Murder in Deep Regret

Doyle & Acton #11

by Anne Cleeland

A shocking death at St. Michael's Church pitches Detective Sergeant Kathleen Doyle into a confusing case--one where the motive for the crime is not at all clear, and only becomes less so as the investigation unearths a massive criminal enterprise.
Why was the murder of such a famous man necessary? And why does Doyle have the sense that the killer had to steel himself to commit the crime?
Once again, Doyle has to keep a wary eye on her husband, Chief Inspector Acton, as she ponders these strange events; Acton may protest his innocence but she knows--in the way she knows things--that he's harboring a secret, which does not bode well for her peace of mind. . .

Genres: Mystery, British Literature, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Crime, Suspense, Procedural

266 pages, Paperback

Published March 3, 2020

About the author

Anne Cleeland writes a contemporary Scotland Yard mystery series that is featured in the Amazon top 100 best sellers. She also writes a historical series of stand-alone books set in the Regency period. A member of International Thriller Writers, The Historical Novel Society, and Mystery Writers of America, she lives in California and has four children. www.annecleeland.com; @annecleeland.

Reviews

[Barbara Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Series: Doyle and Acton #11
Publication Date: 3/2/20
Number of Pages: 248

I just love it when this author dusts off her ‘twisted murder mystery’ brain and sets it to writing another book in the Doyle and Acton series. This story was particularly fun because the omnipotent Acton was actually caught off guard. Usually, he has his finger on the pulse of anyone who is even thinking about committing a crime – much less actually having done so.

A murder, disguised as a suicide, has occurred at St. Michaels Church. The victim is the most famous football (soccer) player there is and everyone is mourning his loss – and wanting answers.

As the investigation goes along, there are more questions than answers, suspects galore, and a motive that nobody can find. The investigation points to an ongoing money laundering scheme – but – that makes no sense because the murder shines the light onto a scheme that wasn’t even on the police radar.

As always, Kathleen Doyle has to puzzle out what her husband, Detective Chief Inspector Acton is up to and either help him or stop him – whichever turns out to be appropriate.

The resolution will surprise you – and leave you wondering what is going to happen next. We had some surprise relationship changes, some exciting news, an exciting, interesting investigation, and a good read.

If you like a murder mystery with a twist, this is a good series to read. I always love each new addition to the series.

[Talltree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would have been 5 stars, except the ending kinda was cliffhangerish :(

[Ira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still love this series! ❤️

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding, once again Anne Cleeland has delivered an exquisite mystery suspense story in Murder in Deep Regret.

Acton and Doyle make for a crackin’ marvelous team, each unraveling clues together and separately as Kathleen races mightily to reign in her husband’s wiley ways of investigation.

I loved the new developments involvingThomas, Lizzie, Munoz and Geary. The epilogue was such a wonderful touch with even more surprising revelations. I enjoyed every moment spent on the murder trail with Acton, Doyle and crew. Very highly recommended!

[Mei · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good one!
Doyle is thinking, in vain, that Acton will change, but it's not happening IMHO! LOL

[AlwaysV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anne Cleeland has delivered another super fantastic mystery! Lord Acton was unbelievable as a dark hero! My being a law abiding citizen has no way stopped my from falling so crazy in love with how he solved crimes and dealt with criminals. There was no doubt that I shared Lord Acton's moral compass. I also loved how Lady Acton kept trying to guide her wayward husband in the acceptable direction. (Good Luck with that!)

Then came the dilemma. I definitely didn't like when other characters committed murders/crimes and then got away as if no law was ever broken! My hope was that they will be punished by law in the future! Like in the next book. . .

I enjoyed the relationship developments among other characters. The two unexpected marriages were entertaining. Looking forward to the next & next book! Sharing one of my favorite scenes:

"I think Edward's awake."

Reynolds indicated the monitor that sat on the kitchen counter. "I believe he is still asleep, madam."

Doyle opened the door, and said loudly, "Ho, Edward. Are you still asleep?" In response, the baby gamely rose to clutch the crib rails and bestow a sleepy smile upon his mother.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really do enjoy these books that deliver very interesting crimes that are multi-layered, requiring the special insight from Doyle as she assists her husband in cutting through deceit. It is also rewarding to follow the relationship and interactions with co-workers. The couple has their first formal dinner party to display a portrait recently completed of Doyle, but the painter and attendees are all pieces of the puzzle in complex, inter-related criminal activities. The butler continues to keep the home environment solid and safe for young baby Edward and Doyle continues to have ghosts visiting her dreams to lend their help.

[Dallass · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but something was missing.

I have been eagerly awaiting this book ever since I discovered the series last year and binged all the books. So, I do love these characters, and yet, I didn’t love this particular story as much as the previous books.

The cadence of the story was just off somehow and gave me the impression that the story seemed rushed. A lot of the usual workplace scenes were missing, and there was only one body! I know, that’s downright unheard of, right? Munoz, Edward, and even Habib had cameo appearances, and a very interesting subplot with Martina (that could have been a book by itself) was dangled until the end and just fizzled out rather unsatisfactorily. Yet, I did like the way the author set the cat amongst the pigeons in regards to Williams and Munoz, and I’m hoping Williams’s new development (trying not to spoil that) plays a bigger part in the next book, because that was a surprise and a half.

So, while I had some issues with the plot and pacing, the characters that I have grown to love over the series made this worthwhile. Can’t wait to see what Ms. Cleeland does with them next.

3.5 stars ⭐️

[Barb Nickelsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Murky plot and confusing ending

I do like the characters but this book was very confusing. I still don’t understand what the plot was all about. And, it seems like it’s not really resolved. Plus, a lot of the twists that occurred should have been known by Doyle and Acton prior to the revelation so they just didn’t make sense. I’m hoping some of the plot will be better explained in the next book.

And. I’m tired of Doyle not knowing the meaning of words, some quite common. How did she get to be a detective without having knowing such things as reading comprehension? And, enough of “the fair Doyle” when referring to herself.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

So much potential but....love the characters

The Doyle & Acton stories are currently my favorite series. I was soooo looking forward to this addition but it fell flat. The events with Munoz & Geary and with Williams & Mathis provided the foundation for some great side-stories but these, sadly, were left unexplored. The main story also felt superficial. The whole book felt under-developed. Maybe the author was pressured to just "get something out there". I still love the characters and look forward to future escapades. I don't need flashy, high drama - just more attention to character development and story telling. This did not equal the plot intricacies or relationship development of Ms. Cleveland's previous Doyle & Acton stories. I am longing for the satisfying stories of the earlier books.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars rounded up to 4 Stars. The story wasn't resolved to any sort of satisfying ending for this reader. It left one feeling as if they were left hanging in mid air with no discernible resolution. Sincerely hope the next book ties up the very loose ends of this one.

[Lulu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it, loved every minute of it. Didn't want it to end and I'm so looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Mari · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0 ***

I think I'm done with this series. You have to remember minute details from the past books (which I don't). I had to re-read so much of Doyle's incomprehensible dialog I became frustrated. It really takes away from the story when the reader has no clue what a character is saying. I can't believe the people of Ireland actually converse the way Doyle does. Doyle still comes across as an idiot. It's annoying. I like Acton and his relationship with Doyle however, I'm tired of current crimes resulting from the crimes of past story lines. I want a completely new mystery with understandable dialog.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another gem from Anne Cleeland! When a famous soccer player is murdered in Acton & Doyle’s parish church it is obviously a message of some kind for Acton. The story has the usual cast of characters we know and love along with Doyle’s dreams and truth detecting abilities. Acton is up to his usual tricks manipulating evidence and controlling most every situation behind the scenes along with being his usual overprotective self. This was definitely one of favorites of the entire series with a number of very interesting surprises! Truly enjoyable. I read the entire book in one sitting as I just could not put it down!

[Mnulman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anne Cleeland is a very clever writer. Her plots twist and turn, the unexpected happens often, she is funny, which is much harder than it looks. Her characters shine. Every time a new book comes out, I reread the series from the beginning. Each time, I wonder if I will get bored. Instead, I get sucked into her world, and when the last book ends, I want more.

I loved "Murder in the Blood", especially the ending, and feared "Murder in Deep Regret" would be a letdown. Silly me. Ms. Cleeland gave me another engaging story, with a complex crime. Doyle and Acton meet new friends and suspects--often the same persons. Savoie returns, enigmatic as ever. Doyle's dreams are equally enigmatic and Acton moves behind the scenes to--well, he's always a mystery.

I am already eager for the next one.

[Teresa Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite series - Doyle and Acton show the reader a crackin' good time tracking down those blacklegs caught in a money laundering, art forging, jewelry smuggling rig. I liked the Mathis-Williams and Munoz-Geary developments as well. Looking forward to the next one already.

[Ez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, even though it continues to be incredibly formulaic, but felt the premise and resulting perpetrator of the murder was a bit of a stretch even for this series. When Rizzo, a beloved star soccer player for a local team, is found dead in St Michael's, Doyle and the usual crew are sent in to find out what's what. Of course, Acton is keeping a stack of secrets and it's up to Doyle to be the ghost whisperer again and stumble her way through the evidence to find out what's happening and hopefully keep her husband from committing a crime...again. One of their own seems to be getting set up to take the fall with some evidence being a little too convenient and a favourite character of mine ties the knot, with no one more surprised than him. There's yet another conspiracy afoot involving high end smuggling and the like where powerful players are involved. Add to that, a secret Catholic vigilante group from afar is bashing about determined to mete out some old-school justice to sinners.

Like I said above, I enjoyed the book, but must admit that the investigations, writing style and idiosyncrasies are becoming a tad repetitive. There was a prologue that was never fully explained and so didn't really make sense as well as a ghost that featured throughout the story, only to find out that we don't even find out what happened. I felt that as a result, this book had quite a few loose ends that weren't adequately tied up and led to some elements being a little confusing because the relevance couldn't be completely ascertained. It's becoming a little hard to swallow, at times, that so many high powered people who just happen to be on Acton and Doyle's radar are involved in nefarious deeds that they also seem to fall into.

On a positive note, I continue to enjoy Doyle's quirks and the characters around her, particularly Savoie (who I wish there was more of rather than "we're friends of sorts but I won't acknowledge him pretty much anywhere"). The book started well, even though this story line didn't really go anywhere. Acton continues to verbally say that he has underestimated Doyle and I, once again, said to myself that for someone so brilliant, he seems to be a pretty slow learner in that regard. Speaking of Acton, he has many pieces in play in this book, taking great risk and once again skirting disaster. A bit of the book was predictable, but there was still a good twist that helped somewhat redeem the fact that some of the plot wasn't resolved.

[Anne, Unfinished Woman · Rating 3 out of 5]

SPOILER ALERT

So much of this story is Kathleen and Acton discussing what type of murder this one is. Rizzo, a star soccer player who has just signed a huge paying contract with the London Kingmen, is found dead at St. Michael's church. It is presumed he has committed suicide. But that doesn't add up and they are trying to determine why, and who. All clues seem to be trying to frame Philippe Savoie, the French underworld kingpin, and friend and conspirator of Kathleen and Acton.

It appears that there is a money laundering scheme going on using perhaps jewelry or forged art. The husband of the portrait painter, Javid, who is currently painting Kathleen, and scheduled to do one of Acton, is involved, along with Sir Vikili, the attorney. Martina Betencourt, who helps the police from time to time, may be involved, though in the end it turns out that she is the wife of Antonio D'Angelo, who is believed dead, lost at sea, a construction magnate, the company doing to renovation on St. Michaels. He had been trying to determine what his company was being used for.
She is also part of the Spanish The Order of Santiago, an ancient Roman Catholic order, that protects the church, and who warns Doyle that they are aware that Acton is siphoning money from the church, and may find himself in jail if he isn't careful. She is reminded also that the church absolves murder in "just cause", so long as there was no choice and innocent lives were at stake. The actual murderer of Rizzo is not revealed, but he was used as a clue.

During the story DI Thomas Williams finds himself married to Lizzie Mathis. Doyle is again pregnant. Okay.

[Merrily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever I try to introduce someone to Anne Cleeland's Acton and Doyle series, I usually say "It's a Scotland Yard procedural, but not like any of the others you've read." Of course, that statement can't do justice to this twisty, complex series whose continuing characters share an interlocking set of secrets: a handsome, aristocratic senior Inspector who brings new meaning to the term 'vigilante;' his working-class Irish wife, with whom he's (literally) obsessed and who also happens to be 'fey;' a French crime lord who might best be described as a 'frenemy; an adopted child who may well be the pretender to the Russian crown...and that's just the tip of the iceberg. In this particular outing, a famous footballer is found dead in a church, and our heroine Kathleen Doyle has the very strong impression that the murderer didn't want to commit the crime. As is quite often the case, she also suspects that her husband has something he's not telling her. Fortunately, Doyle has her own native wits and the voices from the dead who try to advise her (if not in a very coherent way).
While any book in this series is enjoyable, you'll enjoy the books most if you start at the beginning, as there is a complex backstory here that tends to feature in the current story.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have such a complicated relationship with this series. The books are easy to read and race along. However, Acton, despite being rich and handsome, is most definitely not my idea of the ideal man. He's like Edward from Twilight only without a conscience and is also an actual criminal (despite being a Detective Chief Inspector).

Acton is constantly astonished to find that the woman he loves and would murder for is not a complete idiot, and says things like "Please trust me to do what's best for us, Kathleen - this is all I ask." Which she totally cannot trust him because often what is best for *them* is most definitely not best for others.

Also, people getting married without telling anyone? Way too much of that in these books. I do wish the author had a decent editor and proofreader. I definitely tired of the phrase "the penny dropped."

And yet, will I keep reading? Probably. It's complicated.

[Victoria Sturlini · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCELLENT BOOK!!!!

As usual this was an excellent story! I adore Doyle and Acton, they are such an interesting, riveting and unique couple! Their love story is very unusual but so romantic... I just love it!!! Once I start reading an Anne Cleeland book I get so completely engrossed in the story that the time flies by and I am so sad to see it end because I know it will be a long wait until the next one in the series!!! 🤗. The mysteries in this book were twisty and turny with numerous surprises that kept me guessing first one way and then the other. I highly recommend this book it is a perfect British mystery!!!!😁

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Acton and Doyle haven’t changed their stripes a whit in this, the 11th episode of their unique partnership. Acton, still a deep thinker and a diver in the dark side of justice, has uncovered a money laundering operation designed to frame either the criminal Savoie, or perhaps himself. Doyle, her “scalp tingling” up a storm, is making heroic efforts to save both men while simultaneously concerned about her friend Williams’ love life, having her portrait painted, and hoping desperately to preserve the sanctity of St. Michael’s church. Layer upon twisted layer awaits the reader, and it is good fun.

[Deborah Gebhardt · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable new addition to the series. I highly recommend this series, but also highly recommend that the books in this series be read in order.
There has been yet another crime committed at Doyle church, a highly valued footballer has committed "suicide", a sloppy murder, with sloppy evidence of the perpetrator. And Acton is immediately suspicious.
Doyle is again visited by a ghost, one who is determined to give clues to Doyle, clues that Doyle must again decipher in order help solve the crime.
And to add romance or...there are two elopements in the offing, one expected and one is a surprise.

[Starpath5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crime, Love Affairs and Mayhem - Oh My!

This latest Acton and Doyle book has it all. It can certainly be read as a stand alone book, but do yourself a favor and read them all.

Soccer ( football if you will ) combined with Church law, money laundering and murder do not seem likely cohorts in crime but Ms Cleeland manages to weave a complex murder plot with delightful dialogue incorporating class distinctions and wry humor that will entice a saint to chuckle if not laugh out loud.

A 5 star rating is well deserved

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doyle's beloved St Michaels Church is the site of the apparent suicide of a famous footballer (Soccer player for Americans). Or is it a suicide? There are wheels within wheels in this newest Acton and Doyle Mystery and the reader is lead quite a merry chase with clues and ghosts and deadends. I can't recommend this series more. Each book is a page-turner with complex plots and murders that seem one thing but turn out to be something entirely different.

[Larae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Consistent

I do love this series. As I am reading these one after another, however, I am disappointed about an almost cut and paste method of the constant interior monologue Doyle has regarding her husband's actions and the subsequent discussion she has with him that regarding his actions that is present almost word for word in each book. It is tiresome. I hope there will be change. I will continue to read the series, however.

[Jane Shibilski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will always love Lord Acton and Kathleen, even if this was one of their “milder” adventures. The plot was complex, but pretty mild in terms of action or any movement at all really. More insights into Acton and Doyle were given and there is a surprise ending which I won’t give away. The positive aspect is you once again are immersed in their world and that is always fun.

[Mate Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so enjoy being in the company of these two characters.

I think they could read the dictionary and I’d be in thrall. I love their repartee, their relationship and the wickedly wonderful cast of characters that inevitably come woven into the fabric of the story. My only pause is that the book is done and now I have to wait for the next one. Never soon enough!

[Jansly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but dragged a bit

This was not as good as the rest. Usually I cannot stop reading these but I had to make myself pick it up. The problem was the storyline, back & forth, up & down. The stories are usually convoluted but not annoying. The characters were their usual enjoyable selves.

[John Arciniega · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent crafted mystery

This was a well crafted plot. When I love about this particular series is how each book builds on the proceeding novel I must admit I did not see these particular plot twists as coming. I’m looking forward to reading the next novel in the series. I highly recommend this entire series.