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Preserved: Meet Ireland’s Most Old-Fashioned Sleuth
'Glorously gruesome and utterly unique whodunnit' - SOPHIE WHITE 'A compelling thrilling debut from the imagination of Ireland's latest rising crime fiction star. A breath of fresh air and one to watch' - PAUL WILLIAMS He’s watching her unfold his masterpiece, but her time is almost up. When a local farmer announces on social media that he has discovered a bog body in Ardee, the world’s historians 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 uncovers far more than she bargained for. The victim is actually a recent murder, and January uses her nose for the truth to investigate the County Louth town. From shopkeeper to the publican, everyone is a suspect, but when the Gardai can’t find the killer, can January? Once she sets down the 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 that this newest discovery has come at the perfect time to inject some colour into her flailing career. January 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. This woman who longs to lives in the past must now fight for her life in the present.
400 pages, Paperback
First published June 6, 2022
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34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
February 10, 2021
Review published in: https://diagnosisbookaholic.blogspot....
3,5 ⭐️
Preserved is the first installment in a new crime series by author Fiona Sherlock, starring January Quail, an antiques journalist turned amateur sleuth when her job in the paper is on the tightrope.
She's a pretty charming character. She's very old fashioned. She wears corsets, she prefers rotary dial phones to cells (her boss can attest to that) and her beverage of choice is crème de menthe (do I detect an homage to Hercule Poirot and his little grey cells?). She'd be more comfortable in the past than in the 21st century, so the contrast between she and her quirkiness and everyone around her made for some funny moments. I loved that she was quite a free spirit not accepting that anyone told her what to do.
The murder mystery leans heavily in Irish myths and history, involving bog bodies (which I didn't know much about). The killing method and everything it entailed was pretty gruesome, and just thinking about it gives me goosebumps.
The language was a bit wordy at times and that, along some Irish history references and the way some characters expressed themselves, got me lost sometimes (that might be just a personal issue as a non-english speaker).
The pace was a bit uneven at times due to surplus chapters and side plots that, although tied with the main plot at the end, only managed to slow down the rhythm.
Towards the last 20% the pace picked up quite a lot with a series of hectic chapters that led to a resolution I was not able to foreseen, and that's always a plus.
Although some things were a bit implausible (a journalist invited to sit in a police task force meeting?) they were all in the interest of the story, so I'll gladly accept them.
All in all, an interesting start to a brand new series with a quirky main character you won't easily forget.
3,5 ⭐️
Preserved is the first installment in a new crime series by author Fiona Sherlock, starring January Quail, an antiques journalist turned amateur sleuth when her job in the paper is on the tightrope.
She's a pretty charming character. She's very old fashioned. She wears corsets, she prefers rotary dial phones to cells (her boss can attest to that) and her beverage of choice is crème de menthe (do I detect an homage to Hercule Poirot and his little grey cells?). She'd be more comfortable in the past than in the 21st century, so the contrast between she and her quirkiness and everyone around her made for some funny moments. I loved that she was quite a free spirit not accepting that anyone told her what to do.
The murder mystery leans heavily in Irish myths and history, involving bog bodies (which I didn't know much about). The killing method and everything it entailed was pretty gruesome, and just thinking about it gives me goosebumps.
The language was a bit wordy at times and that, along some Irish history references and the way some characters expressed themselves, got me lost sometimes (that might be just a personal issue as a non-english speaker).
The pace was a bit uneven at times due to surplus chapters and side plots that, although tied with the main plot at the end, only managed to slow down the rhythm.
Towards the last 20% the pace picked up quite a lot with a series of hectic chapters that led to a resolution I was not able to foreseen, and that's always a plus.
Although some things were a bit implausible (a journalist invited to sit in a police task force meeting?) they were all in the interest of the story, so I'll gladly accept them.
All in all, an interesting start to a brand new series with a quirky main character you won't easily forget.
March 5, 2021
An Irish Tale
I really enjoyed the crime novel “Preserved” by Fiona Sherlock.
The characters were strong, especially January Quail, a newspaper journalist who has a great deal of passion to do a story about a 1000 year old archaeological find of a bog person. They discovered it was a recent criminal act. She was then determined find the solution for the crime.
All characters were good but I found myself cheering for January throughout.
The book has good pacing with a jet propulsion speed of an ending.
On a personal note, I also really embraced the Irish setting. I’m part Irish and loved the landscape when I visited.
I liked this book and I wholeheartedly recommend it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I really enjoyed the crime novel “Preserved” by Fiona Sherlock.
The characters were strong, especially January Quail, a newspaper journalist who has a great deal of passion to do a story about a 1000 year old archaeological find of a bog person. They discovered it was a recent criminal act. She was then determined find the solution for the crime.
All characters were good but I found myself cheering for January throughout.
The book has good pacing with a jet propulsion speed of an ending.
On a personal note, I also really embraced the Irish setting. I’m part Irish and loved the landscape when I visited.
I liked this book and I wholeheartedly recommend it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 20, 2021
In Fiona Sherlock's "Preserved" there is a 1,000 year old body found in an Irish bog and researchers and the media are in a frenzy to fill in the history. It turns out this is not an ancient corpse after all, but the body of a local woman reported missing some thirty years ago. January Quail, a journalist with a background in "bog body" discoveries, is being pressured from her newspaper to come up with material to capture the public imagination, so she sets out to solve the mystery with some unbelievable assistance from the police.
January is a quirky character and looks to have some potential for the series this book is planning to kick off. She has a number of old fashioned eccentricities which make her interesting -- but right now she just does not seem to have the intensity it takes to be THE super sleuth. She comes from a pretty posh background and has floated into a mindless career drift. There is an oh-well-darn-it response to major developments and even to relationships which does not reflect much drive.
As for this chapter of the January Quail saga, the background story on "bog bodies" was fascinating and January's investigations kept things interesting as she tried to untangle the murder mystery. The real pay off came in the final portion of the book when things got exciting. I look forward to reading future installments of this series and seeing how January's career develops.
Thank you to Poolbeg Press and BookSirens for the free advance review copy in exchange for an honest review.
January is a quirky character and looks to have some potential for the series this book is planning to kick off. She has a number of old fashioned eccentricities which make her interesting -- but right now she just does not seem to have the intensity it takes to be THE super sleuth. She comes from a pretty posh background and has floated into a mindless career drift. There is an oh-well-darn-it response to major developments and even to relationships which does not reflect much drive.
As for this chapter of the January Quail saga, the background story on "bog bodies" was fascinating and January's investigations kept things interesting as she tried to untangle the murder mystery. The real pay off came in the final portion of the book when things got exciting. I look forward to reading future installments of this series and seeing how January's career develops.
Thank you to Poolbeg Press and BookSirens for the free advance review copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 22, 2021
January Quail is a fading newspaper star, but she gets to reclaim her status when she covers the story of a rare bog body. Especially when the body is not as historical as it looks.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
January is a journalist and editor for an Irish paper. As with all newspapers and magazines, there has been an increasing shift to digital. As the paper is losing money, January has been challenged to find a story that will create buzz on the internet and draw in new readers; or she may be out of a job.
One of the interns brings her attention to a bog body - a rare find, because there's only ever been a couple in Ireland, and this is the first female one.
When the bog body is recovered by the official science people to be analysed, it comes to their attention that, despite how it looks ancient, and has all of the ritual signs in place; it is no more than 30 years old.
January's story has now become a murder case.
I felt like the author truly knew her topics. Covering Ireland and their bog bodies was the most fascinating part of this book. The bog bodies weren't a gimmick, the knowledge was a solid platform, that the rest of the plot was built upon.
The not-so-good.
I did not like any of the characters.
January is self-centred and a complete snob. Having come from an old and once-rich Irish family, January looks down on having to work. She has no passion for what she's doing, and doesn't seem particularly bothered about her employment status.
Still, she decides to snatch the story that the intern was running (which pissed me off enormously - what if it was the intern's breakthrough story?)
Setanta Molloy works for the National Museum, and is quickly marked as a romantic interest.
For a seemingly professional and intelligent man, he very quickly broke down and had a toddler tantrum when things didn't go his way.
Despite it being over something stupid and impossible to argue, everyone acts like his behaviour is totally normal; and it's back to flirty-flirty with January.
Even the background characters - the police, January's boss, the people who found the body... none of them were likeable.
I found the pacing was uneven, and often went off on unnecessary tangents, with characters and side plots that didn't benefit the central story. Some of the topic were overly-detailed for my liking, which also slowed down the narrative.
I felt that the story didn't know what it wanted to be - something cosy, something serious, a thriller, an educational piece?
In the end, it couldn't hold my interest, and I was not invested in this mystery.
Overall, this story and author did not work for me.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
January is a journalist and editor for an Irish paper. As with all newspapers and magazines, there has been an increasing shift to digital. As the paper is losing money, January has been challenged to find a story that will create buzz on the internet and draw in new readers; or she may be out of a job.
One of the interns brings her attention to a bog body - a rare find, because there's only ever been a couple in Ireland, and this is the first female one.
When the bog body is recovered by the official science people to be analysed, it comes to their attention that, despite how it looks ancient, and has all of the ritual signs in place; it is no more than 30 years old.
January's story has now become a murder case.
I felt like the author truly knew her topics. Covering Ireland and their bog bodies was the most fascinating part of this book. The bog bodies weren't a gimmick, the knowledge was a solid platform, that the rest of the plot was built upon.
The not-so-good.
I did not like any of the characters.
January is self-centred and a complete snob. Having come from an old and once-rich Irish family, January looks down on having to work. She has no passion for what she's doing, and doesn't seem particularly bothered about her employment status.
Still, she decides to snatch the story that the intern was running (which pissed me off enormously - what if it was the intern's breakthrough story?)
Setanta Molloy works for the National Museum, and is quickly marked as a romantic interest.
For a seemingly professional and intelligent man, he very quickly broke down and had a toddler tantrum when things didn't go his way.
Despite it being over something stupid and impossible to argue, everyone acts like his behaviour is totally normal; and it's back to flirty-flirty with January.
Even the background characters - the police, January's boss, the people who found the body... none of them were likeable.
I found the pacing was uneven, and often went off on unnecessary tangents, with characters and side plots that didn't benefit the central story. Some of the topic were overly-detailed for my liking, which also slowed down the narrative.
I felt that the story didn't know what it wanted to be - something cosy, something serious, a thriller, an educational piece?
In the end, it couldn't hold my interest, and I was not invested in this mystery.
Overall, this story and author did not work for me.
March 1, 2021
Thank you to BookSirens for an Advanced Reader’s Copy. My review is my own.
A twisty and suspenseful murder set in the countryside of Ireland will have you guessing and second guessing yourself. January, a journalist on the brink of being fired, finds herself caught up in what could be the story of a lifetime and exactly what is needed to secure her position as Editor of the newspaper. But someone may have other plans in mind.
Overall, I really enjoyed what is the first in the January Quail series. At times, the book dragged, becoming too wordy with some frivolous details, but perhaps this is laying the groundwork for future stories. The character development is a bit weak; I didn’t necessarily like January her antiquated ways of living are still a bit mysterious and perplexing.
I would certainly read the next installment to see what trouble January may find herself in.
A twisty and suspenseful murder set in the countryside of Ireland will have you guessing and second guessing yourself. January, a journalist on the brink of being fired, finds herself caught up in what could be the story of a lifetime and exactly what is needed to secure her position as Editor of the newspaper. But someone may have other plans in mind.
Overall, I really enjoyed what is the first in the January Quail series. At times, the book dragged, becoming too wordy with some frivolous details, but perhaps this is laying the groundwork for future stories. The character development is a bit weak; I didn’t necessarily like January her antiquated ways of living are still a bit mysterious and perplexing.
I would certainly read the next installment to see what trouble January may find herself in.
February 10, 2021
Preserved is Fiona Sherlock‘s debut novel, and I am throughly impressed! This was such an entertaining read. Witty, unique, and quite different than anything I’ve read.
I love the quirky characters. January, the main character, is very well written. She’s complex- there is a uniqueness about her, and an exterior that she’s built to hide her emotions. She’s very relatable and real feeling, and makes the story flow even better.
The plot and mystery is intriguing. The story does move at a slower pace, however, that isn’t a bad thing. I think it keeps building and building and you’re not really sure what’s going to happen.
I was entertained and I think you will be too. Check this out.
*I received a free copy of this book from Rachel’s Random Resources to review honestly on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased.*
I love the quirky characters. January, the main character, is very well written. She’s complex- there is a uniqueness about her, and an exterior that she’s built to hide her emotions. She’s very relatable and real feeling, and makes the story flow even better.
The plot and mystery is intriguing. The story does move at a slower pace, however, that isn’t a bad thing. I think it keeps building and building and you’re not really sure what’s going to happen.
I was entertained and I think you will be too. Check this out.
*I received a free copy of this book from Rachel’s Random Resources to review honestly on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased.*
August 13, 2022
Awful.
While this isn't the worst book I've ever read (I read 50 Shades) it's not far off.
I don't think it was proofread or even edited as there were so many errors.
There is not one likeable character. The main one being a complete snob with no redeeming qualities.
Why does she have a parrot that she abandons for one thing?
The author is obsessed with people's weight. She remarks on literally every character as being fat and sloppy or skinny (with corset) and successful. As a female writer this is so lazy and judgemental.
Also all the country characters are slow and bumpkins.
Avoid at all cost. This book is so badly written that you can spend the time doing something more interesting.
While this isn't the worst book I've ever read (I read 50 Shades) it's not far off.
I don't think it was proofread or even edited as there were so many errors.
There is not one likeable character. The main one being a complete snob with no redeeming qualities.
Why does she have a parrot that she abandons for one thing?
The author is obsessed with people's weight. She remarks on literally every character as being fat and sloppy or skinny (with corset) and successful. As a female writer this is so lazy and judgemental.
Also all the country characters are slow and bumpkins.
Avoid at all cost. This book is so badly written that you can spend the time doing something more interesting.
February 25, 2021
This book starts out slowly and I didn’t think I would enjoy it but kept on reading in order to give an honest review. The last or third really picked up and was very enjoyable. There were many twists and turns throughout the novel. You really didn’t know who the antagonist was until the very ending. There were likely antagonists along the way which were fully developed and believable. The protagonist, January, is a feature editor who was in a small Irish town to interview a graffiti artist when a body is found in a bog while harvesting peat. January decides this would make a good article and decides to stay. When it is discovered due to brain clips that the body is not a historical big body but a woman who has been killed sometime after the 30’s, January decides to investigate. Soon another body is found. Are the cases related? Is this the beginning of a serial killer? What happens next is rather unbelievable when January is allowed to join the local police department in their investigation, however it moves the story along adding a new character to introduce some sexual atmosphere. January is an unusual character since she has very old fashioned ideas such as wearing a corset, using rotary phones and insisting on writing out her articles long hand instead of using a computer.
While all of this is going on her boss is investigating his own story about a politician from the same town. Both her boss and January are up for a promotion to managing editor. Her boss, Alf, obviously has feelings for January which adds even more sexual tension. All the characters are well defined and interesting as are the two cases which are artfully interwoven within the novel.
This was a debut novel featuring January which is going to be turned into a series. It was a good beginning and I look forward to reading more. This was an advanced review copy from the author and BookSiren. This is my honest opinion. I gave the novel a 3.5 due to its slow beginning and it didn’t really capture my interest at first.
While all of this is going on her boss is investigating his own story about a politician from the same town. Both her boss and January are up for a promotion to managing editor. Her boss, Alf, obviously has feelings for January which adds even more sexual tension. All the characters are well defined and interesting as are the two cases which are artfully interwoven within the novel.
This was a debut novel featuring January which is going to be turned into a series. It was a good beginning and I look forward to reading more. This was an advanced review copy from the author and BookSiren. This is my honest opinion. I gave the novel a 3.5 due to its slow beginning and it didn’t really capture my interest at first.
March 3, 2021
A new-to-me author with a great fun read!
Right upfront with full-disclosure, I admit that I am predisposed to love books set in Ireland. Pair that with a good whodunnit, old-fashioned detective story and you've got me!
January Quail is a journalist who writes about antiquities. When a "bog body" is found in Ardee, January is dispatched to get the goods. What she gets is a mystery, when it's quickly discovered that this is no 1,000 year-old corpse. Can she find out the truth when even the Gardai seem uninclined?
Sherlock [what a great name for a mystery writer!] pulls it all together with red herrings, more dead bodies, and a secret so old it would never have been unearthed otherwise. Preserved is a fun read that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Highly recommend!!!
I was fortunate to receive a copy of the book from the author via BookSirens, with no obligation to review. The opinions herein are given freely and are entirely my own.]
Right upfront with full-disclosure, I admit that I am predisposed to love books set in Ireland. Pair that with a good whodunnit, old-fashioned detective story and you've got me!
January Quail is a journalist who writes about antiquities. When a "bog body" is found in Ardee, January is dispatched to get the goods. What she gets is a mystery, when it's quickly discovered that this is no 1,000 year-old corpse. Can she find out the truth when even the Gardai seem uninclined?
Sherlock [what a great name for a mystery writer!] pulls it all together with red herrings, more dead bodies, and a secret so old it would never have been unearthed otherwise. Preserved is a fun read that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Highly recommend!!!
I was fortunate to receive a copy of the book from the author via BookSirens, with no obligation to review. The opinions herein are given freely and are entirely my own.]
February 16, 2021
anuary Quail is a news reporter but doesn’t do technology, so handwrites all her articles. This gives you a small glimpse into her character, a strong, motivated woman who seems out of her time.
When a body is found in a bog, it is immediately deemed to be of historical importance, a body preserved by the bog could be thousands of years old. The authorities and historians want a quick resolution when a local farmer announces his find on social media. However the body turns out to be a murder victim.
Unknown to the Gardia and January someone has gone to extraordinary lengths to make sure this body is a work of art, his creation. January finds herself with an deal of an exclusive with the detective handling the case, the rather good looking Colm. The deal could boost her career, especially with her newspaper in the throes of a takeover. Disappointed with the way her career is going she is determined to find out the truth about the body.
Meanwhile her boss finds himself in the middle of an another case involving a prominent politician, but is his information sound? He has what could be an expose that could bring them down but is being played and surely there is no link to the bog body…
The story is well told as January discovers someone has gone to a lot of trouble to carry out the perfect crime. The story as January herself, is very unique and I enjoyed the historical detail given, and I didn’t guess the mastermind either.
I loved the character of January Quail (I mean the name itself is just amazing), she is really out of her time and the author cleverly lets us see a glimpse of her childhood and how she has been moulded into this unique individual. Her vocabulary and way of working (handwriting articles) all add to her persona, and while I didn’t understand a lot of the Irish sayings, it really added to the authenticity of character and place.
I really do hope this turns into a series as I would like to revisit January and her world. Maybe even try a creme de menthe for myself.
However I do disagree with the categorisation of crisp flavours mentioned in the book, what is wrong with roast chicken??
I highly recommend this to everyone.
When a body is found in a bog, it is immediately deemed to be of historical importance, a body preserved by the bog could be thousands of years old. The authorities and historians want a quick resolution when a local farmer announces his find on social media. However the body turns out to be a murder victim.
Unknown to the Gardia and January someone has gone to extraordinary lengths to make sure this body is a work of art, his creation. January finds herself with an deal of an exclusive with the detective handling the case, the rather good looking Colm. The deal could boost her career, especially with her newspaper in the throes of a takeover. Disappointed with the way her career is going she is determined to find out the truth about the body.
Meanwhile her boss finds himself in the middle of an another case involving a prominent politician, but is his information sound? He has what could be an expose that could bring them down but is being played and surely there is no link to the bog body…
The story is well told as January discovers someone has gone to a lot of trouble to carry out the perfect crime. The story as January herself, is very unique and I enjoyed the historical detail given, and I didn’t guess the mastermind either.
I loved the character of January Quail (I mean the name itself is just amazing), she is really out of her time and the author cleverly lets us see a glimpse of her childhood and how she has been moulded into this unique individual. Her vocabulary and way of working (handwriting articles) all add to her persona, and while I didn’t understand a lot of the Irish sayings, it really added to the authenticity of character and place.
I really do hope this turns into a series as I would like to revisit January and her world. Maybe even try a creme de menthe for myself.
However I do disagree with the categorisation of crisp flavours mentioned in the book, what is wrong with roast chicken??
I highly recommend this to everyone.
February 10, 2021
*Disclaimer – I received free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
A uniquely Irish murder mystery, Preserved takes the reader on a journey through a modern Ireland still clasping on tightly to its past, and who better than to hold our hand, than the eccentric January Quail. A woman of particular tastes including chewing tobacco and creme de menthe, January is a journalist who specializes in antiques of both the homeware and human kind – namely bog bodies. And when not one, but two bodies are found not far from where she grew up in a lavish Protestant estate, January is on the case discovering that perhaps these bodies are not as old as they look.
Sherlock’s writing is adept and interweaving. She captures the idiosyncrasies of rural Ireland on the page perfectly, from nonsensical nicknames, to the ever more intricate relationships that can do nothing more than obscure and confuse a murder investigation. The character of January Quail is certainly unique. A luddite struggling in a career that won’t survive with just a paper and pen, January does not make things easy for herself either in her work, or in her non-existent love life. Not only is she holding onto the past through her vintage attire and interests, she is also struggling to let go of the painful memories of her childhood and adolescence.
Preserved is a novel about the past and the future merging, about our inability to fully escape from the mistakes and pains of our pasts, and a seedy underbelly of individuals who long for infamy in the most horrific of ways. This is a murder mystery that will have you clinging on to the very last page.
Preserved will have you reaching for the creme de menthe, and wondering darkly about every bog you see.
A uniquely Irish murder mystery, Preserved takes the reader on a journey through a modern Ireland still clasping on tightly to its past, and who better than to hold our hand, than the eccentric January Quail. A woman of particular tastes including chewing tobacco and creme de menthe, January is a journalist who specializes in antiques of both the homeware and human kind – namely bog bodies. And when not one, but two bodies are found not far from where she grew up in a lavish Protestant estate, January is on the case discovering that perhaps these bodies are not as old as they look.
Sherlock’s writing is adept and interweaving. She captures the idiosyncrasies of rural Ireland on the page perfectly, from nonsensical nicknames, to the ever more intricate relationships that can do nothing more than obscure and confuse a murder investigation. The character of January Quail is certainly unique. A luddite struggling in a career that won’t survive with just a paper and pen, January does not make things easy for herself either in her work, or in her non-existent love life. Not only is she holding onto the past through her vintage attire and interests, she is also struggling to let go of the painful memories of her childhood and adolescence.
Preserved is a novel about the past and the future merging, about our inability to fully escape from the mistakes and pains of our pasts, and a seedy underbelly of individuals who long for infamy in the most horrific of ways. This is a murder mystery that will have you clinging on to the very last page.
Preserved will have you reaching for the creme de menthe, and wondering darkly about every bog you see.
February 10, 2021
I love to discover new authors and Fiona Sherlock is certainly a new author for me. I read the synopsis for ‘Preserved’ and it certainly sounded intriguing and like the sort of read I would thoroughly enjoy. Well I must be psychic because I did thoroughly enjoy reading ‘Preserved’ but more about that in a bit.
It didn’t take me long to get into this book. In fact the synopsis was enough to draw me in. I think part of the attraction was the fact that the story is set in Ireland and I have a particular fondness for Ireland having just discovered that I have Irish heritage. That’s enough of my personal burblings so back to the review I do go. I read ‘Preserved’ in reading binge bursts rather than in one go. That just helped me to enjoy the book even more in the sense that I treated it as I would a television series- watch an episode and then look forward to the next one. I hope that makes sense. I reached the end of the book quicker than I had expected. I found ‘Preserved’ to be a gripping read, which kept my attention throughout.
‘Preserved’ is well written. The author grabbed my attention with an interesting synopsis and then drew me into the story from the start. The author has created quirky characters, who will stay fresh in my memory for a long time to come. I loved the way in which the author combines modern Ireland with the not so modern Ireland and demonstrates the problems of when the old meets the new. I felt as though I was part of the story myself, which is all thanks to Fiona’s very vivid and realistic storytelling.
In short, I really enjoyed reading ‘Preserved’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Fiona’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.
It didn’t take me long to get into this book. In fact the synopsis was enough to draw me in. I think part of the attraction was the fact that the story is set in Ireland and I have a particular fondness for Ireland having just discovered that I have Irish heritage. That’s enough of my personal burblings so back to the review I do go. I read ‘Preserved’ in reading binge bursts rather than in one go. That just helped me to enjoy the book even more in the sense that I treated it as I would a television series- watch an episode and then look forward to the next one. I hope that makes sense. I reached the end of the book quicker than I had expected. I found ‘Preserved’ to be a gripping read, which kept my attention throughout.
‘Preserved’ is well written. The author grabbed my attention with an interesting synopsis and then drew me into the story from the start. The author has created quirky characters, who will stay fresh in my memory for a long time to come. I loved the way in which the author combines modern Ireland with the not so modern Ireland and demonstrates the problems of when the old meets the new. I felt as though I was part of the story myself, which is all thanks to Fiona’s very vivid and realistic storytelling.
In short, I really enjoyed reading ‘Preserved’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Fiona’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.
June 13, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This just didn't sit well with me. I'm not sure if it was the fact that it was an advanced Kindle copy, but it was sorely in need of editing and that could've contributed to my issue with it. (i.e. Katharine Hepburn spelled her name with an "a" not an "e".)
I felt that the timelines didn't always seem to make sense to me. It seemed like some scenes started off mid morning, there was one conversation, and then all of the sudden it was evening already. In addition to the odd pacing, there were a lot of auxiliary characters with similar names e.g. Monty and Mossie, and other characters who were sometimes called one thing and other times went by some nickname which just made it harder to keep track of who was who. Because of this, it felt fairly disjointed and choppy at times, a little like reading the journal of someone with ADD.
I realize that the main character was enamored with things of the past and that the book took place in current day. Even so, it often felt a bit like reading a Miss Maple mystery in the 1920s- 1940s. It's possible that was the author's intention. It just felt like she couldn't decide if she wanted the story to have that old-timey feel or be more current.
My biggest beef with this, though, is that most of this was a fairly innocent sleuthing story, but then the part with the killer is fairly gruesome. It would've been a better read if the Miss Marple/Nancy Drew aspect had been played up with less gore, OR if the author had gone truly gruesome a la Girl With the Dragon Tattoo or Silence of the Lamb.
There are chapters of the book detailing January's past, and while some of the snippets came back around to serve a purpose, it seemed rather superfluous and only managed to fracture the continuity that was barely hanging on to start with. If the author is trying to establish a heroine with whom to solve more future mysteries, then maybe readers need to know some of her history, but as it stands, it felt unnecessary to me. Overall, I won't be going out of my way to find more January Quail stories.
This just didn't sit well with me. I'm not sure if it was the fact that it was an advanced Kindle copy, but it was sorely in need of editing and that could've contributed to my issue with it. (i.e. Katharine Hepburn spelled her name with an "a" not an "e".)
I felt that the timelines didn't always seem to make sense to me. It seemed like some scenes started off mid morning, there was one conversation, and then all of the sudden it was evening already. In addition to the odd pacing, there were a lot of auxiliary characters with similar names e.g. Monty and Mossie, and other characters who were sometimes called one thing and other times went by some nickname which just made it harder to keep track of who was who. Because of this, it felt fairly disjointed and choppy at times, a little like reading the journal of someone with ADD.
I realize that the main character was enamored with things of the past and that the book took place in current day. Even so, it often felt a bit like reading a Miss Maple mystery in the 1920s- 1940s. It's possible that was the author's intention. It just felt like she couldn't decide if she wanted the story to have that old-timey feel or be more current.
My biggest beef with this, though, is that most of this was a fairly innocent sleuthing story, but then the part with the killer is fairly gruesome. It would've been a better read if the Miss Marple/Nancy Drew aspect had been played up with less gore, OR if the author had gone truly gruesome a la Girl With the Dragon Tattoo or Silence of the Lamb.
There are chapters of the book detailing January's past, and while some of the snippets came back around to serve a purpose, it seemed rather superfluous and only managed to fracture the continuity that was barely hanging on to start with. If the author is trying to establish a heroine with whom to solve more future mysteries, then maybe readers need to know some of her history, but as it stands, it felt unnecessary to me. Overall, I won't be going out of my way to find more January Quail stories.
April 9, 2021
January Quail (great character name) is an old-fashioned news reporter who still hand writes her stories. While she normally writes "soft stories" like fashion, antiques, etc., she is excited to report on a newly discovered bog body.
Interspersed with the current day investigation are chapters about her childhood and family. These are added randomly at the beginning, and it makes the flow of the story pretty clunky. The background does end up adding context to the rest of the story and to January, so I did appreciate this more by the end.
One of January's quirks is her love of creme de menthe. That is a fun characteristic but ultimately being a functional alcoholic just isn't as charming as it is presented here.
The setting is great, and I wish I had a better understanding of some Irish phrasing and customs that might have made some of the dialog more meaningful to me.
Although the main detectives were presented as hardened cops, they did seem overly incompetent. The final twist in the mystery was a surprise; that was great since I thought I knew who did it early on.
Overall, this wasn't a bad story but it didn't engage me enough to want more.
Interspersed with the current day investigation are chapters about her childhood and family. These are added randomly at the beginning, and it makes the flow of the story pretty clunky. The background does end up adding context to the rest of the story and to January, so I did appreciate this more by the end.
One of January's quirks is her love of creme de menthe. That is a fun characteristic but ultimately being a functional alcoholic just isn't as charming as it is presented here.
The setting is great, and I wish I had a better understanding of some Irish phrasing and customs that might have made some of the dialog more meaningful to me.
Although the main detectives were presented as hardened cops, they did seem overly incompetent. The final twist in the mystery was a surprise; that was great since I thought I knew who did it early on.
Overall, this wasn't a bad story but it didn't engage me enough to want more.
February 14, 2021
From a gruesome discovery in the beginning of the novel to the thrilling conclusion, this book keeps the reader engaged and curious the whole way through. In Preserved, by Fiona Sherlock, there is a well crafted storyline with a menagerie of interesting characters.
The plot reels the reader in when body parts are discovered in a local farmer’s bog in the small town of Ardee. Sherlock does an excellent job describing the beauty and culture of a small town in Ireland where they have their own vernacular that left this reader chuckling at times. The description of how the bodies that were discovered in the bog were preserved by the environment of the bog itself was very fascinating and informative. Also interesting, is the quick insights to the murderer’s mind and thoughts that leave you really wondering which character to root for and which one to run from. While the plot seems to slow down a bit in the middle however, the pace picks right back up and compels the reader to continue to turn that page because as the investigation ramps up so do the bodies.
Sherlock’s characters are well developed and the main character January Quail is a very unique and eccentric character. She is an antiquity writer looking for a big story to propel her career and to prove she is capable of being an investigative reporter. January could have easily lived in a past century with her love of corsets and crème de menthe. She is a complex character who interacts with the local village folk in a unique and distinctive way. With her determination to solve this case January works closely with the officials but her life may very well be in danger the closer she gets to the unknown killer.
Preserved is a novel with twists and turns and some of the most likeable characters. With a gripping storyline this book is a page turner and I would give it a 4 out of 5 star rating.
The plot reels the reader in when body parts are discovered in a local farmer’s bog in the small town of Ardee. Sherlock does an excellent job describing the beauty and culture of a small town in Ireland where they have their own vernacular that left this reader chuckling at times. The description of how the bodies that were discovered in the bog were preserved by the environment of the bog itself was very fascinating and informative. Also interesting, is the quick insights to the murderer’s mind and thoughts that leave you really wondering which character to root for and which one to run from. While the plot seems to slow down a bit in the middle however, the pace picks right back up and compels the reader to continue to turn that page because as the investigation ramps up so do the bodies.
Sherlock’s characters are well developed and the main character January Quail is a very unique and eccentric character. She is an antiquity writer looking for a big story to propel her career and to prove she is capable of being an investigative reporter. January could have easily lived in a past century with her love of corsets and crème de menthe. She is a complex character who interacts with the local village folk in a unique and distinctive way. With her determination to solve this case January works closely with the officials but her life may very well be in danger the closer she gets to the unknown killer.
Preserved is a novel with twists and turns and some of the most likeable characters. With a gripping storyline this book is a page turner and I would give it a 4 out of 5 star rating.
January 1, 2022
I enjoyed the book. Lots of colourful characters, good references to Irish history and a couple of unexpected plot twists as it built to a frantic climax.
However, I felt that January's car accident was implausible on several levels. It seemed unlikely that such a meticulous murderer would try to stage an accident with such an unpredictable outcome. I understand that 1978 Bentley Corniches have two brake warning lights that both illuminate when the ignition is switched on if there's a problem with the brake hydraulics. It seemed highly unlikely that the first time January tried to use the brakes was on a part of the road with "steep downhill twists and turns". The handbrake on this vehicle is cable operated and independent of the hydraulic system and therefore should have worked. Why didn't January just switch off the car engine and stall the vehicle? Also, there is reference to "a few drops of diesel" after the accident. My understanding is that all 6.75 litre V8 engines for 1978 Bentley Corniches were manufactured to run on petrol.
I didn't feel that Theresa's murder added any value to the plot.
A couple of minor technicalities. The words "each", "none" and "neither" all refer to singular items, so in chapter 5 "each of the three sash windows were…" should have been "each of the three sash windows was…". Similarly, in chapter 8, "none were evident" should have been "none was evident" and "neither of the men were in uniform" should have been "neither of the men was in uniform". Finally, the supersonic aircraft that Venetia collected the tickets for in chapter 23 would have been Concorde, not "Concord"
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
However, I felt that January's car accident was implausible on several levels. It seemed unlikely that such a meticulous murderer would try to stage an accident with such an unpredictable outcome. I understand that 1978 Bentley Corniches have two brake warning lights that both illuminate when the ignition is switched on if there's a problem with the brake hydraulics. It seemed highly unlikely that the first time January tried to use the brakes was on a part of the road with "steep downhill twists and turns". The handbrake on this vehicle is cable operated and independent of the hydraulic system and therefore should have worked. Why didn't January just switch off the car engine and stall the vehicle? Also, there is reference to "a few drops of diesel" after the accident. My understanding is that all 6.75 litre V8 engines for 1978 Bentley Corniches were manufactured to run on petrol.
I didn't feel that Theresa's murder added any value to the plot.
A couple of minor technicalities. The words "each", "none" and "neither" all refer to singular items, so in chapter 5 "each of the three sash windows were…" should have been "each of the three sash windows was…". Similarly, in chapter 8, "none were evident" should have been "none was evident" and "neither of the men were in uniform" should have been "neither of the men was in uniform". Finally, the supersonic aircraft that Venetia collected the tickets for in chapter 23 would have been Concorde, not "Concord"
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 24, 2023
Preserved by Fiona Sherlock is a gripping mystery novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. The story follows antique journalist January Quail, who stumbles upon a recent murder when a farmer announces on social media that he has discovered a bog body in Ardee. As January investigates the case, she discovers that the victim is not a historical bog body, but a recent murder victim.
Sherlock does a fantastic job of creating a sense of tension and mystery throughout the novel. From the very beginning, the reader is pulled into the story and is eager to find out who the killer is. The characters are well-developed and interesting, and the setting of County Louth adds to the atmosphere of the book.
One of the most compelling aspects of the book is January herself. She is a complex and flawed character who is struggling to keep her job as an antique journalist. As she investigates the murder, she begins to gain confidence and become more assertive, which makes her a compelling protagonist.
Overall, Preserved is an excellent mystery novel that is sure to satisfy fans of the genre. With its intriguing plot, well-drawn characters, and atmospheric setting, it is a book that is hard to put down. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thrilling read.
Sherlock does a fantastic job of creating a sense of tension and mystery throughout the novel. From the very beginning, the reader is pulled into the story and is eager to find out who the killer is. The characters are well-developed and interesting, and the setting of County Louth adds to the atmosphere of the book.
One of the most compelling aspects of the book is January herself. She is a complex and flawed character who is struggling to keep her job as an antique journalist. As she investigates the murder, she begins to gain confidence and become more assertive, which makes her a compelling protagonist.
Overall, Preserved is an excellent mystery novel that is sure to satisfy fans of the genre. With its intriguing plot, well-drawn characters, and atmospheric setting, it is a book that is hard to put down. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thrilling read.
April 5, 2021
January Quail is a journalist who lives in Ireland. She is following a lead on the story of a woman’s body discovered in Girley Bog. The body is presumed to be over a thousand years old. However, during a CT scan of the body it is discovered there are aneurysm clips in her brain. Obviously they are dealing with a more recent murder. Even though the body is not as old as anticipated, January is still very interested in the story because she wants to uncover the reasons why the killer went to such lengths to make the body appear as an ancient bog body.
I loved learning about bog bodies while reading this book. I have never read anything about these well preserved ancient cadavers before. I found it absolutely fascinating.
As for the story itself, I wasn’t as impressed. The plot definitely has potential, but I found it very laborious to read. It moved way too slowly for my liking. The language was also rough for my taste. I contemplated leaving the book unfinished because of the prolific use profanity, much of it very vulgar. I also felt the focus on alcohol was overdone. I am not offended by that, but it took away from the story in my opinion.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I loved learning about bog bodies while reading this book. I have never read anything about these well preserved ancient cadavers before. I found it absolutely fascinating.
As for the story itself, I wasn’t as impressed. The plot definitely has potential, but I found it very laborious to read. It moved way too slowly for my liking. The language was also rough for my taste. I contemplated leaving the book unfinished because of the prolific use profanity, much of it very vulgar. I also felt the focus on alcohol was overdone. I am not offended by that, but it took away from the story in my opinion.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 25, 2022
I must admit to being rather disappointed in this book. I couldn't bond with the main character at all. She spent too much of her time drunk out of her mind. How any newspaper would keep her around under those conditions I'll never know. However, there were likable parts of the book. There were plenty of twists and turns when it came to solving the murders, with several red herrings thrown in along the way. I may be open to trying another of Ms. Sherlock's books, but I hope to find a more reliable main character.
I received a review copy from BookSirens and this is my honest opinion.
I received a review copy from BookSirens and this is my honest opinion.
October 27, 2022
Great Whodunnit!
I really liked the character of January. She is very quirky and you can feel that she has an old soul. She is her own person and doesn’t let other opinions of herself change her. She wants the story, the truth. She loves her Crème de Menthe and even that shows she doesn’t go with the flow!
A great whodunnit for those that love Agatha Christie. Interesting towns and people who cross paths in the book.
Thank you, I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I really liked the character of January. She is very quirky and you can feel that she has an old soul. She is her own person and doesn’t let other opinions of herself change her. She wants the story, the truth. She loves her Crème de Menthe and even that shows she doesn’t go with the flow!
A great whodunnit for those that love Agatha Christie. Interesting towns and people who cross paths in the book.
Thank you, I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 27, 2021
January, our savvy, old-fashioned reporter, decides to write a story about a 1000 year old bog person.
What begins as a story turns into an investigation because this body is of a woman buried not earlier than the 30s. Not your typical bog body. This is an original and unique mystery that takes us on an adventure to beautiful Ireland. Characters we can relate to and a protagonist we can cheer on.
Recommended.
What begins as a story turns into an investigation because this body is of a woman buried not earlier than the 30s. Not your typical bog body. This is an original and unique mystery that takes us on an adventure to beautiful Ireland. Characters we can relate to and a protagonist we can cheer on.
Recommended.
March 6, 2021
Fiona had me on the edge of my seat. I was constantly trying to figure out who did it right up till the very end. January is a relatable character that is trying to do what she can to keep her job. Her feistiness makes her such a fan favorite character and one that is easy to root for when things get tough. If you are ready to read a book that will take you on an adventure, then this is definitely the book for you!
August 19, 2021
This book is very well written. The characters are thought through, writing flows, you really feel like you’re there. The pacing was solid throughout, but not a fast pace. It’s a good “who done it” book. I would recommend if you’re looking for a basic slow burn mystery.
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.
February 10, 2021
It is a really cool concept of finding a body in a bog and being controversy over it. It start out really slow, and there are typos within the book that the reader definitely needs to overlook it. The book does pick up and I did enjoy it in the end.
March 31, 2021
I really enjoyed this murder mystery. There was a great amount of characters and the Irish setting just topped it off for me. It had me guessing and reguessing to the end. Thanks to BookSirens for the privilege to read and review this book.
February 11, 2021
My review of Preserved is on my blog
https://quirkybookreads.wordpress.com...
https://quirkybookreads.wordpress.com...
November 14, 2022
I really liked the charming character of Janvier and her laoded history. It's interesting to see how the author has linked Irish history and a police investigation. I got caught up in it.
February 19, 2021
January Quail is a difficult character to read, she holds the cards close to her chest. There’s family pain hidden deep and her life seems to have stagnated a little. She’s good at her job as a reporter but she’s not really going anywhere.. she’s not pushing herself…she needs something to get her teeth into.
Luckily for her the perfect story develops. A bog body has been found, bodies like this can have real historical significance and she’s the best reporter for the job since this wouldn’t be the first bog body she’s handled.
Very quickly it turns out the body has been misidentified as a bog body… it’s a recent murder.. and the killer is out there.
January sets out to learn what she can and quickly deduces this case is a right mess, things don’t add up.. Why did the killer put so much effort into how the body was preserved? Because they wanted it found, but why?
While on the case January is under pressure from Alf, her current boss at the paper. Some compromising photos of a well-known individual were sent to the paper.. he wants a story but January just isnt the one to be told what to do.. she’s got her own style of getting the job done.
The pressure increases as a second body is found, are the two bodies linked? And if so how?
There are more twists thrown in regarding the first body as the life of this victim unfolds before you.. and it’s not a fun life..
The conclusion of the story wraps the pieces up nicely but January won’t be the same after this, the events have changed her physically and mentally.
Character wise I like January, she’s a tough egg and can stand on her own two feet.. but you know there’s emotions hidden.. she’s just not ready to face her past.
There’s quite an ensemble of characters we meet along the way, each are written well, you can clearly recall them in your head, their professions, their outward personas. The development of each of the characters flowed well which helped keep the final identify of the killer unknown right until the end for me.
A very enjoyable thriller
Luckily for her the perfect story develops. A bog body has been found, bodies like this can have real historical significance and she’s the best reporter for the job since this wouldn’t be the first bog body she’s handled.
Very quickly it turns out the body has been misidentified as a bog body… it’s a recent murder.. and the killer is out there.
January sets out to learn what she can and quickly deduces this case is a right mess, things don’t add up.. Why did the killer put so much effort into how the body was preserved? Because they wanted it found, but why?
While on the case January is under pressure from Alf, her current boss at the paper. Some compromising photos of a well-known individual were sent to the paper.. he wants a story but January just isnt the one to be told what to do.. she’s got her own style of getting the job done.
The pressure increases as a second body is found, are the two bodies linked? And if so how?
There are more twists thrown in regarding the first body as the life of this victim unfolds before you.. and it’s not a fun life..
The conclusion of the story wraps the pieces up nicely but January won’t be the same after this, the events have changed her physically and mentally.
Character wise I like January, she’s a tough egg and can stand on her own two feet.. but you know there’s emotions hidden.. she’s just not ready to face her past.
There’s quite an ensemble of characters we meet along the way, each are written well, you can clearly recall them in your head, their professions, their outward personas. The development of each of the characters flowed well which helped keep the final identify of the killer unknown right until the end for me.
A very enjoyable thriller
February 10, 2021
This book immerses the reader in the Irish setting with well-drawn characters, dialogue an engrossing story. January is a journalist unwilling to modernise, when a body or two appear in a local she uses her investigative skills to discover the truth.
This murder mystery has elements of cosy crime, the quirky amateur detective, lots of suspects who keep their secrets and gruesome deaths. Atmospheric it draws the reader into this unique world where a dangerous killer lurks.
Preserved is a classic Irish murder mystery with a memorable sleuth and dastardly crimes.
I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
This murder mystery has elements of cosy crime, the quirky amateur detective, lots of suspects who keep their secrets and gruesome deaths. Atmospheric it draws the reader into this unique world where a dangerous killer lurks.
Preserved is a classic Irish murder mystery with a memorable sleuth and dastardly crimes.
I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
February 12, 2021
Preserved is a crime novel by Irish author, Fiona Sherlock. Our story opens with a foot being uncovered in the bog. Once the rest of the body was uncovered, the preserved body of a girl was discovered. Sentanta is the Chief Curator of the National Museum of Ireland and thought the body was at least 1,000 years old. When a CT scan shows 4 aneurism clips, the scene became a crime scene with January Quail out to solve the crime for her newspaper. Preserved has several characters that interact with each other on many levels. I was guessing until the end of the book with lots of twists and turns. Preserved is a satisfying crime novel. I received an arc for my honest review.
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