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Reverend Shaw Mysteries #3
The Wooden Witness
Summer 1931: after finding the battered corpse of a spiritualist medium at an archaeological site on the Suffolk coast, the Reverend Lucian Shaw is thrust into a dark and deadly mystery involving ancient texts and modern technology.
Was the medium a victim of the evil forces he claimed to have harnessed for his own use, or is there a rational explanation for his demise?
Discovering a trail of blackmail and intimidation leading from the foothills of the Himalayas to an English seaside town, Reverend Shaw must battle his own inner demons and struggle with the deepest questions of faith before he is able to unmask the killer.
Readers who love Golden Age detective fiction by writers such as Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers will enjoy this affectionate tribute to the genre.
The Reverend Shaw books in order are A Third Class Murder, The King is Dead, The Wooden Witness, Death on the Night Train, Murder in Act Three and Murder at Evensong. The books are self-contained and do not need to be read in order.
Was the medium a victim of the evil forces he claimed to have harnessed for his own use, or is there a rational explanation for his demise?
Discovering a trail of blackmail and intimidation leading from the foothills of the Himalayas to an English seaside town, Reverend Shaw must battle his own inner demons and struggle with the deepest questions of faith before he is able to unmask the killer.
Readers who love Golden Age detective fiction by writers such as Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers will enjoy this affectionate tribute to the genre.
The Reverend Shaw books in order are A Third Class Murder, The King is Dead, The Wooden Witness, Death on the Night Train, Murder in Act Three and Murder at Evensong. The books are self-contained and do not need to be read in order.
237 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 27, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 15, 2026
This is the third book in the series of Reverend Shaw mysteries. This one is set on the Suffolk coast where Reverend Shaw goes on holiday with his wife.
A con artist called Rooksley pretends to be a spiritualist and holds meetings in the village of Eastburgh. He has a past as does a guru at the hotel where Shaw is staying. There's also a major from the Indian Army who takes people on flights in a Sopwith Camel in the morning and gets drunk in the afternoons.
At one of Rooksley's meetings he is accused of being a charlatan by a ventriloquist. Rooksley seeks a meeting with the man at the pier, but the ventriloquist has a heart attack during their argument. Their confrontation is overheard by an electrician and Rooksley confronts him on a cliff where the electrician falls into the sea.
As you might gather, there's no shortage of suspects when Rooksley is found impaled and beaten on the archaeological site of the title. The Rev Shaw finds him of course on a early morning walk. This occurs two thirds of the way through the book, so the investigation doesn't take long.
A con artist called Rooksley pretends to be a spiritualist and holds meetings in the village of Eastburgh. He has a past as does a guru at the hotel where Shaw is staying. There's also a major from the Indian Army who takes people on flights in a Sopwith Camel in the morning and gets drunk in the afternoons.
At one of Rooksley's meetings he is accused of being a charlatan by a ventriloquist. Rooksley seeks a meeting with the man at the pier, but the ventriloquist has a heart attack during their argument. Their confrontation is overheard by an electrician and Rooksley confronts him on a cliff where the electrician falls into the sea.
As you might gather, there's no shortage of suspects when Rooksley is found impaled and beaten on the archaeological site of the title. The Rev Shaw finds him of course on a early morning walk. This occurs two thirds of the way through the book, so the investigation doesn't take long.
October 3, 2023
This was a joy to read.I love the main character of Lucian Shaw,a vicar who inadvertently stumbles into murder mysteries and proceeds to help solve them in his own innocent way.The plot was fairly simple but enjoyable.I hope this becomes a long series as they have so much potential.It reminded me of so many different golden age crime fiction novels from the 1920's through to the 1950's.All in all a very enjoyable read and I look forward to the next!
August 12, 2022
Another ripping yarn!
Reverend Shaw takes his wife on a seaside holiday, but yet again becomes embroiled in devilish intrigue. Gruesome murder, blackmail and mysticism performed by a hilarious ensemble of characters. I loved the twists and turns of the plot, the author and Shaw are both getting well into their stride.
Most bracing!
Reverend Shaw takes his wife on a seaside holiday, but yet again becomes embroiled in devilish intrigue. Gruesome murder, blackmail and mysticism performed by a hilarious ensemble of characters. I loved the twists and turns of the plot, the author and Shaw are both getting well into their stride.
Most bracing!
February 9, 2024
Nicely plotted with great period detail
Once again crime seems to follow Rev Shaw even while holidaying at the English seaside. Satisfyingly plotted and with plenty of great period detail. A delightful little holiday mystery!
Once again crime seems to follow Rev Shaw even while holidaying at the English seaside. Satisfyingly plotted and with plenty of great period detail. A delightful little holiday mystery!
May 23, 2024
Grew on me
I started this book, put it down, and came back to it when I was ready for a slower paced read. I did guess who the killer was, but enjoyed the book. Recommended
I started this book, put it down, and came back to it when I was ready for a slower paced read. I did guess who the killer was, but enjoyed the book. Recommended
July 30, 2024
A good yarn!
Fun,easy read. Interesting and engaging plot. Well written and evocative of the Golden Age period. Good characterisation without slowing the plot.
Fun,easy read. Interesting and engaging plot. Well written and evocative of the Golden Age period. Good characterisation without slowing the plot.
April 6, 2026
Good story but the Audible narrator slightly irritated me as he was slightly stilted at times.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews