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The Anglian Detective Agency #6
Death by the Sea
Thorpeness, 1973. Wrongly exiled from London, Judge Neville Hanmer sought solace and a quiet life on the Suffolk coast. But then a face from the past unexpectedly resurfaces and he turns to The Anglian Detective Agency for help.
Laurel, Frank, and the rest of the team are busier than ever trying to solve the mysterious theft of rare plants from Yoxford Hall Gardens. But when Judge Hanmer doesn't show for their meeting, they find themselves embroiled in yet another case - one that will take them to darker places than they've ever been before.
With Laurel and Frank's relationship see-sawing out of control, can the team uncover the truth before it's too late? Or will a depraved killer succeed, and separate Laurel and Frank forever?
Laurel, Frank, and the rest of the team are busier than ever trying to solve the mysterious theft of rare plants from Yoxford Hall Gardens. But when Judge Hanmer doesn't show for their meeting, they find themselves embroiled in yet another case - one that will take them to darker places than they've ever been before.
With Laurel and Frank's relationship see-sawing out of control, can the team uncover the truth before it's too late? Or will a depraved killer succeed, and separate Laurel and Frank forever?
398 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 27, 2022
32 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 8, 2023
Number 6 in the series and the Anglian Detective Agency are helping with 2 cases; a murdered judge and the theft of rare plants. Are the two connected? As always, a good storyline, not the best written but improving and lots of local places mentioned including Stowmarket this time!
September 24, 2022
I had not heard of either this historical crime series set in 1970s on the Suffolk coast or the author, Vera Morris, before, but I thought I would give it a try. The Anglian Detective Agency, comprising primarily of ex-police officer Frank Diamond, ex-teacher Laurel Bowman, Stuart Elderkin and administrator Dorothy Piff, find themselves involved in 2 mysteries in 1973. Judge Neville Hanmer has had to give up his beloved legal career as a judge when it emerges he has unsavoury connections, despite there being no evidence of him being involved in any sordid criminal activity. He has moved from London to his holiday home by the sea in Thorpeness, but he is far from a happy man, his disquiet is increased when he happens to come across a face that he recognises from his past. His worries lead him to contact the detective agency and arrange an appointment to meet with them.
However, as Frank and his team wait for him, the judge fails to turn up, necessitating a visit to his home to discover what has happened. They find his dead body at his home at the foot of the stairs, suggesting this might just be a straightforward accident, but it soon becomes clear that it is a case of murder, the police investigation led by DI Nick Revie, a friend of the agency. When an unavoidable arrest has to be made by Revie, that of the troubled 17 year old David Pemberton, still recovering from a horrifying nightmare that continues to traumatise and haunt him, the agency become more closely involved. David is unable to talk and explain the circumstances in which he finds himself, and the only person who finally makes inroads and secure his confidence is Laurel. The other case has Frank, engaged by Pamela Gage, infiltrating Yoxford Manor Gardens as a consultant to uncover a rare plant thief, likely to be either staff or one of a number of volunteers that work there.
This is engaging historical crime fiction with a wonderful coastal location, there are plenty of murders and a host of suspects for the Anglian Detective Agency to look into, both are dangerous cases. I was particularly engaged with the killing of the judge, a tortuous, and twisted inquiry that ends up moving in a surprising direction with a unhinged killer who threatens the lives of many others, as well as Frank and Laurel. The only thing I was less than enamoured by was the romantic entanglement between Frank and Laurel, otherwise this is dark, intense and captivating historical crime fiction. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
However, as Frank and his team wait for him, the judge fails to turn up, necessitating a visit to his home to discover what has happened. They find his dead body at his home at the foot of the stairs, suggesting this might just be a straightforward accident, but it soon becomes clear that it is a case of murder, the police investigation led by DI Nick Revie, a friend of the agency. When an unavoidable arrest has to be made by Revie, that of the troubled 17 year old David Pemberton, still recovering from a horrifying nightmare that continues to traumatise and haunt him, the agency become more closely involved. David is unable to talk and explain the circumstances in which he finds himself, and the only person who finally makes inroads and secure his confidence is Laurel. The other case has Frank, engaged by Pamela Gage, infiltrating Yoxford Manor Gardens as a consultant to uncover a rare plant thief, likely to be either staff or one of a number of volunteers that work there.
This is engaging historical crime fiction with a wonderful coastal location, there are plenty of murders and a host of suspects for the Anglian Detective Agency to look into, both are dangerous cases. I was particularly engaged with the killing of the judge, a tortuous, and twisted inquiry that ends up moving in a surprising direction with a unhinged killer who threatens the lives of many others, as well as Frank and Laurel. The only thing I was less than enamoured by was the romantic entanglement between Frank and Laurel, otherwise this is dark, intense and captivating historical crime fiction. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
November 20, 2022
This is the first book I read in this series and it can be read as a stand alone even if it's not the first in this series.
It's a well written, entertaining, and tightly knitted mystery that kept me guessing and turning pages.
I loved the well developed characters and the storytelling.
I will surely read the previous books as I want to learn more about the character's stories.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
It's a well written, entertaining, and tightly knitted mystery that kept me guessing and turning pages.
I loved the well developed characters and the storytelling.
I will surely read the previous books as I want to learn more about the character's stories.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
December 7, 2023
Love the Anglian Detective series, mainly because I grew up around the area involved and it’s lovely to know where the author is talking about.
The books are always full of twists and turns. Again, in this one a couple of cases being investigated which gradually prove to be intertwined.
The relationships between the staff members of the agency are also explored and they develop with each successive novel.
The books are always full of twists and turns. Again, in this one a couple of cases being investigated which gradually prove to be intertwined.
The relationships between the staff members of the agency are also explored and they develop with each successive novel.
August 21, 2023
Enjoyable read
Great location, great characters. I loved the 1970s setting allowing for nostalgic references to that era. Especially loved the detail which allowed the reader to be totally immersed in the story. I have read all 6 in the series and await the next instalment…
Great location, great characters. I loved the 1970s setting allowing for nostalgic references to that era. Especially loved the detail which allowed the reader to be totally immersed in the story. I have read all 6 in the series and await the next instalment…
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews