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Callie Anson #5
Desolate Places
With a wedding on the way, and her demanding job as a curate in an affluent London parish, Callie Anson has enough on her plate to keep her busy. But she soon finds herself called to minister to a segment of her parish that she barely knew existed: the virtually invisible people – most of them foreign, some of them illegal – working in difficult conditions, for inadequate pay, in downmarket tourist hotels. How can she square her ordination vows to be a servant to the most vulnerable with her desire to be honest with her fiancé, policeman Mark Lombardi?
Detective Inspector Neville Stewart is torn between the needs of his pregnant wife and the demands of his job when he is made Senior Investigating Officer on the case of a woman found dead in one of the tourist hotels. The death itself is not surprising, but the victim is. What was well-to-do Felicity Chapman doing in the Regent Hotel? Before Neville can get to the bottom of it, another death shakes him to the core.
Detective Inspector Neville Stewart is torn between the needs of his pregnant wife and the demands of his job when he is made Senior Investigating Officer on the case of a woman found dead in one of the tourist hotels. The death itself is not surprising, but the victim is. What was well-to-do Felicity Chapman doing in the Regent Hotel? Before Neville can get to the bottom of it, another death shakes him to the core.
- GenresMystery
Kindle Edition
Published November 10, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 27, 2021
Another perfect novel from Kate Charles
Kate Charles is one of my favourite authors and she has definitely kept to her usual high standards in Desolate Places. I loved this book from start to finish, the only thing I didn't like about it was that it is the final title in her series featuring Callie Anson. However, as with all her other novels, Desolate Places is a book that can stand re-reading.
For those who like a spoiler free precis of the plot:
A woman is found dead in her bed in a less than salubrious hotel in Paddington, workaholic Neville Stewart becomes the SIO assisted by his cockney sergeant, Sid Cowley. Neville's friend Mark Lombardi works as the family liaison officer on the case and Callie Anson, Mark's fiancée, becomes involved through her work as a curate in a local parish church. The case is not straightforward and it takes a lot of hard work for the team to crack the case. As usual Kate Charles' characters do not have easy lives and there are tears as well as laughter for the reader.
I appreciate that Kate has called time on the Callie Anson series but I sincerely hope that she has not decided to stop writing. I have all her books and she has never written a bad one in my opinion.
Kate Charles is one of my favourite authors and she has definitely kept to her usual high standards in Desolate Places. I loved this book from start to finish, the only thing I didn't like about it was that it is the final title in her series featuring Callie Anson. However, as with all her other novels, Desolate Places is a book that can stand re-reading.
For those who like a spoiler free precis of the plot:
A woman is found dead in her bed in a less than salubrious hotel in Paddington, workaholic Neville Stewart becomes the SIO assisted by his cockney sergeant, Sid Cowley. Neville's friend Mark Lombardi works as the family liaison officer on the case and Callie Anson, Mark's fiancée, becomes involved through her work as a curate in a local parish church. The case is not straightforward and it takes a lot of hard work for the team to crack the case. As usual Kate Charles' characters do not have easy lives and there are tears as well as laughter for the reader.
I appreciate that Kate has called time on the Callie Anson series but I sincerely hope that she has not decided to stop writing. I have all her books and she has never written a bad one in my opinion.
April 17, 2026
This one is definitely more of a slow, thoughtful mystery than a fast-paced thriller—but honestly, that’s what makes it work.
It follows Callie Anson, who’s trying to balance her life (including wedding plans) when she gets pulled into investigating the death of a woman found in a rundown hotel. Right away, something feels off about the situation, and the story slowly peels back the layers instead of rushing to big twists.
What I liked most is how real it feels. It’s not just about solving a crime—it’s about people. The book explores relationships, tough choices, and the lives of people who don’t usually get much attention. That gives it a lot more depth than your typical mystery.
Callie is easy to like, too. She’s kind, a little conflicted, and feels very human—not some perfect detective who has all the answers. You actually feel the weight of what she’s dealing with.
That said, it’s definitely on the slower side. If you’re in the mood for something super twisty or intense, this might not hit the mark. But if you like character-driven stories that take their time, it’s a really solid read.
It follows Callie Anson, who’s trying to balance her life (including wedding plans) when she gets pulled into investigating the death of a woman found in a rundown hotel. Right away, something feels off about the situation, and the story slowly peels back the layers instead of rushing to big twists.
What I liked most is how real it feels. It’s not just about solving a crime—it’s about people. The book explores relationships, tough choices, and the lives of people who don’t usually get much attention. That gives it a lot more depth than your typical mystery.
Callie is easy to like, too. She’s kind, a little conflicted, and feels very human—not some perfect detective who has all the answers. You actually feel the weight of what she’s dealing with.
That said, it’s definitely on the slower side. If you’re in the mood for something super twisty or intense, this might not hit the mark. But if you like character-driven stories that take their time, it’s a really solid read.
November 14, 2021
I've been waiting for this book for sometime -- another chapter in the life of Callie Anson, Deacon, C of E. It is with a bit of sadness that I finished it last night, knowing there would be no more. The author does her usual great job at setting scenes, developing characters, moving the plot right along to a surprising and rewarding conclusion. We've come a long way with Callie, and if I told you where she lands in this final tale, why that would be a spoiler!
So time to start from the beginning and enjoy this series all over again.
So time to start from the beginning and enjoy this series all over again.
November 23, 2021
Disappointing
I found Callie irritatingly self-aware. The author appears to be engaging with social problems in a superficial way and indulging in
simplistic outcomes.
I found Callie irritatingly self-aware. The author appears to be engaging with social problems in a superficial way and indulging in
simplistic outcomes.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews