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Den Cooper #1
A Dirty Death
Welcome to rural Devon — where life looks pretty as a postcard. But dark secrets lurk beneath the picturesque surface . . .
Early one morning Lilah Beardon finds her father, local farmer Guy, floating in the muck of his own slurry pit. The police assume his death was a tragic accident.
Lilah isn’t convinced. She knew her father better than anyone, and a clumsy accident like this doesn’t seem likely.
Everyone else in the village hated crabby old Farmer Guy: his neglected wife Miranda, his downtrodden son Roddy, even the vicar disliked him.
Which of his many enemies in this close-knit community wanted him dead?
Working alongside handsome Detective Constable Den Cooper, Lilah is determined to uncover the truth.
But someone in the village doesn’t appreciate her snooping. And now another body is discovered . . .
Early one morning Lilah Beardon finds her father, local farmer Guy, floating in the muck of his own slurry pit. The police assume his death was a tragic accident.
Lilah isn’t convinced. She knew her father better than anyone, and a clumsy accident like this doesn’t seem likely.
Everyone else in the village hated crabby old Farmer Guy: his neglected wife Miranda, his downtrodden son Roddy, even the vicar disliked him.
Which of his many enemies in this close-knit community wanted him dead?
Working alongside handsome Detective Constable Den Cooper, Lilah is determined to uncover the truth.
But someone in the village doesn’t appreciate her snooping. And now another body is discovered . . .
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 7, 1999
691 people are currently reading
476 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Tope
82 books219 followersRebecca Tope is best known as the author of over twenty crime novels. She has also recently produced the e-book entitled 'The Indifference of Tumbleweed'. She has every intention of continuing with the murder stories, as well as a variety of other kinds of fiction.
She has experienced many different kinds of work in her time - running antenatal classes, counselling troubled couples and being an office girl for an undertaker, for example. There were also several years monitoring the output of dairy cows, as well as every sort of task associated with book publishing. In 1992, she founded Praxis Books, a small British press.
She lives surrounded by trees she has planted herself, tending her own sheep.
She has experienced many different kinds of work in her time - running antenatal classes, counselling troubled couples and being an office girl for an undertaker, for example. There were also several years monitoring the output of dairy cows, as well as every sort of task associated with book publishing. In 1992, she founded Praxis Books, a small British press.
She lives surrounded by trees she has planted herself, tending her own sheep.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
August 8, 2020
I've read four of Tope's Cotswold Mysteries and this is my first of the Den Cooper series. Actually I'm a little surprised to see that it's called a Den Cooper series, because Cooper doesn't seem to play a large or effective role in this particularly mystery.
As other reviewers have said. The mystery takes place on a farm where the farmer is found dead in a slurry. Being American, at first I thought this was a sort of bog, but I'm pretty sure now it's where they pile all the cow poop. Yuck. I suppose there's worst ways to die, but not many.
We get to know the victim through the inner narration of many of the characters. I found this to be an interesting and skillful way of developing the characters as well as the story line.
None of the characters seem to understand the others. Their primary attitude toward each other is annoyance and impatience. Everyone has their inner angst that seems to obstruct a clear view of who the other people really are. I found this interesting, because I found myself despising a certain character when another character related to them, but then we get inside that character's mind and realize they've got their own problems and reasons for acting the way they do.
The Farmer, his name is Guy by the way, turns out to be someone no one except his daughter liked. His daughter liked him because he treated her well, like a little girl, even though she was in her twenties. It was hard to imagine her as a grown woman, because she seemed so adolescent.
No one liked Guy with good reason. He was emotionally and psychologically abusive to his wife. He was verbally abusive to Sam, his hired man. In fact, he was a plain all round nasty individual. He was married before and had two sons from this previous marriage, whom he never contacted and left nothing to in his will.
So. Who did it? Of course I'm not going to tell you, except to say that I found the plot line very interesting and it kept me going to the very end.
As other reviewers have said. The mystery takes place on a farm where the farmer is found dead in a slurry. Being American, at first I thought this was a sort of bog, but I'm pretty sure now it's where they pile all the cow poop. Yuck. I suppose there's worst ways to die, but not many.
We get to know the victim through the inner narration of many of the characters. I found this to be an interesting and skillful way of developing the characters as well as the story line.
None of the characters seem to understand the others. Their primary attitude toward each other is annoyance and impatience. Everyone has their inner angst that seems to obstruct a clear view of who the other people really are. I found this interesting, because I found myself despising a certain character when another character related to them, but then we get inside that character's mind and realize they've got their own problems and reasons for acting the way they do.
The Farmer, his name is Guy by the way, turns out to be someone no one except his daughter liked. His daughter liked him because he treated her well, like a little girl, even though she was in her twenties. It was hard to imagine her as a grown woman, because she seemed so adolescent.
No one liked Guy with good reason. He was emotionally and psychologically abusive to his wife. He was verbally abusive to Sam, his hired man. In fact, he was a plain all round nasty individual. He was married before and had two sons from this previous marriage, whom he never contacted and left nothing to in his will.
So. Who did it? Of course I'm not going to tell you, except to say that I found the plot line very interesting and it kept me going to the very end.
May 24, 2023
oh dear
Dull and unbelievably convoluted. I cannot believe I finished this. (Oh and it’s wildly Ableist- if you have a child with Downs this will not be your kind of book).
Dull and unbelievably convoluted. I cannot believe I finished this. (Oh and it’s wildly Ableist- if you have a child with Downs this will not be your kind of book).
January 25, 2023
It started out well, Lila’s finds her dead father in the slurry pit. All the characters in a nice cosy mystery show up, but they never really seem to develop into real people. Gave up two thirds through and read the last few pages to see who-dun-it. A minor character who is hardly mentioned in the first 200 pages (not a spoiler, there are quite a few minor characters). It’s just that EVERYONE seems so unhappy. Hardly a cosy novel. Off to find something a bit more interesting.
Read
December 7, 2010This is the author's first book but if I hadn't have known it then Iwouldn't have guessed it. Good characters and a solid plotline withhardly any slow moments. Another English farm that's firmly in thenineties (or could be the naughties even) with the almost universallydisliked farmer drowning in his own slurry pit. Another author on mylookout list.
June 23, 2013
A somewhat cozy British mystery with an interesting premise, a fluffed out, substantially dull middle, and a not so satisfying conclusion.
Yes, I was disappointed. This was my first Tope, and I am told that her other, earlier works are better. I hope so, for the sake of those who like her stories, because I don't think I will be reading any more.
The main character was boring. Actually most of the characters were rather flat. I felt as if Tope were trying too hard to make things interesting. Hence the fluffed out middle. I was bored to tears in places.
There were also places where I felt she dropped accidental red herrings that she didn't even notice herself. For instance, there were plenty of opportunities for her to bolster up the plot by playing on some of the situations she described at length. But apparently she just wanted to describe things for no apparent reason.
My husband laughed when I declared, "Finally, someone else died!"
The ending was unsatisfactory, in my opinion, because although the motives were workable, I didn't find them believable enough, especially for the chosen culprits. One in particular really didn't stand to gain a thing.
I only really persevered because the book was a gift.
Yes, I was disappointed. This was my first Tope, and I am told that her other, earlier works are better. I hope so, for the sake of those who like her stories, because I don't think I will be reading any more.
The main character was boring. Actually most of the characters were rather flat. I felt as if Tope were trying too hard to make things interesting. Hence the fluffed out middle. I was bored to tears in places.
There were also places where I felt she dropped accidental red herrings that she didn't even notice herself. For instance, there were plenty of opportunities for her to bolster up the plot by playing on some of the situations she described at length. But apparently she just wanted to describe things for no apparent reason.
My husband laughed when I declared, "Finally, someone else died!"
The ending was unsatisfactory, in my opinion, because although the motives were workable, I didn't find them believable enough, especially for the chosen culprits. One in particular really didn't stand to gain a thing.
I only really persevered because the book was a gift.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2021
Farmer Guy Beardon is found dead in the slurry pit of his Devon farm. The villagers believe it was an accident, or possibly suicide, but Guy’s children Lilah and Roddy are convinced that the circumstances point to foul play. As Lilah begins her tentative investigations, another death occurs and it becomes clear that a very dangerous killer needs to be identified.
I really enjoyed the rural setting of this crime novel. The realities of farming life are not glossed over and the tensions of a village where everyone knows everyone else are clearly conveyed. The characters are convincing and well developed, particularly Lilah who is at the heart of the novel. The plot is intriguing, with scattered clues to the culprit which are easily overlooked, although it does become quite slow at times.
Having read several of Rebecca Tope’s Cotswolds series, which I found quite variable in quality, I liked this much more, and felt it matched the best of that series. It has a darker tone without being over dramatic, and a more convincing plot. I will definitely pick up others from this series.
I really enjoyed the rural setting of this crime novel. The realities of farming life are not glossed over and the tensions of a village where everyone knows everyone else are clearly conveyed. The characters are convincing and well developed, particularly Lilah who is at the heart of the novel. The plot is intriguing, with scattered clues to the culprit which are easily overlooked, although it does become quite slow at times.
Having read several of Rebecca Tope’s Cotswolds series, which I found quite variable in quality, I liked this much more, and felt it matched the best of that series. It has a darker tone without being over dramatic, and a more convincing plot. I will definitely pick up others from this series.
April 4, 2023
This is the first in the series. The main character is Lilah. She looses her father and then handyman who owned part of the farm and her whole family was falling apart. This one kept me guessing until the end. You knew there were murders but couldn't figure out who did it. It's not often I am so surprised but this one did it. Hope everyone enjoys this book.
April 18, 2023
way too long
Convoluted and misleading, I hate when it would have been solved if the police had thoroughly investigated and if the victims had been honest.
Convoluted and misleading, I hate when it would have been solved if the police had thoroughly investigated and if the victims had been honest.
October 8, 2021
I've given myself some time to think about this book before writing a review on it just so i could gather my thoughts a bit more.
The first point I enjoyed about this book was the way that Rebecca chose to develop the story, from the first murder to the last there was consistency about the surprise of who was going to be the next victim. It constantly kept me on my toes which i really enjoyed, this also kept me guessing throughout the book on who the murderer could have been (i was wrong anyway but it was fun trying to guess).
Another element i enjoyed was the character development through the book in terms of the main character and her development from grief in the beginning to determination to figure out what had happened, which i do love.
The reason it isn't a five star is due to the main character and her mother; both of them got on my darn nerves. At some points it got to the point where i could've easily stopped reading because they just kept repeating the same darn things over and over. Not them?! who would want to kill them?! who could've done this?!' Like, okay i got it during the second murder the disbelief but again for the third, just paragraphs and paragraphs of it and it did get tiresome. However i know that if a person gets murdered there will always be that disbelief but bro obviously someone wanted to kill them because they went on to kill another two people so can we just accept this person is a psycho??
When the murderer was revealed at the end i was so annoyed because i should've seen it coming and i am annoyed i didn't!
Overall though it was a good book, that small aspect just brought it down for me.
The first point I enjoyed about this book was the way that Rebecca chose to develop the story, from the first murder to the last there was consistency about the surprise of who was going to be the next victim. It constantly kept me on my toes which i really enjoyed, this also kept me guessing throughout the book on who the murderer could have been (i was wrong anyway but it was fun trying to guess).
Another element i enjoyed was the character development through the book in terms of the main character and her development from grief in the beginning to determination to figure out what had happened, which i do love.
The reason it isn't a five star is due to the main character and her mother; both of them got on my darn nerves. At some points it got to the point where i could've easily stopped reading because they just kept repeating the same darn things over and over. Not them?! who would want to kill them?! who could've done this?!' Like, okay i got it during the second murder the disbelief but again for the third, just paragraphs and paragraphs of it and it did get tiresome. However i know that if a person gets murdered there will always be that disbelief but bro obviously someone wanted to kill them because they went on to kill another two people so can we just accept this person is a psycho??
When the murderer was revealed at the end i was so annoyed because i should've seen it coming and i am annoyed i didn't!
Overall though it was a good book, that small aspect just brought it down for me.
April 22, 2023
There was nothing wrong with the book, apart from the selling point. I did not think this was gripping as described, but that doesn’t mean others won’t find it gripping. More that it wasn’t enough for me. I should have realised by the use of the word ‘cosy’ because it simply plodded along and I ended up not caring for the reveal, but more wanting to challenge myself not to quit the book. I’m also going to avoid novels that use the word ‘cosy’ as a selling point because I realise that’s not for me.
July 15, 2016
I read the whole Costwolds series and liked most of them. So I was really enthusiastic about reading more of Tope's books. This book, however, turned out to be a disappointing read. It was so boring that I stopped reading after just one third.
December 23, 2022
Dirty
Another attempt at writing but the person is not adverse to profaning that which is sacred to others and throwing out the occasional f-bomb. There’s better reading material elsewhere.
Another attempt at writing but the person is not adverse to profaning that which is sacred to others and throwing out the occasional f-bomb. There’s better reading material elsewhere.
June 4, 2023
Is this a cosy mystery?
A long drawn out story of every day country folk. Lesbian longing, retired SAS, second families and old passions. And cows. Everywhere there are cows. A slow story before a rushed car crash ending.
A long drawn out story of every day country folk. Lesbian longing, retired SAS, second families and old passions. And cows. Everywhere there are cows. A slow story before a rushed car crash ending.
November 24, 2009
Relatively well-written, but a bit strange in the telling. Seems a little neat at the end, all the loose ends of the mystery are tied up quickly.
August 6, 2012
Took a bit of getting into and didn;'t 'connect' with the main charachter. I usually really enjoy Rebecca Tope and felt this was not one of her best
October 12, 2014
If you like Midsomer Murders then you'll like these books. A great story, several murders, lots of twists and turns and I didn't work out who dunnit! Easy reading. Great.
November 4, 2025
It read like a soap opera or like a magazine serialization over umpteen weeks.
Gosh, I now know more than I was afraid to ask about slurry pits.
The author is one clear-headed woman.
Gosh, I now know more than I was afraid to ask about slurry pits.
The author is one clear-headed woman.
January 19, 2021
Poor, poor Lilah. A girl who was idolised by her father Guy wakes up one morning to find her beloved daddy face down in the slurry pit. From this moment, her life is in turmoil. Her well-meaning brother Roddy is her one best friend through a traumatic time, both supporting each other and trying to work out who would have killed their father. As is always the case in death, particularly murders, revelations of the past tell a story about their father that was previously untold. They know he was universally unliked but to murder him is beyond their young minds to fathom. Their mother Miranda, is pretty useless. She was never destined to be a farmer's wife, a bit of a hippy, lazy in all respects and unfaithful to her husband. She seems indifferent to the death of her husband and deals with it in strange ways, for example wanting to meet the first wife and mother of two sons for the first time. It's not until she calls herself a 'widow' that she seems to be upset but it could be grief playing its part.
Bewildered and shattered Lilah has to run the farm with Roddy, barely helped by her mother and meanwhile everyone she meets, speaks to, visits etc., become suspects in her eyes.
The village characters are hilariously realistic; the wealthy pair next door who (as it turned out) sold the farm to Guy and Miranda growing their own special crops, of sorts, Tim and Sarah the warring pair, the nasty, sly vicar (one can imagine he has halitosis to add to it all), Phoebe and Elvira the single hard-working mother with her disabled daughter, Amos and Isaac the bachelor brothers... in fact every character is akin to how Devon was just thirty or so years ago. It's very easy to see how these characters were formed as it was just like this.
Lilah in the meantime has had to suddenly grow up, take on the management of the farm, the dairy herd, the accounts as well as deal with the deaths going on around her. It was hard not to like her and her sudden episodes of absolute maturity mixed with the occasional glimpses of the little girl she was before all this happened is credible.
Great story and anyone wanting to know what it was like living in a village before second homes became popular, this is for you. Great characters, good plot and enjoyable from start to finish.
Bewildered and shattered Lilah has to run the farm with Roddy, barely helped by her mother and meanwhile everyone she meets, speaks to, visits etc., become suspects in her eyes.
The village characters are hilariously realistic; the wealthy pair next door who (as it turned out) sold the farm to Guy and Miranda growing their own special crops, of sorts, Tim and Sarah the warring pair, the nasty, sly vicar (one can imagine he has halitosis to add to it all), Phoebe and Elvira the single hard-working mother with her disabled daughter, Amos and Isaac the bachelor brothers... in fact every character is akin to how Devon was just thirty or so years ago. It's very easy to see how these characters were formed as it was just like this.
Lilah in the meantime has had to suddenly grow up, take on the management of the farm, the dairy herd, the accounts as well as deal with the deaths going on around her. It was hard not to like her and her sudden episodes of absolute maturity mixed with the occasional glimpses of the little girl she was before all this happened is credible.
Great story and anyone wanting to know what it was like living in a village before second homes became popular, this is for you. Great characters, good plot and enjoyable from start to finish.
August 12, 2023
The paperback edition of this book ran to 510 pages, many of which seemed superfluous to requirements ! The story begins with the death of Guy Beardon, an unpopular farmer, in his own slurry pit. Initially ruled as an accident by the local police, the death acquires more significance when two elderly neighbours are attacked, resulting in the death of one of them. A murder investigation then begins, but faced with a whole village of people who nearly all seem to have disliked Guy, the police have more suspects than they can cope with. Lilah, Guy's twenty year old daughter , appears to be the only person who actually loved Guy; Guy's widow Miranda seems less upset by his death than might be expected. His son Roddy wasn't treated kindly by Guy, so he too feels conflicted about the death.
There are very few likeable characters in this book, and as mentioned above there is far too much unnecessary description which adds nothing to the story. I really had to push myself to read to the end, only because I needed to know who the killer was !
There are very few likeable characters in this book, and as mentioned above there is far too much unnecessary description which adds nothing to the story. I really had to push myself to read to the end, only because I needed to know who the killer was !
November 1, 2024
Gave Up 2/3 Of The Way Through
I went in knowing that this book would be more serious than the light mysteries I generally prefer; no illusions there. The writing was good; much of the book was devoted to character studies of the individuals involved, which I found insightful. But... The simple truth is that, with the possible exception of the constable, Den, who is a peripheral character at best, I could not find one single person--not Lila, nor her mother; not the dead man, nor any of the neighbors, who was at all likeable. Not one of them was a person I'd care to know or have in my life, and, quite frankly, I like to befriend at leas tsome of the characters in the novels I read. I need to enjoy and appreciate them.
These were all simply awful people! I wouldn't have let any of them through my front door, let alone befriended them.
I nobly kept reading for awhile even after I realized I wasn't enjoying the book at all, but finally admitted defeat. I am deleting it from my Kindle.
I went in knowing that this book would be more serious than the light mysteries I generally prefer; no illusions there. The writing was good; much of the book was devoted to character studies of the individuals involved, which I found insightful. But... The simple truth is that, with the possible exception of the constable, Den, who is a peripheral character at best, I could not find one single person--not Lila, nor her mother; not the dead man, nor any of the neighbors, who was at all likeable. Not one of them was a person I'd care to know or have in my life, and, quite frankly, I like to befriend at leas tsome of the characters in the novels I read. I need to enjoy and appreciate them.
These were all simply awful people! I wouldn't have let any of them through my front door, let alone befriended them.
I nobly kept reading for awhile even after I realized I wasn't enjoying the book at all, but finally admitted defeat. I am deleting it from my Kindle.
February 11, 2020
Guy Beardon's final journey in a slurry pit is visceral. Gag-inducingly so, but a slurry pit on a working farm is never going to be pleasantly fragrant.
I just read the author's bio on here and had an aha moment, with the word worldly coming to mind. Rebecca Tope is a worldy person and this is a worldly work. The details of life on a working farm ring true as do the observations of human behaviour.
Tope made Guy Beardon a widely disliked man without him being an actual cartoon, which shows skill. The bellicose farmer is an easy trope but is not for Tope ahahaha. Sorry, am overtired. Everyone has a motive to kill Beardon but who actually dunnit?
We have a slow meander with some great writing in the search of the culprit that committed this countryside crime. There have been moans about an unsatisfactory conclusion. I can't remember whodunnit but enjoyed the writing.
I just read the author's bio on here and had an aha moment, with the word worldly coming to mind. Rebecca Tope is a worldy person and this is a worldly work. The details of life on a working farm ring true as do the observations of human behaviour.
Tope made Guy Beardon a widely disliked man without him being an actual cartoon, which shows skill. The bellicose farmer is an easy trope but is not for Tope ahahaha. Sorry, am overtired. Everyone has a motive to kill Beardon but who actually dunnit?
We have a slow meander with some great writing in the search of the culprit that committed this countryside crime. There have been moans about an unsatisfactory conclusion. I can't remember whodunnit but enjoyed the writing.
March 12, 2023
Tense and Twisty
I loved this book in so many ways! The characters were so human and real, with flaws and foibles and inconsistencies but plenty of charm, too. The plot had so many twists and turns as new facts were gradually revealed, and yet it was true to life and held together and made sense, even as the finger of suspicion was turned to point in yet another direction. And finally, the writing was beautiful, and, as is so rare nowadays, to my great sadness, it was grammatical and properly spelled and punctuated. Such a rare delight to find a clever, engaging story that was also well written. I even spotted a couple of references to Shakespeare, tucked away in there, though I wouldn't be surprised if I missed more than I found. There is something for everyone to enjoy here!
I loved this book in so many ways! The characters were so human and real, with flaws and foibles and inconsistencies but plenty of charm, too. The plot had so many twists and turns as new facts were gradually revealed, and yet it was true to life and held together and made sense, even as the finger of suspicion was turned to point in yet another direction. And finally, the writing was beautiful, and, as is so rare nowadays, to my great sadness, it was grammatical and properly spelled and punctuated. Such a rare delight to find a clever, engaging story that was also well written. I even spotted a couple of references to Shakespeare, tucked away in there, though I wouldn't be surprised if I missed more than I found. There is something for everyone to enjoy here!
September 23, 2020
A Thoroughly Enjoyable Murder Mystery
Mainly told by Lilah, a young woman who finds her father's body one morning on the farm. Interesting insights into Lilah and various other characters' thoughts. Lilah loved her dad, but was fully aware of his faults. He deliberately antagonized almost everyone; his wife, his son and his farm laborer, all of whom he domineered; his neighbors, the villagers... In fact there were few who felt sad at his passing.
Alongside the murder mystery, there is a growing romantic attachment between Lilah and Den, a young policeman who went to the same school as Lilah.
Full of interesting insights into life on a small British farm thrown into chaos by the death of its farmer, this is an great start to the West Country murder mystery series.
Mainly told by Lilah, a young woman who finds her father's body one morning on the farm. Interesting insights into Lilah and various other characters' thoughts. Lilah loved her dad, but was fully aware of his faults. He deliberately antagonized almost everyone; his wife, his son and his farm laborer, all of whom he domineered; his neighbors, the villagers... In fact there were few who felt sad at his passing.
Alongside the murder mystery, there is a growing romantic attachment between Lilah and Den, a young policeman who went to the same school as Lilah.
Full of interesting insights into life on a small British farm thrown into chaos by the death of its farmer, this is an great start to the West Country murder mystery series.
June 24, 2020
I enjoyed this book. It took me a while to get into but when I got about halfway through, it got super interesting and I couldn’t put it down and finished the rest in one sitting.
That said, I was slightly disappointed with the ending. I’m one for a twist and boy does this twist but it doesn’t twist in the way I expected and it turns out to be a character who wasn’t explored and wasn’t even a suspect. So yeah, not quite the ending I had hoped.
I read these out of order so I’m reading the first book last. Took me far too long to realised that Lilah is the same Lilah that appears in the rest of the books 🤦🏻♀️
That said, I was slightly disappointed with the ending. I’m one for a twist and boy does this twist but it doesn’t twist in the way I expected and it turns out to be a character who wasn’t explored and wasn’t even a suspect. So yeah, not quite the ending I had hoped.
I read these out of order so I’m reading the first book last. Took me far too long to realised that Lilah is the same Lilah that appears in the rest of the books 🤦🏻♀️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2024
Dreadful! 500 pages of convoluted plot where the murderer turns out to be someone who only appears in the final pages and even then the reasons behind the triple murder - that of the unpopular farmer Guy Beardon in a slurry pit, farmer Isaac with a crow bar and farm hand Sam shot in the back - are utterly ridiculous. Throw in a feckless mother, a devoted daughter with a crush on one of the police officers - the Den Cooper who, it appears will feature in future novels, which it must be said will not be read, and a range of thinly sketched incomers and this is just an overlong mess. Disappointing.
December 28, 2022
Extraordinarily explosive
From start to finish this is full of explosive action and deceit. Never until the actual finale was it possible to work out where the pieces to this jigsaw fitted. The actions, or possibly inactions, of all the players built up the density of the deceits that were eventually revealed. The many and varied scenarios, as they were played out, intensified the drama and spread the unknowing mistrust so that no trail was left to the outcome. A thoroughly well written and dramatic book, recommended reading for all lovers of murder/mysteries
From start to finish this is full of explosive action and deceit. Never until the actual finale was it possible to work out where the pieces to this jigsaw fitted. The actions, or possibly inactions, of all the players built up the density of the deceits that were eventually revealed. The many and varied scenarios, as they were played out, intensified the drama and spread the unknowing mistrust so that no trail was left to the outcome. A thoroughly well written and dramatic book, recommended reading for all lovers of murder/mysteries
March 11, 2023
Not merely one murder, but three, and another attempted. They seem to be related in some way, but no one knows why--it takes a while to sort out the convoluted plot. Those who love to follow the clues to figure whodunnit will have fun with this one. Lots of information and misinformation, false trails and speculation. Is there any truth to the town gossip? And which version do you listen to? There are a few likeable characters and some not so likeable, with a romance or two on the side. An enjoyable read, and hard to put down.
December 30, 2024
It Was Okay
I have read quite a few books by this author and enjoyed them, but for some reason I struggled with this one. I think the problem for me was that I have to like the characters and care about them but I didn't really take to anyone in this book, I didn't dislike them but didn't particularly like them either. Lilah works on the family farm alongside her father. When he was found dead in the slurry pit it was thought to be an accident but as more deaths occur it looks like it could have been murder. I found the ending quite surprising so it made the read worth while.
I have read quite a few books by this author and enjoyed them, but for some reason I struggled with this one. I think the problem for me was that I have to like the characters and care about them but I didn't really take to anyone in this book, I didn't dislike them but didn't particularly like them either. Lilah works on the family farm alongside her father. When he was found dead in the slurry pit it was thought to be an accident but as more deaths occur it looks like it could have been murder. I found the ending quite surprising so it made the read worth while.
March 17, 2017
Quite a long book, length is used to build up the tension and confusion as to who is doing the killings and more over what the motive is, as the victims appear unconnected. Called a West Country story, but other than occasional references to things like 'Devon hedges' I didn't feel it was anymore specifically Devon, than any other rural farming area. Didn't realise this was the first of a series, will read others if I see them, but won't go searching for them.
March 9, 2021
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and as I suspected it wasn’t as dark and gritty as I like, I also think it was a lot longer than it needed to be as there was a lot of unnecessary padding in the middle where I think the author was trying to make everybody look suspicious! I don’t want to put any spoilers so I’ll just say that I would be very surprised if anybody guessed who did it! So not a bad story just needs condensing a bit.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews