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Death Visits January : A Gloriously Gruesome and utterly unique whodunnit
When a local farmer announces on social media that he has discovered a ‘bog body’ in Ardee, experts are keen to explore the secrets of the life and grisly death of the victim.
Antique journalist January Quail is fighting to keep her newspaper job and gets involved. But she uncovers far more than she bargained for. The ‘bog body’ turns out to be a recent murder, and January uses her nose for the truth to investigate the County Louth town. From shopkeeper to publican, everyone is a suspect but, when the gardaí can’t find the killer, can she?
Once she sets down her liqueur glass, January gains the confidence of the lead Garda investigator. Within days, the case unravels into a much more dangerous situation with a killer on the loose.
Despite the risk, January is electrified, as this newest discovery has come at the perfect time to inject some colour into her flailing career. She relinquishes her old ways to fight for survival, abandoning her antiques column and vintage corsets to solve a cryptic crime that has the experts puzzled.
PRAISE FOR FIONA SHERLOCK
‘I loved it – a marvellously morbid, gloriously gruesome and utterly unique whodunnit. The rakish January Quail is the most vivid and charismatic female lead I've read in a long time.’ SOPHIE WHITE
‘A compelling, thrilling debut. One to watch. Read it.’ PAUL WILLIAMS
Antique journalist January Quail is fighting to keep her newspaper job and gets involved. But she uncovers far more than she bargained for. The ‘bog body’ turns out to be a recent murder, and January uses her nose for the truth to investigate the County Louth town. From shopkeeper to publican, everyone is a suspect but, when the gardaí can’t find the killer, can she?
Once she sets down her liqueur glass, January gains the confidence of the lead Garda investigator. Within days, the case unravels into a much more dangerous situation with a killer on the loose.
Despite the risk, January is electrified, as this newest discovery has come at the perfect time to inject some colour into her flailing career. She relinquishes her old ways to fight for survival, abandoning her antiques column and vintage corsets to solve a cryptic crime that has the experts puzzled.
PRAISE FOR FIONA SHERLOCK
‘I loved it – a marvellously morbid, gloriously gruesome and utterly unique whodunnit. The rakish January Quail is the most vivid and charismatic female lead I've read in a long time.’ SOPHIE WHITE
‘A compelling, thrilling debut. One to watch. Read it.’ PAUL WILLIAMS
- GenresMystery
450 pages, Paperback
Published June 6, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 15, 2022
Print journalism is struggling, and January is trying not to lose her job. (She’s also in the running for an editorial position, which confused me a bit. Which is it – is she editor material, or is she going to get the sack?) So when a “bog body” is found, she dashes off to get a story. When it turns out that the body isn’t ancient, but a much more recent victim of foul play, she leaves her warm and fuzzy lifestyle articles behind to dig into this murder. She gets herself into some scrapes along the way, as the killer intends on making her his next victim.
This book is set in modern times, but it doesn’t always feel that way. January Quail comes from a family of means. The family may have fallen on hard times, but her manners and attitude seem to be very much of another era.
This is clearly reflected in her refusal to use technology to draft and send information to her editor. I used to work for someone who didn’t believe in using computers. We attorneys had access to a computer in the law library for legal research, but we did not have our own computers in our offices. We drafted our legal opinions with pen and legal pad, and our paralegal typed it up. That’s what I thought of when January kept writing out her articles and sending pictures of them back to the office. It made me nuts in my life, and it made me nuts reading about it. I kept thinking, will you just get a laptop already?! I have a hard time envisioning an employer going along with that situation for too long.
January also drinks. A lot. Her poison of choice is the liqueur creme de menthe. She actually carries around a glass for drinking it. I’m pretty sure she could be described as a functioning alcoholic. She seldom gets drunk, but the craving for a drink is constant.
The crime itself was fascinating. I wasn’t familiar with bog bodies before reading this book, and it was interesting (and a bit gruesome) to read about the process by which bodies were prepared for the bog. It’s certainly a unique method of murder that I haven’t read about before! The mystery was also pretty engaging. There were plenty of options for a potential killer in the Irish village near the crime scene, and I was kept guessing until fairly far along in the book.
January may have been an intriguing character, but she was hard to like. She was in danger of losing her job, but didn’t seem to make getting stories in to the paper a priority. She put herself in harm’s way more than once, she didn’t listen to her editor when he told her to leave things alone, and she seemed to be more interested in doing what she wanted to do than in handling her job responsibilities. I get that sometimes it’s good to buck the system, but January took tha to a whole new level.
So, five stars for the Irish setting (which was a lot of fun!) and the twisty mystery, three stars for a not-so-likable protagonist, and that averages out to four. A good read.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book from BookSirens. All opinions here are mine, and I don’t say nice things about books I don’t actually like.
This book is set in modern times, but it doesn’t always feel that way. January Quail comes from a family of means. The family may have fallen on hard times, but her manners and attitude seem to be very much of another era.
This is clearly reflected in her refusal to use technology to draft and send information to her editor. I used to work for someone who didn’t believe in using computers. We attorneys had access to a computer in the law library for legal research, but we did not have our own computers in our offices. We drafted our legal opinions with pen and legal pad, and our paralegal typed it up. That’s what I thought of when January kept writing out her articles and sending pictures of them back to the office. It made me nuts in my life, and it made me nuts reading about it. I kept thinking, will you just get a laptop already?! I have a hard time envisioning an employer going along with that situation for too long.
January also drinks. A lot. Her poison of choice is the liqueur creme de menthe. She actually carries around a glass for drinking it. I’m pretty sure she could be described as a functioning alcoholic. She seldom gets drunk, but the craving for a drink is constant.
The crime itself was fascinating. I wasn’t familiar with bog bodies before reading this book, and it was interesting (and a bit gruesome) to read about the process by which bodies were prepared for the bog. It’s certainly a unique method of murder that I haven’t read about before! The mystery was also pretty engaging. There were plenty of options for a potential killer in the Irish village near the crime scene, and I was kept guessing until fairly far along in the book.
January may have been an intriguing character, but she was hard to like. She was in danger of losing her job, but didn’t seem to make getting stories in to the paper a priority. She put herself in harm’s way more than once, she didn’t listen to her editor when he told her to leave things alone, and she seemed to be more interested in doing what she wanted to do than in handling her job responsibilities. I get that sometimes it’s good to buck the system, but January took tha to a whole new level.
So, five stars for the Irish setting (which was a lot of fun!) and the twisty mystery, three stars for a not-so-likable protagonist, and that averages out to four. A good read.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book from BookSirens. All opinions here are mine, and I don’t say nice things about books I don’t actually like.
September 2, 2022
January is a journalist and columnist for an Irish newspaper. She writes lifestyle articles - soft cozy stuff. She is from a privileged background, but her family is no longer as well off. The story revolves around the discovery of a body in a bog and then another. This is written as a cozy mystery - actually a gruesome cozy. I would have liked a story that left out the humor and explored the darkness behind the murders of these women.
I didn't like January. She is on the verge of losing her job. It's the 21st century and the struggle for print journalism to survive is a theme. But January doesn't seem concerned. She runs after the story of the bog bodies and despite threats from her editor does not keep in touch or file stories. I found it particularly disturbing that she spent most of her time drinking vile green Creme de Menth liqeuor. She is a barely functioning alcoholic. I didn't like her at all, and liking the lead character in a mystery series is an important reason to keep reading the next in the series. So this is one character I don't plan to follow.
I didn't like January. She is on the verge of losing her job. It's the 21st century and the struggle for print journalism to survive is a theme. But January doesn't seem concerned. She runs after the story of the bog bodies and despite threats from her editor does not keep in touch or file stories. I found it particularly disturbing that she spent most of her time drinking vile green Creme de Menth liqeuor. She is a barely functioning alcoholic. I didn't like her at all, and liking the lead character in a mystery series is an important reason to keep reading the next in the series. So this is one character I don't plan to follow.
July 7, 2022
I was in the mood for a mystery and this book definitely fit the bill. I loved the unique take on a mystery as well. Finding a body that was perceived as ancient at first was fresh and intriguing. I also adored the setting. Ireland is a place I really want to visit so any time I get to go there in books, I love it. I'm a character gal and for me the characters fell a little flat. I was not able to connect with any of them which made me not care about the outcome. Also, the ending felt a bit rushed. However, overall it was a good read.
I received an arc for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an arc for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 16, 2022
I absolutely loved everything about this book.
January is an old-fashioned and very quirky character who doesn't care one iota about what people think of her. Any grown woman who goes into a sweet shop to buy penny sweets is my type of person.
Some of her other quirks that I found very amusing were her penchant for wearing corsets and other victorian styled clothing, she's a bit snobby and brings her own napkins and accoutrements with her when she eats out, she likes Assam tea, and is fond of alcohol, especially Crème De Menthe.
January is very old school when it comes to working as a journalist. She is more inclined to handwrite her notes rather than type them up on a computer. She doesn't use social media or keep up with technology.
I found the reference to bog bodies in this mystery to be absolutely fascinating but completely horrifying at the same time. It made for a very disturbing and gruesome end for our murder victim.
The village is full of strange characters and eccentric men, any of whom could be the killer. Indeed it is incredibly difficult to pinpoint who it is exactly and the author does an incredible job of keeping the reader in the dark until the pivotal moment.
I liked Detective Cooney and how he allowed January access to the investigation. There was good chemistry between them and he proved to be intelligent and someone to be counted upon when in a tight spot. Their friendship was a nice light touch and they made a good team.
The last section of the book was thrilling and had me on tenterhooks. I couldn't put it down and I was left wanting more adventures with January and Cooney and wishing that the next book was already out!
January is an old-fashioned and very quirky character who doesn't care one iota about what people think of her. Any grown woman who goes into a sweet shop to buy penny sweets is my type of person.
Some of her other quirks that I found very amusing were her penchant for wearing corsets and other victorian styled clothing, she's a bit snobby and brings her own napkins and accoutrements with her when she eats out, she likes Assam tea, and is fond of alcohol, especially Crème De Menthe.
January is very old school when it comes to working as a journalist. She is more inclined to handwrite her notes rather than type them up on a computer. She doesn't use social media or keep up with technology.
I found the reference to bog bodies in this mystery to be absolutely fascinating but completely horrifying at the same time. It made for a very disturbing and gruesome end for our murder victim.
The village is full of strange characters and eccentric men, any of whom could be the killer. Indeed it is incredibly difficult to pinpoint who it is exactly and the author does an incredible job of keeping the reader in the dark until the pivotal moment.
I liked Detective Cooney and how he allowed January access to the investigation. There was good chemistry between them and he proved to be intelligent and someone to be counted upon when in a tight spot. Their friendship was a nice light touch and they made a good team.
The last section of the book was thrilling and had me on tenterhooks. I couldn't put it down and I was left wanting more adventures with January and Cooney and wishing that the next book was already out!
July 5, 2022
I received this book to review from Book Sirens. Talk about twists and turns! I wasn't even sure who the killer was until January saw his face when she was in the van. I love books like that. I love when I'm kept guessing! I also really enjoyed that it ending happily for January, her memoir published, her dream accomplished. This book was well written. It had a great twisting,turning plot line. I did spot a few places where a word was missing from the sentences. I was still able to get what was being said though. So, all in all, it is a fast paced, action packed, good time of a whodunit. I would recommend it to friends.Well done Ms. Sherlock!
September 5, 2022
Death Visits January is Book 1 in A January Quail Murder Mystery by Fiona Sherlock. I thought this cozy mystery was excellent. The characters were interesting and the mystery chillingly good. A body was dug up on the bog and January was fighting for her journalistic life. She just might find the killer before they get her! I thought that the mystery was fast and thrilling. January is smart and I am looking forward to reading her next mystery adventure. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
September 26, 2022
Definitely something different. In the beginning of the book I struggled a bit with the Irish terms and references. But later on I could even read with an accent! I loved the way they say “ idiot”! 😬eejit has now become part of my vocabulary. A story with a few different mysteries intertwined. Historical finds, Murder, Danger, A true mystery that keeps you guessing till the end.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 27, 2022
I found the setting interesting, and the heroine intriguing. Often, I forgot this was set in the current century because the heroine was comfortable dressing and drinking as if she was living in the 1920s. I figured out the culprit early in the book, but the author kept throwing out red herrings, so many times I doubted my original guess. I thought it was a little too long, but I would recommend it anyway.
July 24, 2022
Started off decent but become confusing with a multitude of characters involved in the bog murders. The book was basically about a deviant who committed brutal crimes in rural Ireland. All the characters were bizarre and the book just became more ridiculous as I managed to plough my way through it.
January 8, 2024
3.75 stars.
I really liked the story and would recommend it , there were some fantastic twists and turns. The writing was good however there were just a few inconsistencies and errors that pulled me out of the story. I did enjoy it and will happily be reading the next at some point
I really liked the story and would recommend it , there were some fantastic twists and turns. The writing was good however there were just a few inconsistencies and errors that pulled me out of the story. I did enjoy it and will happily be reading the next at some point
June 27, 2022
It did not disappoint! A disturbing murder mystery with the vivacious female lead, January Quail, a journalist working to discover the killer.
August 30, 2022
Fun read with a memorable detective. Enjoyed the setting as it’s my region and loved all the bog body details.
January 29, 2026
I might edit my star rating on a full review. It's January, and I thought this was set in January, which is why I decided to read it but it's not, it's in summer! Review on the way.
September 9, 2022
3/5 ⭐ On vacation in Ireland, I was drawn to the intriguing green cocktail in the hand of the red-lipped figure on the cover of this murder mystery novel. The MC, January, is a journalist for an Irish newspaper, and she writes about every topic under the sun, now including murder. The story intertwines past and present as January helps to uncover the details surrounding a bog body that is found nearby. There were traces of classic murder mystery writings, which made this book seem quirky more than scary. The murders were quite gruesome, but the novel didn’t feel incredibly dark.
The book was enjoyable, but did feel a bit long winded at times. I often had to re-read to understand the clues January would discover or the turns in the plot. I do think it was worthwhile, and I look forward to more from this author!
The book was enjoyable, but did feel a bit long winded at times. I often had to re-read to understand the clues January would discover or the turns in the plot. I do think it was worthwhile, and I look forward to more from this author!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews