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Eden House Mysteries #1
Silent as the Grave
A Deadly Inheritance
When former journalist Adam Bailey agrees to spend Christmas at Mulgrave Castle, he knows that his host has an ulterior motive. His old flame, Harriet, and her husband, Sir Anthony Rowe, want Adam to investigate an old family curse—a curse that’s said to have claimed several victims, and that may strike again…
Soon heavy snow cuts off the ancient castle from the outside world, and the guests become aware that the curse has indeed claimed a new victim—but how? Adam, aided by Harriet’s feisty sister, Eve, tries to find out whether the death is linked to the mysterious disappearances that have occurred over the centuries. Is there the usual foul play afoot, or is someone powerless to resist the force of a far older evil?
When former journalist Adam Bailey agrees to spend Christmas at Mulgrave Castle, he knows that his host has an ulterior motive. His old flame, Harriet, and her husband, Sir Anthony Rowe, want Adam to investigate an old family curse—a curse that’s said to have claimed several victims, and that may strike again…
Soon heavy snow cuts off the ancient castle from the outside world, and the guests become aware that the curse has indeed claimed a new victim—but how? Adam, aided by Harriet’s feisty sister, Eve, tries to find out whether the death is linked to the mysterious disappearances that have occurred over the centuries. Is there the usual foul play afoot, or is someone powerless to resist the force of a far older evil?
312 pages, Paperback
First published March 9, 2014
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359 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
November 9, 2014
I loved this story, a traditional 'murder in a country house' setting with a range of well-detailed characters (even if some were a little clichéd.) The writing style is flowing and well-edited, there is little that I felt was unnecessary, or over-long, and the plot moves on at a good pace, with sufficient pauses for the reader to take a breath!
My only quibble is that there is, on occasion, too much use of 'proper names' in the dialogue. It jolts me out of the story at times. However, SPaG is as good as it gets and I finished reading the book with a sense of satisfaction that some of my suspicions were correct with regard to the missing people.
A very enjoyable book. Well worth re-reading and I will be looking for more by this author.
My only quibble is that there is, on occasion, too much use of 'proper names' in the dialogue. It jolts me out of the story at times. However, SPaG is as good as it gets and I finished reading the book with a sense of satisfaction that some of my suspicions were correct with regard to the missing people.
A very enjoyable book. Well worth re-reading and I will be looking for more by this author.
August 31, 2014
To be honest I only read 13% of this book. I couldn't understand why Adam forcefully kissed Eve after begin so pissed off at her and making her cry. If I was Eve I would have done way more than punch him in the eye.
September 23, 2014
The first thing I must mention about this book that really annoyed me was the continuous and tedious sexual innuendo between Adam and Eve. Yeah Adam and Eve, it was hat corny. The innuendo was on every page and as it never abated I gave up half way through the book. Poor stuff and the plot wasn't much better.
October 25, 2023
Don't bother
Absolute garbage, don't know how many times someone can get bashed over the head and survive. It's all so unbelievable, the characters are ridiculous, and the story seems to be a cobbled together version of Agatha Christie and Poirot novels.
Absolute garbage, don't know how many times someone can get bashed over the head and survive. It's all so unbelievable, the characters are ridiculous, and the story seems to be a cobbled together version of Agatha Christie and Poirot novels.
May 19, 2025
This is listed as the first of something called "Eden House Mysteries" though Eden House, wherever that may be, doesn't figure in the story at all. That fits for this mishmash. I was all set to snuggle down into a typical Christmas country-house murder, but got this instead. I cannot forgive the author for choosing to name Our Hero and The Girl "Adam and Eve." Puh-leez. This book honestly felt like a ro-mance cobbled together with a 1930s country house mystery. Published in 2014 apparently, and yet The Girl takes shorthand. It must have been set in the 60s or 70s but there's nothing to indicate that to the reader, apart from the lack of technology, though I suppose you couldn't get an Internet signal through all that stone anyway.
We start with the couple hating each other and yet kissing passionately once The Girl has punched Our Hero in the face--??? She is of course damaged both physically and emotionally by a previous abusive relationship and it takes Him to sort her out. Our Hero is the Garyest of Stus; how being a reporter makes you as clever as James Bond and McGyver rolled into one is the biggest mystery of all. Our Hero receives so many bangs on the head from direct blows and falls in the course of the Christmas holidays (two weeks, max) that a normal human being would be in a coma, but of course he, being the Hero, just shakes his head to clear it and "doesn't think about the pain" so he can carry on with feats of derring do. Like you do. Of course he keeps passing out and coming to again, and he's never quite sure how much time has passed, but there's always a nick of it to save his day. The way he tells other characters that he can do this or that because the police allow it was far from believable as well. And what is the deal with all the woo-woo dreams? He's in no way psychic, though the tired trope of twin connection is dragged up. He's not related to them, so it's not in his DNA.
I got very tired of Adam playing things quite so close to the chest; the narrator repeatedly says things like"I told her what had happened" but the reader doesn't know until the final pages. By then I was skimming.
Ugh. Waste of time. I won't bother with any more unless I get so bored I'm chewing on my own toes.
We start with the couple hating each other and yet kissing passionately once The Girl has punched Our Hero in the face--??? She is of course damaged both physically and emotionally by a previous abusive relationship and it takes Him to sort her out. Our Hero is the Garyest of Stus; how being a reporter makes you as clever as James Bond and McGyver rolled into one is the biggest mystery of all. Our Hero receives so many bangs on the head from direct blows and falls in the course of the Christmas holidays (two weeks, max) that a normal human being would be in a coma, but of course he, being the Hero, just shakes his head to clear it and "doesn't think about the pain" so he can carry on with feats of derring do. Like you do. Of course he keeps passing out and coming to again, and he's never quite sure how much time has passed, but there's always a nick of it to save his day. The way he tells other characters that he can do this or that because the police allow it was far from believable as well. And what is the deal with all the woo-woo dreams? He's in no way psychic, though the tired trope of twin connection is dragged up. He's not related to them, so it's not in his DNA.
I got very tired of Adam playing things quite so close to the chest; the narrator repeatedly says things like"I told her what had happened" but the reader doesn't know until the final pages. By then I was skimming.
Ugh. Waste of time. I won't bother with any more unless I get so bored I'm chewing on my own toes.
January 3, 2019
I read this over Christmas. Though I would say it's perfect reading at any time of the year, the Christmas period does add atmosphere to the book. I would have given this book Five stars! it was that good! Better than anything I watched over Christmas from Agatha Christie on TV! The only two or three quibbles I had with it was The Setting. At no point in time did I feel the action was taking place in a castle. Had it been a Manor house or mansion it would have been better situated. I Wasn't over keen on the title neither. Also, some more character building of the minor characters would have helped. And a big plot hole in the story, I appreciate it was set in 1979, but even in those dark old days we still had helicopters. I won't ruin the story by saying why I believe a Helicopter would have been dispatched, but you'll have to read it to find out. Had it not been for those minor irritations this book as I say would have been marked 5/5! The book twists & turns as the author wracks up the tension. A Really enjoyable Christmas romp!
When a former investigative reporter and TV correspondent Adam Bailey agrees to spend Christmas at Mulgrave Castle, he knows there is an ulterior motive behind the invitation. His old flame, Harriet, and her husband, Sir Anthony Rowe, want him to investigate the legend of an old family curse said to have claimed several victims amongst Sir Anthony’s ancestors. If there is any truth in the tales of inherited insanity, it may be due to strike again.
Once the houseguests are assembled, heavy snow cuts the castle off from the outside world. When they sit down for breakfast on Christmas morning, none of them is aware that the curse has already claimed a new victim.
With no let-up in the weather to enable help to arrive, Adam, aided by Harriet’s sister, Eve Samuels, attempts to discover if the death is linked to the mysterious disappearances that have occurred over the centuries. But before long, further violence disrupts their enquiries. However, even those responsible for present-day crimes are powerless to resist the force of a far older evil, and a most unusual killer is at last unmasked.
When a former investigative reporter and TV correspondent Adam Bailey agrees to spend Christmas at Mulgrave Castle, he knows there is an ulterior motive behind the invitation. His old flame, Harriet, and her husband, Sir Anthony Rowe, want him to investigate the legend of an old family curse said to have claimed several victims amongst Sir Anthony’s ancestors. If there is any truth in the tales of inherited insanity, it may be due to strike again.
Once the houseguests are assembled, heavy snow cuts the castle off from the outside world. When they sit down for breakfast on Christmas morning, none of them is aware that the curse has already claimed a new victim.
With no let-up in the weather to enable help to arrive, Adam, aided by Harriet’s sister, Eve Samuels, attempts to discover if the death is linked to the mysterious disappearances that have occurred over the centuries. But before long, further violence disrupts their enquiries. However, even those responsible for present-day crimes are powerless to resist the force of a far older evil, and a most unusual killer is at last unmasked.
February 12, 2023
History is abysmal
The plot is good but I don't think I can finish because of the mistakes in the Tudor history. Elizabeth did not succeed Henry Edward VI did. Then came Henry's eldest daughter, Mary I. Then came Elizabeth I.
If I remember correctly, the Elizabethan Age was so prosperous because under Elizabeth the religious persecutions had stopped.
Henry wanted an annulment not a divorce. As for the Roman Church on granting no divorces it most certainly did. Eleanor of Aquitaine received a divorce from her first husband, the King of France sometime in the 12th century. She later married Henry II of England.
Henry VIII's sister, Mary, obtained a divorce from the Pope and went on to marry again.
Henry VIII, at the time of his sister's divorce wrote an essay condemning divorce. It so impressed the Pope that Henry was given the title "Defender of the Faith".
This is still in the list of the British monarchs' title.
I enjoyed this author's Mike Nash series but I am not finishing this.
If you know nothing of Tudor history you will more than likely enjoy this book.
The plot is good but I don't think I can finish because of the mistakes in the Tudor history. Elizabeth did not succeed Henry Edward VI did. Then came Henry's eldest daughter, Mary I. Then came Elizabeth I.
If I remember correctly, the Elizabethan Age was so prosperous because under Elizabeth the religious persecutions had stopped.
Henry wanted an annulment not a divorce. As for the Roman Church on granting no divorces it most certainly did. Eleanor of Aquitaine received a divorce from her first husband, the King of France sometime in the 12th century. She later married Henry II of England.
Henry VIII's sister, Mary, obtained a divorce from the Pope and went on to marry again.
Henry VIII, at the time of his sister's divorce wrote an essay condemning divorce. It so impressed the Pope that Henry was given the title "Defender of the Faith".
This is still in the list of the British monarchs' title.
I enjoyed this author's Mike Nash series but I am not finishing this.
If you know nothing of Tudor history you will more than likely enjoy this book.
March 18, 2022
This is set in the 1970s but felt much earlier to me, who was an adult then. It had a real old-fashioned mystery feel to it. Adam Bailey, one of a group of people, marooned in a castle in North Yorkshire, in adverse weather conditions, finds members being brutally killed, and some having narrow escapes, including himself. It’s a very enjoyable read with a vintage feel. If you like your crime gritty there might be too much romance for you, but I found it nicely balanced and on the cosy side. First in a series and I will probably read more.
June 18, 2021
Bill Kitson is a gifted author who keeps you enthralled from the first page to the last. I was saddened to have completed the 12 book series of DI Nash because I enjoyed them so much and was delighted to find the Eden House Mysteries. The storyline’s of all the fore mentioned novels are captivating and unlike anything I have read before. The quality and depth of the characters is excellent. I highly recommend this and every other Bill Kitson novels to anyone who truly loves reading ++++++++++
December 23, 2017
Adam Bailey agrees to spend Christmas at Mulgrave Castle to investigate a curse that is on the family of his ex-lovers husband, a curse involving disappearing ancestors and possiböe insanity. Needless to say, all hell breaks loose.
A very enjoyable book, whic I read almost a month ago so I can´t give a better review of but I will read more in this series.
A very enjoyable book, whic I read almost a month ago so I can´t give a better review of but I will read more in this series.
July 10, 2021
This is the first book I have read by Bill Kitson and I really enjoyed it. A good murder mystery set in a castle at Christmas. Adam makes a good detective and is there as a friend of the family to try and solve the puzzle of the family curse. Kept me guessing. I would read more of the authors books.
March 16, 2023
I nearly didn't finish this book. After several chapters, I was beginning to think the storyline was muddled. I found this book boring,slow paced & very "Queen's English". It was very prim & proper with a sickly sweet pair of characters. I did complete the book, but it didn't grab my interest at all.Not for me, I like much more blood, gore & explicit descriptions to murders & killings.
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October 2, 2022Great First Story
A great first story by Bill Kitson in what hope will be a long series. Well written with plenty of twists and turns and lots of interesting characters. Plenty of history entwined in the plot.
A great first story by Bill Kitson in what hope will be a long series. Well written with plenty of twists and turns and lots of interesting characters. Plenty of history entwined in the plot.
June 14, 2019
This was a slow read for me. It seemed to drag out more than it needed too. Story was good just to much filler dialogue for me.
October 24, 2019
A reall good story, an old castle, a family curse of insanity, and murders at the holidays.
July 2, 2021
Oh my gosh, what an excellent book. I could not even put the book down. Weal worth the read and am anxious to get #2.
November 17, 2022
It was good. I liked some of the comical scenes.
March 20, 2017
Not as good as I had hoped. It didn't keep my interest...I thought the main characters were unrealistic. It was boring in parts... I actually skipped parts and I don't do that!
April 27, 2014
I very much enjoyed this story. There is a lot going on in this castle where family and friends have become marooned to due heavy snows. The author was able to create a setting that makes one feel they are there in that cold and spooky castle surrounded by snow and evil.
When former investigative reporter and TV correspondent Adam Bailey agrees to spend Christmas at Mulgrave Castle, he knows there is an ulterior motive behind the invitation. His old flame, Harriet, and her husband want him to investigate the legend of an old family curse said to have claimed several victims amongst Sir Anthony’s ancestors. Is there is any truth in the tales of inherited insanity? Will it strike again? Or is it greed and revenge creating all the havoc?
I like Adam Bailey and look forward to reading more about him and his exploits. Highly recommend
When former investigative reporter and TV correspondent Adam Bailey agrees to spend Christmas at Mulgrave Castle, he knows there is an ulterior motive behind the invitation. His old flame, Harriet, and her husband want him to investigate the legend of an old family curse said to have claimed several victims amongst Sir Anthony’s ancestors. Is there is any truth in the tales of inherited insanity? Will it strike again? Or is it greed and revenge creating all the havoc?
I like Adam Bailey and look forward to reading more about him and his exploits. Highly recommend
February 9, 2017
Unrelenting
Adam really makes a pretty good detective! I had a hard time putting this book down. Never a dull moment! Buy it and enjoy!
Adam really makes a pretty good detective! I had a hard time putting this book down. Never a dull moment! Buy it and enjoy!
September 1, 2014
This is the first book I read for Bill Kitson and I really liked it .It is about the Bailey
family and their friends spending Christmas at Mulgrave Castle ,due to heavy snow the castle was cut off from the outside world.Then the murders start. The book is so good that YOU CAN FEEL THE SPOOKINESS OF THE ATMOSPHERE.It's a great murder mystery and very Creepy .I had thoughts about who the murderer was,but I was wrong . If you like mystery stories that take place in a creepy England old castles , then you would love this book .
family and their friends spending Christmas at Mulgrave Castle ,due to heavy snow the castle was cut off from the outside world.Then the murders start. The book is so good that YOU CAN FEEL THE SPOOKINESS OF THE ATMOSPHERE.It's a great murder mystery and very Creepy .I had thoughts about who the murderer was,but I was wrong . If you like mystery stories that take place in a creepy England old castles , then you would love this book .
February 19, 2015
The book is not bad. In fact I liked it quite a bit!
It is easy to read and has nice, smart characters. I liked the sense of humor and pace of the book too.
The only problem I had with this book is that it is predictable at so many places... It is as if the author surprises you with something, some action and than everything else is just as you expect it from there on, until it reaches the next little surprise and the next predictable development.
It is easy to read and has nice, smart characters. I liked the sense of humor and pace of the book too.
The only problem I had with this book is that it is predictable at so many places... It is as if the author surprises you with something, some action and than everything else is just as you expect it from there on, until it reaches the next little surprise and the next predictable development.
March 13, 2015
Adam Bailey, a former investigative reporter and TV correspondent is invited by an old college girlfriend to spend Christmas with her and her family at Mulgrave Castle. They would like for him to investigate the legend of an old family curse. On his way to the castle it starts snowing. The next day it has snowed so much no one can leave. Then people start getting killed.
This is a good murder mystery, fast paced with a lot of characters.
This is a good murder mystery, fast paced with a lot of characters.
February 15, 2020
Brilliant
Bill Kitson's readers won't want to miss this. Great story with so many twists and turns. It's one of those stories which you cannot help but keep turning the pages to see what happens next. I can honestly say, every page contains something that will keep the reader guessing: whether it is, "who dunnit" or will this friendship blossom into a full blooming romance?
Buy this book, it's well worth the read.
5 stars from this happy reader.
Bill Kitson's readers won't want to miss this. Great story with so many twists and turns. It's one of those stories which you cannot help but keep turning the pages to see what happens next. I can honestly say, every page contains something that will keep the reader guessing: whether it is, "who dunnit" or will this friendship blossom into a full blooming romance?
Buy this book, it's well worth the read.
5 stars from this happy reader.
September 7, 2014
Really just didn't understand the characters in this book at all. Their behaviour just wasn't plausible. Like the lead grabbing eve and kissing her? Three women coming to his room? Tony having a discussion about how well the lead does with women. Them sitting down and having dinner... Thoroughly bizarre writing.
September 21, 2015
silent as the grave, by bill kitson, is a book was very descriptive so that it was kind of gross but it was romantic too. Adam is a boy that loves adventure so is ex girlfriend and her husband invite him to their house to solve murder. if you like to read books that are mystery I wood really suggest this scary and suspenseful book.
September 14, 2015
In the book Silent As the Grave by Bill Kitson, it had a lot of details and it was gross/romantic. there were lots of murders in the castle. I really enjoyed the book because of the suspense and details! My favorite part, by far, is how they kept you guessing who the killer was and it made us want to read more.
September 2, 2014
A good read, held me captive till the end.
I enjoyed this book. I spent most of a day doing nothing but reading as I couldn't put this book down. The ending is a bit abrupt but other than that I really enjoyed this book.
I enjoyed this book. I spent most of a day doing nothing but reading as I couldn't put this book down. The ending is a bit abrupt but other than that I really enjoyed this book.
July 18, 2014
I didn't think that this book was going to be my type, but my word was i wrong, it was really really good, and i thoroughly enjoyed it :)
September 11, 2014
A great read for those that enjoy crime fiction, with fun and engaging characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews