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Inspector Ravenscroft #9
The Bromsgrove Bookseller
AN EVOCATIVE VICTORIAN DETECTIVE MYSTERY FULL OF CLEVER TWISTS
Ledbury, December 1892.
Detective Inspector Ravenscroft looks forward to spending a quiet Christmas with his family. Then he receives news that an old friend stands accused of a brutal murder.
DID YOUNG STEBBINS STAB HIS OWN UNCLE IN THE BACK?
Ravenscroft and Detective Sergeant Crabb travel to the old Worcestershire market town of Bromsgrove to investigate. But events soon take a deadly dramatic turn.
As the bad weather closes in on the two detectives Ravenscroft begins to wonder whether they will make it home for Christmas.
CAN HE CRACK THE CASE AND SAVE HIS FRIEND FROM THE GALLOWS?
Perfect for fans of M.R.C. Kasasian, E.S. Thomson, Oscar de Muriel or Karen Charlton.
MEET THE DETECTIVE
Inspector Samuel Ravenscroft, unmarried and over forty, is a detective in the Whitechapel branch of the Metropolitan Police. Painfully asthmatic, he is overlooked by his superiors in favour of his pushier colleagues. But Ravenscroft wants to prove himself and strives to overcome his physical limitations. His tools are forthright questioning, close examination of the evidence and personal intuition. He often finds that the solutions to crimes are buried deep in the past.
With his trusty Bradshaw, Ravenscroft and his colleague Constable Tom Crabb, travel around the Three Counties, overlooked by the Malvern Hills, bringing criminals to justice.
KERRY TOMBS was born near Birmingham, but grew up in various locations in north Worcestershire. After a career teaching in both England and Australia, he moved to Malvern in 1982, where he became a local genealogist, lecturer and bookseller.
INSPECTOR RAVENSCROFT DETECTIVE MYSTERIES SERIES
Book 1: THE MALVERN MURDERS
Book 2: THE WORCESTER WHISPERERS
Book 3: THE LEDBURY LAMPLIGHTERS
Book 4: THE TEWKESBURY TOMB
Book 5: THE DROITWICH DECEIVERS
Book 6: THE PERSHORE POISONERS
Book 7: THE UPTON UNDERTAKERS
Book 8: THE HEREFORDSHIRE HANGMEN
Book 9: THE BROMSGROVE BOOKSELLER
MORE COMING SOON!
Ledbury, December 1892.
Detective Inspector Ravenscroft looks forward to spending a quiet Christmas with his family. Then he receives news that an old friend stands accused of a brutal murder.
DID YOUNG STEBBINS STAB HIS OWN UNCLE IN THE BACK?
Ravenscroft and Detective Sergeant Crabb travel to the old Worcestershire market town of Bromsgrove to investigate. But events soon take a deadly dramatic turn.
As the bad weather closes in on the two detectives Ravenscroft begins to wonder whether they will make it home for Christmas.
CAN HE CRACK THE CASE AND SAVE HIS FRIEND FROM THE GALLOWS?
Perfect for fans of M.R.C. Kasasian, E.S. Thomson, Oscar de Muriel or Karen Charlton.
MEET THE DETECTIVE
Inspector Samuel Ravenscroft, unmarried and over forty, is a detective in the Whitechapel branch of the Metropolitan Police. Painfully asthmatic, he is overlooked by his superiors in favour of his pushier colleagues. But Ravenscroft wants to prove himself and strives to overcome his physical limitations. His tools are forthright questioning, close examination of the evidence and personal intuition. He often finds that the solutions to crimes are buried deep in the past.
With his trusty Bradshaw, Ravenscroft and his colleague Constable Tom Crabb, travel around the Three Counties, overlooked by the Malvern Hills, bringing criminals to justice.
KERRY TOMBS was born near Birmingham, but grew up in various locations in north Worcestershire. After a career teaching in both England and Australia, he moved to Malvern in 1982, where he became a local genealogist, lecturer and bookseller.
INSPECTOR RAVENSCROFT DETECTIVE MYSTERIES SERIES
Book 1: THE MALVERN MURDERS
Book 2: THE WORCESTER WHISPERERS
Book 3: THE LEDBURY LAMPLIGHTERS
Book 4: THE TEWKESBURY TOMB
Book 5: THE DROITWICH DECEIVERS
Book 6: THE PERSHORE POISONERS
Book 7: THE UPTON UNDERTAKERS
Book 8: THE HEREFORDSHIRE HANGMEN
Book 9: THE BROMSGROVE BOOKSELLER
MORE COMING SOON!
216 pages, Paperback
Published November 9, 2020
114 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
About the author
Kerry Tombs
25 books66 followersKerry Tombs was born in Smethwick in 1945, and after a career in teaching in both England and Australia, moved to Malvern in 1982, where he became a genealogist, lecturer and bookseller. He has set THE MALVERN MURDERS in a variety of Malvern locations including St.Ann's Well, Malvern College, British Camp and Priory Church - and in the nearby villages of Colwall and Mathon and town of Ledbury. Kerry moved to Brittany in 2005.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 18, 2023
لغز بوليسي فيكتوري مثير للذكريات مليء بالتقلبات الذكية
ليدبيري، ديسمبر 1892.
يتطلع المحقق المفتش رافنسكروفت إلى قضاء عيد ميلاد هادئ مع عائلته. ثم يتلقى أخبارًا تفيد بأن صديقًا قديمًا متهم بارتكاب جريمة قتل وحشية.
هل طعن ستيبينز الشاب عمه في الظهر؟
يسافر Ravenscroft والمخبر الرقيب Crabb إلى مدينة سوق Worcestershire القديمة Bromsgrove للتحقيق. لكن الأحداث سرعان ما تأخذ منحى درامياً مميتاً.
مع اقتراب الطقس السيئ، يبدأ المحققان رافنسكروفت في التساؤل عما إذا كانا سيعودان إلى المنزل في عيد الميلاد.
هل يستطيع حل القضية وإنقاذ صديقه من المشنقة؟
مثالية لمحبي M.R.C. كاساسيان، إ.س. طومسون، أوسكار دي مورييل أو كارين تشارلتون.
ليدبيري، ديسمبر 1892.
يتطلع المحقق المفتش رافنسكروفت إلى قضاء عيد ميلاد هادئ مع عائلته. ثم يتلقى أخبارًا تفيد بأن صديقًا قديمًا متهم بارتكاب جريمة قتل وحشية.
هل طعن ستيبينز الشاب عمه في الظهر؟
يسافر Ravenscroft والمخبر الرقيب Crabb إلى مدينة سوق Worcestershire القديمة Bromsgrove للتحقيق. لكن الأحداث سرعان ما تأخذ منحى درامياً مميتاً.
مع اقتراب الطقس السيئ، يبدأ المحققان رافنسكروفت في التساؤل عما إذا كانا سيعودان إلى المنزل في عيد الميلاد.
هل يستطيع حل القضية وإنقاذ صديقه من المشنقة؟
مثالية لمحبي M.R.C. كاساسيان، إ.س. طومسون، أوسكار دي مورييل أو كارين تشارلتون.
May 22, 2021
I finished this book a month ago but just realized that I forgot to write a review then. I know that I enjoyed it at the time, and liked the idea of Ravenscroft coming to the rescue of a young friend wrongly accused of murder. I'm sorry to say that I don't remember everything about the plot. I have finished book 10 and will write a better review of that one.
January 26, 2025
In this penultimate case for Ravenscroft it is the last few days before Christmas 1892 when a letter is received from Maisie Stebbins to say her husband, Stebbins, has been arrested for the murder of his uncle in Bromsgrove. Stebbins was one of the first characters that Ravenscroft encountered when he first came to Malvern to take the waters at the start of the series. He has occasionally popped back up throughout the series and it's clear that the Ravenscroft thinks well of Stebbins for his kindness to him when he was so alone. Maisie's plea that Ravenscroft should help Stebbins sends the detective with his trusty sidekick Crabb to the town of Bromsgrove and the bookshop which Uncle Stebby owned and where he was killed, amongst his antiquarian editions. Ravenscroft is convinced that Stebbins is innocent of the crime but the chief of the Bromsgrove police, Bulman, is equally convinced that they have the right man and is determined to see Stebbins hang.
Ravenscroft takes up the case but before he can get far another body is discovered, this time on the train tracks clearly placed in the hope that the train would run it over and any evidence of murder would be lost and with Bulman away in court Ravenscroft is asked to look into this case too. And then a third death occurs. It's now the 23rd December and the weather closes in forcing Ravenscroft and Crabb to take rooms in the town with the hope they can make it home to Ledbury the following day. This enforced stay is ultimately crucial is advancing the investigation but leads to tension as to whether the two police men will make it back to their families for Christmas.
As with all of these novels in the series I thoroughly enjoyed this one. There was a divergence in plot lines that made this one very interesting as the reader tries to work out where all the pieces will eventually fit. The investigation takes Crabb and Ravenscroft into the murky world of money lending and dodgy business dealings as well as the world of the bookseller, and as always has a wide cast of diverse, interesting and quirky characters all wonderfully brought to life by Andrew Cullum in the audio version I listened to. While I have enjoyed them all this one became one of my very favourites, primarily I think because at first it seemed to be so simple a conclusion and I was convinced that I knew who was the murderer before the plot took off in a direction I just had not been expecting. Although, not just for Christmas this would make an excellent festive read.
Ravenscroft takes up the case but before he can get far another body is discovered, this time on the train tracks clearly placed in the hope that the train would run it over and any evidence of murder would be lost and with Bulman away in court Ravenscroft is asked to look into this case too. And then a third death occurs. It's now the 23rd December and the weather closes in forcing Ravenscroft and Crabb to take rooms in the town with the hope they can make it home to Ledbury the following day. This enforced stay is ultimately crucial is advancing the investigation but leads to tension as to whether the two police men will make it back to their families for Christmas.
As with all of these novels in the series I thoroughly enjoyed this one. There was a divergence in plot lines that made this one very interesting as the reader tries to work out where all the pieces will eventually fit. The investigation takes Crabb and Ravenscroft into the murky world of money lending and dodgy business dealings as well as the world of the bookseller, and as always has a wide cast of diverse, interesting and quirky characters all wonderfully brought to life by Andrew Cullum in the audio version I listened to. While I have enjoyed them all this one became one of my very favourites, primarily I think because at first it seemed to be so simple a conclusion and I was convinced that I knew who was the murderer before the plot took off in a direction I just had not been expecting. Although, not just for Christmas this would make an excellent festive read.
August 17, 2021
Number 9 Number 9 (quoting John Lennon) was a great tale with an interesting twist. Also, excellent portrayal of local law and their attitudes.
January 27, 2023
Excellent as usual, I will be sad to read the last one in the series.
June 7, 2025
These mysteries have gotten better as they go along. Still a few holes though.
January 7, 2025
The investigation takes place between the 22nd and 27th Dec 1892. Reading it between the 24th & 26th Dec I was in the correct frame of mind for a Xmas mystery. A friend of Ravenscroft is accused of murder, one of three that takes place. He and Crabb have to find the true culprit before he is tried and hanged. What transpires is a difficult and intriguing story. A heartwarming, Christmas mystery with a shocking but misleading 'false' ending.
July 17, 2022
Interesting story
It's Christmas time and a murder of a old man leads Ravenscroft on a merry chase to clear one suspect and find the real murderer. In the meantime two other murders occur are they related or is there another murderer on the lose. Old wills, fraud and greed all play a part in this intriguing storyline.
It's Christmas time and a murder of a old man leads Ravenscroft on a merry chase to clear one suspect and find the real murderer. In the meantime two other murders occur are they related or is there another murderer on the lose. Old wills, fraud and greed all play a part in this intriguing storyline.
May 30, 2023
A darn good read
If you like midsummer murders, then this will be right up your street. The author gently nudges us along with a few red herrings, to the inevitable conclusion of Crabb & Ravenstone getting their man.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I sincerely hope that the author pens more.
If you like midsummer murders, then this will be right up your street. The author gently nudges us along with a few red herrings, to the inevitable conclusion of Crabb & Ravenstone getting their man.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I sincerely hope that the author pens more.
October 18, 2025
What great characters Crabb and Ravenscraft are. I truly enjoy every book about them, and hopefully there will be many more. If I have a bunch of books to chose from (let's face it, there's always quite a few) I would probably pick a Crabb & Ravenscraft first of all. I still think there is far too little about Crabb still.
(Please forgive my poor English, my excuse is I’m Swedish).
(Please forgive my poor English, my excuse is I’m Swedish).
December 6, 2020
Only one more book left in this series.
I'll be sad when I'm finished with these easy reads. A nice reprieve from most mysteries written today. I do believe that retirement is in the future for Ravenscroft and what a nice ending that will be for him.
I'll be sad when I'm finished with these easy reads. A nice reprieve from most mysteries written today. I do believe that retirement is in the future for Ravenscroft and what a nice ending that will be for him.
January 11, 2021
Diverse and well linked plot.
Kept me guessing enjoyed as usual Ravenscroft s’ dogged determination to solve the riddle. His partnership with Crabb is perfect and together they soon bring to book the guilty.
Kept me guessing enjoyed as usual Ravenscroft s’ dogged determination to solve the riddle. His partnership with Crabb is perfect and together they soon bring to book the guilty.
January 30, 2021
A tongue in cheek read!
The story does succeed in conveying the impression of a time in the past! almost an Agatha Christie style of storytelling, keeps the reader guessing along with the detectives.
The story does succeed in conveying the impression of a time in the past! almost an Agatha Christie style of storytelling, keeps the reader guessing along with the detectives.
April 5, 2021
I forgot to record my impressions of this book shortly after reading it, so I no longer remember how I felt about it. I just know that all the Inspector Ravenscroft books that I've read so far were very well written & great reads.
Read
July 9, 2021Best series
I love English mysteries and this series is w the top of my list. I can't get enough of inspector Ravenscroft. I wish there were more. I'm sorry to see it come to an end.
I love English mysteries and this series is w the top of my list. I can't get enough of inspector Ravenscroft. I wish there were more. I'm sorry to see it come to an end.
November 19, 2020
Another great read with the usual twist and turns great unexpected ending
November 26, 2020
This book
I will certainly give this book a score of 5.
It had me guessing right to the end on who the murderer was.
I will certainly give this book a score of 5.
It had me guessing right to the end on who the murderer was.
February 27, 2021
December 1892 Inspector Ravenscroft is asked for help by Maisie Stebbins as her husband, an old friend, has been accused of the murder of his uncle Stebby, a Bromsgrove bookseller. Accused as he was found next to the body very soon after the killing. But this will not be the last death.
Another enjoyable historical mystery in this series
Another enjoyable historical mystery in this series
March 8, 2021
Interesting book!
This book was very entertaining and kept me as a reader very interested. Book kept story changing from one suspect to another so difficult to put down!
This book was very entertaining and kept me as a reader very interested. Book kept story changing from one suspect to another so difficult to put down!
June 2, 2021
No,9 in this wonderful series and I think The Best .. A Christmas Murder Story which I Found really difficult to put down .....
March 30, 2022
Another good read.
May 26, 2023
Ebeenezer
Much to take in.Murder, mayhem, greed and ghosts. Lots of suspects. Another great read, plenty of thinking and who dunnit.
Much to take in.Murder, mayhem, greed and ghosts. Lots of suspects. Another great read, plenty of thinking and who dunnit.
August 30, 2023
Intriguing
Another great book in the ravenscroft series. Interesting characters and a good plot will keep you turning the pages! I recommend this title.
Another great book in the ravenscroft series. Interesting characters and a good plot will keep you turning the pages! I recommend this title.
March 26, 2024
what a fantastic book! can feel slow at times BUT I admit to loving the language and the grammar used in these times. I cant help but start using these words myself.
February 19, 2025
A bit lackluster.
September 8, 2025
Great mystery series. Set in the late 1800s. Inspector Ravenscroft is a likeable cop and capable investigator. Interesting ties to the Ripper case.
November 10, 2020
I was pleased when I recently fond the last three Inspector Samuel Ravenscroft Bus n Kindle. It is a true favorite and none of the last three disappointed including The Bromsgrove Booksller.
Ravenscroft and Crabb once again are seeking to discover the killer, this time of three individuals. I’d like to share more but it would cause me to do a spoiler. But Ravenscroft fans will not be disappointed. Once again Kerry Tombs writes an entertaining story with out sex, trashy language. Another big plus is both Ravenscroft and Crabb are happily married men who don’t have an ongoing haunting pass.
The absence of sex, trash language, haunting pass but the inclusion of healthy married men is what makes Ravenscroft and Crabb one of my favorite reads.
Only bummer is I’m all caught up 😕 I hope there will be another story sooner than later.
Ravenscroft and Crabb once again are seeking to discover the killer, this time of three individuals. I’d like to share more but it would cause me to do a spoiler. But Ravenscroft fans will not be disappointed. Once again Kerry Tombs writes an entertaining story with out sex, trashy language. Another big plus is both Ravenscroft and Crabb are happily married men who don’t have an ongoing haunting pass.
The absence of sex, trash language, haunting pass but the inclusion of healthy married men is what makes Ravenscroft and Crabb one of my favorite reads.
Only bummer is I’m all caught up 😕 I hope there will be another story sooner than later.
May 18, 2018
Fantastic series of books
A great series of books. As soon as one book finished had to download the next to read the next adventure of Ravenscroft and Crabb. Great characters, great stories, great descriptions of the times. Really disappointed when I reached the end of the series and so hope there are more to come.
A great series of books. As soon as one book finished had to download the next to read the next adventure of Ravenscroft and Crabb. Great characters, great stories, great descriptions of the times. Really disappointed when I reached the end of the series and so hope there are more to come.
December 21, 2024
Given Ravenscroft's history with Stebbins, I think there should have been more of an emotional connection.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews