Death at Sycamore House

Sukey Reynolds #12

by Betty Rowlands

When the body of a woman is found in a skip with a knife in her back, Detective Constable Sukey Reynolds will have to use all her wits to bring the killer to justice  When the body of pretty Fenella Tremaine is found in a skip with a distinctive oriental-patterned knife in her back, Sukey faces some big questions: which of Fenella’s enemies hated her enough to kill her . . . and why? Could it be professional rivalry, or her promise to testify against a local residential home that’s the key to solving the crime? Sukey will have to use all her wits and her contacts – including dishy journalist Harry Matthews – if she and her colleagues are to bring the killer to justice.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery

252 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2012

About the author

Betty Rowlands is an member of the Crime Writers' Association and appears on panels at writers' conferences.

Reviews

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy cosy mysteries set against a stunning chocolate-box rural village then you simply cannot go far wrong with this book, series and Betty Rowlands in general. Death at Sycamore House is the twelfth instalment and the series certainly doesn't appear to be showing any signs of floundering at present. Fenella Tremaine - one of the residents of Sycamore House - has met a sad and suspicious demise; her body having been discovered disposed of in a skip like rubbish by the caretaker. The police in their usual lazy way just want the case to be solved so they can close it, and their surface investigation points the finger purposefully towards her neighbour and colleague Marcus Ellerman whom she had locked horns with on multiple occasions. Their case is further reinforced when they discover that Ellerman's unique ornamental dagger matches Fenella's wounds. Case closed, right?

If you are new to Ms Rowlands's books then first let me assure you that you can jump into the series at any time without experiencing any problems whatsoever. I love Sukey's tenacity and the sense of care she exhibits in wanting to get the actual perpetrator and not simply to collar the first person to fit the stereotypes. As always, there are plenty of twists and turns as well as the customary misdirection the author carries out with aplomb. Whilst this isn't my favourite of all the instalments it is a solid, exciting and compulsively readable story and one that is compelling in both plot and characterisation. If you're a crime, mystery and thriller reader and fancy something a little different where the countryside is as killer as the often ruthless culprits then this is worth a read. Cosy fans already know Ms Rowlands's prowess I am sure. Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.

[JoAn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death at Sycamore House by Betty Rowlands was another engaging afternoon read for me. The plot is smoothly paced with several red herrings that stymied me as I read.

Sukey and her team member Vicky have plenty to follow up as their are several suspects and clues to keep them investigating. Then another murder happens that has the whole team confused. Is the second murder related or not? I was quite surprised by the reveal which I love. I wasn't even close to guessing who did it. I enjoy this classic cozy mystery series and look forward to reading more in the future.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Bookouture via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This twelfth book in the Sukey Reynolds cozy mystery series provided me with an afternoon of entertainment. These stories are quick reads and the police procedural aspects add another dimension to the plots.

DC Sukey Reynolds of the Avon and Somerset CID and her team get a call to a posh block of flats known as Sycamore House where the body of a resident, Fenella Tremaine, has been found in one of the rubbish skips. The entire gang at CID gets involved in this very complicated investigation even though they find that their main suspect indeed owned the murder weapon in question. Interviews, visits, and more murders further muddle the case but the detectives stay on it, hunting down every lead and clue, until they find the killer.

I have really enjoyed all of the books in this series and am sad to know that the next one will apparently be the last installment. I like Sukey as a character and as a police detective. She's come a long way since her days as a scene of crime officer -- both professionally and personally. I like the shorter length and the writing style as well. I find that reading this type of novel gives me a nice break from my more typically grisly crime thrillers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book .

[Mystica · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Betty Rowlands fashion this is a good one. We have a very genteel elders care facility with a rather tense Mr and Mrs Seaton in charge. We have a block of flats equally high falutin with very nice tenants. When one of them is found murdered and dumped in the bins, Sukey and the team backing her up are called in for the investigations.



Nothing is what it seems in murder and the links are slowly being put together but it is a puzzling sequence. The one suspect who seems to be the only one around has iron clad reasoning as to why he is not the murderer and though everyone assumes it is him, Sukey is always in doubt though he is an unlikeable character who has got under everyone's skin. Everyone would like him to be the culprit and then the case is closed.

When a second accidental death occurs, also someone linked to our victims and suspects and when a third victim seemingly random is also linked to the case, it is thrown wide open.

I never got it till the very end and then only because it was so very obvious!

Superb detection work very well written.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently found this author so I haven't read very many of this series but those I have read those I have read are very good police procedurals. The 12th inste of Sukey Reynolds series has Sukey working with Vicky to solve a murder where the woman's body is thrown in the garbage bin. She was stabbed in several places and bleed out. The knife is located and belongs to a neighbor, Marcus Ellerman, who was constantly arguing with the victim. All the clues point to Marcus when a second murder occurs. It didn't seem that the two murders are connected but Sukey feels that they might be committed by the same person. There are enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. Sukey's romance with the handsome journalist is moving right along. Are the two separate murders connected and Sukey is right about them? I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND SERIES.

Disclosure: Thanks to Bookouture for a copy through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.

[LittleRead · Rating 5 out of 5]

DCI Sukey Reynolds is working a murder case that is long on suspects and short on evidence to help solidify any one suspect. Then another murder happens and a second. While the team solves the second murder fairly quickly, the other two are taking longer to solve and the heat is not the team to get results.

Between work and her personal life, Sukey is pretty content, but connecting the dots and solving a case makes all the work to balance everything well worth it. Can Sukey and the team solve this one before another victim is found?

I truly love this series and the writing of Betty Rowlands and am grateful that Bookouture has chosen to rerelease this series so that I didn’t miss out on finding this truly talented author. One more book left in the series and I can’t wait to see what life has in store for Sukey.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series of books just get better and better. Wow We are now, on the twelfth book in this Sukey Reynolds Mystery series.
Death at Sycamore House is Betty Rowlands lastest instalment and I just loved it.
I always find her books an easy cosy mystery read but this one had a few red herrings within the story which took me by surprise!
I read this book in one sitting and was just hooked..........Thats what you call a good book!

I highly recommend this book and all of books by Betty Rowlands especially this series.

Another 5 star read! Brilliant!

This book was previously published as Unnatural Wastage.

Big Thank You to Netgalley and Bookouture in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Dawn Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all of Betty Rolands books and love them all. This one does not disapoint.

[Tracy Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sycamore House is an apartment block set in beautiful grounds where life seems to be taken at a leisurely pace and nothing very exciting ever happens. That is until the body of a resident is found in their rubbish skip with a knife in her back! As life in the local CID has been very quiet lately Sukey Reynolds' regret at the life lost gains extra resolve as there is little else going on to distract her and her team. When another body is discovered however, the pressure increases exponentially and everyone knows they have their work cut out to get results quickly.

Once again I thoroughly enjoyed this book by Betty Rowlands and was delighted to find all the main characters still there and this time more of them get their own scenes to move the story along in a fast and convincing manner. The characterisation is, as usual, vividly accurate and all of the residents of Sycamore House come alive on the page. Sukey's private life is almost as important as the investigation itself and so there is no let up in the discussion and dissection of the case, especially as love interest, Harry, is a local journalist!

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an unbiased review and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good cosy crime series with a reassuringly familiar cast and brilliant storylines.

[Els · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series grows with each and every new book. The cases are more complex and it makes the books even more interesting. 

It all started more like a cozy mystery series with our main character Sukey being a SOCO. She was working for the police but because she was not an officer, her 'interference' was that of a citizen and not a member of the force. Now, with her being a PC, the series has been turned into a police procedural. On the one hand this gives Sukey less freedom to follow her own path because she has to follow more rules now, but on the other hand it gives her more insight in the case itself. 

I also like the way her personal life has evolved. She has found someone who really values her and is not blowing hot and cold all the time. He supports her and genuinely wants to be with her and be seen with her. No need to hide behind secrets anymore. 

One person I like was pushed to the background in this book and I missed them. I missed their input, jokes and the interaction between them and Sukey.

The behaviour of one of the characters made it all clear for me and steered me in the direction of the culprit. 

Great story that a thoroughly enjoyed. 5 stars 

Thank you

[Sharon Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely gripping

A wonderful read. You will think you have it figured out only for something else to happen. This series is one of the best I have read. Betty Rowlands is the best.

[Lynne Craggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back on track

After finding the last book disappointing I wasn't expecting much from this one but boy was I wrong. It's a great read, kept me guessing till the end. Betty Rowlands has come up with the goods again, look forward to the next one

[Francine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story !

[Ellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sadly, this was a slog. One more to go and that’s the end of the series and of Betty.

[K.J. Sweeney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that Death at Sycamore House is one of my favourite Sukey Reynolds books. Perhaps it's because I 'know' more of the supporting cast now, seeing as they've appeared in the last few books. This one also involved less of Sukey jumping to conclusions for no apparent reason.
The mystery revolves around the death of woman who had certainly ruffled some feathers. There is a fairly obvious main suspect, although there are one or two others who certainly seem to have some kind of motive to do away with the victim. This was one of those stories where I guessed who had done it quite a while before Sukey, but the why remained a complete mystery until the big reveal. I think that there's probably enough clues to work it all out though, it was just me that missed the mark trying to get to the bottom of it.
There was even less of Fergus (Sukeys now grown-up son) in this book, I thought he'd been forgotten all about until he was mentioned in the last chapter. I suppose it would be odd for a grown-up son to be around all the time. One of the great things about these books has always been Sukey's regular supporting characters and as I'm sure I've mentioned before, it's taken a while to adjust to the sudden change that occurred halfway through the series.
This is the second to last Sukey book, I'm going to miss her when I've finished.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Lghiggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when Sukey Reynolds begins to feel work as a Detective Constable has slowed to a snail’s pace, her team gets called in on a murder investigation in the quiet area known as Sycamore House. In a case that initially appears to Sukey to be easily solved, a number of secrets surface along with an increase in suspects and a second murder. The team has to try to sort through multiple red herrings to arrive at the truth.

Sukey cooperates with her newspaper reporter boyfriend, but she shares a limited amount of research results, always taking care not to leak information. The characters in Betty Rowlands’ Death at Sycamore House are interesting, and the plot is engaging. The outcome is an enjoyable, police procedural.

I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book begins with the murder of Fenella Tremaine at the Sycamore House block of flats. DS Rathbone and his team of DC's from the Avon and Somerset CID - Sukey Reynolds, Vicky Armstrong, Tim Pringle, Mike Haskins and Penny Osborne are summoned by DCI Leach to his office several times in this book to brainstorm the happenings not only at Sycamore House but also at the Clean as a Whistle Agency, and the Holmwood Care Home. The number of twists and turns brings about many red-herrings in this story. It brings to mind the question how easy is it to frame someone for murder.

Sukey's relationship with Harry continues to grow as he continues to try to extract as much confidential information as possible for the Bristol Echo where he is a reporter. Sukey's son Gus has a very quick mention at the end of the book with some welcome news for his mum. Also a welcome surprise is the promotion of DS Greg Rathbone to DI.

Another brilliant read, worthy of more than 5 stars in my opinion.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been a quiet few weeks on the crime front in Somerset and Sukey Reynolds is starting to wonder if all the villains have gone on holiday. When she's summoned to charming Sycamore House it seems that Sukey has tempted fate. The body of Fenella Tremaine, one of their residents, is discovered by the caretaker in the garden,. The police quickly close in on Marcus Ellerman, a neighbour and colleague of Fenella’s, with whom she often crossed swords, both in and out of the office. When his distinctive ornamental dagger is found to be the murder weapon, the case seems closed. But Sukey has a hunch that the police are barking up the wrong tree, however when there’s another murder the case looks to be cut & dried.
Another delicious page turner with plenty of red herrings & twists and turns. In Sukey’s private life her relationship with reporter Harry is a welcome change from her gruesome work. This is the twelfth book in the series & the series just keeps on getting better. Well rounded characters & a fast pace story all made for an enthralling read
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

👮 Good, but Sukey does not seem as front and center🤔

🔍 I really enjoy this series, mainly because DC Sukey Reynolds and her instincts usually confound her male boss and detect the key to the latest murder investigation's solution. In this book, Sukey does not seem as prominent in the police investigation of a string of deaths.

I also like the snippets of off-duty life, including Sukey's relationship with her young adult son and her love life, that get folded into each book in the series. Her son Gus barely gets a mention in this story, and the romancing of her reporter boyfriend seems in a bit of a rut, with boyfriend Harry constantly pumping her for information so he can get a scoop for his newspaper.

It's not my favorite of the half dozen or so books I've read in the series, but the murder mystery with all of its false leads and twists was well-written, and, again, an enjoyable Sukey Reynolds Mystery read.

Thanks to publisher Bookouture and NetGalley for providing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Desiree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some time ago I reviewed a previous volume in the Sukey Reynolds series for Netgalley and of course I presumed this would be the next instalment in the series. That turned out not to be the case, this book being the twelfth book in the series. Maybe the publishers are republishing the books under an other name, because I found the same story under the name Unnatural Waste.

I enjoyed reading the book as it is well written, the plot is good and there are several red herrings to put you of the trail. I found the writing much more coherent and less confusing than the previous book I read. The characters are better developed and I liked the plot.
I seem to have missed some developments in Sukeys' personal live which is not surprising since I didn't read episode 6-11.

Definitely an improvement on the previous book I read, so 4 stars.
I want to thank Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in return for my honest review.

[Cozy Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a enjoyable series ! I have read the entire series and highly recommend each book in the series. Thank you for the ARC,. My review opinion is my own. This is so charming with a location of a small picturesque English village setting with all the great charcters that go along with a English village and murder.

In this next in series our intrepid detective Sukey Reynolds is investigating a stabbing that has to do with apartment home for many residents that normally get along well. A resident has been stabbed and dumped in the garbage bin. The obvious suspects do not work in her opinion and soon she is on the right track with twist and turns to keep every reader guessing.

I love this series and returning to it is so fun with each new release. Sukey is smart, savvy and always solve her cases. A very enjoyable read !

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This installment in the Sukey Reynolds' series felt a bit disjointed. But, in reality, life is rather disjointed and we shouldn't expect our criminals or events in books to behave any better. Throughout the book the main question seemed to be whether the crimes were linked in any way. Everyone seemed to want to go off in their own direction. Even the suspects and witnesses appeared to not be sure what was happening. I do like that I was a bit surprised by the ending. It made sense in hindsight, but through the course of the story, the needed clues just weren't there! And, I'll reiterate, I am really liking this more independent Sukey. The job change and move have done her well!

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.

[Miriam · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was my first time reading anything by this author and I must say I enjoyed it but there is a lot of the back story that I have missed out on so I will be checking out the other books in the series. It is never clear who is committing the murders or even if they are connected which I like as the author brings you in a few directions and the ending completely surprised me which makes the story for me. I would definitely recommend reading this. I was given this to read in exchange for my honest opinion and I would like to thank the publishers and netgalley for letting me have the book to review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own views and are completely unbiased.

[Kerry Britnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by Betty Rowlands and to be honest I don't think it mattered at all. While this is the 12th book in a series it stands up well as an individual novel in its own right.

This was a delightful charming murder mystery that kept me guessing until the end. There were a few red herrings to send your thoughts off on a wild goose chase which I think is essential in this type of story.

Easy to read with well-rounded characters, highly recommended for fans of easy reading, cosy mysteries.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this copy in return for an honest review.

[Beachcomber · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this as a free copy via NetGalley in return for an impartial review. Let me say up front that I liked Rowlands’ Mel Craig series - but this is the second Sukey one I’ve read, and I just find them flat and monotonous. The characters are two dimensional with stilted language. After two books, I can tell you hardly anything about them - likes, dislikes, working styles, family life, history... Sukey and her journalist beau eat, drink and canoodle, but that’s it for her. For a cosy mystery which is normally a quick read, this didn’t half drag on. All I can say is give the Mel Craig series a go, and maybe miss this series. I won’t be trying any more of them.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sukey is back and becoming quite a seasoned DC, her behavior is becoming more confident and she is taking fewer risks. In this outing, a body is discovered in the recycling bin and all clues point to an obvious suspect, but is he/she the real culprit? The book ends with a promotion on the investigation team, will Sukey be promoted as well? Have to read the next in the series...
Thank you to netgalley and Bookouture.

[Janet Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plenty of Twists as the Bodies Stack Up
This is a page-turner you will not want to put down. There is plenty of police procedure and duplicitous suspects. The final reveal is shocking. Another fine mystery in a series of fine mysteries. This book has less of Sukey's personal life and much more of her professional life. I love this series. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite crime series. Book 12 in the Sukey Reynolds series is a hit. Sukey is called to Sycamore House when the gardener finds the body of Fenella on the grounds. It seems an open and shut case when the neighbor's knife is found at the scene and their past has been argumentative. But Sukey digs deeper and finds several viable suspects. Her friendship with Harry continues to grow. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars! Another superb Sukey Reynolds mystery to snuggle up with. I’ve really been enjoying this series so far and this one did not disappoint. Readers will enjoy guessing who the killer is and following Sukey as she unravels the mystery. Highly recommend and can’t wait for the next book!

Thanks kindly to Netgalley, publisher and author for the opportunity to read and review this book.