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Detective Markham Mystery #12
Crime in the Kitchen
Jayne Padgett is a beloved teacher who’d do anything for her kids.
So how does she end up dead, neatly posed at her kitchen counter?
She was strangled and forced to drink bleach. And, stranger still, the killer tried to clear up the mess afterwards.
Despite being a favourite with her students, there’s no shortage of
Teachers with grudges.
Parents who thought she was meddling.
Half-sisters.
An ex-husband.
The on-again-off-again boyfriend.
AND THEN ANOTHER MURDER WITH THE SAME M.O. — IS SOMEONE CLEANING UP THE TOWN?
Detectives Markham and Noakes might just have a serial killer on their hands.
So how does she end up dead, neatly posed at her kitchen counter?
She was strangled and forced to drink bleach. And, stranger still, the killer tried to clear up the mess afterwards.
Despite being a favourite with her students, there’s no shortage of
Teachers with grudges.
Parents who thought she was meddling.
Half-sisters.
An ex-husband.
The on-again-off-again boyfriend.
AND THEN ANOTHER MURDER WITH THE SAME M.O. — IS SOMEONE CLEANING UP THE TOWN?
Detectives Markham and Noakes might just have a serial killer on their hands.
- GenresMystery
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 4, 2021
About the author
Catherine Moloney
29 books56 followersI was born in Ikom, Nigeria (where my parents were missionaries) and come from a Liverpool medical family, but am not a doctor of medicine. . After graduating in Jurisprudence from Jesus College (University of Oxford), I was called to the Bar at Gray’s Inn. Despite qualifying as a barrister, my first love was English; this led to a PhD in English Literature at Birkbeck College (University of London).
In my academic career, I lectured and published widely on the subject of tuberculosis and nineteenth-century literature, but somehow managed to avoid contracting galloping hypochondria and turned my attention to crime fiction.
In my academic career, I lectured and published widely on the subject of tuberculosis and nineteenth-century literature, but somehow managed to avoid contracting galloping hypochondria and turned my attention to crime fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 14, 2021
Jayne Padgett, a much-liked and respected teacher, is found brutally murdered in her home. DI Gil Markham and his partner, DS George Noakes are called in to investigate.
When they start questioning family, friends, co-workers, acquaintances, they come away with more questions than answers.
Evidently she wasn't as liked or respected as much as she thought. But who would killed her so viciously? An ex-husband or new boyfriend? Parents of students with complaints of interfering? Half-sisters with their own agenda?
And then there's another brutal murder that mimics the first victim.
This is well written and filled with twists and turns that surround many suspects with varied motives. The action and suspense start at the very beginning and it continues to the unexpected conclusion. The characters are deftly drawn. Markham and Noakes are quite a duo. They seem to have nothing in common .. but because of their differences, they form an unstoppable partnership. Although 12th in the series, this is easily read as a stand alone.
Many thanks to the author / Books n All Book Promotions for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
When they start questioning family, friends, co-workers, acquaintances, they come away with more questions than answers.
Evidently she wasn't as liked or respected as much as she thought. But who would killed her so viciously? An ex-husband or new boyfriend? Parents of students with complaints of interfering? Half-sisters with their own agenda?
And then there's another brutal murder that mimics the first victim.
This is well written and filled with twists and turns that surround many suspects with varied motives. The action and suspense start at the very beginning and it continues to the unexpected conclusion. The characters are deftly drawn. Markham and Noakes are quite a duo. They seem to have nothing in common .. but because of their differences, they form an unstoppable partnership. Although 12th in the series, this is easily read as a stand alone.
Many thanks to the author / Books n All Book Promotions for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
May 11, 2021
A teacher is found dead in her kitchen when her friend goes in to feed her cat. Jayne Padgett had recently been on a TV programme to find her birth mother as she was adopted. With finding the mother she also found two half sisters who it appears were not best pleased to find another sibling. Detective Markham and Noakes are likeable down to earth investigators who yet again have the school as the focus. (this is part of a series- book 12- but happily stands alone- I hadn't read the others- that said I guess some background to some of the main characters would appeal more if the others had been read prior to this one). When the killer strikes again, they have their work cut out, but who is targeting the women and why? An interesting read of a village here everyone knows everyone else- but not everything about them as some secrets are well kept. Of an un-pc detective who can bring out of people details others struggle with and brings a smile/grimace at the same time. I also smiled at the nod to Jessica Fletcher with Cabot court. A cozy crime of sorts with plenty to keep the grey matter active.
July 20, 2023
Another Good One
I'm making my way through the series. Every book I've read so far has Markham and is crew dealing with one murder and then two, and then three and then four. Every single book in the series. So one can legitimately ask why when they are called to a murder scene no one has the same of powers of crime solving to acknowledge they are dealing with the first of several to follow. The author seems it important to regularly reference previous cars as the detectives frequently compare similarities. If the Author chooses go employ that tactic to create continuity then it feels risen genius and frankly foolish they wouldn't also note all the cases they work spiral into multiple murders of folks who are in their main suspect pool. Too many holes in hos tidy these murders are solved. But, good story telling and very well written . It's important not to analyze contemporary British crime too closely. I am enjoying the series. It's best to skip around to other books and not read these back to back. Yes, read in order and no to total immersion in this series. High risk of burn out. I read four in z tos and had to put the books down for several months.
I'm making my way through the series. Every book I've read so far has Markham and is crew dealing with one murder and then two, and then three and then four. Every single book in the series. So one can legitimately ask why when they are called to a murder scene no one has the same of powers of crime solving to acknowledge they are dealing with the first of several to follow. The author seems it important to regularly reference previous cars as the detectives frequently compare similarities. If the Author chooses go employ that tactic to create continuity then it feels risen genius and frankly foolish they wouldn't also note all the cases they work spiral into multiple murders of folks who are in their main suspect pool. Too many holes in hos tidy these murders are solved. But, good story telling and very well written . It's important not to analyze contemporary British crime too closely. I am enjoying the series. It's best to skip around to other books and not read these back to back. Yes, read in order and no to total immersion in this series. High risk of burn out. I read four in z tos and had to put the books down for several months.
May 8, 2021
Wow!
Terrific series! D I Girl Markham and his team have grown closer and do a terrific job of crime solving , despite their immediate supervisor! Supt. Sidney should be removed, due to incompetence------- extremely aggravating individual. Unfortunately, the problems with Hope are typical of schools------ removing competent, older teachers simply to cut costs! I am a retired math teacher with 32 years of service! It is a matter of not accepting that educating our young people, our most important natural resource, is the future! Misplaced values system!
Terrific series! D I Girl Markham and his team have grown closer and do a terrific job of crime solving , despite their immediate supervisor! Supt. Sidney should be removed, due to incompetence------- extremely aggravating individual. Unfortunately, the problems with Hope are typical of schools------ removing competent, older teachers simply to cut costs! I am a retired math teacher with 32 years of service! It is a matter of not accepting that educating our young people, our most important natural resource, is the future! Misplaced values system!
May 10, 2021
CRIME IN KITCHEN Opens with a dreadfully tragic discovery. It quickly appears there's a vast number of lines of inquiry to this mystery. Then another horrific scene is found. Could the two be related? Navigating the maze-like avenues leading to all the potential possibilities seems insurmountable. Suspense skyrockets as this conundrum is further complicated by a heinous act, immediately followed by an appalling, unconscionable incident. Once they're pointed in the right direction, the labyrinthine puzzle unravels culminating in an ingenious plan through to an explosive finish.
May 11, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. The 4 detectives in Markham’s ‘gang’ were all individuals and different in their own ways, but came together to solve the crimes. Noakes is a legend. There were a lot of twists and turns in the book and I certainly didn’t guess who the killer was.
I would have given this 5 stars but the only downside for me was the amount of times I had to refer to the dictionary, which spoilt the flow of the book. I read a lot of books but I have never before read a book where there were so many words I have never heard of.
I would have given this 5 stars but the only downside for me was the amount of times I had to refer to the dictionary, which spoilt the flow of the book. I read a lot of books but I have never before read a book where there were so many words I have never heard of.
October 6, 2026
Book 12 in the box set I have sees Markham and his team investigate the brutal murder of a teacher...
Secrets seem to be the theme in this British crime drama - some desperate to keep and others that get you killed.
There was a long list of suspects, so to add to the mystery and twists and turns. I liked the team's dynamics and development.
Well-written with some poetic descriptions and I liked Markham's sixth sense.
Engaging from the start.
Secrets seem to be the theme in this British crime drama - some desperate to keep and others that get you killed.
There was a long list of suspects, so to add to the mystery and twists and turns. I liked the team's dynamics and development.
Well-written with some poetic descriptions and I liked Markham's sixth sense.
Engaging from the start.
