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DI Yates #9

The Sandringham Mystery

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Shocking evidence is unearthed in the cellar of a British couple’s mansion—and the crimes of the past may lead to tragedy in the present . . .

Its name is Laurieston, but the villagers call it Sausage Hall—a Victorian mansion belonging to tycoon businessman Kevan de Vries and his ailing wife, Joanna. The couple are staying at their St. Lucia house until Kevan gets a call from DI Tim Yates saying that the mansion has been broken into—and insisting that Kevan return to the United Kingdom to explain the passport-forging operation the police have discovered in the cellar.

Kevan knows nothing about the illicit activity and is horrified about the human remains that are also eventually unearthed at Laurieston. As he tries to take care of Joanna and their autistic son, Kevan fears that the investigation may reveal a different kind of crime, one he committed long ago. And as the South Lincolnshire police dig deeper, will shocking events both historical and present-day change his life forever?

378 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2021

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About the author

Christina James

11 books11 followers
I was born in Lincolnshire and grew up in the market town of Spalding. Though I now live in the rugged landscape of the Pennines, with their heather moors, stone walls and the bubbling cries of curlews in the springtime, I shall never lose my love of the Fens, with their lovely, evocative place names like Quadring Eaudyke and Gedney Drove End and their deep dykes full of water wildlife, like herons, frogs and dragonflies. There the skyscapes are huge and powerful, dwarfing humans and reminding them of their insignificance in the scheme of things. I decided to use the Fenlands as the setting for my novels, where Detective Inspector Yates has a heron's eye for detail and a keen understanding of the ways and minds of the inhabitants of the area. My first novel, In the Family, published by SALT on 15th November 2012, finds D.I. Yates and his team uncovering more than a body or two

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5 stars
122 (43%)
4 stars
86 (30%)
3 stars
57 (20%)
2 stars
7 (2%)
1 star
7 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
37 reviews
April 19, 2022
Thank you to Bloodhound books for an ARC.

This is the first book by this author that I have read and I will definitely read another one.

An enjoyable read. The two strands of the story kept me reading. The characters could have been more developed but that didn't take away from the story and my enjoyment of the book.
Profile Image for Samantha Luke.
440 reviews7 followers
April 19, 2022
I enjoyed this well written debut thriller. It wasn't a gory thriller, more of a 'cosy type' or detective led thriller.
There was quite a lot of characters within the book so there wasn't much character development of the main characters. The book is set mainly in the present day with a bit if historical information.
There are several threads on the book running at the Same time which all meet together in the conclusion. I felt that the ending was slightly rushed and needed a bit more to fully finish the storyline.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for this advance read.
Profile Image for Caroline 'relaxing with my rescue dogs'.
2,877 reviews44 followers
May 14, 2022
This was a pleasant way to spend the afternoon, a delightful and easy read which I did enjoy. Could have done with the characters being more developed but it was just fun.

I was given an advance copy by bloodhound books but the review is entirely my own.
Profile Image for Luisa Gonzalez.
165 reviews4 followers
May 1, 2022
Just ok

I read this whole book waiting to make a connection with any of the characters. In the end it just felt like pieces of different people with no particular connection or message. It was a disappointing read all around.
Profile Image for Alyson Read.
1,213 reviews57 followers
November 17, 2022
(This book was previously published under the title of Sausage Hall as book 1 in the DI Tim Yates series.)
Kevan De Vries, owner of Laurieston House (aka Sausage Hall due to one of its past owners being a butcher) and CEO of the De Vries business empire started by his Dutch grandfather is summoned home from St Lucia where he is trialling luxury holidays to add to his portfolio. He leaves his autistic son Archie at boarding school and wife Joanna, who is dying from leukaemia, in the sun, and returns to questioning from DI Tim Yates of South Lincs police over the discovery during a break in of counterfeit passports in his cellar. Tim has a feeling he is innocent of this crime but is certain Kevan and his finance director Tony Sentance are guilty of something. A better search of the cellar unearths three skeletons under the flagstones and it’s not long before Yates and DC Ricky MacFadyen are also asked to help neighbouring Norfolk police with the murder investigation of a young woman found with De Vries workwear. Three crimes all connected to De Vries, and as Tim and Ricky work on the passport operation and the murder inquiry, unofficially DC Juliet Armstrong and Tim’s wife Katrin, a police researcher, work in their own time to try to shed some light on the truth behind the three poor souls buried beneath the old house. What further shocking discoveries will they make in the course of their investigations?
The story is told in the third person detailing the police investigation and also by Kevan himself as he relates the predicament he finds himself in. Tim, Ricky and Juliet are good detectives and also very nice people, and it is hard not to like Kevan and sympathise with him. There are lots of strands running through this and the author makes a great job of weaving them all together in a story with a twisty and complex plot, well portrayed characters and plenty to keep the reader hooked right the way through. 5*
Profile Image for Alison.
147 reviews
April 15, 2022
After reading the synopsis for this book I was really keen to get started, firstly because it is set outside the usual main cities such as London and Manchester and instead it is in a small town in South Lincolnshire, close to where I grew up and secondly because it deals with crimes unearthing other crimes and this layering of events always appeals to me.
Tim Yates is a local Detective Inspector who is called in when a burglary at the manor house uncovers a possible passport forging operation. The house is owned by businessman Kevan DeVries and his wife who are called back from the holiday to answer questions.
The characters in this book are all really well written, DI Yates is relentless in his pursuit of the truth and won’t be held back by politics. Juliet, his DC also has a great role with uncovering the history of the house which may or may not hold a key to the mysteries of the present and also a potential love interest for her. My only criticism of the characters where their names, four females called Juliet, Jackie, Jean and Joanna, at times this got confusing!
The storyline itself moves along nicely however it can’t be described as action packed and can be a bit slow in parts. I did really enjoy this book and the way it told the stories of past and present and how things really haven’t changed as much as we would like to think they have.
I felt the ending let it down a little as, for me, it left a lot of unanswered questions but all in all it was a very enjoyable read and one I recommend trying.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the chance to review this
Profile Image for Lynda.
2,445 reviews126 followers
April 17, 2022
I haven’t read this author before but I definitely will again. I though this was a well written, cosy thriller, with quite a large cast of characters, so there wasn’t much character development on some of them. Largely set in current times but with more than a hint of historical fiction, which I enjoyed. But both tales had a common theme.

Briefly, Kevan de Vries and his terminally ill wife, Joanna are staying in their St. Lucia home when de Vries is asked to return to the UK following a break in at their home. Di Tim Yates is investigating the break in but also the discovery of 5 fake UK passports in the cellar of the mansion. Shortly afterwards the remains of three bodies are found under flagstones in the cellar. The forensic scientist thinks they may be very old but further tests are needed to confirm this. As the investigations continue Yates believes that de Vries and his finance director Sentance are involved in something illegal. But what?

As the book progresses there are a number of threads running concurrently that all meet seamlessly in the shocking conclusion. However, I did think the final reveal whilst good was a bit quick and I though needed a bit more embellishment to bring it to a close. This isn’t a particularly fast paced read but it moves along at a reasonable pace and I was keen to find out what the hidden crimes were. An enjoyable read and ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
19 reviews
April 18, 2022
The Sandringham Mystery: Christina James
Title: Multiple Mysteries in One Thrilling Story
This is definitely one that you won’t be able to put down once you’ve started. Christina James takes us on a thrilling ride in her new book, The Sandringham Mystery. The book begins with a break-in at the home of millionaire Kevan de Vries. During the investigation multiple blank passports are found and these are only the start of the mysteries that confront the reader. The mysteries just keep on coming.
I don’t want to spoil your joy of reading this book by cluing you in to what is to come throughout the book. Reading as the mysteries unfold is part of the joy of this book. The characters are well developed including the stoic Kevan de Vries and his ailing wife, Detective Inspector Tim Yates, DC Juliet Armstrong( who becomes a bit of a mystery herself), the slimy and obsequious Tony Sentance, the helpful Mrs. Briggs and the crusty mysterious Mr. Briggs.
The book is well written and keeps you wanting to know what will happen next. Cluing you in anymore would spoil the fun. This is a rollicking mystery ride that you won’t want to put down. The only criticism that I have is that the end of the book was a bit of an anti-climax after the wild ride of the rest of the book.
Profile Image for Sue.
116 reviews
April 10, 2022
Thanks to Bloodhound books foran ARC of this book, this is my honest unbiased review.
I really enjoyed reading this book and it was certainly not as I had expected from the title. There are two strands to this story; one we find out the answer to as the story develops, whilst the other kept me guessing to the end. I found it hard to put this one down as I wanted to find out what had happened. However utlimately the ending wasn't totally satisfactcory for me although it does resolve the mystery.

THe characters could, perhaps, have been a little more developed and I didn't find I warmed to any of them very much - but this really added to the read funnily enough.

Having said all that I liked the setting and the writing style, which kept me interested to the end and I would definitely read another by this author.
Profile Image for Liz T.
308 reviews6 followers
April 10, 2022
What starts off as a bungled burglary at Laurieston House leads to a investigation by DI Tim Yates and his team into forged passports and murder.
I enjoyed the research carried out by Tim's wife, Katrin, and DC Juliet Armsrong on the old Victorian diary made by the earlier occupier of the house which helped shed light on even more secrets contained in the cellar of Laurieston House.
There is definitely more than meets the eye to this present day crime and there are some disturbing findings once the police start to delve in to Kevan de Vries Enterprises and the murder of one of their supposedly casual workers. I thought it was really clever how the author tied up all the loose ends of the investigation and I loved the twist at the end of the book.
Thank you Bloodhound Books and the author for an ARC of The Sandringham Mystery.
Profile Image for Liz T.
308 reviews6 followers
August 27, 2022
I enjoyed finding out what happened to Kevan de Vries after he fled from the UK to St Lucia seven years previously. The British police want some answers from him relating to human trafficking and the disappearance of one of his employees but are unable to extradite him. At first you might think why he would want to return to the UK if he is in danger of losing his liberty but clearly Kevan de Vries is bored now that he no longer has a business empire to run.
Once he returns to England on a fake passport to try and find out more about his heritage, as a reader, I found myself hoping that he won't get caught by the police. It was good to get to know what had happened to the other characters in the past 7 years and to meet new characters. An entertaining read. Thanks to Bloodhound Books for an ARC of The Heritage Murders.
Profile Image for Bobbi Wagner.
5,248 reviews72 followers
April 19, 2022
I enjoyed this suspenseful story. This is a new author for me which I enjoyed their writing skills as well as their attention to detail that made their story come to life. This is a well written story about found human remains and how the past and present events that will change lives forever. This is a really great story that is not only fast paced but engaging and hard to put down. I found the characters to be relateable and supportive to each other. I enjoyed being pulled into the story by them and how they had me coming back for more. They have great growth as well as the plot throughout the story. This is a really great story that I enjoyed reading and the twists and turns you won't see coming. I highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Sandra Cook.
193 reviews6 followers
April 20, 2022
This book is coming out April 19,2022. The story is about a rich tycoon name Kevan de Vries and his wife Joanna, he inherited all of his grandfather empire. Kevan received a call to tell him to return to Sauage Hall. Kevan was at his family beach, his grandfather bought. The Victorian Mansion was broken into. The police were called the found passports like someone forging them. Detective Inspector Tim Yates and Detective Constable Ricky MacFadyen. There more to the story then meets the eye. There so much more, murder, loyal servants, and Kevan De Vries wife and autism son. Joanna his wife is sickly. This mystery will have you wondering what will happen next. I enjoyed every moment of the story.
1,675 reviews33 followers
April 7, 2022
I really enjoyed this. It was well written and the pace was steady rather than fast-paced yet I found it totally riveting.

Laurieston is a house with a lot of secrets it seems and the discovery of fake passports in the cellar leads to a further discovery of skeletons.Now the secrets of the past are coming to the fore.

I liked the character of Yates and his dogged determination to get to the truth and yet he is quite placid. The gradual unravelling of things was very well done and the ending was satisfying yet leading to a possible future story. I look forward to reading more from this author.
79 reviews2 followers
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April 11, 2022
What a brilliant book I was hooked from the first chapter and have to confess I didn’t get any work done as I couldn’t put it down. When each chapter finished you just wanted to read a little bit more.
The book started off with Kevan De Vries and his wife staying at their St Lucia Home when a phone call informs Kevan that his house has been broken into and requesting him to come back to England. Once he arrives, he is informed that when checking the basement to see if anything was missing the police found counterfeit passports.
This starts the beginning of the many twists and turns in the book that will keep you wanting more, a fantastic book.
1 review
July 18, 2026
It was an enjoyable book. However,the characters were underdevloped and the ending somewhat disappointing. It just kind of fizzled out with unresolved questions. The parallel story about the ancient bones was an interesting fact - but not woven into the plot. It made you wonder why it was included in such a lengthy manner. While issues of colonialism and the frafficking and exploitation of women and immigrants have a long history and remain relevant in the current climate and to the story in a general manner, the inclusion without more coupled with the unresolved questions and fizzling ending makes a pleasant read a bit less satisfying.
Profile Image for Vivian.
760 reviews32 followers
April 19, 2022
This was overall and entertaining read with mostly two storylines that as individual work well but failed to connect one to the other. It would have been better that the stories had an intersection point where they clicked but I failed to see it.

The title of the book is a little misguided since the majority of the action and situations don't happened at Sandringham but somewhere else, at Laurieston House.

Some characters are more developed than others, and this makes it a little hard to get fully and completely into the story.

As a whole a somehow enjoyable book.
Profile Image for Josephine Bilton.
56 reviews6 followers
April 7, 2022
I took my time with this book as I found it hard to get into at the start.
I am pleased that I stuck with it because the story is intriguing. The characters come alive and so well written that you can see them. Especially Jean Rook who I am old enough to remember!
The author had researched her subject well and the story is almost as old as time.
I read this as an ARC from the publisher the review is my own opinion.
Profile Image for Leanne Fisher.
218 reviews1 follower
April 10, 2022
What starts off as a burglary turns into hidden crimes from the past and present.

I did enjoy this story, and characters, very much. It was not the fast paced crime thriller i am used to, and at one point I did find myself struggling to keep up but I am pleased I did as it was an enjoyable story which I am pleased to have read.

I would recommend this book and definitely read more from this author.
61 reviews1 follower
July 29, 2022
Sandringham Mystery

Nearly gave up.on this book at the start as I felt that it was too long winded but so glad that in the end In glad I persisted because after the initial ropey staff I got deeply immersed in the story which cracked on at an amazing place it also was a pseudo history story especially if you are remotely interested in the slave trade although.It I my touched on it to be truthful. Only four stars In afraid because of slow staer
Profile Image for Lin Perrett.
297 reviews105 followers
September 14, 2022
Thank you Bloodhound books for the kindle copy in exchange for a honest review. Businessman Kevan de Vries is away on business with his ailing wife when his mansion is broken into. When the police are called they find some forged passports in the cellar. Kevan is called back home while enquiries are made. Further searches of the cellar reveal human remains. DI Tim Yates finds himself investigating both fraud and murder.
783 reviews23 followers
April 6, 2022
I read this in a day! It was really enjoyable read, well written and interesting. There are twists and turns that keep you engaged.
The story starts with a burglary at the home of a wealthy business man whilst he and his wife are abroad, but the ensuing search discovers more in the house's cellar.
1,170 reviews13 followers
April 8, 2022
What starts off being a bungled burglary in the house of Kevin de Vries whilst he is on holiday with his family, turns out to be a lot more when the police begin to investigate. You certainly have to remain focused while reading it, as the story goes off on numerous tangents. Overall a good solid read with a few twists and turns in it.

Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC to review.
1,181 reviews6 followers
August 5, 2022
An Excellent Story

An Excellent story and the first one that I have read by Christina James. It will not be the last. The story had me gripped from start to finish and it was refreshing that it featured a detective who did not have any hidden problems as lots of stories have these days. Also enjoyed exciting ending.
Profile Image for Jane Welchman.
98 reviews3 followers
August 29, 2022
A well written and excellent crime novel. A twist or two that’s unexpected and some unanswered questions that may lead into the next book in the series? Overall a worthwhile read for any crime fiction fan.
Didn’t realise when I was given this ARC that there was a book 1 so will definitely be reading it and hoping for book 3.
Also we have it in the UK as The Heritage Murders.
3,485 reviews24 followers
May 14, 2023
Police procedural. Although this is the ninth in the series, it works well on its own — I have not yet read any of the earlier books. Most of the book is told from the viewpoints of the various officers involved in solving the interrelated mysteries; however some chapters, in the first person, are from the POV of the owner of the house and company at the center of the two mysteries.
Profile Image for Mrs Sarah Bezant.
111 reviews
April 11, 2022
Very different to my normal reads but thoroughly enjoyed the story. I enjoyed the historical elements and how they fed into the story from today. I didn't predict the ending as I like to try and do. Thought provoking, well written and an entertaining read.
36 reviews2 followers
April 18, 2022
Overall an enjoyable read and kept me engaged to the end.

There is a lot of story threads to this one, and whilst some are resolved satisfactorily, some are rushed to a conclusion and some left open ended and I feel they didn’t get the full development they deserved!
337 reviews5 followers
April 8, 2022
An intriguing story, superbly written. A clever who done it with a twist in the tale. Really enjoyable, I have now found another go to author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews