Waterloo Sunset

Harry Devlin #8

by Martin Edwards

"Edwards skillfully weaves the strands together [in] this twisty whodunit." ― Publishers Weekly This atmospheric, fast-moving and intricate thriller features Harry Devlin, one of modern crime fiction's most memorable amateur detectives, in the deadliest case of his life. A notice announcing that Harry Devlin died suddenly on Midsummer's Eve arrives at the office of his law firm one June day. Harry isn't happy to read Midsummer's Eve is less than a week away. His partner Jim Crusoe treats the message as a joke, but Harry isn't so sure. Meanwhile, young women are being murdered in Harry's home city of Liverpool. When a friend who has asked to meet him becomes the latest victim, Harry becomes a suspect. He's soon fighting for survival on two fronts. Even as he unravels the shocking secret behind the murders, Harry must discover and confront the enemy who wants him dead if he is to live to see Midsummer's Day.

Genres: Mystery

496 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Martin Edwards has been described by Richard Osman as ‘a true master of British crime writing.’ He has published twenty-three novels, which include the eight Lake District Mysteries, one of which was shortlisted for the Theakston’s Prize for best crime novel of the year and four books featuring Rachel Savernake, including the Dagger-nominated Gallows Court and Blackstone Fell, while Gallows Court and Sepulchre Street were shortlisted for the eDunnit award for best crime novel of the year. He is also the author of two multi-award-winning histories of crime fiction, The Life of Crime and The Golden Age of Murder. He has received three Daggers from the Crime Writers’ Association and two Edgars from the Mystery Writers of America and has also been nominated three times for Gold Daggers. In addition to the CWA Diamond Dagger (the highest honour in UK crime writing) he has received four other lifetime achievement awards: for his fiction, short fiction, non-fiction, and scholarship. He is consultant to the British Library’s Crime Classics, a former Chair of the CWA, and since 2015 has been President of the Detection Club.

Reviews

[Charles Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a Liverpool Criminal solicitor, the book does make me smile. Most of my profession would be far too tired to chase after murderers. After all, they come to you.

[John Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waterloo Sunset
Just when I thought that “First Cut Is The Deepest” (the book before this one) could Martin Edwards writing get any better,I was wrong this is the best book in the Harry Devlin series and I know I’ve read every one from “All The Lonely People” to “Waterloo Sunset”.
On the strength of this series I’m taking a holiday to Liverpool next month as I’ve never been there before only when going to away match’s to watch eaiter Liverpool or Everton, but know to visit the city,I have got a street map and highlighted the places I want to visit,I done the same after reading every The Lake District book series by Martin Edwards.
I will now move on to his Rachel Savernake series which I have every book Martin Edwards has written so far,as I know that there is another one in the pipe line,after emailing Martin about his stories and the books of his I have read.

[Dorothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose to read this book because it is set in Liverpool. I lived there for 3 years as a student and in Birkenhead across the Mersey for 2 years after that. I have to admit that much time has passed since then so the modern city was not that familiar to me. This is the 8th book in the Harry Devlin series and the first I have read but it was fine as a stand-alone. Devlin is a lawyer in the city and receives a message that he will die on Midsummer's Day. He has only a few days to find out who has sent the threat. During the course of the story we are introduced to his associates including other lawyers, his clients, his cleaning lady and the Coroner. I don't think it is a spoiler to say that he does survive as I imagine the author may have other plans in store for him.

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like a 2.75. Started well, and has its good points. But the endless pop culture references and history lessons were tedious, the dialogue was often cliched, and the solutions to both mysteries extremely disappointing.

Carmel is a delightful character, though.

[Kally Sheng · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed it! Plausible plots and a page turner.

You only saw the side of people that they wanted you to show, learnt the details of their lives they were willing to reveal. Everyone kept secrets. - Pg. 222

Everyone was fallible. - Pg. 423

[Chris B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit slow and long-winded at times, and I'd guessed one of the main 'bad guys' by a third of the way through, but otherwise quite an enjoyable read

[Perry · Rating 3 out of 5]

First book I've read based only on title, same as the great song, and book in a mature series. It's fine.

[Jill H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good book in the Harry Devlin series. Devlin is a Liverpudlian solicitor who is always drawn into a murder investigation, often against his will. In this tale, a notice is delivered to his office announcing his own death on Midsummer's Eve. Is it a prank or the real thing? Harry tries to put it out of his mind when he gets involved in the investigation of the deaths and mutilations of young women and actually become a suspect himself. As the case moves forward, he discovers some dark and dirty little secrets which put his life in jeopardy. This is a fast moving thriller which will hold your interest throughout and I would recommend it.

[Gary Van Cott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nine years passed between the publication of this book and the previous Harry Devlin. However, in the story perhaps only 3-5 years have elapsed since then. In the meantime, Harry hasn't been involving himself in murder investigations but his compulsion reappears in this book. It is well written with some especially nice nuggets here and there.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this was okay, it didn't grab me like his Lake District series does.

[Ann Tonks · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another thriller that just wasn't well written enough to be worth the read.