May 10, 2021
Murder mystery
I enjoyed this book as I have previous ones in the series. There are a couple of things, the plots are very repetitive, always 4 or 5 murders before they are solved. Also Slimy Did the DCI, sings the same song in every book, gets very boring and makes me wonder how he is DCI and why Gilbert is still a DI.
I enjoyed this book as I have previous ones in the series. There are a couple of things, the plots are very repetitive, always 4 or 5 murders before they are solved. Also Slimy Did the DCI, sings the same song in every book, gets very boring and makes me wonder how he is DCI and why Gilbert is still a DI.
October 9, 2021
Great Suspense Built-up!
Excellent characterIzations and individual developments. The author has suberb use of language and descriptions. My only criticism is the large number of characters which made it difficult for me to read in the stop- and -go reading opportunities of my life as a caregiver.
Excellent characterIzations and individual developments. The author has suberb use of language and descriptions. My only criticism is the large number of characters which made it difficult for me to read in the stop- and -go reading opportunities of my life as a caregiver.
March 7, 2023
This book again shows that people are not always what they seem - not even the victims. But then again who is exactly what they seem. Don't we all wear masks when with others? When teachers from Hope Academy are murdered Markham needs all his skills and hunches to bring the perpetrator to the fore. And as usual it's probably the one person you least expect who is causing all the mayhem.
May 29, 2021
Hard to think of any element of humour in a murder mystery but there is a bit of tongue in cheek aspect to the development of the main characters. Enjoy the bizarre group of main characters that have survived and solved the mysteries.
June 26, 2021
Another great story
Another great story in the Inspector Markham series.Along with the rest of his team he struggled at times to get to the bottom of the case but came through in the end. A well crafted story with plenty of twists and turns.
Another great story in the Inspector Markham series.Along with the rest of his team he struggled at times to get to the bottom of the case but came through in the end. A well crafted story with plenty of twists and turns.
July 4, 2021
Another Good One
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The ending took me by surprise and as always the writing just flows along. The characters are true to form making this fan of this series happy. I would recommend this author to all mystery lovers.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The ending took me by surprise and as always the writing just flows along. The characters are true to form making this fan of this series happy. I would recommend this author to all mystery lovers.
November 4, 2022
Another twisted tale for them to solve.
Markham and team come up against a team this time, they solve it with the help of a person who has watched from the sidelines. But once again the DCI Sydney is way off beam with his culprit. But the team win though.
Markham and team come up against a team this time, they solve it with the help of a person who has watched from the sidelines. But once again the DCI Sydney is way off beam with his culprit. But the team win though.
Want to Read
May 7, 2021Joffee books 99
May 26, 2021
Another terrific book in the series!
June 11, 2021
Excellent suspense
As always Markham is a good hero and this was a perplexing case, not one which I even guessed the outcome.
As always Markham is a good hero and this was a perplexing case, not one which I even guessed the outcome.
August 2, 2021
Same Plot
Although lightly entertaining, it's past time for the author to change it up. Each book has a secret, multiple murders because of blackmail and then the reveal.
Although lightly entertaining, it's past time for the author to change it up. Each book has a secret, multiple murders because of blackmail and then the reveal.
August 13, 2021
Crime in the Kitchen
Crime in the Kitchen is a crime story well worth reading with plenty of intriguing twists and turns, I think this author will be worth following
Crime in the Kitchen is a crime story well worth reading with plenty of intriguing twists and turns, I think this author will be worth following
January 30, 2022
Number of people
I think there are too many players involved, and I often need to search the book to place some of them.
I think there are too many players involved, and I often need to search the book to place some of them.
November 16, 2025
Another inthe same mold
These are really enjoyable to read, but are beginning to be a little repetitive. Great for a few hours escape, and always a twist at the end.
These are really enjoyable to read, but are beginning to be a little repetitive. Great for a few hours escape, and always a twist at the end.
February 18, 2023
When popular teacher Jayne Padgett is murdered there is no obvious motive. Then another teacher is killed. But there will still be more deaths. DI Markham and his team investigate.
An entertaining modern mystery with its likeable characters
An entertaining modern mystery with its likeable characters
June 28, 2021
Crime in the Kitchen
For me, I have to care about the characters in the book, I do. Good overcomes evil. It does. I like, too, that it's not easy to figure out "who done it. "
For me, I have to care about the characters in the book, I do. Good overcomes evil. It does. I like, too, that it's not easy to figure out "who done it. "
Read
June 10, 2021NOT BAD
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews