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Lois Meade Mystery #9
Tragedy at Two
From the author of Warning at One--another Lois Meade mystery that proves there's no good time for murder.
Lois Meade's daughter was admittedly considering leaving her partner, Rob-but she never expected him to be found badly beaten and left for dead in a ditch by the side of the road. When Rob tragically dies from his injuries without regaining consciousness, Inspector Cowgill has a murder investigation on his hands, and once again he engages the assistance of the woman he respects above all others-Lois.
Suspicion quickly falls on the traveling gypsies who are camped out on Alf Smith's property. There is strong prejudice among many in the village who consider the gypsies no better than tramps and thieves. Lois must follow a twisted path that leads to arson, local delinquents, secret assignations, and blackmail-before she can discover who's been tinkering with the truth...
Lois Meade's daughter was admittedly considering leaving her partner, Rob-but she never expected him to be found badly beaten and left for dead in a ditch by the side of the road. When Rob tragically dies from his injuries without regaining consciousness, Inspector Cowgill has a murder investigation on his hands, and once again he engages the assistance of the woman he respects above all others-Lois.
Suspicion quickly falls on the traveling gypsies who are camped out on Alf Smith's property. There is strong prejudice among many in the village who consider the gypsies no better than tramps and thieves. Lois must follow a twisted path that leads to arson, local delinquents, secret assignations, and blackmail-before she can discover who's been tinkering with the truth...
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
9 people are currently reading
247 people want to read
About the author
Ann Purser
36 books141 followersAnn Purser lives in the East Midlands, in a small and attractive village which still has a village shop, a garage, pub and church. Here she finds her inspiration for her novels about country life. She has only to do her daily shopping down the High Street to listen to the real life of the village going on around her.
Before turning to fiction, she had a number of different careers, including journalism – she was for six years a columnist in SHE magazine – and art gallery proprietor. Running her own gallery in a 400-year-old barn behind the house, she gained fascinating insights into the characters and relationships of customers wandering around. She had no compunction about eavesdropping, and sharpened up her writer’s skills in weaving plots around strangers who spent sometimes more than an hour in her gallery.
Working in a village school added more grist to the mill, as does singing in the church choir and membership of the Women’s Guild. She reminds herself humbly that Virginia Woolf was President of her local WI…
Six years hard study won her an Open University degree, and when she faltered and threatened to fall by the wayside, writer husband Philip Purser reminded her that he was paying good money for the course. During this period, she wrote two non-fiction books, one for parents of handicapped children (she has a daughter with cerebral palsy) and the other a lighthearted book for schools, on the explosion of popular entertainment in the first forty years of the twentieth century.
Ten years of running the gallery proved to be enough, and while it was very successful she decided to sell. The business moved down the street to another barn and owner, and Pursers stayed on in their house next to the village school – another rich source of material for the stories. Time to start writing novels.
Round Ringford became Ann’s village in a series of six novels, each with a separate story, but featuring the same cast of characters with a few newcomers each time. The list of books gives details of each story, and each features an issue common to all villages in our rural countryside. “Just like our village!” is a frequent comment from Ann’s readers.
Next: the Lois Meade Mysteries, each title reflecting a day of the week. Ann has always loved detective fiction, and determined to make it her next series. So Murder on Monday was born, followed by Terror on Tuesday, and Weeping on Wednesday. The rest of the week follows!
Mornings are set aside for writing, and the rest of the day Ann spends walking the dog, retrieving bantams’ eggs from around the garden, gossiping and taking part in the life of the village. She is never bored!
Before turning to fiction, she had a number of different careers, including journalism – she was for six years a columnist in SHE magazine – and art gallery proprietor. Running her own gallery in a 400-year-old barn behind the house, she gained fascinating insights into the characters and relationships of customers wandering around. She had no compunction about eavesdropping, and sharpened up her writer’s skills in weaving plots around strangers who spent sometimes more than an hour in her gallery.
Working in a village school added more grist to the mill, as does singing in the church choir and membership of the Women’s Guild. She reminds herself humbly that Virginia Woolf was President of her local WI…
Six years hard study won her an Open University degree, and when she faltered and threatened to fall by the wayside, writer husband Philip Purser reminded her that he was paying good money for the course. During this period, she wrote two non-fiction books, one for parents of handicapped children (she has a daughter with cerebral palsy) and the other a lighthearted book for schools, on the explosion of popular entertainment in the first forty years of the twentieth century.
Ten years of running the gallery proved to be enough, and while it was very successful she decided to sell. The business moved down the street to another barn and owner, and Pursers stayed on in their house next to the village school – another rich source of material for the stories. Time to start writing novels.
Round Ringford became Ann’s village in a series of six novels, each with a separate story, but featuring the same cast of characters with a few newcomers each time. The list of books gives details of each story, and each features an issue common to all villages in our rural countryside. “Just like our village!” is a frequent comment from Ann’s readers.
Next: the Lois Meade Mysteries, each title reflecting a day of the week. Ann has always loved detective fiction, and determined to make it her next series. So Murder on Monday was born, followed by Terror on Tuesday, and Weeping on Wednesday. The rest of the week follows!
Mornings are set aside for writing, and the rest of the day Ann spends walking the dog, retrieving bantams’ eggs from around the garden, gossiping and taking part in the life of the village. She is never bored!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
July 24, 2018
This is an interesting and engrossing entry in this author's series. I will be careful not to give away critical plot developments in my review.One of the things that were different in this novel was that the plot centered around Lois and her family and not so much on New Brooms and their clients. I also found the presence of the gypsies and their culture very informative. The comment that Josie and Lois use about joining the raggle-taggle gypsies brought to mind a song about gypsies that my mother used to sing. I felt the author was reminding us about being accepting and understanding of different lifestyles. There were characters with values and intelligence among the gypsies as wel as law breakers. A thought provoking and sad ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2019
I find this series atypical. It bends some rules in life, but does reflect life.
A woman who is happily married, is mildly attracted to a man very different from her. He is seriously attracted to her and they both know it. Nothing happens. Yet. But this is only book two of the series. I hope nothing untoward happens to her nice husband Derek....
A woman who is happily married, is mildly attracted to a man very different from her. He is seriously attracted to her and they both know it. Nothing happens. Yet. But this is only book two of the series. I hope nothing untoward happens to her nice husband Derek....
January 31, 2021
If you like English cozy mysteries, this is a good one. It is a series but I think someone could start with this one and it would be fine. I've read quite a few books by this author and have always enjoyed them.
December 25, 2025
This one has one of the most potential of the recent books to have a really engaging plot, but then I felt like I just kept waiting to hear more of Rob's past life and how it was related.... and it never really was?!? Still one of the best IMO.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2017
Very good!
November 20, 2017
Interesting story. Little tuff to read with the style of writing and the English language British style. But overall not such a bad book to read
July 19, 2018
The ninth in the Lois Meade Mystery series is another enjoyable cozy set in the English countryside with just enough social awareness to season the plot.
October 21, 2019
So very well done. Gypsies given what seems to be a fair and realistic treatment.
May 25, 2023
I enjoyed this a lot. Can’t say I figured it out on my own. The cases are getting closer to Lois and her family. In the last book, her oldest son was a main character, and this time her daughter.
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October 2, 2024So so
January 22, 2016
This was book 9 of the Lois Meade cleaning lady mysteries, and I've borrowed it like the rest, from my mother-in-law.
I knew Rob and Josie had their difficulties but I didn't really expect THAT to happen to Rob. He also had a darker past than I perceived.
I liked the Athalia character.
I guessed the murderer wrong and I wished it had been someone else.
Josie and Matthew Vicers' friendship seemed almost too much like a repeat of Lois and Hunter Cowgill's.
