What do you think?
Rate this book
Yorkshire Murder Mysteries #7
Murder at St Anne's
Winter, snow, murder—and a centuries-dead suspect.
In the chilly depths of a Yorkshire winter, a well-liked rector is found bludgeoned to death in her own church. With no sign of a murder weapon, local superstition quickly pins the blame on the ghost of a medieval monk believed to haunt the building…
In the chilly depths of a Yorkshire winter, a well-liked rector is found bludgeoned to death in her own church. With no sign of a murder weapon, local superstition quickly pins the blame on the ghost of a medieval monk believed to haunt the building…
Audible Audio
First published December 7, 2021
1629 people are currently reading
746 people want to read
About the author
J.R. Ellis
31 books713 followersDuring a long career teaching English, I wrote plays for children and occasional ghost stories. I have always been fascinated by the paranormal and by mysteries, conspiracy theories and unexplained crimes.
My love of my native county is deep and the settings of my Yorkshire Murder Mysteries within Yorkshire's varied landscapes are important. I have made a study of the sub-genre of the Locked Room Mystery during the height of its popularity between 1930 - 1960 in the stories of writers such as John Dickson Carr, Clayton Rawson and Ellery Queen. I was an avid watcher of BBC's "Jonathan Creek" in its heyday. I believe the element of puzzle is essential to crime fiction and my novels contain a double mystery: the standard "who dunnit?" but also "how dunnit?!"
I avoid the dark and gruesome in my writing and I strive to include some humour and elegance in style, a vivid sense of place and a compelling mystery! My characters both innocent and guilty are mostly ordinary people.
I am a member of a writers' group in Otley which has inspired me to write poetry and various forms of short fiction.
My love of my native county is deep and the settings of my Yorkshire Murder Mysteries within Yorkshire's varied landscapes are important. I have made a study of the sub-genre of the Locked Room Mystery during the height of its popularity between 1930 - 1960 in the stories of writers such as John Dickson Carr, Clayton Rawson and Ellery Queen. I was an avid watcher of BBC's "Jonathan Creek" in its heyday. I believe the element of puzzle is essential to crime fiction and my novels contain a double mystery: the standard "who dunnit?" but also "how dunnit?!"
I avoid the dark and gruesome in my writing and I strive to include some humour and elegance in style, a vivid sense of place and a compelling mystery! My characters both innocent and guilty are mostly ordinary people.
I am a member of a writers' group in Otley which has inspired me to write poetry and various forms of short fiction.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 310 reviews
December 10, 2021
I am very much enjoying this police procedural series set in the Yorkshire Dales in England. I am jumping around a bit and not reading it in order but it does not seem to matter.
Murder at St Anne's is the latest book in the series and it begins with a murder in a church. The cause of death is a very violent blow but how it has occurred is unknown. Luckily DCI Oldroyd and his offsider, Andy, are on the case although impeded by a very heavy snowfall which makes travel difficult and sometimes impossible.
There are plenty of red herrings, some very entertaining characters and a general feeling that basically all is alright with the world despite the bad things which sometimes happen. Every time I read this author's books I am grateful that someone writes stories where the main characters are normal people who support each other when times get hard.
The best part is I still have four more books in the series on my Kindle waiting to be read!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Murder at St Anne's is the latest book in the series and it begins with a murder in a church. The cause of death is a very violent blow but how it has occurred is unknown. Luckily DCI Oldroyd and his offsider, Andy, are on the case although impeded by a very heavy snowfall which makes travel difficult and sometimes impossible.
There are plenty of red herrings, some very entertaining characters and a general feeling that basically all is alright with the world despite the bad things which sometimes happen. Every time I read this author's books I am grateful that someone writes stories where the main characters are normal people who support each other when times get hard.
The best part is I still have four more books in the series on my Kindle waiting to be read!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
August 3, 2023
I’ve had a bit of an up and down relationship with the Yorkshire Murder series. I’ve loved some and I’ve been really disappointed with others. But I enjoyed this one. Maybe because Ellis really gets the whole church situation, with the definite split between the conservative and liberal mindsets. It’s crazy to think that four decades after female priests were ordained by the Anglican Church that it still engenders such intense feelings. As an Episcopalian, I really enjoyed all the talk of religion. But others could get tired of it.
In the seventh book in the series, a female rector, one due to be ordained as a bishop, is found bludgeoned to death in her own church. But there’s no weapon found at the scene. And the church has a superstition about a medieval monk haunting the building.
The story makes references to M. R. James, a horror writer from the early 20th Century and includes a few of his quotes. I’m not familiar with his work, but it didn’t impact my enjoyment of the story.
The book moves at a steady pace and provides multiple suspects and several red herrings. It was a well written, intelligent police procedural with only one questionable hypothesis. . I wouldn’t describe this as a cozy mystery, but it doesn’t have excessive violence described either. It has a certain old time feel to it, maybe due to a set number of suspects all of whom are known to the detective. The characters are well developed and believable.
I haven’t read all the books in this series ( or read them in order) and this book can easily be read as a stand-alone.
Michael Page narrated the audiobook and did a good job.
In the seventh book in the series, a female rector, one due to be ordained as a bishop, is found bludgeoned to death in her own church. But there’s no weapon found at the scene. And the church has a superstition about a medieval monk haunting the building.
The story makes references to M. R. James, a horror writer from the early 20th Century and includes a few of his quotes. I’m not familiar with his work, but it didn’t impact my enjoyment of the story.
The book moves at a steady pace and provides multiple suspects and several red herrings. It was a well written, intelligent police procedural with only one questionable hypothesis. . I wouldn’t describe this as a cozy mystery, but it doesn’t have excessive violence described either. It has a certain old time feel to it, maybe due to a set number of suspects all of whom are known to the detective. The characters are well developed and believable.
I haven’t read all the books in this series ( or read them in order) and this book can easily be read as a stand-alone.
Michael Page narrated the audiobook and did a good job.
September 5, 2022
Murder at St Anne's is the seventh instalment in J.R. Ellis's Yorkshire Murder Mysteries series featuring D.C.I Oldroyd and his Harrogate-based team. Readers yet to discover the series need not worry, though - each book reads perfectly well as a standalone (I do recommend the series as a whole, though!).
Like its series predecessors, Murder at St Anne's is a contemporary mystery written in a traditional style - there's a closed pool of suspects, an evocatively spooky setting and the police investigation follows a broadly familiar pattern. Jim Oldroyd is a sensitive and likeable protagonist, who enjoys good working relationships with his subordinates and a pleasant (though vegetarian!) home life with his partner, psychologist Deborah, in Harrogate, Yorkshire.
Murder at St Anne's opens with the murder of popular vicar, the Reverend Claire Wilcox, inside her church, St. Anne's in picturesque Knaresborough, North Yorkshire. This case has a personal dimension for DCI Oldroyd when he and his team are called in, as the deceased was the friend and protegée of his sister, Reverend Alison Oldroyd, whose parish is at nearby (fictional) Kirkby Underside. Not only that, but Alison was the last person to speak to Claire, by telephone, shortly before her death.
The investigation has barely begun before Oldroyd and his DS, Andy Carter, become aware of the spooky legend pervading the parish of St. Anne's - the church and graveyard are reputedly haunted by the ghost of a fifteenth-century monk, who was executed for heresy. There are stories of previous deaths which have mysteriously echoed the monk's own fatal injuries, as do those of the Reverend Wilcox. Parishioners report sightings of a figure wearing hooded robes, and of inexplicable noises emanating from the church at night. Oldroyd is justifiably sceptical, as was the deceased Reverend during her tenure at St. Anne's, and sets about tracking down a very corporeal murderer.
Oldroyd and Carter's investigations are further hampered by the arrival of some very heavy weather, with the town of Knaresborough blanketed in several feet of snow. Forced to spend the night sleeping in the church vestry with DS Carter, Oldroyd awakes to find that they have company - a shadowy figure wearing a monk's habit, who seems to vanish into nowhere when Oldroyd gives pursuit...
Murder at St Anne's features a multi-layered plot, characteristic of J.R. Ellis's work, a beguiling pool of suspects who all seem to have something to hide, and a superlative sense of setting in Ellis's native Yorkshire. Although I found the mystery and its solution entertaining and satisfying, there were a couple of points during the story where the normally conscienscious Oldroyd seemed inexplicably tardy in pursuing an important lead. While this no doubt enabled Ellis to draw out the plot in order to insert some tantalising twists, it had me scratching my head at times.
Within the context of the mystery, J.R. Ellis explores themes around the misogyny and homophobia that continue to exist within certain socially-conservative pockets of the Church of England. This gave the church-based setting a sense of verisimilitude and raised some interesting issues around the relevance and future of religious institutions within contemporary society. As a "lapsed" Anglican myself, I found these considerations thought-provoking and very well integrated into the plot of the book.
Murder at St Anne's is liberally sprinkled with references to, and each chapter prefaced with excerpts from the works of M.R. James, known for his early 20th-century ghost stories in ecclesiastical settings. I like an appropriately-placed literary homage, and this device also allows J.R. Ellis to explore DCI Oldroyd's personal interest and background in classic literature.
Murder at St Anne's is another engrossing addition to the DCI Oldroyd series, and I'd recommend it to any reader who enjoys a more traditional style of police procedural mystery.
My thanks to the author, J.R. Ellis, publisher Amazon / Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.
Like its series predecessors, Murder at St Anne's is a contemporary mystery written in a traditional style - there's a closed pool of suspects, an evocatively spooky setting and the police investigation follows a broadly familiar pattern. Jim Oldroyd is a sensitive and likeable protagonist, who enjoys good working relationships with his subordinates and a pleasant (though vegetarian!) home life with his partner, psychologist Deborah, in Harrogate, Yorkshire.
Murder at St Anne's opens with the murder of popular vicar, the Reverend Claire Wilcox, inside her church, St. Anne's in picturesque Knaresborough, North Yorkshire. This case has a personal dimension for DCI Oldroyd when he and his team are called in, as the deceased was the friend and protegée of his sister, Reverend Alison Oldroyd, whose parish is at nearby (fictional) Kirkby Underside. Not only that, but Alison was the last person to speak to Claire, by telephone, shortly before her death.
The investigation has barely begun before Oldroyd and his DS, Andy Carter, become aware of the spooky legend pervading the parish of St. Anne's - the church and graveyard are reputedly haunted by the ghost of a fifteenth-century monk, who was executed for heresy. There are stories of previous deaths which have mysteriously echoed the monk's own fatal injuries, as do those of the Reverend Wilcox. Parishioners report sightings of a figure wearing hooded robes, and of inexplicable noises emanating from the church at night. Oldroyd is justifiably sceptical, as was the deceased Reverend during her tenure at St. Anne's, and sets about tracking down a very corporeal murderer.
Oldroyd and Carter's investigations are further hampered by the arrival of some very heavy weather, with the town of Knaresborough blanketed in several feet of snow. Forced to spend the night sleeping in the church vestry with DS Carter, Oldroyd awakes to find that they have company - a shadowy figure wearing a monk's habit, who seems to vanish into nowhere when Oldroyd gives pursuit...
Murder at St Anne's features a multi-layered plot, characteristic of J.R. Ellis's work, a beguiling pool of suspects who all seem to have something to hide, and a superlative sense of setting in Ellis's native Yorkshire. Although I found the mystery and its solution entertaining and satisfying, there were a couple of points during the story where the normally conscienscious Oldroyd seemed inexplicably tardy in pursuing an important lead. While this no doubt enabled Ellis to draw out the plot in order to insert some tantalising twists, it had me scratching my head at times.
Within the context of the mystery, J.R. Ellis explores themes around the misogyny and homophobia that continue to exist within certain socially-conservative pockets of the Church of England. This gave the church-based setting a sense of verisimilitude and raised some interesting issues around the relevance and future of religious institutions within contemporary society. As a "lapsed" Anglican myself, I found these considerations thought-provoking and very well integrated into the plot of the book.
Murder at St Anne's is liberally sprinkled with references to, and each chapter prefaced with excerpts from the works of M.R. James, known for his early 20th-century ghost stories in ecclesiastical settings. I like an appropriately-placed literary homage, and this device also allows J.R. Ellis to explore DCI Oldroyd's personal interest and background in classic literature.
Murder at St Anne's is another engrossing addition to the DCI Oldroyd series, and I'd recommend it to any reader who enjoys a more traditional style of police procedural mystery.
My thanks to the author, J.R. Ellis, publisher Amazon / Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.
December 22, 2021
I'm afraid I have to admit that I didn't get to the half before I decided to quit altogether. This has very little to do with the writing in itself, although I must say that characters were a bit flat, and especially dialogues were rather clunky.
I did not finish it because of the themes: the whole story revolves around the church and the misogyny and homophobia that still are very present with the congregation - at least in this book. As I'm not a churchgoer, I wouldn't know how it is in reality, but here I found it too affronting.
Another issue that I had was the very detailed descriptions of the hierarchy that are instilled in the church. I don't like it when procedurals emphasize the hierarchy structure of the police force, especially when full names and acronyms are used all the time, and police officers seem to think that their structure and person are above the "members of the public". The exact same sense of egotism is found here, as leaders of faith are feeling above their "flock". Let's just say that this pushes my buttons, and I just don't like being rattled all the time.
All in all, probably a very nice addition to the series, just not for me.
A sincere thanks to NetGalley, Thomas and Mercer and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I did not finish it because of the themes: the whole story revolves around the church and the misogyny and homophobia that still are very present with the congregation - at least in this book. As I'm not a churchgoer, I wouldn't know how it is in reality, but here I found it too affronting.
Another issue that I had was the very detailed descriptions of the hierarchy that are instilled in the church. I don't like it when procedurals emphasize the hierarchy structure of the police force, especially when full names and acronyms are used all the time, and police officers seem to think that their structure and person are above the "members of the public". The exact same sense of egotism is found here, as leaders of faith are feeling above their "flock". Let's just say that this pushes my buttons, and I just don't like being rattled all the time.
All in all, probably a very nice addition to the series, just not for me.
A sincere thanks to NetGalley, Thomas and Mercer and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 26, 2021
Red herrings abound in this mystery that is the 7th in the Yorkshire Murder Mysteries. A female rector is murdered in the church at St. Anne's. DCI Oldroyd and his crew are stumped as to who or what killed the rector. They are stumped as to what killed her - and there are no clues during the initial stages of the investigation. They begin interviewing people surrounding the rector and several possible suspects emerge, but nothing definitive. The team follows the leads they find and turn up several possible motives as well. It was intriguing to follow the investigation and the findings as the case unfolds.
A well-plotted mystery and I enjoy the character DCI Oldroyd. I've only read two books from this series, but plan to read more.
Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on December 7, 2021.
A well-plotted mystery and I enjoy the character DCI Oldroyd. I've only read two books from this series, but plan to read more.
Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on December 7, 2021.
December 14, 2021
Murder at St Anne’s is the seventh book in the Yorkshire Murder Mysteries series featuring DCI Jim Oldroyd and his loyal DS Andy Carter. These are gentle old-fashioned detective stories, usually with some form of locked-room puzzle, set in and around the small towns of Yorkshire. I’ve read them all in order but you don’t need to - each is a separate mystery and they don’t spoil each other if you do happen to read them out of order.
A popular Anglican priest is found bludgeoned to death in her church, but the murder weapon is a mystery. Locals think the mad medieval monk who haunts the village is responsible, but Oldroyd soon discovers that all the parishioners are hiding secrets - who amongst them was desperate enough to kill?
I’ve enjoyed this whole series, although had reservations about the last one - some of the same issues crop up, like the recapping of things we already know between characters, the overly similar names (there’s a Walker, Warner, Watkins, Wilcox & Walshaw) and the obsession with our heroes diet and what their partners allow them to eat - but they didn’t bug me as much this time, and the investigation was much more realistic. I liked the quotes from early 20th century ghost-story writer MR James, and the vivid descriptions of Knaresborough, which turns out to be a real place - check it out on google images, it’s gorgeous.
There is some thoughtful social commentary on misogyny and homophobia within the church but it doesn’t overwhelm the plot. There is violence but minimal gore, and the characters’ relationships take a back seat in this one. I didn’t guess whodunnit or why, although the clues were there; as ever the villain eventually reveals all their twisted reasoning in classic Golden Age Mystery fashion - somehow they never have lawyers insisting they say “No Comment” to every question like other modern procedurals - much less fun. Overall this was a well plotted and researched detective story which gets the series back on track after the implausibilities of the previous instalment and I look forward to reading more of Oldroyd’s adventures.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC and apologies that my review is a little late. I am posting my honest opinions voluntarily. Murder at St Anne’s is available now.
A popular Anglican priest is found bludgeoned to death in her church, but the murder weapon is a mystery. Locals think the mad medieval monk who haunts the village is responsible, but Oldroyd soon discovers that all the parishioners are hiding secrets - who amongst them was desperate enough to kill?
I’ve enjoyed this whole series, although had reservations about the last one - some of the same issues crop up, like the recapping of things we already know between characters, the overly similar names (there’s a Walker, Warner, Watkins, Wilcox & Walshaw) and the obsession with our heroes diet and what their partners allow them to eat - but they didn’t bug me as much this time, and the investigation was much more realistic. I liked the quotes from early 20th century ghost-story writer MR James, and the vivid descriptions of Knaresborough, which turns out to be a real place - check it out on google images, it’s gorgeous.
There is some thoughtful social commentary on misogyny and homophobia within the church but it doesn’t overwhelm the plot. There is violence but minimal gore, and the characters’ relationships take a back seat in this one. I didn’t guess whodunnit or why, although the clues were there; as ever the villain eventually reveals all their twisted reasoning in classic Golden Age Mystery fashion - somehow they never have lawyers insisting they say “No Comment” to every question like other modern procedurals - much less fun. Overall this was a well plotted and researched detective story which gets the series back on track after the implausibilities of the previous instalment and I look forward to reading more of Oldroyd’s adventures.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC and apologies that my review is a little late. I am posting my honest opinions voluntarily. Murder at St Anne’s is available now.
December 1, 2021
Murder most foul! Who is so depraved as to commit a murder in a church?
The Reverend Clare Wilcox is found murdered in St Anne's church in Knaresborough, Yorkshire. It is obvious that the instrument used was heavy and blunt but there is no sign of such a weapon. DCI Jim Oldroyd and his Sergeant Carter from the West Riding Police are called in on the case and are totally baffled. Motive is another conundrum--Rev Wilcox was much beloved by her congregation, well respected by the church hierarchy and was about to be appointed Bishop of Kendal in a few months' time. Who could have hated her enough to kill her? And why? Oldroyd has studied English at Oxford and likes to use literary references to illuminate his cases, and Macbeth and Othello come to mind, their potential for greatness destroyed by evil influences.
Or maybe it's a cross between M.R. James, the ghost story writer, and Edgar Allen Poe. There are those in the parish who want to believe it was the work of the ghost that haunts the church--that of a heretic monk who was put to death in the early history of the church. And in fact, someone in monk's robes was seen leaving the church shortly after the murder was committed.
Oldroyd is not taken in by this superstition, even after being the recipient of a ghostly visitation during one night spent in the church. He's determined he'll find the murderer amongst the living, especially after a second crime is committed.
They are not lacking for motives once they start questioning possible suspects. They uncover misogyny and homophobia amongst church members, someone who has been accused of theft, another of adultery. But are any of those reasons enough to kill?
I have now read three books in J. R. Ellis' Yorkshire Murder Mysteries series and I think this one is my favorite so far. There's an old-fashioned feel about the story, even though many of the issues that come up are very modern day. The story is set in January in Yorkshire where they suffer through a major snowstorm. How ironic to find a real life story in the news just recently about dozens of people who were stranded in a Yorkshire pub by a blizzard for three days. Life mirroring fiction!
I received an arc of this new mystery from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy British police procedurals. It keeps you guessing till the end!
The Reverend Clare Wilcox is found murdered in St Anne's church in Knaresborough, Yorkshire. It is obvious that the instrument used was heavy and blunt but there is no sign of such a weapon. DCI Jim Oldroyd and his Sergeant Carter from the West Riding Police are called in on the case and are totally baffled. Motive is another conundrum--Rev Wilcox was much beloved by her congregation, well respected by the church hierarchy and was about to be appointed Bishop of Kendal in a few months' time. Who could have hated her enough to kill her? And why? Oldroyd has studied English at Oxford and likes to use literary references to illuminate his cases, and Macbeth and Othello come to mind, their potential for greatness destroyed by evil influences.
Or maybe it's a cross between M.R. James, the ghost story writer, and Edgar Allen Poe. There are those in the parish who want to believe it was the work of the ghost that haunts the church--that of a heretic monk who was put to death in the early history of the church. And in fact, someone in monk's robes was seen leaving the church shortly after the murder was committed.
Oldroyd is not taken in by this superstition, even after being the recipient of a ghostly visitation during one night spent in the church. He's determined he'll find the murderer amongst the living, especially after a second crime is committed.
They are not lacking for motives once they start questioning possible suspects. They uncover misogyny and homophobia amongst church members, someone who has been accused of theft, another of adultery. But are any of those reasons enough to kill?
I have now read three books in J. R. Ellis' Yorkshire Murder Mysteries series and I think this one is my favorite so far. There's an old-fashioned feel about the story, even though many of the issues that come up are very modern day. The story is set in January in Yorkshire where they suffer through a major snowstorm. How ironic to find a real life story in the news just recently about dozens of people who were stranded in a Yorkshire pub by a blizzard for three days. Life mirroring fiction!
I received an arc of this new mystery from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy British police procedurals. It keeps you guessing till the end!
January 12, 2024
Giving this author another go after his poor first novel, and this is an improvement. The characters aren't so wooden, the plot was more interesting, although the writing is still quite amateurish.
December 29, 2022
Another enjoyable adventure with DCI Oldroyd and his crew as they go to investigate the vicious murder of a female rector who had once been supported by Oldroyd's sister, also a rector. The circumstances are gruesome, and some members of the church are rather extreme in their views re: women in the church and homosexuality. Adding to the challenge of reluctant and dishonest witnesses is some of the worst winter weather ever.
Things get more and more dangerous as the investigation continues. It is prolonged, careful and risky as they get closer to discovering who is behind the threats.
Kindle Unlimited
Things get more and more dangerous as the investigation continues. It is prolonged, careful and risky as they get closer to discovering who is behind the threats.
Kindle Unlimited
July 25, 2023
A bit disappointed with this book. For me, the story was good enough but the final resolution by the police was extremely weak. Enjoyable enough but I would only give it 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3 for Goodreads.
At the moment there are only 2 more books in this series so I will finish them off.
At the moment there are only 2 more books in this series so I will finish them off.
November 28, 2021
5 stars
DCI Jim Oldroyd and DS Andy Carter and their team are back in this installment of the series. They have their hands full.
A woman rector has been murdered in her church. No one seems to know why she went in there that evening. The pathologist doesn’t have any idea about the murder weapon, only that it was a brutal killing.
The woman was a good friend of Jim’s sister Alison. Alison is devastated. She worked at Alison’s church for a short while and they became good friends. The dead woman had so much promise. She was kind and an excellent administrator. She was slated to become the next bishop.
The investigation begins in the middle of a heavy snow storm. It is slow going. There are those who hated the idea of women priests. They conjured up all kinds of nonsensical reasons for this. They thought no better of gay people.
Several of the witnesses have things to hide. Blackmail is afoot. A member of the congregation is also murdered, another is viciously attacked. What is going on? Andy and Jim have a conversation wondering if this is typical of churchgoers. Hypocritical Christians?
Through intense investigation, Jim and Andy make some revealing discoveries. The case begins to come together. Allison is threatened.
I really like the relationships between Jim and Andy and their spouses. It is so relaxed and friendly. But Jim can be tough as well. Allison is a treat. She keeps Jim on his toes. This book is very well written and I must say that perhaps this is the best of the series so far. I didn’t care for the ending of the book. For some reason it just felt too obvious. Ok. I was disappointed. I wanted it to be harder. (Even though I did not guess who was the killer.)
I want to thank NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK/Thomas & Mercer for forwarding to me a copy of this great book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed here are solely my own.
DCI Jim Oldroyd and DS Andy Carter and their team are back in this installment of the series. They have their hands full.
A woman rector has been murdered in her church. No one seems to know why she went in there that evening. The pathologist doesn’t have any idea about the murder weapon, only that it was a brutal killing.
The woman was a good friend of Jim’s sister Alison. Alison is devastated. She worked at Alison’s church for a short while and they became good friends. The dead woman had so much promise. She was kind and an excellent administrator. She was slated to become the next bishop.
The investigation begins in the middle of a heavy snow storm. It is slow going. There are those who hated the idea of women priests. They conjured up all kinds of nonsensical reasons for this. They thought no better of gay people.
Several of the witnesses have things to hide. Blackmail is afoot. A member of the congregation is also murdered, another is viciously attacked. What is going on? Andy and Jim have a conversation wondering if this is typical of churchgoers. Hypocritical Christians?
Through intense investigation, Jim and Andy make some revealing discoveries. The case begins to come together. Allison is threatened.
I really like the relationships between Jim and Andy and their spouses. It is so relaxed and friendly. But Jim can be tough as well. Allison is a treat. She keeps Jim on his toes. This book is very well written and I must say that perhaps this is the best of the series so far. I didn’t care for the ending of the book. For some reason it just felt too obvious. Ok. I was disappointed. I wanted it to be harder. (Even though I did not guess who was the killer.)
I want to thank NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK/Thomas & Mercer for forwarding to me a copy of this great book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed here are solely my own.
June 24, 2023
Hmm. Not a favourite in the series, for me.
The murder motive was a bit on the insane side of things, but the method was straight out of the Midsomer Murders Loony Bin.
While I could see the potential "fun" in such a bizarre way of murdering anyone, it was all rather spoiled when other deaths started happening without the same, dramatic flair.
I thought this book was a bit dull, somehow. It failed to grab me.
I thought Oldroyd's sister would play a bigger, more active part in the story, but if you overlook the final confrontation, she pretty much only had one or two scenes in the entire book that made any sort of difference.
This time around I did suspect the killer really early on and turned out to be right all along, but the way to finding proof was a bit winding and eventually dramatic, of course.
Oldroyd didn't pull this one out of a hat, at least. It was good, old research that finally cracked the case! I approve!
However, then the author played out the Insane Card and it truly did feel like one of the not-so-great Midsomer Murders episodes.
I was hoping for some real, dark, weird twist - like what if a woman was actually the culprit!?
Alas, no such luck.
Will I return for book 8 though?
Probably. Sooner or later.
The murder motive was a bit on the insane side of things, but the method was straight out of the Midsomer Murders Loony Bin.
While I could see the potential "fun" in such a bizarre way of murdering anyone, it was all rather spoiled when other deaths started happening without the same, dramatic flair.
I thought this book was a bit dull, somehow. It failed to grab me.
I thought Oldroyd's sister would play a bigger, more active part in the story, but if you overlook the final confrontation, she pretty much only had one or two scenes in the entire book that made any sort of difference.
This time around I did suspect the killer really early on and turned out to be right all along, but the way to finding proof was a bit winding and eventually dramatic, of course.
Oldroyd didn't pull this one out of a hat, at least. It was good, old research that finally cracked the case! I approve!
However, then the author played out the Insane Card and it truly did feel like one of the not-so-great Midsomer Murders episodes.
I was hoping for some real, dark, weird twist - like what if a woman was actually the culprit!?
Alas, no such luck.
Will I return for book 8 though?
Probably. Sooner or later.
November 22, 2024
Another complicated murder mystery for Oldroyd and his team, committed inside a church in a snowy setting with a female priest as the victim and many suspects!
I absolutely hated the victim's husband, and I was rooting so hard for him to either be the murderer or the next victim! Petty, as it might sound on my part, I absolutely can't stand cheating and pathetic personalities!
I absolutely hated the victim's husband, and I was rooting so hard for him to either be the murderer or the next victim! Petty, as it might sound on my part, I absolutely can't stand cheating and pathetic personalities!
January 23, 2022
Vraiment très déçue de ce livre. Déjà, au début, je trouvais qu'il y avait beaucoup trop de répétitions d'informations (combien de fois fallait nous le dire que la prêtresse assassinée allait être nommée Bishop dans les prochains mois?). Par la suite, j'ai trouvé un peu suspect tout ce qui tournait autour des enjeux féministes, car ça restait pas mal en surface et, ce faisant, ça feelait un peu comme du mansplaining. La représentation de la violence ordinaire envers les femmes étaient bizarrement en décalage avec la réalité (je veux dire, deux policières qui vont sur le dark web investiguer des groupes de fanatiques religieux, et s'indignent de commentaires misogynes relativement soft qu'on retrouve quotidiennement sur FB ou sur les blogues du Journal de Montréal, c'est weird). C'était probablement juste maladroit, mais je sais pas, ça ne m'a pas plu pentoute. J'ai rushé dans les derniers jours à finir le livre.
La solution m'a déçue pas mal aussi.
La solution m'a déçue pas mal aussi.
December 7, 2021
Murder at St. Anne's was a solid murder mystery, however, my rating was based on the characters and the flow of the story.
Characters:
The characters fell flat for me. I was not cheering for or against them and was extremely indifferent to them. I am a reader that needs to connect with the characters in some way regardless of who they are written to be. I love a really good villian, so the character does not necessarily have to be pleasant for me to appreciate them. The characters in Murder at St. Anne's were dull and very two dimensional. The conversations between them were mundain and seemed to be more of an inconvenience between characters as opposed to a growth or relationship development opportunity. Conversations between "old friends" seemed forced and not genuine in any way. Even news of a death did not seem to phase other characters which is something I need to feel in characters that I am reading.
Story Flow:
J.R. Ellis provided a good environment for this murder mystery. I appreciated the references to the scenery and the details in the churches. The paragraph flow was not as smooth and easy to read. I would sometimes lose focus during character conversations because the characters themselves did not seem invested in the conversations so why should I? The conversations also felt forced throughout the book, the characters did not seem like they wanted to be in the novel which made the story drag on. Again, the murder mystery aspect of the story was interesting enough, but I felt no connection to the events occuring and the transition from one sceen to another was sudden and did not transition nicely.
Overview:
I wanted to love this book, it seemed like a light and fun winter murder mystery, but the story seemed more religious to me than an actual story. I hope that makes sense. The religious aspect and the setting were more developed than the characters were. I felt like the focus could have been a little more balanced and a little more focus on the development of characters instead of short insights into their past woud have made things flow a little better for me.
Characters:
The characters fell flat for me. I was not cheering for or against them and was extremely indifferent to them. I am a reader that needs to connect with the characters in some way regardless of who they are written to be. I love a really good villian, so the character does not necessarily have to be pleasant for me to appreciate them. The characters in Murder at St. Anne's were dull and very two dimensional. The conversations between them were mundain and seemed to be more of an inconvenience between characters as opposed to a growth or relationship development opportunity. Conversations between "old friends" seemed forced and not genuine in any way. Even news of a death did not seem to phase other characters which is something I need to feel in characters that I am reading.
Story Flow:
J.R. Ellis provided a good environment for this murder mystery. I appreciated the references to the scenery and the details in the churches. The paragraph flow was not as smooth and easy to read. I would sometimes lose focus during character conversations because the characters themselves did not seem invested in the conversations so why should I? The conversations also felt forced throughout the book, the characters did not seem like they wanted to be in the novel which made the story drag on. Again, the murder mystery aspect of the story was interesting enough, but I felt no connection to the events occuring and the transition from one sceen to another was sudden and did not transition nicely.
Overview:
I wanted to love this book, it seemed like a light and fun winter murder mystery, but the story seemed more religious to me than an actual story. I hope that makes sense. The religious aspect and the setting were more developed than the characters were. I felt like the focus could have been a little more balanced and a little more focus on the development of characters instead of short insights into their past woud have made things flow a little better for me.
December 24, 2021
Another reader wrote "Murder at St Anne’s is the seventh book in the Yorkshire Murder Mysteries series featuring DCI Jim Oldroyd and his loyal DS Andy Carter. These are gentle old-fashioned detective stories, usually with some form of locked-room puzzle, set in and around the small towns of Yorkshire."
I'm inclined to agree with the "gentle, old-fashioned" descriptor, but that doesn't mean that I enjoyed it any less. There are really a number of modern aspects to the plots too - pressures from administrators to work more efficiently, to solve crimes faster, but at the same time Oldroyd and Carter try to present the face of personalised policing.
The plot is full of red herrings, a number of locals come under the spotlight and their alibis and possible motives are tested. Back at headquarters members of the investigative team search newspapers and websites for background to the list of suspects, and eventually this strategy is what makes the break through.
I've found that I have actually skipped 3 books in the series, and I am re-assured by readers commenting that it is possible to read these as stand-alones, although obviously there must be character development from one book to the next.
I'm inclined to agree with the "gentle, old-fashioned" descriptor, but that doesn't mean that I enjoyed it any less. There are really a number of modern aspects to the plots too - pressures from administrators to work more efficiently, to solve crimes faster, but at the same time Oldroyd and Carter try to present the face of personalised policing.
The plot is full of red herrings, a number of locals come under the spotlight and their alibis and possible motives are tested. Back at headquarters members of the investigative team search newspapers and websites for background to the list of suspects, and eventually this strategy is what makes the break through.
I've found that I have actually skipped 3 books in the series, and I am re-assured by readers commenting that it is possible to read these as stand-alones, although obviously there must be character development from one book to the next.
August 29, 2022
Disappointing
I have read several other of the Yorkshire Murders and enjoyed them. This one failed to get moving, there was too much chatter about various topics that were not related to the matter of the murder in hand.
Police procedure was way off too in many places ...
I was very disappointed to find myself skimming chunks of the book. No harm done but ...
I have read several other of the Yorkshire Murders and enjoyed them. This one failed to get moving, there was too much chatter about various topics that were not related to the matter of the murder in hand.
Police procedure was way off too in many places ...
I was very disappointed to find myself skimming chunks of the book. No harm done but ...
January 4, 2022
I love British procedurals and read a great variety of authors. This one, however, was too bogged down with church details and other minutiae. It took forever to finish and the police-mystery components were too few.
December 2, 2021
Review of eBook
The brutal murder of Reverend Clare Wilcox, the rector of the parish church of Saint Anne’s, brings Detective Chief Inspector Jim Oldroyd and Sergeant Andy Carter to Knaresborough, Yorkshire to investigate. As word of the crime spreads, rumors arise that the well-liked rector, who was bludgeoned in the church she’d served for five years, was the victim of the ghost of a medieval monk.
A severe winter storm leaves DCI Oldroyd dealing with ever-deepening snow and the persistent stories of the monk haunting the church and seeking revenge. But for Oldroyd, the solution to the case hinges on the motives and opportunities of the members of the church's congregation.
Doubting that anything supernatural has occurred, Oldroyd and Carter continue their investigation only to find themselves caught up in a second murder. And, for DCI Oldroyd, the case is personal . . . his sister, Alison, is vicar of Kirkby Underside and a close friend of the murdered woman.
Can the detectives find the truth amid stories of a phantom murderer . . . or does the ghost of the long-dead heretic truly haunt the church, seeking his revenge?
=========
Seventh in the Yorkshire murder mystery series, this book works well as a standalone for readers who may not have read the earlier books in the series. This atmospheric story, filled with the chill of deep snow and an inexplicable crime, pulls the reader into the telling of the tale from the outset.
Well-drawn, believable characters, a strong sense of place, and an intriguing mystery keep the pages turning as the unfolding story takes several unexpected twists and turns. Several characters emerge as likely suspects, but readers may find themselves surprised by the murderer’s identity.
The mystery, solid and compelling, keeps readers involved as the investigation takes some surprising turns. Woven into the story are several unexpected revelations that become important to the case but also offer commentary on current attitudes and are deserving of serious consideration. At times, however, there are conversations that seem created solely to present a politically correct emphasis and these are a bit off-putting.
Each chapter begins with a short segment from an M. R. James book, a nice touch for the telling of the tale. Fans of mystery tales will find much to appreciate in this police procedural.
Recommended.
I received a free copy of this eBook from Amazon Publishing UK, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley
#MurderatStAnnes #NetGalley
The brutal murder of Reverend Clare Wilcox, the rector of the parish church of Saint Anne’s, brings Detective Chief Inspector Jim Oldroyd and Sergeant Andy Carter to Knaresborough, Yorkshire to investigate. As word of the crime spreads, rumors arise that the well-liked rector, who was bludgeoned in the church she’d served for five years, was the victim of the ghost of a medieval monk.
A severe winter storm leaves DCI Oldroyd dealing with ever-deepening snow and the persistent stories of the monk haunting the church and seeking revenge. But for Oldroyd, the solution to the case hinges on the motives and opportunities of the members of the church's congregation.
Doubting that anything supernatural has occurred, Oldroyd and Carter continue their investigation only to find themselves caught up in a second murder. And, for DCI Oldroyd, the case is personal . . . his sister, Alison, is vicar of Kirkby Underside and a close friend of the murdered woman.
Can the detectives find the truth amid stories of a phantom murderer . . . or does the ghost of the long-dead heretic truly haunt the church, seeking his revenge?
=========
Seventh in the Yorkshire murder mystery series, this book works well as a standalone for readers who may not have read the earlier books in the series. This atmospheric story, filled with the chill of deep snow and an inexplicable crime, pulls the reader into the telling of the tale from the outset.
Well-drawn, believable characters, a strong sense of place, and an intriguing mystery keep the pages turning as the unfolding story takes several unexpected twists and turns. Several characters emerge as likely suspects, but readers may find themselves surprised by the murderer’s identity.
The mystery, solid and compelling, keeps readers involved as the investigation takes some surprising turns. Woven into the story are several unexpected revelations that become important to the case but also offer commentary on current attitudes and are deserving of serious consideration. At times, however, there are conversations that seem created solely to present a politically correct emphasis and these are a bit off-putting.
Each chapter begins with a short segment from an M. R. James book, a nice touch for the telling of the tale. Fans of mystery tales will find much to appreciate in this police procedural.
Recommended.
I received a free copy of this eBook from Amazon Publishing UK, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley
#MurderatStAnnes #NetGalley
December 10, 2021
Author John R. Ellis released on 7 December his latest novel “Murder at St Anne’s”. This novel is the seventh in his ‘Yorkshire Murder Mystery’ series.
I received an ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this book as ‘R' due to scenes of violence. The primary character is DCI Jim Oldroyd.
Oldroyd and his Detective Sergeant Andy Carter are called to an old church where a body has been found. Reverend Clare Wilcox had been well-liked at the church and she had been chosen to fill the post of Bishop. Her brutal death comes as a shock to her congregation and church officials.
This case comes close to home for Oldroyd. The dead woman had been his sister’s friend and church colleague. At first, no motives appear in this small Yorkshire village for the murder. Soon though, Oldroyd discovers that many in the congregation are hiding secrets. Some of which might have justified the brutal murder of their rector. Oldroyd had not expected to find bigotry, blackmail, embezzlement, and adultery at the church.
The missing weapon used to bludgeon the woman mystifies the police. Local superstitious tales of a ghost haunting the church muddle the investigation. As Oldroyd narrows his focus on the suspects, one is murdered and another attacked. In the end, he must race to stop the killer from attacking a fourth victim.
I enjoyed the 7.5 hours I spent reading this 283-page mystery. I had not read any of the prior novels in this series. This novel reads well on its own without the background. I liked that Ellis kept the identity of the killer hidden until near the end of the novel. I like the chosen cover art. I rate this book as a 4 out of 5.
You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).
I received an ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this book as ‘R' due to scenes of violence. The primary character is DCI Jim Oldroyd.
Oldroyd and his Detective Sergeant Andy Carter are called to an old church where a body has been found. Reverend Clare Wilcox had been well-liked at the church and she had been chosen to fill the post of Bishop. Her brutal death comes as a shock to her congregation and church officials.
This case comes close to home for Oldroyd. The dead woman had been his sister’s friend and church colleague. At first, no motives appear in this small Yorkshire village for the murder. Soon though, Oldroyd discovers that many in the congregation are hiding secrets. Some of which might have justified the brutal murder of their rector. Oldroyd had not expected to find bigotry, blackmail, embezzlement, and adultery at the church.
The missing weapon used to bludgeon the woman mystifies the police. Local superstitious tales of a ghost haunting the church muddle the investigation. As Oldroyd narrows his focus on the suspects, one is murdered and another attacked. In the end, he must race to stop the killer from attacking a fourth victim.
I enjoyed the 7.5 hours I spent reading this 283-page mystery. I had not read any of the prior novels in this series. This novel reads well on its own without the background. I liked that Ellis kept the identity of the killer hidden until near the end of the novel. I like the chosen cover art. I rate this book as a 4 out of 5.
You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).
January 13, 2022
Murder At St Anne's is the latest (7th) book in the series of Yorkshire Murder. DCI Jim Oldroyd and his partner Sergeant Andy Carter from the West Riding Police are back in this installment.
The body of Rev Clare Wilcox, the rector of St Anne's, was found on Wednesday evening by Mr Donald Avison, churchwarden at St Anne's. She had been bludgeoned to death.
Not even a week, another body have been murdered, Violet Saunders, a janitor at St Anne's in a similar way. Both crimes were planned, neither was a random, spontaneous attack.
A rumour has surfaced that people think Clare was killed by a person who is fanatically opposed to woman priests. Another speculation is everyone believes it was a phantom that haunts the church.
I give 4 ⭐
High recommend for readers who enjoy of cosy mysteries and police procedurals. Thanks to @netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for arc inexchange of honest review. 🖤
📚
The body of Rev Clare Wilcox, the rector of St Anne's, was found on Wednesday evening by Mr Donald Avison, churchwarden at St Anne's. She had been bludgeoned to death.
Not even a week, another body have been murdered, Violet Saunders, a janitor at St Anne's in a similar way. Both crimes were planned, neither was a random, spontaneous attack.
A rumour has surfaced that people think Clare was killed by a person who is fanatically opposed to woman priests. Another speculation is everyone believes it was a phantom that haunts the church.
I give 4 ⭐
High recommend for readers who enjoy of cosy mysteries and police procedurals. Thanks to @netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for arc inexchange of honest review. 🖤
📚
December 15, 2021
I really enjoyed this one. The characters have developed consistently over the series and form a credible community, avoiding stereotypes. It is a traditional mystery set within very twenty first century issues. I really liked that. The church setting is well, realistically and boldly established, raising many ethical and philosophical questions.
January 20, 2022
I was severely disappointed with arrogant tone of this book. Why do authors of fiction always expect biblical Christians to be the ones to compromise their beliefs to accommodate the foibles and practises of members of churches that deliberately flout biblical virtues?
This book was poorly researched and showed extremes of the problems that church practices and people reaction to them. It showed no understanding of people who struggle with liberal Christianity and resorted to the usual name calling and condemnation. A group of extremists who are struggling with women's ordination and homosexuality in the church are very unlikely to be so violent. The arrogance and lack of understanding that the characters showed was just awful. The virtue signalling was painful. I will nt be reading anymore of these books by this author.
This book was poorly researched and showed extremes of the problems that church practices and people reaction to them. It showed no understanding of people who struggle with liberal Christianity and resorted to the usual name calling and condemnation. A group of extremists who are struggling with women's ordination and homosexuality in the church are very unlikely to be so violent. The arrogance and lack of understanding that the characters showed was just awful. The virtue signalling was painful. I will nt be reading anymore of these books by this author.
March 26, 2025
This was a really good murder mystery. The links to the Church of England were really interesting and of course the historical aspect was good.
I love the descriptions of the area and the setting of winter made it really atmospheric. Easy to read and the characters in this series are great. Overall, an enjoyable novel in the series.
I love the descriptions of the area and the setting of winter made it really atmospheric. Easy to read and the characters in this series are great. Overall, an enjoyable novel in the series.
May 30, 2022
Nothing like a well-written English murder mystery to curl up with on a cold day. Although this is a new author for me, it did not disappoint.
March 15, 2023
After a bit of a slow start this becomes a good read. Quite a detailed discussion of the role of women in the church.
April 12, 2024
This is another great read from J R his plots are brain taxing and the twists and turns will keep you on your toes I can't wait to start his next book.
February 2, 2022
Another gripping story from J R Ellis set in Yorkshire. A lady vicar is found murdered just before moving to a new charge and there seems no possible reason. She has done well in her ministry and is well liked by her congregation, even those who would rather have a male incumbent. There are, however, some who appear to be rather superstitious and give credence to stories of a monk who haunts the church having suffered a violent death by those who didn't agree with his views. The vicars injuries are remarkably similar to those he is reported to have sustained.
February 1, 2022
MURDER AT ST. ANNE’S (2021)
By J. R. Ellis
Thomas & Mercer, 283 pages
★★★
Murder at St. Anne’s is Book Seven of J(ohn) R. Ellis’ “A Yorkshire Murder” series. It takes place in Knaresborough (a real place) and involves the slaying of a Church of England minister in line to become the next bishop of Kendal. That’s bad enough but the victim is a woman, the Rev. Clare Wilcox, and her head was brutally smashed by the pulpit of her parish church. No discernible weapon is in evidence that could inflict such a crushing blow, nor could any human possibly wield such an object.
Making sense of this is the job of Detective Chief Inspector Jim Oldroyd, whose sister the Rev. Alison Oldroyd was Clare’s friend, former mentor, and the last person to whom Clare spoke before she was killed. Wilcox left behind her husband Jeremy, a doctor, and their two daughters away at university, Jenny and Fiona. It’s all the more baffling given that just about everyone thought Clare was a wonderful person and a fine pastor—even those so old-fashioned that they disapproved of female clerics.
It’s no wonder that many at St. Anne’s entertain the idea that the murderer was a ghost. It seems that many parishioners since the 15th century claim to have seen a monk appear and disappear, he presumably one accused of being a Lollard heretic who was hurled from a cliff into the River Nidd gorge. Before his fatal chucking, the monk uttered a curse that would endure until the church (Roman Catholic back then) acknowledged its crime in executing him. Several gruesome murders subsequently took place, though none since the 19th century. Try telling that to parishioners who’ve sworn they’ve heard strange noises inside the church and have seen fleeting glimpses of a cowled figure.
Ellis fashions his murder mystery in the style of M. R. James (1862-1936), one of Britain’s exemplars of Gothic ghost tales, and each new chapter is prefaced with a short excerpt from James' Barchester stories. Oldroyd is a rationalist who takes his queues from his psychologist partner Deborah. His subordinates Detective Sergeants Andy Carter and DS Stephane Johnson also adhere to logic, though Andy’s more squeamish about ghostly matters, as he admits when he and Oldroyd are forced to spend the night in the old stone church when Biblical snowstorms stall their investigations.
Like many U.K. churches, St. Anne’s has an aging congregation—also an eccentric one. There is no shortage of persons of interest. Clare’s husband automatically goes to the top of the list–they are the ones most often guilty of a wife’s demise–but Jeremy appears to have been shattered by the news. Church warden Donald Avison freely admits he didn’t think women should administer sacraments, but professes he liked Clare. That’s true also of Maisie Baxter, another person who doesn't cotton to female ministers. Avison advises Oldroyd to look into the shabby hobo and heavy drinker seen hanging around the burial ground; if not he, perhaps organist Harvey Ferguson whom Avison is sure is a “disgusting pervert” (gay). Baxter fingers parish treasurer Olive Bryson, who misappropriated funds and had to answer to Rev. Wilcox. There is also busybody Violet Saunders, who cleans the church and can't possibly be as clueless as she seems, and Oldroyd isn’t too keen on other church officials such as the local bishop, the archdean, or Robyn Eastby, the assistant minister who seems overly eager to help out. Two problems: everyone has an alibi and none of them could have inflicted that much physical damage to the victim. Plus, the drunken hobo, Donald Tanner, isn’t such a bad bloke after all.
Even before the body and assault count rises, Oldroyd pays a visit to local historian and secondhand bookseller Austin Eliot to find out more about the ghost and the church. Before the dust settles a lot of things come into play: a cabinet, a bit of Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Pit and the Pendulum,” progressive politics, infidelities, the very modern dark web, and not-new-at-all misogyny and homophobia.
I would call Murder at St. Anne’s as a well-plotted but stylistically inelegant novel. Ellis wisely kept the book short, as the murder motive seems pretty obvious to everyone except the investigators and readers would soon weary of the strip tease. The novel has thrilling moments and strong characters, but Ellis frames everything in ways that are often as old-fashioned as some of St. Anne’s parishioners. But if you were ask me if I’d like to visit Knaresborough if I get back to Yorkshire, my answer is you bet your chains and belfries I would.
Rob Weir
By J. R. Ellis
Thomas & Mercer, 283 pages
★★★
Murder at St. Anne’s is Book Seven of J(ohn) R. Ellis’ “A Yorkshire Murder” series. It takes place in Knaresborough (a real place) and involves the slaying of a Church of England minister in line to become the next bishop of Kendal. That’s bad enough but the victim is a woman, the Rev. Clare Wilcox, and her head was brutally smashed by the pulpit of her parish church. No discernible weapon is in evidence that could inflict such a crushing blow, nor could any human possibly wield such an object.
Making sense of this is the job of Detective Chief Inspector Jim Oldroyd, whose sister the Rev. Alison Oldroyd was Clare’s friend, former mentor, and the last person to whom Clare spoke before she was killed. Wilcox left behind her husband Jeremy, a doctor, and their two daughters away at university, Jenny and Fiona. It’s all the more baffling given that just about everyone thought Clare was a wonderful person and a fine pastor—even those so old-fashioned that they disapproved of female clerics.
It’s no wonder that many at St. Anne’s entertain the idea that the murderer was a ghost. It seems that many parishioners since the 15th century claim to have seen a monk appear and disappear, he presumably one accused of being a Lollard heretic who was hurled from a cliff into the River Nidd gorge. Before his fatal chucking, the monk uttered a curse that would endure until the church (Roman Catholic back then) acknowledged its crime in executing him. Several gruesome murders subsequently took place, though none since the 19th century. Try telling that to parishioners who’ve sworn they’ve heard strange noises inside the church and have seen fleeting glimpses of a cowled figure.
Ellis fashions his murder mystery in the style of M. R. James (1862-1936), one of Britain’s exemplars of Gothic ghost tales, and each new chapter is prefaced with a short excerpt from James' Barchester stories. Oldroyd is a rationalist who takes his queues from his psychologist partner Deborah. His subordinates Detective Sergeants Andy Carter and DS Stephane Johnson also adhere to logic, though Andy’s more squeamish about ghostly matters, as he admits when he and Oldroyd are forced to spend the night in the old stone church when Biblical snowstorms stall their investigations.
Like many U.K. churches, St. Anne’s has an aging congregation—also an eccentric one. There is no shortage of persons of interest. Clare’s husband automatically goes to the top of the list–they are the ones most often guilty of a wife’s demise–but Jeremy appears to have been shattered by the news. Church warden Donald Avison freely admits he didn’t think women should administer sacraments, but professes he liked Clare. That’s true also of Maisie Baxter, another person who doesn't cotton to female ministers. Avison advises Oldroyd to look into the shabby hobo and heavy drinker seen hanging around the burial ground; if not he, perhaps organist Harvey Ferguson whom Avison is sure is a “disgusting pervert” (gay). Baxter fingers parish treasurer Olive Bryson, who misappropriated funds and had to answer to Rev. Wilcox. There is also busybody Violet Saunders, who cleans the church and can't possibly be as clueless as she seems, and Oldroyd isn’t too keen on other church officials such as the local bishop, the archdean, or Robyn Eastby, the assistant minister who seems overly eager to help out. Two problems: everyone has an alibi and none of them could have inflicted that much physical damage to the victim. Plus, the drunken hobo, Donald Tanner, isn’t such a bad bloke after all.
Even before the body and assault count rises, Oldroyd pays a visit to local historian and secondhand bookseller Austin Eliot to find out more about the ghost and the church. Before the dust settles a lot of things come into play: a cabinet, a bit of Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Pit and the Pendulum,” progressive politics, infidelities, the very modern dark web, and not-new-at-all misogyny and homophobia.
I would call Murder at St. Anne’s as a well-plotted but stylistically inelegant novel. Ellis wisely kept the book short, as the murder motive seems pretty obvious to everyone except the investigators and readers would soon weary of the strip tease. The novel has thrilling moments and strong characters, but Ellis frames everything in ways that are often as old-fashioned as some of St. Anne’s parishioners. But if you were ask me if I’d like to visit Knaresborough if I get back to Yorkshire, my answer is you bet your chains and belfries I would.
Rob Weir
December 7, 2021
This is book seven in the series and seems to stand alone. I haven’t read the previous ones but it didn’t seem to matter for this book. I thought it was a good mystery. I thought I had it figured out but of course I was wrong. If you like good British police/ detective type books, you definitely want to add this series to your list. I look forward to the next one.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy
Displaying 1 - 30 of 310 reviews