The Serpent Pool

Lake District Mystery #4

by Martin Edwards

The Lake District’s cold case specialist, DCI Hannah Scarlett, is determined to uncover the truth behind Bethany Friend’s apparent suicide six years ago, in the Serpent Pool. Why would Bethany, so afraid of water, drown herself? Hannah fears that her partner, bookseller Marc Amos, is keeping dark secrets, and holds the key to Bethany’s past. Hannah still carris a torch for Daniel Kind, who is researching Thomas De Quincey and the history of murder. Once Daniel and Hannah suspect connections between Bethany’s drowning and a current sequence of killings, death comes dangerously close to home.

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Thriller, British Literature, Fiction, Ebooks, Detective

274 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

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

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

The one reason I bought this book and a second one from the same series was simply because their were placed in the Lake District. I spend a year during my studies in Lancaster St. Martins college were is pend mt weekend mostly with the outdoor society either in Yorkshire (Dalziel & Pascoe) or in the Lake district. Like any slightly sane person I truly enjoyed the place it beauty, moodiness and silence.

This book start with DCI Hannah Scarlett who is in charge of the cold-case department and as such is determined to uncover the truth behind Bethany Friend's mysterious drowning in the Serpent Pool. Though the evidence at the time did not rule out suicide, why would Bethany, so afraid of water, choose drowning to end it all?
The book however opens with the gruesome death of a book lover, he gets burned in his library while his beloved books get torched along with him. Then another book collector is found death and almost certainly killed in a horrible way as well. It is not a good time to collect books in the Lake District.
DCI Scarlett is in a relationship with a bookseller so she should be aware of the risk working with books. And at the same time she find hr relationship in stranger tides as she would like because her man is somehow connected to all victims.

A book that most certainly takes his time to heat up and make you realize that in such a beautiful place there can be darkness of the wickedest sort. A slow burner but a lot of fun for those that have a love for the area which features majorly in he story. The writer also makes you get to know all major characters in their own wicked and detestable ways. Even the main characters do not always deserve a price for their behavior.

A pleasure to read and well written. Bot a cozy thriller or detective but far more a moody thriller.
Well worth a second vist.

[Rabbit {Paint me like one of your 19th century gothic heroines!}]

DNF on page 30 because this can't keep my attention.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Lake District setting attracted me to this book, but I did not enjoy reading it.

Kindle Unlimited

[Lilisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first Hannah Scarlett mystery, this book is #4 in the series and has as a common thread – people associated with books – as the backdrop for the mystery. Too much of a coincidence linking various pieces of the plot – you bet – but then, this is a light mystery! Hannah is investigating a cold case – where the victim drowned in a shallow pool, when a book collector of rare books falls victim to a fire on his boat. And the book collector was a client of Hannah’s boyfriend Marc, who owns a secondhand bookstore… Set in the U.K.’s Lake District, we learn a bit about the region, the drizzly and cold winter, the beautiful lakes and hills. The writer does a good job with his description of time and place – it’s atmospheric and the Lake District provides a nice backdrop for this whodunit. A quick light weekend read.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 4 in this series which I continue to enjoy. Easy reading, good plot, increasingly interesting character development.

[Caren Esparon · Rating 3 out of 5]

NTS: Dipped in and out of this book. Was going to give up with it. Got better towards end. Too much scenery and character name jargon - felt over done a bit.

[Clarissa Draper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Mystery
How I read it: I bought the book on amazon.

What attracted me to the book: I've read the book he wrote before this (The Cipher Garden) and loved it so much I had to pick up the next in the series.

Summary (from amazon): The musty, sedate world of old books provides the backdrop for a series of gruesome murders in Edwards's absorbing fourth Lake District mystery (after 2007's The Arsenic Labyrinth). Rare book dealers prove an unexpectedly randy lot as they are swept under by sexual undercurrents of obsession, infidelity, and jealousy. Inevitably, desire proves the undoing of one victim after another, as the sociopath responsible, obsessed by Thomas De Quincey's tract On Murder, fulfills his destiny... to make nightmares come true. Leave it to Det. Chief Insp. Hannah Scarlett to find the link between a cold case, the murder of 25-year-old aspiring writer Bethany Friend (or was it suicide?), found drowned in a shallow pool six years earlier, and two active investigations, though not before letting her own conflicted desires get the better of her when her current lover, a secondhand bookseller, falls under suspicion. Hannah's odd failure to pursue a line of questioning with another suspect also spells trouble.

My thoughts: *squeal* I'm glad I didn't have to wait for the next book after reading the Cipher Garden because I became so attached to Daniel and Hannah. Those who have been following the series know what I'm talking about and boy oh boy, I wasn't disappointed.

The book started with a gruesome murder, as do most mysteries. This one was quite disturbing... not that I minded. As with all Martin Edward novels I've read, I had no idea who the killer was until near the end (which in part frustrated me...) However, I was so happy with other story lines, I quietly let the story unfold before me without over-analyzing everything.

The book had a psychological aspect to it, I liked that. It delved into human behavior that I wanted to research more. I like my books not only to entertain but enlighten and this book did just that.

The big question is: Would I recommend this book to others and would I pick up the next in the series? Yes to both. I need to find out where Hannah and Daniel are headed and I'm coming to realize that I'm a huge sap.

Bottom Line on this Book: For those eager to read the next installment of the Hannah/Daniel saga, you won't be disappointed.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book in this Lake District series, featuring DCI Hannah Scarlett, heading up cold cases and Daniel Kind, the Oxford Don, who has left his position there for a quieter life in Brackdale. Daniel is back from the U.S. after spending some months taking on some work to subsidize his income and Hannah and Marc have bought a new house and Marc has opened a second bookshop. They are now living just in walking distance of the Serpent Pool, the scene of a suicide/murder some 6 years previously. Hannah was involved in the initial investigation of the drowning of Bethany Friend and Ben Kind was always haunted by the fact, it went as an unsolved case. He was of the opinion Bethany was murdered and now Hannah has reopened the case and discovers Bethany worked for Marc for a brief period of time, but Marc has failed to mention it. When two of Marc's best and most valued customers are murdered, Hannah finds that there are more links between the cold case and the present day investigations and that there are a number of people linked to all three, including Marc. Daniel and Hannah once again start to meet up to discuss the investigation, which has now involved his sister, Louise and it is clear that they have feelings for one another, although, neither one are in a position to act on them. Once again, it's a story of a good old delving back into the files, re-interviewing witnesses and suspects and eventually, putting all the clues together to solve the murders. I love this series and the beautiful images depicted of the countryside and the Lake District in general. There is just one book left in the series, sadly, but I am hoping it will continue with some new books in the offing.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a new author/series for me, so it is my first encounter in a series that has three prior novels. Set in the Lake District of England, DCI Hannah Scarlett works on the Cold Case Squad. Her unit is shorthanded owing to flu season, but she is looking for leads to a six-year old case. Two new deaths occur and they are curiously tied to each other through the world of book collectors. Her boyfriend owned a Used Book Shop and the two dead men were good customers. Finding the connections between her cold case and the two current deaths lead to estrangement from her boyfriend and to real danger for him. Slow to develop in the beginning, the novel picks up about midway and builds up suspense until the resolution, keeping me reading steadily, unwilling to lay the book aside before it could end.

[Mary Kay Kare · Rating 2 out of 5]

The lack of respect for the reader demonstrated by the writer & his publisher is astounding. Awkward phrases pulling the reader out of the story (Four corners of the globe? Really) and continuity problems which should never have happened made this a really unfun read. The author couldn't remember, or be bothered to check, which of 2 sisters a major character had an affair with. A woman feels threatened by a man and lashes out with a pair of scissors. This is discussed on multiple occasions with scissors always mentioned. Then suddenly the scissors turn into a knife and no one noticed! That's just shameful in a professionally published book. I don't know what the writer & editors were doing, but they sure weren't paying attention. I have been liking this series, but the next one better be a whole lot better.

[Jill H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this entry in Martin Edward's Lake District series, the Cold Case Squad, headed by Hannah Scarlett is investigating the seven year old death of a young woman found drowned in mere inches of water. Hannah is determined to bring justice for the young woman's dying mother. Then two more murders occur in quick succession and it appears that there a connections to the cold case. The Squad encounters dark secrets and strange obsessions before this case is solved. This is a complex story with some very interesting characters and although it is not one of my favorites from this author, it is still a smashing good read.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I positively loved it! I am reading all of the Lake District mysteries in order, and I highly recommend them to anyone who enjoys murder mysteries coupled with interesting relationships and romance. This is one of the best series I have ever read! I cannot get enough of Daniel Kind, Hannah Scarlett and Marc Amos as well as the minor characters that keep reappearing. This author really knows how to write good stories!

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good news: decent puzzle; bad news: pretty flat writing, and Yet Another Psycho-Sexual* Motive.

*seriously, what happened to Greed? or Envy? I'd even take Sloth as a motive at this point. THAT would be interesting, wouldn't it?

[Mary Kay · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book takes place in The Lake District in the winter, which is mostly all it's got going for it.

[Tricia Douglas · Rating 3 out of 5]

An English author; slow throughout. Finished it, but probably won't read another by this author.

[Clare · Rating 2 out of 5]

An extraordinary number of cliches in one book, not to mention a farfetched story! Won't be reading any more by this author (I think I got muddled up with Martin Walker who I much prefer).

[Wendy Percival · Rating 4 out of 5]

My plan had been to read the Lake District series in order but I realised half way through “The Serpent Pool” that I’d missed one out! But no matter, as each main story is a stand-alone - other than the thread of the relationship between DCI Hannah Scarlett and historian Daniel Kind, which means I’m a tad out of sync.

Unlike the previous two novels I’ve read, “The Serpent Pool” is primarily Hannah’s story. While Daniel remans a central character, the focus this time is on Hannah and her perspective on a cold case, the suspicious death of a young woman who drowned in the aforementioned Serpent Pool in bizarre circumstances. Her investigation also proves to have personal edge to it when suspicion falls on her partner Marc Amos. We feel her anxiety as she assesses Marc’s potential involvement, forcing her to address her feelings towards him.

Meanwhile, Daniel becomes unwittingly caught up in the investigation of a disturbing murder when his sister’s relationship with a local man turns sour. These two cases collide with yet another murder currently under investigation by one of Hannah’s colleagues, creating and intriguing story with many interwoven layers - the sort I like best!

Another compelling story from Martin Edwards, with an unexpected and dramatic ending.

[Shirley Schwartz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Number 4 in the Lake District series, and in this one we see the crime creeping closer to DCI Hannah Scarlett. There appears to be an increased spate of suicides on Hannah Scarlett's patch. Or are they really suicides? Hannah is investigating the six year old drowning death of a young woman in the almost dry Serpent Pool. Why would this young woman go to such lengths to kill herself. Tying herself up with wire just doesn't make sense. And the pool was only 18" deep!. Hannah knows that there is something else going on, and as she investigates, two more apparent suicides happen in and around the Serpent Pool. As she digs deeper she finds that her partner is a little too close for comfort to these crimes. Could it be? At much risk to her relationship and to her own safety, Hannah continues to investigate. When all is revealed, it sets the whole community reeling. I found this book to be extremely disturbing and uncomfortable to read. I thought that Hannah's relationship interfered with the mystery. The ending left me unsettled and disturbed. I will have to re-evauluate whether oe nor I will continue with the series. There's macabre and there's macabre and this is off the scale.

[Darius Ostrowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fourth Lake District mystery from Martin Edwards featuring DCI Hannah Scarlett, a police officer in charge of cold cases, and Daniel Kind, the historian who moved to the district and who happens to be the son of Hannah's mentor.

This time Hannah picks up the case of Bethany Friend, a woman who was found drowned in the Serpent Pool, a remote small pond in the Lakes District. There was always the possibility of suicide, although Hannah always had her doubts. When this cold case gets tied to two current murders, the team realize that the killer isn't finished yet. And when the victims all seem to have ties to Marc Amos, Hannah's live-in partner, the mystery veers gets quite personal.

Another middle-of-the-road mystery in an interesting locale, although the "Serpent Pool" doesn't play a big role and isn't used to much effect, much like the cipher garden and the arsenic labyrinth in the two previous chapters. And the will-they-or-won't-they romance between Daniel and Hannah continues to threaten to overshadow the story.

[John Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the first three of this series of eight books this one for me is the best so far,it will help to read in order they came out as there are story lines that follow each book in this series.
This story is at break neck speed and very easy to follow the stories within,without giving to much away DCI Hannah Scarlett has a cold case that is only 6 years old and still in the minds of the locals.
With a lot going on her love life as well as work DCI Hannah Scarlett has a lot on her plate,so trying to uncover the truth behind Bethany Friend’s apparent suicide in the Serpent Pool because people knew that Bethany was afraid of water and drowning herself.
Daniel Kind is back researching Thomas De Quincey and his history of murder also writing a piece for the local carnival in his honour, but also to write a book about Thomas De Quincey as he needs the cash as his bank account is getting low.
I read this book over three days/ setting and the last 100 pages went in a flash because it was so captivating and my head was spinning by the ending.

[Thoaium · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ein Sammler antiquarische Bücher verbrennt zusammen mit seinen Schätzen. Wie hätte ich da nicht zugreifen können?
Die Geschichte klang spannend und war auch gut zu lesen.
Ich wurde allerdings nicht wirklich warm mit den Figuren. Vielleicht fehlte mir aber auch das Hintergrundwissen aus vorherigen Bänden um die Dynamik zwischen den Figuren verstehen zu können. Der Spannungsbogen am Ende zielt meiner Meinung nach als Lockmittel für den nächsten Band ab.
Auch gefiel mir die Auflösung des ganzen Falls nicht wirklich, sowohl was das Motiv angeht, als auch das Ende.
Für zwischendurch war das Buch ganz nett. Allerdings macht es wohl mehr Sinn die ganze Reihe zu lesen, da sich die Beziehungen zwischen den Figuren ändern und dies sich auch auf die Ermittlungen auswirkt.

[Roberta · Rating 2 out of 5]

The murders in this one are inventive but I'm getting annoyed by the yearning between Daniel and Hannah. This novel seemed to be more involved with finding suspects that would allow the two to meet than a cohesive plot progression but it could just be me.
The constant I want you but I can't in Margaret Coel's series keeps me from enjoying those s stories as much asI would otherwise and in afraid this series is going the same way for me.
While engrossing characters and keeping readers invested is paramount, if I wanted to read about thwarted lust, I'd get a bodice ripper. Just my personal preference in a murder mystery. For me, in this one in particular, the romantic yearnings detracted from the rest of the story.

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this was a pretty run-of-the-mill mystery. Woman police officer dedicated to her job has difficulties in her romantic relationship while she investigates a cold case. Old flame reappears on the scene and becomes peripherally involved with new cases (arson-related death of a book collector, murder of a sleazy lawyer) that turn out to be related to the cold case (drowning death of young woman). Books, or love of books, seems to be the common denominator between these cases, which leads Hannah inevitably to her own boyfriend, an antiquarian book seller.

Competently done, but not exceptional.

[Sharneel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was suspenseful. The plot generated speed and rushed headlong into denouement.
The fells, the fog, the atmosphere— all lend themselves to mystery. So, the setting is perfect for these mysteries. Having read a couple of others from this series, I have grown accustomed to Hannah, Marc and Daniel.
As before, I am troubled by the constant lack of surety they have for their relationships. There seems to be a lot of flirting, suggestive behaviors and constant dithering about emotional ties. This seems a bit adolescent.

[John Booth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Inconsistent, switched from flowery poetic descriptions to long conversations, lacked drama and wasn't always believable (SPOILER ALERT! - would there really be a stench of death after 24 hours with the body in a cold well in winter?). The characters seemed to lust after each other without there ever being any depth to their feelings, again not convincing. I did manage to finish it, though, so it must have had some redeeming qualities. Still, it was probably nearer one and a half stars than two.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this one because of the surname of a victim! It's a police-procedural set in England’s Lake District featuring Hannah Scarlett, a young, female DCI, in an unhappy relationship with a book dealer and currently assigned to cold cases, one of which connects with a couple of recent suspicious killings. The latest victim is ostentatious lawyer and book-collector, Stuart Wagg, and with Wagg’s partner, sister of a man the DCI has a mutual crush on, plus those close to Hannah’s partner, it leads to a tense and exciting, if rather Gothic, climax. Good, but too familiar to be outstanding.

[The Cruciverbalistic Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was ok but not as good as 'The Arsenic Labyrinth'. I had loved that and it had been my first read of this series. 'The Serpent Pool' wastes too many pages on its characters' affairs/relationships (past and present) that derails an otherwise well-plotted crime mystery. I guessed the killers a little before they were revealed, though their motive was weird, as was their relationship. The end was not that exciting and seemed rushed too. For all its faults, there are ample red herrings and I can't help noting that, in its own way, this series is pretty brilliant.

[Kit · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just a bodice ripper

The container for the story is a mystery, but the content is just another romance novel - and not a very well written one at that. Little secrets little lies little selfishness big doses of self-pity, you know the usual sorry slop - there’s just no way you can care about any of these people or their infidelities, real and almost. The mystery itself is in the typical lurid style that goes along with the rest of that.

[Linda Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm enjoying this erudite series that I stumbled on pretty much by accident. This is the second one I've read, as the first two in the series weren't available here. Each one I've read has prompted me to find out more about a real Lake District persona; John Ruskin in the previous one, and Thomas de Quincey in this one. I like authors that whet my curiosity. This one had some confusion between scissors and a knife, and some convenient coincidences, but I still found it to be an enjoyable read.

[Spook Sulek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fair, and what I liked best is that the author addressed the difference between reading about murder and all that and the "coarse" reality of it. Most of the time when an author does that it comes off maudlin or as fake reflection designed to make a reader think the character is fragile (if female) or depressed (if male; character then has a drink or something). It works as a stand alone, I don't know if the amount of explanation done would be annoying if reading the series.