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Dorothy Martin #23
Death Comes to Durham
Something sinister lies beyond the picturesque cobblestones of the historic city of Durham.
Dorothy and Alan visit their old friend David Tregarth in Durham. Their days are filled with castle tours, cathedral services, and wandering up and down the steep cobbled lanes.
That is until David’s elderly great aunt is accused of murdering a fellow patient at her nursing home. And with her faltering memory, she’s the perfect scapegoat.
When a second patient is attacked, Dorothy is determined to prove Aunt Amanda’s innocence.
But how can Dorothy clear an elderly woman of murder when she can’t remember if she did it or not?
Dorothy and Alan visit their old friend David Tregarth in Durham. Their days are filled with castle tours, cathedral services, and wandering up and down the steep cobbled lanes.
That is until David’s elderly great aunt is accused of murdering a fellow patient at her nursing home. And with her faltering memory, she’s the perfect scapegoat.
When a second patient is attacked, Dorothy is determined to prove Aunt Amanda’s innocence.
But how can Dorothy clear an elderly woman of murder when she can’t remember if she did it or not?
217 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 25, 2021
About the author
Jeanne M. Dams
57 books222 followersJeanne M. Dams lives in South Bend, Indiana. The Body in the Transept, which introduced Dorothy Martin, won the Agatha Award for Best First Novel. Dams is also the author of Green Grow the Victims and other Hilda Johansson mysteries published by Walker & Company.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
June 19, 2023
I love the series . It was nice to be back in England with Dorothy and a great mystery !
August 26, 2020
At this point, I have read most of Jeanne Dams' Dorothy Martin mysteries. This is neither the best nor the worst of them; it is just lackadaisical. Dorothy and her former Chief Constable husband are visiting an old friend of his, David, who just moved to the area (northern England). David visits his very elderly great aunt, who suffers from dementia, but who lives in a very comfortable and expensive care center. When she is suspected of having murdered another resident, the home plans to expel her. There's no question of arrest or trial; she's clearly non compos mentis. But Dorothy is sure that the old woman is not guilty, and demands the two men help her investigate. She does, between naps, visits to the cathedral for church services, and grumbling about the Durham terrain, which is hell on her aging feet. Also, because I'm feeling picky, David is described on one page as sadly having had no children; on the next page as living with his granddaughter. Not impossible, but not explained, either.
December 25, 2020
Death Comes to Durham (a Dorothy Martin Mystery) by Jeanne M. Dams.
I so appreciate this cozy mystery and this series as well. Dorothy Martin, an anglophile, and her British husband Alan Nesbit, a retired chief constable, are a loving couple with a sense of humor thrown in for good measure. They are enjoying a welcomed stay in Durham as well as visiting with an old friend David Tregarth. David's Aunt Amanda is a resident at an exclusive nursing home living out the rest of her days there. Then a fellow resident at the home is found murdered and David's Aunt is accused of the crime.
Now it's up to Dorothy and Alan to come to the aid of their dear friend and his Aunt. Their time is limited and being in the midst of a university the suspects may be in the thousands. Where on earth can they begin their investigation?
Highly recommended for cozy lovers of intelligent mysteries everywhere.
I so appreciate this cozy mystery and this series as well. Dorothy Martin, an anglophile, and her British husband Alan Nesbit, a retired chief constable, are a loving couple with a sense of humor thrown in for good measure. They are enjoying a welcomed stay in Durham as well as visiting with an old friend David Tregarth. David's Aunt Amanda is a resident at an exclusive nursing home living out the rest of her days there. Then a fellow resident at the home is found murdered and David's Aunt is accused of the crime.
Now it's up to Dorothy and Alan to come to the aid of their dear friend and his Aunt. Their time is limited and being in the midst of a university the suspects may be in the thousands. Where on earth can they begin their investigation?
Highly recommended for cozy lovers of intelligent mysteries everywhere.
September 4, 2020
Dorothy is getting a little old for the attacks she's taking! I liked the story and the location but detest Starbucks. Please describe local pastries and make me drool! It's a pandemic and I can't travel.
July 8, 2020
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Death Comes to Durham is the 23rd book in the Dorothy Martin cozy mystery series by Jeanne M. Dams. Due out 1st Sept 2020 by Severn House, it's 224 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats (ebook out now). It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
I love English cozies and this one is warm, well written, engaging, and with well developed mature characters whose kind and loving relationship is a pleasure to read about. The plotting is gently meandering but doesn't drag. There's not a lot of dramatic tension and there are a few oddly humorous plot twists. The author manages to write intelligently and compassionately about dementia patients and long term elder care without being strident or preachy.
The denouement and resolution are satisfying and capably written. For all lovers of English modern cozies with clean language and little to no on-page violence, this is a series which delivers very well. This one can be read as a standalone, but they're all enjoyable mysteries and it's nice to see the development of the main characters' relationship from the early books onward.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Death Comes to Durham is the 23rd book in the Dorothy Martin cozy mystery series by Jeanne M. Dams. Due out 1st Sept 2020 by Severn House, it's 224 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats (ebook out now). It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
I love English cozies and this one is warm, well written, engaging, and with well developed mature characters whose kind and loving relationship is a pleasure to read about. The plotting is gently meandering but doesn't drag. There's not a lot of dramatic tension and there are a few oddly humorous plot twists. The author manages to write intelligently and compassionately about dementia patients and long term elder care without being strident or preachy.
The denouement and resolution are satisfying and capably written. For all lovers of English modern cozies with clean language and little to no on-page violence, this is a series which delivers very well. This one can be read as a standalone, but they're all enjoyable mysteries and it's nice to see the development of the main characters' relationship from the early books onward.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
June 24, 2020
Thanks to Netgalley for providing a copy of this book for review.
I really wanted to read this book so that I could be a literary tourist. You know, visit a place or time through a book and enjoy the scenery. That's what I did here, and it worked out fine. In fact, it was sort of meta because the protagonist is herself a tourist in the city of Durham. I should also mention here that books set in Britain are catnip for me- I am a bigtime Anglophile (as is our main character!) and as long as the book isn't set during WWII (why are there so many books set in WWII?) I will be tempted.
So, I got to ride along as our characters toured cathedrals, tried out new restaurants, and generally enjoyed themselves in addition to getting drawn into what just might be a murder. This is a fairly cozy mystery with not much on-page violence. Also with a main character who makes sure to block out time for a nap in the middle of the day after being on her feet all morning but makes sure that she gets her tea.
I didn't really care much about the murder. Good and bad characters were signposted fairly blatantly. The main character was sometimes a bit judgey and superior and I ended up skimming after I got tired of touring Durham and just wanted to see how it ended. But it's a nice escape for a few hours.
I really wanted to read this book so that I could be a literary tourist. You know, visit a place or time through a book and enjoy the scenery. That's what I did here, and it worked out fine. In fact, it was sort of meta because the protagonist is herself a tourist in the city of Durham. I should also mention here that books set in Britain are catnip for me- I am a bigtime Anglophile (as is our main character!) and as long as the book isn't set during WWII (why are there so many books set in WWII?) I will be tempted.
So, I got to ride along as our characters toured cathedrals, tried out new restaurants, and generally enjoyed themselves in addition to getting drawn into what just might be a murder. This is a fairly cozy mystery with not much on-page violence. Also with a main character who makes sure to block out time for a nap in the middle of the day after being on her feet all morning but makes sure that she gets her tea.
I didn't really care much about the murder. Good and bad characters were signposted fairly blatantly. The main character was sometimes a bit judgey and superior and I ended up skimming after I got tired of touring Durham and just wanted to see how it ended. But it's a nice escape for a few hours.
June 27, 2020
How and why would Aunt Amanda- who has dementia- murder someone? That's the question her nephew Alan and his wife Dorothy work to answer in this latest in a long running series featuring this mature couple. They're a treat but an even bigger draw is the city of Durham, where this is set. The mystery twines back many years and you, like me, might guess the culprit- but not til close to the end because there are some good red herrings. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is fine as a standalone - the characters stand out (and are so realistic), there's good dialogue, and I enjoyed the setting.
June 10, 2020
Dorothy and Alan are visiting an old friend (David) in Durham when David’s great-aunt is blamed for the murder of another resident of her care facility. Aunt Amanda is sweet and has dementia so she can’t remember from one moment to the next. Dorothy, Alan, and David investigate and soon discover the latest murder may relate to an earlier death of a university student. I love that Dorothy gets tired, cranky, and likes her naps...like many of us oldsters, but she doesn’t let age stop her from doing what she wants!
June 6, 2020
When I requested Dams’ latest book, I was unaware of her unique style of writing. Unexpectedly, I found myself enjoying this excellent travelogue along with its’ atypical plot. The ultimate surprise for me was that this book was the 23rd book of her series!
Thank you Severn House and Netgalley for allowing me to read their ARC of this book and enabling me to discover another interesting author.
Thank you Severn House and Netgalley for allowing me to read their ARC of this book and enabling me to discover another interesting author.
June 7, 2020
A solid cozy mystery. I’ve been reading the Jeanne Dams series starring American born Dorothy Martin since it's inception. In the course of her 23 books I have travelled with Mrs Martin all over the UK and always enjoy her descriptions of the areas and tourist sites. For the last several books I felt that the protagonist had become sort of stodgy and a bit whiny. I'm happy to see that in this novel I feel the original amateur sleuth was back.
August 29, 2020
Dorothy Martin and her husband are on vacation in the cathedral town of Durham visiting a friend when he is called to his great-aunt's nursing home. She, who is suffering from Alzheimer's , has been accused of murder. Dorothy and Alan do what they do best, help dig deeper into what happened, to find the real murderer. Along the way we get to visit the cathedral, the castle, and other interesting sites in the surrounding area. It's always a treat to see Dorothy's England.
July 9, 2020
I love this series and this is an excellent addition.
It was great to meet again the characters and read about their life, the mystery is solid and kept me guessing, the setting is lovely.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
It was great to meet again the characters and read about their life, the mystery is solid and kept me guessing, the setting is lovely.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
October 16, 2020
An engaging cozy crime book, with a lovely setting in one of my favourite cities, Durham. Dorothy investigates a murder supposedly committed by a very elderly frail lady, and manages to get to the truth of the matter.
November 4, 2020
These types of English mysteries I can not put down. Dorothy Martin as the American turned British citizen is such a Miss Marple style character. I love the English historical atmosphere and the typical British characters.
June 1, 2024
Excellent British mystery set in the historic university city of Durham. Dorothy Martin is a favorite of mine.
January 10, 2024
Dorothy and Alan are visiting Alan’s old colleague David, a former police chief in Cornwall, in the historic northern town of Durham when they are asked to look into the death of a local doctor. The man had been living in a luxurious home for wealthy dementia patients (although he had no dementia himself), where David’s courtesy aunt is accused of causing the man’s death. In their attempts to clear her name, Dorothy and Alan come across the death of a student by accidental drowning, the assault of another student, the disappearance of a somewhat shady man and, eventually, a very dangerous encounter for Dorothy…. The religiosity in this series is front and center here, especially as one of the characters is a divinity student, and the solution to the various crimes is rather slapdash, but Dorothy and Alan remain congenial characters and the setting is beautifully described. This is the 23rd (of 25) book in the series, and I will go ahead and finish the series having gotten this far, although I think one needn’t have read all the previous books before tackling this one; mildly recommended.
May 21, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed the first few books in this series; however the plots are getting a little thin. While I can't say I disliked this book, several things annoyed me. For one, the clues come so slow so the pace of the book is too slow. And the main characters, Dorothy and her husband Alan, eat and drink too often and too much. If I did that I'd be the size of a barn. Also, who takes a nap every afternoon?? I'm older than the couple and I have never taken an afternoon nap, barring illness.
On the other hand, I do enjoy reading about the English towns and countryside and there's plenty of local color in the books.
So- Alan and Dorothy travel by train to Durham to meet up with David, an old ex-cop buddy of Alan's. While they are there, there's a murder of a rather detestable doctor, a patient, in the nursing home where David's very aged (90s) Aunt Amanda lives. Aunt Amanda is blamed and this is completely ridiculous. The woman is in her 90s, frail, and has dementia. However could she overpower a grown man and suffocate him? But Dorothy and hubby must get involved to clear Aunt Amanda. Meanwhile, other incidents an murders occur.
On the other hand, I do enjoy reading about the English towns and countryside and there's plenty of local color in the books.
So- Alan and Dorothy travel by train to Durham to meet up with David, an old ex-cop buddy of Alan's. While they are there, there's a murder of a rather detestable doctor, a patient, in the nursing home where David's very aged (90s) Aunt Amanda lives. Aunt Amanda is blamed and this is completely ridiculous. The woman is in her 90s, frail, and has dementia. However could she overpower a grown man and suffocate him? But Dorothy and hubby must get involved to clear Aunt Amanda. Meanwhile, other incidents an murders occur.
September 25, 2022
It's been a while since I've read one of these books, having read the rest of the series some time ago.
In this book Dorothy and Alan head up to Durham for a holiday, to spend some time with a friend of Alan's, who had retired from the police force. However, as with most of their holidays, they usually get drawn into a mystery, and this one centers around David, their friend and his Aunt Amanda (who is suffering from Alzheimer's) who is in a home. When Aunt Amanda is accused of murdering a fellow resident, Dorothy, Alan and David aren't too sure, so they work to find out what really happened.
An enjoyable cozy mystery series, each book a standalone mystery but they are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and series.
In this book Dorothy and Alan head up to Durham for a holiday, to spend some time with a friend of Alan's, who had retired from the police force. However, as with most of their holidays, they usually get drawn into a mystery, and this one centers around David, their friend and his Aunt Amanda (who is suffering from Alzheimer's) who is in a home. When Aunt Amanda is accused of murdering a fellow resident, Dorothy, Alan and David aren't too sure, so they work to find out what really happened.
An enjoyable cozy mystery series, each book a standalone mystery but they are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and series.
June 25, 2026
Button
Mrs. Dorothy Martin and her husband Alan Nesbit traveled to visit their friend David Tregarth. He asked for them to come to meet his Aunt Amanda, an almost 100 year old lady with dementia in an exclusive care center. Another resident had been murdered and, believe it or not, Aunt Amanda was suspected of the deed. The story is a real run-around with several people introduced. Great read!
Mrs. Dorothy Martin and her husband Alan Nesbit traveled to visit their friend David Tregarth. He asked for them to come to meet his Aunt Amanda, an almost 100 year old lady with dementia in an exclusive care center. Another resident had been murdered and, believe it or not, Aunt Amanda was suspected of the deed. The story is a real run-around with several people introduced. Great read!
November 25, 2021
A Twisty Who Dunnit
I like Jeanne M Dams books and I liked this one. Some of the others have intrigued me more but this one is still a good quick read. It has the requisite colorful characters, the dead end leads, and the ever descriptive local flavor. Definitely worth the read.
I like Jeanne M Dams books and I liked this one. Some of the others have intrigued me more but this one is still a good quick read. It has the requisite colorful characters, the dead end leads, and the ever descriptive local flavor. Definitely worth the read.
September 12, 2021
As always a wonderful read
Each Dorothy Martin book is well written with the characters consistent in their speech and actions. The plots are always original and well thought out. In a word they are delightful books to read for those of us who like cozy mysteries.
Each Dorothy Martin book is well written with the characters consistent in their speech and actions. The plots are always original and well thought out. In a word they are delightful books to read for those of us who like cozy mysteries.
September 20, 2021
Really enjoyed the blend of fact and fiction set in a beautiful little city I know very well. The body count did seem to rise relentlessly but the final logic chain worked well. A nice little page turner.
January 22, 2022
Good mystery ebook
This was a tale of 2 people being killed. Very interesting and thrilling as I read it. The case goes from one place to another and on and on. Many interesting characters. The final chapter is the most exciting part. Overall a cant put it down read.
This was a tale of 2 people being killed. Very interesting and thrilling as I read it. The case goes from one place to another and on and on. Many interesting characters. The final chapter is the most exciting part. Overall a cant put it down read.
November 28, 2022
It Rains “Dorothy-isms”
And all are welcome in her stories. Delightful diversion, especially in bad or moderately bad weather, making one feel truly attached to the story. It is a clever one. Enjoy.
And all are welcome in her stories. Delightful diversion, especially in bad or moderately bad weather, making one feel truly attached to the story. It is a clever one. Enjoy.
February 26, 2023
Brilliant descriptive book, a bit like the humour in Richard Osman's of late.
Loved reading about my home City, and really enjoyed the plot.
Missing the characters already after just finishing it, loved Dorothy!
Loved reading about my home City, and really enjoyed the plot.
Missing the characters already after just finishing it, loved Dorothy!
April 16, 2024
Good Jeanne Dams Mystery
I found this mystery to drag a bit. It needed more action. I do love the main characters and how the author introduces us to all the historic sites in Durham.
I found this mystery to drag a bit. It needed more action. I do love the main characters and how the author introduces us to all the historic sites in Durham.
June 3, 2024
First that i' ve read of the series have one other(will look for more). Dams describes the architecture of the city as well as "hustle and bustle " of daily life in a city geared to tourism and college life. The mystery is good andni like and share many of Dorothy's views of lifebin general.
September 10, 2021
Too much detail about church visits and frequent naps.
September 19, 2021
Not as much fun
Subject matter needed to be dealt with and it's done well.
Why do I always feel like I need to a massive meal with one of these?
Subject matter needed to be dealt with and it's done well.
Why do I always feel like I need to a massive meal with one of these?
September 28, 2021
Top shelf Dorothy
Once again we are charmed by Dorothy and Alan as they maneuver their way through a murder and its complications.
Once again we are charmed by Dorothy and Alan as they maneuver their way through a murder and its complications.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews