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Old Sins, Long Memories
G.P. Lizzie Browne moves from London to a small town on the coast, looking forward to a quiet life, but when she finds a murdered patient on her first day it seems that perhaps Stibbington is not so quiet after all. DCI Adam Maguire, and colleague Steve Grayson, haven’t been challenged by a case for a long time, and welcome this break from their normal routine, except that there seems to be no apparent motive for anyone to kill a harmless young drop-out. When a second body, similar to the first, is found in Lizzie’s garden she is drawn into Adam’s investigation against her will, and against her better judgment her quiet life is riven with tension and conflict.
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2014
425 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
Angela Arney
11 books9 followersAngela Arney was born in Hampshire, England, where she has lived for most of his life. She went to school in Winchester, but since 2001, she lives in Marchwood, near Southampton. A widowed, she has a son, a daughter, and four grandchildren. Before writing she had a varied career as a caberet singer, a teacher, and then hospital administrator.
Angela has been a published writer of successful romantic novels since 1984, has had 16 romantic suspense stories published as well as four larger mainstream novels. She was the nineteenth elected Chairman (1997–1999) of the Romantic Novelists' Association, is a reader for the New Writers Scheme (unpublished writers) and also reads partial manuscripts for a publisher. She is a speaker for various literary events up and down the country. Together with two other local authors, June Tate and Katie Fforde, she runs creative writing courses to tutor others. As well as writing, Angela has interests in amateur theatre both as a performer and director for plays and musicals. She took time out to return to the theatre as a director of amateur companies, but she has now returned to writing novels.
Angela has been a published writer of successful romantic novels since 1984, has had 16 romantic suspense stories published as well as four larger mainstream novels. She was the nineteenth elected Chairman (1997–1999) of the Romantic Novelists' Association, is a reader for the New Writers Scheme (unpublished writers) and also reads partial manuscripts for a publisher. She is a speaker for various literary events up and down the country. Together with two other local authors, June Tate and Katie Fforde, she runs creative writing courses to tutor others. As well as writing, Angela has interests in amateur theatre both as a performer and director for plays and musicals. She took time out to return to the theatre as a director of amateur companies, but she has now returned to writing novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
January 25, 2021
A challenging beginning to her new life in the country
Overall, I enjoyed this book. The characters were well-developed and the plot believable, though predictable. The setting, near Portsmouth and in and around the New Forest in southern England, was well-described and, along with the weather, helped the development of the sinister atmosphere and the tense feeling that something aweful was going to happen. However, if I had been able to give a half-star, I would have only given this novel three and a half stars because it was so predictable. I was irritated by the frequent use of poor communication and coincidence to enable the plot development. There were also three things that really bugged me that related to basic errors of research, as far as I know. The first related to the scene of a death where the main protagonist, the recently divorced doctor new to the village, examined the corpse to find “every drop of blood had flooded...from the severed jugular. Lizzie bent down. She could even see the end of the artery..” I’m certain a doctor would know that the jugular is a vein, not an artery! Another error of definition happened when Lizzie was talking to her daughter about her ex-husband, who, with his new partner, was expecting a child. Lizzie asks her daughter if she minded having a new stepbrother or sister. The new baby would actually be a half-brother or sister, not a step-brother or sister because they shared a father. Lastly, there was reference to a person who was completely hairless (inference: a cancer sufferer after chemotherapy treatment) but later in the book, a doctor talked about the patient’s treatment through injection of his own plasma. To my knowledge, injection of plasma would not assist a cancer sufferer for long-term survival or cause total hair loss. I may be pedantic, but I believe authors should do their research or employ an editor who can pick up basic mistakes. These and the predictability of who the murderer was and the how and why somewhat spoiled what would otherwise have been a five-star novel.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. The characters were well-developed and the plot believable, though predictable. The setting, near Portsmouth and in and around the New Forest in southern England, was well-described and, along with the weather, helped the development of the sinister atmosphere and the tense feeling that something aweful was going to happen. However, if I had been able to give a half-star, I would have only given this novel three and a half stars because it was so predictable. I was irritated by the frequent use of poor communication and coincidence to enable the plot development. There were also three things that really bugged me that related to basic errors of research, as far as I know. The first related to the scene of a death where the main protagonist, the recently divorced doctor new to the village, examined the corpse to find “every drop of blood had flooded...from the severed jugular. Lizzie bent down. She could even see the end of the artery..” I’m certain a doctor would know that the jugular is a vein, not an artery! Another error of definition happened when Lizzie was talking to her daughter about her ex-husband, who, with his new partner, was expecting a child. Lizzie asks her daughter if she minded having a new stepbrother or sister. The new baby would actually be a half-brother or sister, not a step-brother or sister because they shared a father. Lastly, there was reference to a person who was completely hairless (inference: a cancer sufferer after chemotherapy treatment) but later in the book, a doctor talked about the patient’s treatment through injection of his own plasma. To my knowledge, injection of plasma would not assist a cancer sufferer for long-term survival or cause total hair loss. I may be pedantic, but I believe authors should do their research or employ an editor who can pick up basic mistakes. These and the predictability of who the murderer was and the how and why somewhat spoiled what would otherwise have been a five-star novel.
May 26, 2021
"FATAL MEDICINE
"It's the perfect new beginning for Dr. Lizzie Browne. Treating rural patients at a small English clinic is what she badly needs after a stressful city practice and a failed marriage. So at first she thinks it's an unhappy coincidence when local teen Darren turns up murdered -- and she recognizes him as a recovering addict she helped back in London ...
"Then Darren's troubled ex-friend is burned to death in Lizzie's greenhouse -- and relentless Detective Chief Inspector Maguire starts investigating her. Certain the answer lies elsewhere, Lizzie starts digging into her patients' less-than-tranquil pasts. Soon she discovers a trail of corruption, rage, and shattering guilt that leads her to a long-buried crime and a shocking injustice. And she has nowhere to hide from an obsessed killer determined to punish the guilty -- and innocent -- alike."
~~back cover
A nice little English murder. I would have liked more village involvement but then one of the reasons I like English murders is the window into village life. Well plotted, and good characterization.
"It's the perfect new beginning for Dr. Lizzie Browne. Treating rural patients at a small English clinic is what she badly needs after a stressful city practice and a failed marriage. So at first she thinks it's an unhappy coincidence when local teen Darren turns up murdered -- and she recognizes him as a recovering addict she helped back in London ...
"Then Darren's troubled ex-friend is burned to death in Lizzie's greenhouse -- and relentless Detective Chief Inspector Maguire starts investigating her. Certain the answer lies elsewhere, Lizzie starts digging into her patients' less-than-tranquil pasts. Soon she discovers a trail of corruption, rage, and shattering guilt that leads her to a long-buried crime and a shocking injustice. And she has nowhere to hide from an obsessed killer determined to punish the guilty -- and innocent -- alike."
~~back cover
A nice little English murder. I would have liked more village involvement but then one of the reasons I like English murders is the window into village life. Well plotted, and good characterization.
October 19, 2021
Usually the mysteries I like are those that are referred to as cozy mysteries. I don't care for hard core murder stores at all. This series seems to fit somewhere between the two. The action is seen through several different points of view as the story advances. It does make it very interesting without being too bloodthirsty.
The two main characters are both lonely. The one is a doctor who inadvertently gets involved in the crimes when she moves to a small town after her husband left her for another woman. The other is the detective in charge of the case who lost his wife to cancer a few years back. Both of them are rather on the 'crusty' side, but seem to get along well, so hopefully there might be a romance in the offing. We'll have to see. In the meantime, I am quite delighted with this series.
The two main characters are both lonely. The one is a doctor who inadvertently gets involved in the crimes when she moves to a small town after her husband left her for another woman. The other is the detective in charge of the case who lost his wife to cancer a few years back. Both of them are rather on the 'crusty' side, but seem to get along well, so hopefully there might be a romance in the offing. We'll have to see. In the meantime, I am quite delighted with this series.
January 8, 2021
Old Sins, Long Memories
Following her divorce Dr Lizzie Browne has left London to make a,new start in Hampshire. When one of her patients is murdered Lizzie unwittingly finds herself involved.
Angela Arney has written a fast paced and thoroughly enjoyable murder mystery full of twists and turns. The characters are well written and I found the book impossible to put down as I had to know what happened next.
I do hope there will be another book in the series as I would love the opportunity to find out what happens to Lizzie and the others next.
Highly recommended.
Following her divorce Dr Lizzie Browne has left London to make a,new start in Hampshire. When one of her patients is murdered Lizzie unwittingly finds herself involved.
Angela Arney has written a fast paced and thoroughly enjoyable murder mystery full of twists and turns. The characters are well written and I found the book impossible to put down as I had to know what happened next.
I do hope there will be another book in the series as I would love the opportunity to find out what happens to Lizzie and the others next.
Highly recommended.
December 4, 2022
This is the first book in a series, so a certain part of the book is introducing the characters and setting up the scene. The main characters are interesting and good to spend time with. The location, southern England, is well described and somewhat spooky at times. And very wet!
New to the area Dr. Lizzie Browne stumbles on two murdered men. She finds several clues that she is not always sure are well-received by the police. The plot is a little ridiculous, but keeps moving. Definitely a good read.
New to the area Dr. Lizzie Browne stumbles on two murdered men. She finds several clues that she is not always sure are well-received by the police. The plot is a little ridiculous, but keeps moving. Definitely a good read.
January 9, 2021
Excellent!
Great new series, I hope! Interesting small village, with long memories and closed to newcomers, keeps its secrets of the past when 3 murders occur. Well written, great characters, excellent plot development, and interesting murder investigation made this an entertaining and enjoyable c reading experience!
Great new series, I hope! Interesting small village, with long memories and closed to newcomers, keeps its secrets of the past when 3 murders occur. Well written, great characters, excellent plot development, and interesting murder investigation made this an entertaining and enjoyable c reading experience!
January 15, 2021
First book I've read from Angela Arney. I thought it was a great start, setting the scene for further books in this series. 😁
Dr Browne moves from London after splitting with her husband. A new start in a rural village location. But it's far from quiet and sleepy...
I'm looking forward to finding out the next instalment in the Dr Browne series.
Dr Browne moves from London after splitting with her husband. A new start in a rural village location. But it's far from quiet and sleepy...
I'm looking forward to finding out the next instalment in the Dr Browne series.
January 8, 2021
A new author for me
A well written crime thriller with interesting characters. I thoroughly enjoyed the read and my only mild criticism is that some of the 'who done it' clues were flagged a little too early.
A well written crime thriller with interesting characters. I thoroughly enjoyed the read and my only mild criticism is that some of the 'who done it' clues were flagged a little too early.
January 11, 2021
Story moves quickly; characters are typical of a British mystery
Story is engrossing. Too much like other series with damaged persons-some to like; some to to dread and some to fill in the story. I would not read another story.
Story is engrossing. Too much like other series with damaged persons-some to like; some to to dread and some to fill in the story. I would not read another story.
January 21, 2021
Really good book
Book you won't want to put down right from the beginning. Full of clues and red herrings you feel that you have solved only to find out you are wrong. Very good read you won't be disappointed.
Book you won't want to put down right from the beginning. Full of clues and red herrings you feel that you have solved only to find out you are wrong. Very good read you won't be disappointed.
February 5, 2021
Review
I enjoyed this book. It was very slow going in the beginning, but picked up the pace after the first three chapters. Definitely worth continuing with. I am looking forward to more books in this series.
I enjoyed this book. It was very slow going in the beginning, but picked up the pace after the first three chapters. Definitely worth continuing with. I am looking forward to more books in this series.
February 5, 2021
Well written and original
I liked the interplay between the characters and the interesting story line. I hope there will be more to follow and look forward to seeing the characters develop.
I liked the interplay between the characters and the interesting story line. I hope there will be more to follow and look forward to seeing the characters develop.
February 18, 2021
Compulsive page turner.
Interesting heroine and sparring partner.
Rapid fire murders.
Historical events link episodes.
Unhelpful weather, unsuitable vehicles, unhinged villain and chases.
Great fun with a teensy bit of gore. No bad language!!
Thoroughly enjoyed this read.
Interesting heroine and sparring partner.
Rapid fire murders.
Historical events link episodes.
Unhelpful weather, unsuitable vehicles, unhinged villain and chases.
Great fun with a teensy bit of gore. No bad language!!
Thoroughly enjoyed this read.
March 2, 2021
From the very start, I was gripped by the author's fluid writing style and the ominous way events unfolded. The central characters were introduced very believably and here's hoping this is the beginning of a series. A really superb read.
August 2, 2021
Does what it says. A pleasant read with no shocks, and a tidy ending.
I had the feeling that I’d met the main characters before in books by other authors, in different guises, so not overly original.
I had the feeling that I’d met the main characters before in books by other authors, in different guises, so not overly original.
March 28, 2022
Refreshing Cozy Mystery
A doctor moves to a small town after her divorce thinking it would be a change of pace from London. Old secrets bring back a killer and Dr. Lizzie Browne is pulled into the investigation.
A doctor moves to a small town after her divorce thinking it would be a change of pace from London. Old secrets bring back a killer and Dr. Lizzie Browne is pulled into the investigation.
May 21, 2022
Wonderful new author
Enjoyed this story immensely and grew attached to the cast of characters. Just wish it wasn't so hard to figure out the order. Halfway through second in series before I set it aside to read this, the first one. Will be reading them all! A great find!
Enjoyed this story immensely and grew attached to the cast of characters. Just wish it wasn't so hard to figure out the order. Halfway through second in series before I set it aside to read this, the first one. Will be reading them all! A great find!
June 3, 2022
Great Story
A great story by Angela featuring Dr Browne and Inspector Maguire. A well crafted story with plenty of twists and turns and a number of well developed characters. Looking forward to reading more by this author.
A great story by Angela featuring Dr Browne and Inspector Maguire. A well crafted story with plenty of twists and turns and a number of well developed characters. Looking forward to reading more by this author.
July 28, 2022
I really liked this book once I got into it. The two main characters aren't very appealing as they are both very cranky, but I can see them become.more likeable with time. I'm hoping there are more in a series.
February 15, 2019
my first time reading this author. It was set in a small English village and Kept me reading in one sitting. very good story
January 10, 2021
Adam and Lizzie murder mystery
I enjoyed this book very much, good strong leads. Interesting plot and well worked out. Hope there are more to come.
I enjoyed this book very much, good strong leads. Interesting plot and well worked out. Hope there are more to come.
January 11, 2021
A enjoyable story.
This is a great story even though I'd worked it out half way through I still enjoyed it. Hope there is another one in this series soon.
This is a great story even though I'd worked it out half way through I still enjoyed it. Hope there is another one in this series soon.
January 14, 2021
Good Book!
I enjoyed this book. It had a lot of twists and turns. I look forward to getting to know the characters in future books. I recommend this book!
I enjoyed this book. It had a lot of twists and turns. I look forward to getting to know the characters in future books. I recommend this book!
January 14, 2021
The interaction between the main charcters is quite intriguing. I will look forward to their development.
January 19, 2021
Pleased to find a new author I enjoyed. Better yet there are more in the series already published. I will be reading
March 24, 2021
A feast for readers.
It lived up to the summary. Full of twists and turns, but I did work out who did it. Will certainly read another book by this author.
It lived up to the summary. Full of twists and turns, but I did work out who did it. Will certainly read another book by this author.
May 13, 2021
Easy read
Love English murder mysteries. Would enjoy reading another installment. Loved the dog., Tess. Thought the characters worked well. Kept my interest.
Love English murder mysteries. Would enjoy reading another installment. Loved the dog., Tess. Thought the characters worked well. Kept my interest.
May 16, 2021
A very enjoyable read with a well developed plot and characters. The action and conversations moved along quickly, something I always appreciate. I can see the bones of a great new series.
May 27, 2021
This was a good book for its genre and interesting reading. I'll definitely read more.
July 11, 2021
I Enjoyed this very much .. A Fast moving story and a very good Who done it .. Looking forward to a 2nd in the series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews