The Patterdale Plot: The enthralling English cosy crime series

Lake District #9

by Rebecca Tope

Despite her penchant for investigating crimes, florist Persimmon 'Simmy' Brown had hoped that her autumn would be less frantic than usual, giving her the chance to enjoy her pregnancy and looking for a new house in the Patterdale area of the Lake District. But it is not to be .
Simmy's plans are cruelly dashed when one of the lodgers at her parents' B&B dies in her arms. It is clear the victim had some connection to a controversial new building project near where Simmy hopes to move, and she soon becomes embroiled in a complex case, headed up by her friend DI Moxon, as the nights grow darker and a killer roams free.

Genres: Mystery, Crime

352 pages, Paperback

Published March 18, 2021

About the author

Rebecca Tope is best known as the author of over twenty crime novels. She has also recently produced the e-book entitled 'The Indifference of Tumbleweed'. She has every intention of continuing with the murder stories, as well as a variety of other kinds of fiction.

She has experienced many different kinds of work in her time - running antenatal classes, counselling troubled couples and being an office girl for an undertaker, for example. There were also several years monitoring the output of dairy cows, as well as every sort of task associated with book publishing. In 1992, she founded Praxis Books, a small British press.

She lives surrounded by trees she has planted herself, tending her own sheep.

Reviews

[Kirsty · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the whole I’ve enjoyed this series and find the characters interesting. I thought this particular storyline initially harped back to an Agatha Christie-esque plot but unfortunately, for me, the ending fizzled out. I was expecting a little more action & maybe a twist but was left wanting.

[Martin Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

This read like an Agatha Christie mystery but with a rather lame ending unfortunately

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lake District Mysteries is a favorite series of mine by author Rebecca Tope. Persimmon Brown is a florist in this area of England and has found that flower deliveries can elicit a wide variety of emotions from Joy to Murderous intent. Simmy often finds herself in the midst of a murder. With her cast of Sherlock Holmes-like irregulars, she often helps the local detective inspectors to solve the mystery behind the murders. The books are quite enjoyable.

[Vanessa Boyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was bittersweet to read this book the latest about persimmon. My mum introduced me to these books and she passed away before this book was published. She would have loved the storyline and the story of Persimmon and Christopher. Sorry you didn’t get to read it mum.

Another great story with interesting characters I love Russell I think he is hilarious and it was nice to have lots of him and Angie in this story.

[Tandy Davies · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a follower of this series so for me it moves the relations between characters forward and is a return to a familiar setting-in this case the Lake District. It most definitely fits into the comfort read genre.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy this series but found this book not the best, the story didn't seem to grab me like they normally do.

[Pam Baddeley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another in the author’s Lake District series of mysteries, concentrating on relationships between the characters as they puzzle over a suspicious death. A man, whom no one at first seems to know well, is stricken by an unknown poison while staying at the Bed & Breakfast of Simmy's parents. There's a vague sense that his death is connected with a supposed development of holiday cottages, mooted for the Patterdale area, yet all the protesters are concentrated in the town of Bowness, and Patterdale residents haven't heard about it.

This is a gentle mystery, which weaves around the daily life of Simmy, her parents and Bonnie who works for Simmy at the florists. Simmy’s background brings her a little into the case, with Detective Inspector Moxon making her a bit more privy to details than would be the case in real life. I liked the inclusion of various locales in the Lakes, an area I know well, and the characters of Simmy's parents, Angie and Russell, especially Russell. The concerns about ageing parents, related health issues and the impact of tourism, plus its changing nature - AirBnB affecting the traditional B&B - are all nicely woven in. I wasn't keen on the character of Christopher, Simmy's fiance, though. He was rather self absorbed and someone who had to be tiptoed around, as he was disapproving of the discussions about the murder.

Unfortunately, I wasn't totally convinced about the motive for the murder, and the ending lacks impact. So overall I would rate this at 3 stars.

[Abbi Beattie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Further adventures for Simmy

I've read all of the authors books. This one held my interest well and then the final few pages!!
Oh dear. What a let down.
Whilst the reason behind the murder was almost credible, the final act of benevolence was too rushed, too incredible and
just spoilt the adrenalin build up a denouement brings.
So......enjoy the setting, indulge in visions of a beautiful area, question what on earth Simmy is doing with the rather tedious Christopher but
he prepared to be left feeling a little cheated.

[Sophie Narey (Bookreview- aholic) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really do like the writing style of Rebecca Tope, the storyline is a good pace to keep you hooked on it without it dipping in the middle, the parts of Simmy finding a house does feel a little tedious at times but when you have read books in this series before you know that everything she writes has a reason !

Even though Simmy is the main character, I love her mum Ange and dad Russell . They are brilliant characters, and you really can picture them there in their bnb, and Russell walking the dog. The whole book is very realistic and sometimes how you think things are in these little country villages. I absolutely love this book and did not guess who did it !

[BookReaderLinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not a total fan of crime books but this one was pretty much okey.
I was interested in knowing who’s the killer and all but at the same time it was so hard to read this book.
Only reason why it was hard is that story wasn’t going fast.
But the book ain’t that long so it’s okey

[Stephen Coleman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Least enjoyable of the series. No real motive and despite a good plot, no storyline that showed the team gaining their helpful insight to the crime.

One more to read but will need a break before I read it,

[Rob Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another decent outing for Simmy Brown. The imcreased use of her parents in this book was a plus and packing Ben off to uni opened up the door for his sister Tanya who mixed up the main lineup. More Moxon needed next time please!

[Heather Angus · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Patterdale Plot

Enjoyed the book...waiting for an update on Simmy & Christopher not to mention the others. Great reads truly enjoy the series.

[Kathleen Nelson · Rating 2 out of 5]

An easy enjoyed read but a bit mundane. I didn't find the motive for the murder convincing.
The location was interesting,as I know The Lake District fairly well.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this plot better than the last one. I am getting rather tired of Simmy’s wimpyness.

[dennis Waters · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy this series because I love and know the lakes well. The characters are all friends now and although the story did drag out a bit I still enjoyed it.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read a few from this series but not in any kind of order so was surprised to see how far some the characters had moved on. Not sure this was the best I've read, I thought the logic behind the murder a bit lame and was disappointed with the ending. However these reads fit into the comfort zone, nice characters and the Lake District make it more enjoyable than the tale!

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a huge Rebecca Tope fan and I particularly enjoy this series for it's Lake District setting. I wouldn't really describe these books as detective stories, although there is a level of detection involved. They are more stories that revolve around a puzzle to be solved. This is the ninth in this series. I think you certainly could read it as a standalone as there are enough contextual clues to help any first time reader work out who's who. Actually I think the author is particularly skilled at including a few storyline reminders that help new and old readers alike without feeling that there are swathes of rehashed story from previous books. The books are developmental. Characters come and go and change which is often the hook for those readers who enjoy series books. I would read these just for the characters alone. This one, as with others, ends on something of a cliffhanger for Simmy, the central character. Looking forward to the next instalment!

[Helen Birkbeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual, the story revolves more around the personal lives and interactions of the characters than the actual murder, the unfolding of which is, again as usual, rather rushed through at the end without much enlightenment as to motive. The theme of the pros and cons of tourism in the Lakes is interesting and relevant, however. The increased involvement of Russell and Angie and the light shed on their relationship were good, as Angie can seem a bit one-sided. I love the Patterdale area and can see why they love it.

The one downside is the relationship between Simmy and Chris, which never seems totally relaxed and natural. You almost get the feeling she is with him just to get a baby and more company, and because they had a teenage fling. He isn't very nice to her!

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good story from Rebecca Tope set in the Lake District, which is one of my favourite places! I enjoy her characters, Angie in particular! The scenery is sublime. My only criticismof this novel is with the motive, I just don't think it stacks up.

[JenniferB · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best in the series. Found it a little hard to read and the plot was a bit ridiculous. Some good interaction between the characters though.

[Susan Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series of books. I love the characters and seeing how their lives progress, its not just the detective element.