Missing Pieces: A Kings Lake Investigation

Kings Lake Investigation #4

by Peter Grainger, Gildart Jackosn (Narrator)

As the first anniversary of the formation of the Kings Lake murder squad approaches, there is a problem – they’ve run out of murders. As a result, they are given the task of reviewing unsolved cold cases. One of these comes back to life in unexpected ways as the team try to discover the identity of the young woman whose body was found in the Norfolk countryside two decades ago. And even if they can give her a name, how can they possibly find her killer after so many years?

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Fiction, Procedural, Crime, British Literature, Police

Audiobook

First published November 29, 2021

About the author

A British author, the writer Peter Grainger is a well known novelist of mystery fiction, largely focused on detective lead investigations. This his been the prime focus for much of his career, as he takes much of his inspiration from that of other infamous British detectives, such as Inspector Morse. The influence is clearly evident here, as he brings his own detective, DC Smith, to life, along with other books as well. Setting his mysteries firmly within the world of British detective fiction it is clear where his tastes lie as an author of his increasingly popular stories, stories that only increase in popularity as time goes on.

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate the linked series from this author, enjoying every one of the D.C. Smith and Kings Lake stories and investigations.
This one features the Kings Lake team working a 20-year old cold case. If you have not read the previous books you may not enjoy the book as much as those of us who have started at the beginning. There are recurring characters and themes that lend warmth and meaning with sprinklings of memories of how Smith would have done something or acted in various situations. Featured is a murder that took place in a remote location during the 60's in the midst of the hippie, free love, rock and roll era.
I approached this book as if I was not familiar with the other books and felt like I should encourage anyone to read the other books first. If not....one could feel extreme boredom and anxiety wondering when the action was going to pick up and/or make sense. It is sedate and philosophical at times, a different flavor of police procedural that I do enjoy and hope for more in the future.

Kindle Unlimited

[Cindy Rollins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Grainger. Who is this guy? His output is only exceeded by the quality of the stories.

[Elaine B. Flaxer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet Again

I have read hundreds of books in the past few years, many of them from Kindle Unlimited. But I have never read a Peter Grainger that wasn't excellent, especially the DC Smith and Kings Lake series. Never anything confusing about the writing, never a typo, never a dangling participle. I know that I must sound like a fussy English teacher, which I'm not, but a do get very annoyed when I have to stop every few paragraphs and figure out what the author means. I also love his characters, both male and female, smart, deep, thoughtful, often humorous. I'm going to stop raving now. The worst thing I can say about Grainger is the waiting for the next book, because he doesn't just dash them off rapidly. But they're worth it.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Pieces Beautifully Presented

At first I couldn't imagine this series without Smith. But Grainger has managed to keep his singularity and his presence alive in MISSING PIECES without even a single appearance. Which speaks to his ability to write characters with such singularity that we (I, at least) want more of them. They are smart, human and generally good. Not a single one dimensional person, including the criminals. The plot: Cold case, 20 years old, begins and ends in a bucolic graveyard where the deceased, a young, unknown victim, has been tended by a cold but caring priest who took her burial to heart and responsibility until the exhumation, a sin to him, was ordered. Twisty plot, at least two parallel stories bringing depth to the ensemble cast, make this a great continuation of the Kings Lake series. Book 5 soon, I hope.

[PIETER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter Grainger's newest addition to the Kings Lake Central series lives up to the fine example of the previous books, which have all been excellent. Master of the genre 'police procedural mysteries', Grainger has invented an amazing cast of characters who flow from series to series. In this new novel, faithful readers are given an exceptional insight into how families and family issues, behind the scenes and outside of the police department, influence mindsets of several important characters we have come to know. This novel begins with a crime committed in the 1990s but is tackled as a 'cold case' in nearly 2020 when the murder squad of DCI Cara Freeman has no new cases and must produce some investigative wonders to justify the continued funding of their force. Absolutely everyone is on board lending a hand. I particularly enjoyed seeing so much of John Murray again in this volume, but all of the others are here as well, including the ever-present spirit of DC. Grainger is one of my favourite authors and he never disappoints. If you've read him before, you'll enjoy this one. If you haven't read him, I heartily recommend that you do.

[Carlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great police procedural on a twenty-year-old cold case.

I dearly love Peter Grainger's mysteries. He is such a talented writer. His DC Smith and King's Lake Series have many of the same characters, all of whom almost feel like family at this point.

This was a "new" case for the "murder squad" although it was 20 years old. The squad decided to take another look at a cold case of an unidentified young woman whose body had been found by a caretaker of an estate in the County. Fortunately he was still living on the property and could remember details from his grim discovery. The squad's reopening the case was the third attempt to solve it which involved rereading all the old case notes and then a newly ordered exhumation of the body. Forensic science had come a long way in those intervening years leading to a lot more pertinent information. It is fascinating to watch the various officers work their way back through all the evidence and reach a solution. I can't recommend more strongly this book and all the others by this author. Although it's nice to read them in order it isn't necessary, as they all can be read as standalone mysteries. I'm actually going to read one now that I had missed covering a period when DC Smith decided to retire. I'm sure it will fill in some important details.

[Tuesdayschild · Rating 4 out of 5]

2025: (4) Repeat listen, which has now gained an extra star this listen through as I now know what happens in the next book in the series.

2022: (3) Not a favourite in this new follow on series to D.C.Smith and I cannot quite put my finger on what is missing in this story for me.
Adding to that, it feels like the author is getting ready to move Chris Waters out and have Cara Freeman as the lead in the stories going forward? Time will tell.

Extra: the author gives devout religious individuals, and religious factions / fundamentalists/ spiritualists/ alternate beliefs a rake down in this one.
Bipolar issues discussed, alzheimers (?), and, the elderly and assisted dying touched on.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fantastic new instalment in the Kingslake series sees the squad investigating a 20 year old cold case. Great story telling, good plot, more background on the reoccurring characters - what else would you expect from Peter Grainger, a master story teller.

[Boops · Rating 2 out of 5]

Predictable. Long and tedious

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cold case investigation in which for much of the time not much happens. The strength of the writing, characters, and nuanced observation made it thoroughly interesting. This is one of my favorite series.

[Gail Radka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it, love all Grainger’s books they always feel real, you get totally emersed in the investigation. Roll on the next

[Ruth Ngobi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars. I have listened to it on Audible. Gildart Jackson is a great narrator and makes for the enjoyment of the book. I look forward to the last book in this series.

[Lizzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have actually listened to all of the Kings Lake books (both these KL Investigation books and the DC Smith ones) on audio, and I have to say that I have loved every single one.
Peter Grainger's writing an absolute delight. The books are beautifully written, precise, descriptive, great characters drawn in detail.
Equally delightful is listening to Gildart Jackson's narration. Not only does he voice each of the characters perfectly, building an image in my mind of what each person looks like and "feels" like, but his voice itself is mellifluous, his pronunciation is exact and perfect. "Proper" English, one might say!!

[Helen Ahern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story as usual from The kings lake Detectives.

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of the same from this author. These are reliably good but I miss DC Smith as those were great. Freeman is still not my favorite but she is growing on me.

[Christine Myres · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best ... so far!

I’ve read everything Mr. Grainger has written (under his own name) and this entry in the Kings Lake series is so good, so satisfying that I am having trouble picking the right superlatives. I am seldom at a loss for words. Engrossing, wonderfully written, subtle character development, great story, completely believable in every way. I relished ever minute spent with the characters and in that place. Now I am impatient for the next one!

[Donna Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of his best

Intriguing from the first page, another stellar offering from Mr Granger though no DC this time around though DC is mentioned forgotten the cast of characters in the squad remain the same
A cold case is given to the team, a unknown young woman was murdered twenty years ago her killer and identity a mystery that has now been assigned to Kings Lake as a cold case

Kings Lake team work to solve the mystery as to who the victim is and how she died in an effort to bring justice for the woman
Well written and thoughtful as always we again get to see into the private lives of the team with special attention to Chris Waters and DCI Freeman and their world outside the station leaving this reader wanting more information on both. Can’t wait for next installment

[Shirley Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Moving Story

Peter Grainger tops my list of exceptional writers. Every Kings Lake story leaves me wanting to enjoy the police characters as real life friends and workmates. I read hundreds of mystery and procedural novels a year, but rarely do they leave me misty-eyed on the final page as this one did. What a remarkably well written piece!

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Peter Grainger

Christmas came early when a new Kings Lake book became available. I have read every book in the DC Smith series and the tie in Kings Lake series. I can never get enough of these books that I classify as literature. Grainger writes with humor and great understanding of the human condition. His characters are beautifully developed and with each book we learn a little more about them. This was a departure from the normal police procedural in that it was a cold case. Once again there is great attention to detail and accuracy that resonates throughout an authentic police investigation.

[Geraldine Welden · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the DC books, read very one of the and recommended them to others. I was glad to see Mr Grainger continue with this new series that keeps many of the well drawn characters alive in police work. However I felt left down with Missing Pieces. The suspense what there was of it didn't have the intrigue of his former mysteries, i guess because this was a cold case, no one seemed particularly threatened Nothing seemed to be at stake except for an agreement to have the murder unit reman in tact for another year.. There were many opportunities for the "twin"/switcheroo possibilities to enter the story but none were developed even at the very end where one might have led the reader to imagine that the buried Chloe's might really be the living Chloe. The end seemed unfinished to me and I was very disappointed. The end seemed to give Chris Waters some special credit or standing in the solving of this cold case whereas Freeman was really the deus ex machina of the resolution. Waters was depicted as merely carrying out orders with Murray. I guess I kept trying to figure out who really was the protagonist? Smith is only alluded to, Waters dpes a lot of thinking but little innovating, his romance is in limbo (does that suggest a sequel?)The other characters though minor, are delightful. in the way they explore ideas .-- witty, wry, smart , great dialogue-- a real team. I will, of course, read Mr. Grainger's next novel: . If Waters is to continue to be the lead character ( I hope he is), then he needs to face some kind of ethical. moral test that will reveal ore of his flaws and his already considerable appeal as a police officer and as a man That kind of test might lead him to more like Smith battle scars and all and still unique in his own right.

[Holly Mcclain · Rating 3 out of 5]

I look forward to Peter Grainger books to the point of putting their release on my calendar. That said, I'm quite disappointed in this one. A Kings Lake Investigation is literally what I read. There was no suspense. Very little mystery. Just an... investigation. I was happy to visit all the characters I have come to love over the years (excepting DC, of course, in this book) but I was very let down by the actual story. It had charm, in places, but it also had the religion bashing that is sadly in fashion these days. "Everybody is doing it!" But it's an insult I wouldn't have expected from Mr. Grainger. I have a policy: I respect you and your beliefs, so maybe you could either respect mine, or hey! I know! Just leave it alone. It's become almost cliche now to assert that having beliefs is, in itself, ignorant but, again, I expected more from this author...for some reason.
Anyway. The book is, simply put, an investigation. With dialogue. And also, Miriam's family and Freeman's mom.

[Libby · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story begins with interviewing people for a twenty year old murder of a unidentified woman. Hey painstakingly unearth new DNA and interview people until they identify her as a missing French woman. Unfortunately, no one can be brought to justice for the crime.

[Shalali · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am writing this review for my purposes of remembering this book later on.
***THERE WILL BE SPOILERS***

BASIC PLOT LINE: This is #4 of the Kings Lake Investigation Series: The Kings Lake "Murder Squad" does not have any open cases and they are close to their first annual review to determine if their squad will be kept intact. The look into a 20-year-old (1995 or 1996) cold case of an unidentified young woman who had been strangled with a cord from old sash windows 3-6 days prior to her body being discovered on the property of a large estate in the country. The body was buried in a local church yard. The Murder Squad have her body exhumed and relook at all the evidence, which there were issues with. They discover that she was probably foreign because of her dental work and eventually pursue working with European international agencies for missing persons. They interview the grounds keeper who found her body and another that worked there at the time. They also interview the owner of the estate, who was not present when she was found. He was not very informative. She was discovered shortly after an annual "pop" festival had been held on the property as well. Through new forensic evaluation of the old evidence they discover DNA from someone else on her clothing. It was DNA from the brother of the owner of the property. From the international side, they get an identification of who she was. In the end they find out who killed her, but he is no longer living. They are able find out who she was and give her twin sister peace.

THINGS I LIKED ABOUT THE BOOK:
I like the details Peter Grainger goes into regarding the daily details of the investigation. I am a person who likes to know exactly how things are done. The explanations are not repetitive and are done in part of his story telling.

I feel the main protagonist of this series is Detective Sergeant Christopher Water. The reader gets to see other perspectives, as the point of view does change between the various members of the squad and regular characters in this series. Even at times, witnesses, victims, and suspects have the story told from their perspective.

I like that DC Smith is kept involved in the thoughts of his protégés minds.

The narrator is amazing.

THINGS I DID NOT LIKE ABOUT THE BOOK:
There are very few things I didn't like about this book. One of the things I like is the changing POV, but sometimes, because I am listening, it is not always clear that the POV has changed. I think if I were reading, the new paragraph or chapter make the separation a little clearer.

This is a very specific thing: At one point DS Serena Butler makes an offhand remark about people in institutions not having all their marbles or a few cards short of a full deck. DCI Cara Freeman gets really short and it is obvious that she is upset and makes a cutting remark about being respectful of anyone they interview. (In the previous book the readers[but not her co-workers] are introduced to the fact that Cara Freeman has a half-sister living in a mental institution because of a psychotic break after what sounds like a gang rape.) Serena Butler and Christopher Waters seem confused as to why she would be so upset. However, I believe in the first book of this series or the book where Cara Freeman was introduced in the DC Smith Series, both Christopher and Serena were told by Cara that she lives with her mother who is suffering from dementia and will eventually have to be placed in a home. So without their knowing about her half-sister, the knowledge of her mother's situation should be enough, in my opinion, to explain her being upset with the offhand remark regarding the mental acuity of their prospective interviewee.

WOULD I RECOMEND THIS BOOK: I would recommend this book. But there is a richness and depth of knowledge that comes from reading the whole series in order. On its own it is a good mystery, but with all the others behind it, it is an amazing book and look into these character's life and growth.

FORESHADOWING FOR FUTURE BOOKS IN THE SERIES: Obviously Christopher and Miriam will have some challenges to their relationship because of her family dynamics (rich Jewish parents who have not coped well with her blindness, even though she has been blind since she was 8 years old) and because of his probable upcoming promotion and the strains that will put on their relationship.

HOPES FOR FUTURE BOOKS IN THE SERIES: I hope that even though things will be strained for Miriam and Christopher, I hope they keep her in the picture and that it goes well for them. I also hope to see Maggie Murray come back into the cast of characters in some capacity.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this audiobook. This is the 4th Kings Lake Investigation book and this series is a spin-off of the D.C. Smith series. I have read them all and enjoy these police procedural books very much. The original series focused on D.C. Smith, a detective with a wry sense of humor and a keen mind. Now, he occasionally makes a cameo as the series focus's on Detective Sergeant Chris Waters, who learned all he could from D.C. There is also a cast of characters who all trace their careers to D.C. In this book the murder squad of Kings Lake has started looking a cold cases because there aren't any "fresh" murders and they are worried they may be disbanded. The case that captures their attention is the death of an unknown woman some 20 years ago. The story always centers on the inner thoughts and feelings of the detectives as they battle a vicar who buried the young girl all those decades ago and still feels protective of her. The head of the squad, D.C.I. Freeman is dealing with her own family issues and she struggles to keep them private. Chris is dealing with meeting his fiance's parents, who are not warm and welcoming. All their private struggles influence their work and it is interesting to watch the story of a young girl who met her end far from home and how the detectives piece together 20 year old clues to find the truth. A good book with this one criticism. Without including any spoilers I was disappointed at the ending. After identifying the girl and then the killer there were several people who were accessories during and after the murder. These people were not charged with any crime. Reasons were given, but looking at it from the perspective of the grieving family who were denied knowing what happened for 20 years it was not satisfactory.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Kings Lake series is a well done police procedural series. Never flashy, always believable. The team is coming up on the one year anniversary of their formation. Things are quiet, so they tackle the 20 year old cold case of a young woman that was murdered. The murder took place back on a remote farm that held a summer solstice festival. The woman was never identified and her body was buried in the graveyard of the local Anglican Church. Now, with advances in forensic science, the body is being exhumed to see what new evidence may be available. This is a well thought out story with an interesting resolution. There’s a nice blend of professional vs. private lives. I was actually hoping for a little more on Waters’ interactions with Miriam’s father. There’s also a bit of religious and philosophical talk added to give it a bit of depth.
This series works best if you have read the previous books as Grainger doesn’t waste a lot of time providing background from previous books. But I will say, I’ve not read the DC Smith series, which precedes this and it’s not necessary to have read that, even though his name is brought up multiple times.
Gildart Jackson has the perfect voice for this series.

[LindaJ^ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is #4 in the Kings Lake series. I somehow skipped #2 in the series, but other than that one, I have now completed all the books available in Grainger's three series after discovering him a year or so ago. I have enjoyed them all and look forward to the upcoming #10 in the DC Smith series. Kings Lake is basically a continuation of the DC Smith series focusing on the members of DC Smith's team and others. This book concerns a cold case the murder squad takes on, as murders are lacking. Chris Waters, as usual in the Kings Lake series, is the primary character, but Serena and John have some great moments too. Chris is slowly turning into DC.

The cold case involves an unidentified young woman murdered in the 1960's and buried in a local church's graveyard. No one's life is put in jeopardy. The young woman's identity is discovered, as is how she was murdered. Kept my interest.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strong King’s Lake mystery featuring DCI Cara Freeman and Chris Waters. Murders are slow this time around so the unit is working 20 year-old unsolved Jane Doe murder. The team finds nothing going through the old files that can give them a lead and so exhumes the body to try and find some DNA evidence. So begins a mystery with many dead ends and lots of twists until they catch a break with a DNA profile of the woman giving them a clue as to where she grew up.

This is a strong series if you like detailed information on how murder investigations are conducted. The detectives’ personal lives and relationships develop as the series progresses. The characters are well developed for the genre and distinctive. The author uses the landscape almost like a character to establish mood. I enjoy this series as the quality is consistent and I never feel the author is just phoning it in to hit a deadline.

[Zbegniew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook of this and the narration was excellent, as with all the Peter Grainger audiobooks. There hadn't been any murders lately in King's Lake, so the team decides to take on a cold case. 20 years ago a young woman had been found strangled in a nearby field. The original investigation had been unable to get anywhere with the case, and neither had a subsequent re-investigation a year later. They never even discovered the identity of the young woman. The odds were long after so many years, but they did have some tools available that were not available to previous investigators, so they decided to take a crack at it.

The story had a sad, elegiac tone that I found touching. I think I've read all of Peter Grainger's mysteries and liked every one. Highly recommended. No content warnings.

[DrJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unabridged audio e version read by Gildart Jackson borrowed from the Norfolk Libby.

Disclaimer. I love this series and the the one which preceded it where DC Smith, an experienced detective teaches the rookie Chris Waters all he knows. By this installment, Waters is becoming a great copper in his own right, starting to look to the future in both his love life and career.

But something in this episode did not click for me. I just didn't "get" the cold case enquiry. It lacked lustre and was a bit boring. But wrapped around that was the stuff I love. Waters musings, his relationship with other characters and we are starting to learn more about his boss's, Cara Freeman, life too. Not quite as much as I would have liked from the steady John Murray and how his wife and on are doing.

It was good, don't get me wrong, but other parts of the series have been considerably better.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter Grainger has become one of my favourite authors of crime writing/police procedurals. The readability of his books is excellent. His continuing characters are believable and the plots of his stories are paced wonderfully. This particular book is no exception. I can’t wait for the next book in the series and find out how the Kings Lake team deals with a new case under a year-to-year budget plan.

This author presses all the buttons for me in his police procedurals. I have thoroughly enjoyed all four books in the Kings Lake series and have three books left in the DC Smith series. Lane, the first of his Willows and Lane stories is next in my Audible lineup. All his books are in my to reread/re-listen list.

Highly recommendable series!