The Greek Island Killer

DI Jack Dawes #1

by Frances Lloyd

Please note this was originally published as Nemesis of the Dead.

SOMEONE’S POISONING PARADISE

Detective Inspector Jack Dawes and his bride, Corrie, join eight other holidaymakers bound for a tiny Greek island, ready for a bit of sun, sea and sand.

One of them is a ruthless killer.

Mayhem ensues when a storm destroys the island’s primitive communications, cutting it off from civilization.

IT’S A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY FOR MURDER.

First one victim is poisoned, followed swiftly by another. Then a woman is found badly beaten in a quiet cove and a body is found in a grotto to St Sophia, the island’s patron saint. The island’s visitors are being picked off one by one. Can Jack uncover the truth before the killer ups the ante?

Who will return home — and who will be sacrificed to the island?

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Fiction, Greece, Audiobook, Thriller, Murder Mystery

278 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Frances Lloyd was born in Essex but spent a nomadic childhood being carted between RAF stations until mercifully, she was allowed a crack at a proper education in Cheltenham, studying English and Classics. As an adult, she eventually fetched up in the south west of England but by then, had become something of a wandering minstrel with no physical or spiritual roots apart from work.
Frances has always been a writer. The job that paid the mortgage was in government communications, writing speeches and other parliamentary material for some well-known politicians.

Reviews

[Betsy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very disappointing book. I didn't like the two main characters, Jack and Corie, and the story was a let down. Doesn't seem likely I'll read anymore.

[margaret chalmers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greek dances with Death.

Hugely enjoyable detective nonsense. Just the ticket for this boring time in Corona lockdown. I laughed and giggled all the way through this wildly improbable story. A great tonic. Plot goes thus, mixed group of people go to remote Greek island with ridiculous name and Death joins the group. We have a detective and his flaky wife, a nutty professor and his gorgeous American wife, a ghastly dominating bore of a man with his downtrodden wife, a fit looking cheerful plumber with heart of gold, a weird hippy female and...oh, a motley cast of stereotypical Greeks in a hotel which would make Basil Fawlty's look like the Ritz, a hotel which could never pass health codes in this day and age no matter how remote the island. Add in superstition and the Hand of Nemesis and you get the picture. Unbelievable rubbish and I enjoyed every line of it. Can't recommend it highly enough. Utter tosh. What a joy.

[Una Tiers · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first, I loved this book. I went back over the first several chapters and could not express the attraction.
Then my interest was downshifted to mildly interested.
The plot tied up well. But I do not recommend the book. You'll have to decide.
One criticism was of a perfect woman. I think every character has flaws.

[Jill Sauder · Rating 2 out of 5]

Couldn't finish it. Didn't like the characters and the situation of a policeman doing an investigation in a foreign country was too much for me to swallow. Also not a fan of adultery, which is described here in more detail than I like. Most mysteries are clean, which I like. This wasn't.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn't really tell if this book was a "serious" mystery - or some sort of joke.
At times it was totally over the top in a way that felt more like a tongue in cheek parody on an Agatha Christie type of mystery than anything else, but then it would sort of settle down for a while and seem more like a classical whodunnit again.

I both enjoyed it and found it a bit ... average.
The fluctuation in style and mood affected my overall impression, but maybe not in a completely positive way. I might have liked it more if it had been more consistent.

I did like the main characters and found the mystery rather interesting, but the whole setup was so unlikely - and even on the verge of supernatural - it felt a bit ... weird. Uneven. Like a split personality, of sorts.

At its best, it gave me And Then There Were None vibes. At its worst, it gave me "Is this an episode of Midsomer Murders??" vibes. (John Barnaby era. One of the latter episodes that aren't all that great or memorable.)

I think I might return to this series. I'm not totally convinced by this particular book, but I did like the main character, Jack Dawes, and his wife, Corrie.
If I return, it will be because of those two.

[Connie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know how I managed to finish this novel. Sigh. The main characters are attractive (DC Jack Dawes and wife), but this book did not make me care about the fate of the other characters, who were rather unbelievable. There wasn't enough laughter in the book to counterbalance the dreariness of the setting and the rather imponderable plot. I wanted the book to satisfy my longing for the sun and charm of a Greek island during the cold and damp of a Canadian spring. It didn't. I wanted to be able to picture the setting and see the plot unfolding. I couldn't. Frances Lloyd could do better, I suspect, and I hope she does.

[Carol Keogh (Goodfellow) · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining mystery

I took a punt on this author and am delighted that I did. Jack Dawes and his newish wife Coriander (I do not jest) decide to have a belated honeymoon on a Greek island no-one has ever heard of. Along with several other interesting characters whom we get to know well, Jack and Corrie become involved in deadly goings on resulting in the capture of a killer. Well written with more than a bit of humour, Lloyd weaves a great story which held my attention pretty much for two days! Well done.

[Pat K · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. police/ Murder mystery set on a tiny Greek island. This book was a bit slow, but I enjoyed it and will read the next in the series. There were some editing issues, which didn’t annoy me terribly.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Couldn't put the book down trying to figure out the murderer. Loved it

[Sharon Barrow Wilfong · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute, not brilliant

The dialogue was cheesy, plot predictable, characters were all "types", not individuals with any nuance. I won't be reading anything by the author.

[Marilyn Boe · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the first and last of this series that I plan to not read. There are just too many good books out there and this is not one of them. I skipped through this one after 10 boring chapters.

[Gillian Perkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoyed the story itself, even the fact it was a rip off of Agatha Christie’s Then There Were None, the one thing that made we want to tear my hair out was the character of Corie. She acts like a hormonal 12 year old and annoyed me no end. I downloaded 3 other books in the series so hopefully the writer will have had Corie grow up. Wouldn’t describe the story as a thriller, more a cozy.

[barbara jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lighthearted. Murder at anytime can be gruesome. But not this story. It jumps between the Greek Gods and Corrieanders interpretation of life on an island.

Sometimes you read so many murder stories that it makes you miserable. But you read a murder story like this, and it gives you a lighthearted approach to another murder. Murders, in this case.
Next book coming up, thank you Frances lloyd.

[MRS G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this light hearted 1st book in the DI Jack Dawes series. It reminded me a little of Faith Martin's character - Jenny Starling wholesome, murder mystery stories.

It's a 'comfy' book to enjoy & de-stress during each read.
I do think it was a tad longer than it needed to be. I enjoyed the epilogue pulling the loose ends together.

I've already downloaded book two - The Bluebell Killer & look forward to many more 'comfy' reads ahead!

[Sally-Ann · Rating 1 out of 5]

So much wrong with this book: geography [Actium is nowhere near a ferry ride from Methoni], the cave of Nymphs [unless the island was supposed to be Ithaka? which again is nowhere near a ferry ride from Methoni], all the mythology [kept ruining the story line, what there was of it], derogatory remarks about Greek cuisine [which is just a stereotype and nothing like indigenous Greek food, which I've enjoyed for many years], Corrie was annoying ...

[Marion · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fairly simple, amusing tale, it made a very pleasant change from the usual gory, ghastly crime books I read. Don’t take it seriously, I am pretty sure the author was out to entertain and amuse. I had the cast of Midsummer Murders in mind, almost a seamless fit! A giggle, and I am going to read the next 3 in the series.

[barbara walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

After you get past the silly names I really started to enjoy the story, the characters were well described and you felt drawn to the interaction between them and as the story evolved and the poisonings started I was hooked. Really enjoyed it and there were quite a few laugh out loud moments which you don't normally find in a crime thriller.

[Ainee Beland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ten people are bound for Katastrophos, a hypnotic Greek island steeped in superstition and ancient myth. Ten disparate travellers, whose lives will never be the same again, for not all are what they seem; some have objectives much more sinister than a quiet holiday in the sun. And as the island slowly begins to work its timeless magic, even the most prosaic become disengaged from reality and capable of indiscretions they would never have believed possible. But on Katastrophos, anything is possible. Who could have guessed that the ten who travelled so hopefully, not all would return?

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What did I like about this read?

I liked the ending more than anything else in this book. The trip to Katastrophos with Chiron to transport them to the island was very predictable, but no one thought so or missed it. Chiron’s chief existence is to transport the dead across the river Styx; so those on this journey should have given thought and perhaps realized they might not return, since they are going there to die or not.

It reads and begins like an Agatha Christie mystery; her ten little Indians and then there were none or fewer than ten…as in this story, one, two stiffs and two near misses.

The killer seemed kind and plausible to some; he was a gifted, intelligent, crafty, and very evil. A textbook example—as he is a callous predator, using his charm, manipulation, and violence to satisfy his own selfish demands. He is one with no conscience or feelings for others; he takes whatever he wants without guilt or remorse.

Enterprising words for this man and those involved in corporate work are: deceitful, abusive, and fraudulent; they fit this killer to a T. He can mimic the feelings and behaviors of others when it suits his needs.--A charmed, unsuspected killer!

This was an interesting read, but too much of the Greek history, legend, and island description…all seemingly Agatha Christie.

[Sandra Barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book might be one of those "cozy mysteries," but it ended up not being particularly cozy (I'm not a fan of cozy mysteries anyway). It's a British mystery. It started with a rundown on ten people who were going to be taking a 2-week vacation at a hotel on an obscure Greek island called Katastrophos - a place "steeped in superstition and ancient myth," according to the opening sentence. The rundown gave names and information about each of the travelers in the prologue. Then, chapter 1 opens at a funeral and continues with more information about each of the 10 travelers. Once they arrive at the hotel, things begin to happen (of course!) and some people will die (of course!). The pace of the book seems to get a bit slow now and then when they start talking about myths and gods and goddesses. It's a bit convoluted at times, but then such mysteries are - and that's what makes them interesting. The book has some slightly risqué moments, but nothing too bad.

[Katie Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, found it a quick read and it really surprised me. I’m not sure wether if it was because it was free with amazon prime that I thought I wouldn’t enjoy this. I’m not an expert on mythology, but I love Greece and that’s what encouraged me to download this book!
I found that the characters were strong, all but one, who annoyed the living daylights out of me bit I think that was the aim. The only negatives I have would be the way Greek food was portrayed, as it’s usually amazing, regardless of what it is, maybe it was to tie in with the name of the island, and give more of a sense of the holiday from hell. And the idea of being unfaithful is slightly fantasied, not great in my opinion.

Overall, a cosy quick and easy read.

[Jane Ponce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun, well constructed book, and I enjoyed reading it. Agatha Christie-like, it starts when a group of seemingly unrelated characters sign up for a 2-week vacation on a Greek island named. Katastrophos. Catastrophos....what could possibly go wrong? Well, plenty.

Lots of plot twists and turns under the general aegis of Greek mythology, which I love. A real page-turner! Even when you think you have it figured out, there are surprises. I loved the symmetry of the concept and I salute the author for tying up all the loose ends. So many modern novels have no real conclusion; they just stop abruptly, with numerous issues unresolved, which is very unsatisfying. This one was very satisfying. I hope to read more about DI Jack Dawes and his wife Coriander.

[Mr M Morrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love murder and a detective

I love an English detective crime. Bring set on a Greek Island I was unsure at first but this book was so well written I had trouble putting it down. Four couples and two singles embark on a quiet holiday. Some with a motive others just for a break or like Corri Dawes thought, I loved her character. Some comical detective work from Corri, much to the distance of her husband Detective Inspector Dawes. The nutty professor and his beautiful wife Diana and Sid the plumber brought some great laughs.
One negative is this is a long book with many pages describing the Island, this did drawer it out but still worth a read.

[George · Rating 2 out of 5]

#1 in the Scotland Yard Detective Inspector Jack Dawes mystery series.

Dawes and his new bride, Corrie, are off on their delayed honeymoon along eight other holiday makers to a tiny Greek island. There is more going on here as Dawes is on a working holiday after promising his wife he was on vacation. He is investigating something, not clear what, and trying to keep his wife from becoming involved in the murders that start happening which of course she does anyway resulting in confusion and mishaps.

The mystery is decent, but Dawes' wife Corrie and the references to Greek mythology influencing character behavior were big drawbacks for.

[Mrs J · Rating 4 out of 5]

A remote island whodunnit

A classic island murder formula. Several guests, some suggestive backstory and dodgy goings-on.
It helps that there is a policeman in the house but the intrigue is mainly about why he is there in the first place.
Lots of heavy-handed hints from the start. The actual murderer is not a surprise but there are a few twists thrown in. The tension wobbles as you wait for the events to get on with it and the pace is speeded up by the fumbling of DI Dawes’ wife, Coriander.
Lots of foreshadowing that made the beginning a bit irritating but it did what it said in the title.

[Coco · Rating 4 out of 5]

4* Great fun

Four couples and two solo travellers all with their own reasons to visit the the tiny undeveloped Greek island of Katastrophos. Most of the holiday makers expect a fortnight of rest and relaxation, none realised that their two weeks would be so memorable.

An intense storm cuts the island off from the mainland, power is lost and the first victim becomes struck down by severe food poisoning.

The characters are all well described, this was more flippant than a traditional cosy mystery, plenty of twists in the plot, with a surprise at the very end.

Great fun but hard to believe that greek food could ever be unappetising.

[elizabeth mcguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

D I Hack Dawes and his chef wife Corrie go on a belated honeymoon. To a mysterious, small Greek Island which has stormy past.
Jack has not told his wife he is actually on a case. Which leads to a ew misunderstandings
Then the 10 guests start to be murdered. When will Jack let Corrie know they are not just on honeymoon. Will it be too late? As they fall 1 by 1.
Corrie is a character. Who thinks she has intuitive abilities. Which is certainly not one of Jack's traits. He is a by the book guy.
However, once they start working together things start to make sense.
This is definitely a tongue in cheek detective story. If you read it as that you will enjoy it but if you are a strict detective/cop story aficionado then steer clear.

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new author for me. It took me a while to get into this book but once I understood the author’s way of writing it got easier. And believe me it was worth the perseverance. A very good book for those of you who like crime/murder mystery’s with a difference. As I said, it takes a bit of getting into but give it a chance. It really is worth it. An, apparently, random group of people who end up on a tiny Greek Island together. Soon, members of this group become ill or die leading to an unlikely alliance.

[Mary Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite a fun read. Set in a backdrop of a remote Greek island which is about the worst you can imagine, a motley crew of tourists find themselves trying to make the best of a holiday while some of them are being murdered. Jack and Corrie are supposed to be on honeymoon but it seems Jack has an ulterior motive for being on the island.

The characters were great, each with their own quirks, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. It was a totally entertaining read. I have downloaded more now.

[Christopher P Boam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite a lot of poor reviews, I enjoyed this book. OK, it's not the action packed thriller, I read it as a bit of a comedy. I love a book that makes me smile while I read it! Anyone that has been to one of the smaller Greek Islands can identify the scenario straight away and the "disasters" that occur. The assembled characters remind me of what you might have got in the 70's in a disaster movie. Larger than life characters, each with a background and all become possible suspects.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack’s wife Corrie would be upset if she knew he was working on a case while they were on vacation. The couples that seemed like they were quite normal at first, now they all seemed unhinged. The mayhem that occurred getting to this unknown spot and now no activities, the food, and just sitting doing nothing for two weeks, was getting to every one tempers.
Orrin was in the kitchen fixing meals, and it looked like Jack was investigating, so much for a honeymoon.