Gran said that there wasn't an excuse for the murderer and the author wrote, "She came from an unforgiving generation, living by stricter codes." Murder is an unacceptable solution, even if provoked, even if the victim was behaving obnoxiously. Yes, it was sad. Thinking that murder is acceptable, even if sad, is a theme I came across lately in another book in an entirely different genre, the teen fantasy, "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan, where the murder happened to take place in a marriage relationship. There are other, more appropriate solutions to problems than murder in both books. A culture that thinks murder is acceptable is a dangerous one.
Another reviewer noted that the characters in "Tragedy at Two" were hard to figure out if you haven't read the series chronologically. I believe that because there are quite a few characters from previous books that have bit roles in this one. So, I would recommend reading them in order.
I knew Rob and Josie had their difficulties but I didn't really expect THAT to happen to Rob. He also had a darker past than I perceived.
I liked the Athalia character.
I guessed the murderer wrong and I wished it had been someone else.
Josie and Matthew Vicers' friendship seemed almost too much like a repeat of Lois and Hunter Cowgill's.
Gran said that there wasn't an excuse for the murderer and the author wrote, "She came from an unforgiving generation, living by stricter codes." Murder is an unacceptable solution, even if provoked, even if the victim was behaving obnoxiously. Yes, it was sad. Thinking that murder is acceptable, even if sad, is a theme I came across lately in another book in an entirely different genre, the teen fantasy, "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan, where the murder happened to take place in a marriage relationship. There are other, more appropriate solutions to problems than murder in both books. A culture that thinks murder is acceptable is a dangerous one.
Another reviewer noted that the characters in "Tragedy at Two" were hard to figure out if you haven't read the series chronologically. I believe that because there are quite a few characters from previous books that have bit roles in this one. So, I would recommend reading them in order.
October 17, 2010
Unlike Purser's "Warning at One" she does a wonderful job of sticking to the plot of "Tragedy at Two" and not leaving any loose ends (with the exception of I'd still like to know what happened with Mark Brown and the Tollervey-Jones girl). I was thoroughly entertained with this book and enjoyed the twists and turns that kept me guessing!
When Josie Meade's partner Rob is beaten to death, all eyes in the town of Long Farnden turn toward a traveling group of Gypsies. Not wanted in the town, except by one resident who claims to have Gypsy ancestry, everyone is anxious to pin the death on them. However, there is the question of motive and opportunity. Purser weaves a complicated tale involving adultery, death and betrayal that leads to a surprising ending and leaves Lois Meade, her daughter Josie and Inspector Cowgill guessing as to who might have killed Rob, up until the very end of the book. I enjoyed learning more about the residents of Tresham and Long Farnden in this installment of the Lois Meade series and there certainly is more to be told in future novels.
I would recommend this series to anyone who likes M.C. Beaton, Agatha Christie and other British cozy series.
When Josie Meade's partner Rob is beaten to death, all eyes in the town of Long Farnden turn toward a traveling group of Gypsies. Not wanted in the town, except by one resident who claims to have Gypsy ancestry, everyone is anxious to pin the death on them. However, there is the question of motive and opportunity. Purser weaves a complicated tale involving adultery, death and betrayal that leads to a surprising ending and leaves Lois Meade, her daughter Josie and Inspector Cowgill guessing as to who might have killed Rob, up until the very end of the book. I enjoyed learning more about the residents of Tresham and Long Farnden in this installment of the Lois Meade series and there certainly is more to be told in future novels.
I would recommend this series to anyone who likes M.C. Beaton, Agatha Christie and other British cozy series.
February 17, 2010
This is the second mystery in the series about Lois Meade, English housewife/cleaning lady/sleuth that I have read. The series gets good reviews as a "cozy" or English village type of mystery, but I found that this one dragged a bit with some extraneous plots that could have been cut and it's a little short on characterization for me. The plot: Lois investigates the murder or her daughter's boyfriend. As usual she works with local police Inspector Cowgill who harbors a not-so-secret love for the married Lois. This mystery involves a group of "travellers" or tinkers, (gypsies on this side of the pond) and the book tells a little about their way of life. I finished the book because the suspense picks up a bit in the second half. It would be my personal preference to have a bit more description of the characters and a little more plausible explanation of why the police work with Lois.
For fans of cozy mysteries.
For fans of cozy mysteries.
August 20, 2020
Another enjoyable read from Ann Purser. Her books have just the right mixture of being a murder mystery with gritty bits and a family-based story. There is always a good mix of sadness and things to make you smile and it is an easy read when you need to relax and wind down a little.
Lois Mead and her family have their ups and downs but remain close and loving. Lois has a lot of common sense and her 'ferritin' on the various murder cases that she becomes involved in draws you in and keeps you entertained throughout the book. There are always social issues to be mulled over and we see the problems of real-life played out in the stories of her characters.
Lois Mead and her family have their ups and downs but remain close and loving. Lois has a lot of common sense and her 'ferritin' on the various murder cases that she becomes involved in draws you in and keeps you entertained throughout the book. There are always social issues to be mulled over and we see the problems of real-life played out in the stories of her characters.
March 17, 2014
I wanted to like these books, really I did. I'm a sucker for novels set in sleepy little towns, especially if the little town is in England. But there is just not enough to them for me. I have read only one other of her novels, Warning at One. There were so many questions unanswered and loose ends not tied that I'm surprised I bothered with another in the series. However, I had picked up the two at a used book store for $1 each and decided to go ahead and give Mrs. Purser another chance. The second in this series left me less satisfied than the first.
December 16, 2012
I think Tragedy at Two was the best of the best of Ann Purser's series featuring character Lois Meade. I love these books, and this one was great fun. I can't wait to read the next one. I've just started a mystery that spun off this series with Ivy Beasley as the main character. i hope it's as well written.
August 8, 2013
A very British mystery set in a small town with a sleuth who is not a cop and a tribe of gypsies who may or may not be up to no-good. The whippet on the cover does play a tiny role. This one is complex with plenty of twists and turns...it is in a series of times and day murders featuring the same sleuth. If you like Agatha Cristie, this one might be a good read.
October 25, 2013
1st book of the series I've read. Lois Meade, the "mystery-solver", a cleaning lady, and her family were like-able enough, but I her connection to the police detective, Cowgill, seemed strained to me. And, I didn't like the whole background of the village characters- too much hanky-panky going on, also the gypsies in town were just too stereotyped for me.
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February 6, 2017This time the death is a bit more personal, Lois' daughter Josie's partner Rob is found badly beaten. He subsequently dies of those injuries. While this is being looked into, the question of gypsies in Long Farnden is discussed, there is a mysterious fire and some troubled teens try to find a new path. There are some interesting seeds being planted for future stories here.
April 19, 2013
I'm not much of a mystery reader but I enjoyed this one perhaps not for the mystery but for the lifestyle and all the British colloquialisms. Takes place in a small English village and the killer is only somewhat unexpected.
June 6, 2011
I've read all the Lois Meade books, beginning with Murder on Monday.
They are better than the usual cozy, excellent characters, set in Northants.
Lois, husband Derick, 2 boys, Gran & daughter Josie (she's 15 when the series begins, later runs the village shop)
They are better than the usual cozy, excellent characters, set in Northants.
Lois, husband Derick, 2 boys, Gran & daughter Josie (she's 15 when the series begins, later runs the village shop)
December 24, 2009
I loved the previous cozies in the Lois Meade series, but this one was horrible. HORRIBLE. Skip it.
November 21, 2010
For some reason, this book tended to drag. Plot got a little convoluted and I could not keep the adulterous couple straight!
January 17, 2011
Not the best of the series but enjoyable nonetheless. Good beach read.
April 15, 2011
Another good book in her series. Another murder in her small village.
April 8, 2014
Really Good
September 8, 2012
great series
May 11, 2013
This was again another good mystery. I was sorry to see the first murder, but it does allow the author to go a different direction. Enough said!
August 4, 2013
Pretty good reading. That Cowgill is getting pretty friendly if you ask me.
September 6, 2013
A good story and i'm still reading despite the attitudes of Lois and her mother really getting on my nerves....lol!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews