one set in the world of angling, featuring Walter James.
In fact, there are those who feel that, after a lifetime of meddling in other people’s business, her comeuppance is long overdue.
An innocent conversation in the local pub leads the police to Alastair Branch – much to the consternation of his friend, John Cunningham. And when Alastair is arrested, John decides to take matters into his own hands, enlisting several of his young kennel hands to gather information. John’s investigations gradually uncover a series of possible clues, including a cigar butt found near the body, a suspicious looking man witnessed near Mrs Horner’s house, some fake letters she typed under false names and the sinister disappearance of a pet rabbit.
One thing is certain – Jasmine Horner had made one enemy too many in the district, and everybody is a suspect.
Praise for Gerald Hammond:
‘The Scottish countryside has not been such an effective backdrop to adventure since The 39 Steps. If your interests include crime and canines, this one’s for you!’ - Crime Time
Gerald Hammond worked as an architect for thirty years, before taking early retirement in 1982. He lives in Scotland, with his wife, and has three sons and five granddaughters. He spends his time shooting, fishing and writing – ‘Anything else I do reluctantly and under protest.’ He is the author of over forty mystery novels, the most recent being Follow That Gun, Twice Bitten, A Shocking Affair and Dogsbody. He currently writes three mystery series: one featuring dogbreeder John Cunningham, one based around the gun expert Keith Calder and one set in the world of angling, featuring Walter James.
168 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2000
28 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Gerald Hammond
101 books20 followersGerald Hammond, (Gerald Arthur Douglas Hammond) son of Frederick Arthur Lucas (a physician) and Maria Birnie (a nursing sister) Hammond; married Gilda Isobel Watt (a nurse), August 20, 1952; children: Peter, David, Steven. Education: Aberdeen School of Architecture, Dip. Arch., 1952. He served in the British Army, 1944-45. Although born in Bournemouth, Hampshire, England, he worked in and retired to the country he most loved, Scotland.
He also writes under the names of Arthur Douglas and Dalby Holden. He was an architect for thirty years before retiring to write novels full-time in 1982. He has written over 50 novels since the late 1960s.
His novels center around guns, shooting, hunting, fishing, and dog training.
He also writes under the names of Arthur Douglas and Dalby Holden. He was an architect for thirty years before retiring to write novels full-time in 1982. He has written over 50 novels since the late 1960s.
His novels center around guns, shooting, hunting, fishing, and dog training.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 23, 2020
We're back to John Cunningham and Three Oaks Fram for this one, as he gets involved in yet another murder investigation, this time to clear teh name of a good friend. Excellent plot twists and a really good mystery, as usual.
February 21, 2025
British Suspense
Not sure how Gerald Hammond did it, but the British speak. The storytelling*has me hooked. Have read 8 out of 11
Molds storytelling and mystery along with god characters to get you hooked
Sully
Not sure how Gerald Hammond did it, but the British speak. The storytelling*has me hooked. Have read 8 out of 11
Molds storytelling and mystery along with god characters to get you hooked
Sully
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews