What do you think?
Rate this book
Wesley Peterson #27
The Killing Place
'A beguiling author who interweaves past and present' THE TIMES
November. With the tourist season well and truly over in South Devon, Detective Inspector Wesley Peterson is looking forward to a quieter month in the CID. But when a man is shot dead on Bonfire Night, he finds he has a disturbing murder case on his hands.
The body of Patrick North was found in woodland connected to Nesbaraton Hall, a grand estate dating back to the eighteenth century. North worked for the Smithson family who now own the estate. The family are away on holiday, however when an anonymous letter threatening to abduct the Smithson son is uncovered, Wesley fears North's death might have been collateral damage in a kidnap plot.
Meanwhile, archaeologist Dr Neil Watson discovers a hidden grotto on land that was once part of the Nesbaraton estate. Evidence of past rituals and the shocking discovery of a skeleton raise questions about strange occurrences, past and present, on the land.
Then, just when Wesley's team seem to be making progress in their investigation, a resident of the nearby village is killed in a near-identical shooting to North's. A race is on to find the ruthless killer, before they strike again . . .
Whether you've read the whole series, or are discovering Kate Ellis's DI Wesley Peterson novels for the first time, this is the perfect page-turner if you love reading Ann Cleeves and Elly Griffiths.
'Clever plotting hides a powerful story of loss, malice and deception' Ann Cleeves
'Haunting' Independent
'The chilling plot will keep you spooked and thrilled to the end' Closer
'Unputdownable' Bookseller
'A fine storyteller, weaving the past and present in a way that makes you want to read on' Peterborough Evening Telegraph
November. With the tourist season well and truly over in South Devon, Detective Inspector Wesley Peterson is looking forward to a quieter month in the CID. But when a man is shot dead on Bonfire Night, he finds he has a disturbing murder case on his hands.
The body of Patrick North was found in woodland connected to Nesbaraton Hall, a grand estate dating back to the eighteenth century. North worked for the Smithson family who now own the estate. The family are away on holiday, however when an anonymous letter threatening to abduct the Smithson son is uncovered, Wesley fears North's death might have been collateral damage in a kidnap plot.
Meanwhile, archaeologist Dr Neil Watson discovers a hidden grotto on land that was once part of the Nesbaraton estate. Evidence of past rituals and the shocking discovery of a skeleton raise questions about strange occurrences, past and present, on the land.
Then, just when Wesley's team seem to be making progress in their investigation, a resident of the nearby village is killed in a near-identical shooting to North's. A race is on to find the ruthless killer, before they strike again . . .
Whether you've read the whole series, or are discovering Kate Ellis's DI Wesley Peterson novels for the first time, this is the perfect page-turner if you love reading Ann Cleeves and Elly Griffiths.
'Clever plotting hides a powerful story of loss, malice and deception' Ann Cleeves
'Haunting' Independent
'The chilling plot will keep you spooked and thrilled to the end' Closer
'Unputdownable' Bookseller
'A fine storyteller, weaving the past and present in a way that makes you want to read on' Peterborough Evening Telegraph
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 3, 2023
114 people are currently reading
290 people want to read
About the author
Kate Ellis
119 books603 followersKate Ellis was born and brought up in Liverpool and she studied drama in Manchester. She worked in teaching, marketing and accountancy before first enjoying writing success as a winner of the North West Playwrights competition. Crime and mystery stories have always fascinated her, as have medieval history and archaeology which she likes to incorporate in her books. She is married with two grown up sons and she lives in North Cheshire, England, with her husband. Kate was awarded the CWA DAGGER IN THE LIBRARY award in 2019
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
September 23, 2023
3.25 / 5
This book is mid, not as intriguing as the last book but definitely more darker. It’s bog standard, nothing bad but nothing disastrous. At points it did dip in plot, it did fall abit stagnant but managed to claw it through in the end.
The plot follows the events of a body found in a woodland behind Nesbararon Hall- a historic hall dating back to the 18th century. The Smithson family owns the estate, with a personal PA that lives with them. The PA finds a letter threatening to abduct the son. It’s a mission to find out what happened to the body and finding where the son is. Before you know it, more bodies are found and the number starts increasing. It’s a race against time to try and catch whoever is behind it all. Meanwhile, Neil, Peterson close friend from Uni finds a hidden grotto in a developer’s field. After a dispute and midway destroying the grotto, a skeleton is found buried close by where Neil begins to investigate what happens.
Im not too sure if I want to continue reading the series, I’m torn because although this book has a good police procedure it has the same outline- some sort of murder and some sort of historic murder uncovered. The plot is almost split between current and historic investigation like the previous That’s pretty much it. But it is consistent. I was lost at points due to the sheer number of people involved and spoken to, so it does get confusing at points. But honestly, its quite bland the book- it’s missing some element of excitement.
This book is mid, not as intriguing as the last book but definitely more darker. It’s bog standard, nothing bad but nothing disastrous. At points it did dip in plot, it did fall abit stagnant but managed to claw it through in the end.
The plot follows the events of a body found in a woodland behind Nesbararon Hall- a historic hall dating back to the 18th century. The Smithson family owns the estate, with a personal PA that lives with them. The PA finds a letter threatening to abduct the son. It’s a mission to find out what happened to the body and finding where the son is. Before you know it, more bodies are found and the number starts increasing. It’s a race against time to try and catch whoever is behind it all. Meanwhile, Neil, Peterson close friend from Uni finds a hidden grotto in a developer’s field. After a dispute and midway destroying the grotto, a skeleton is found buried close by where Neil begins to investigate what happens.
Im not too sure if I want to continue reading the series, I’m torn because although this book has a good police procedure it has the same outline- some sort of murder and some sort of historic murder uncovered. The plot is almost split between current and historic investigation like the previous That’s pretty much it. But it is consistent. I was lost at points due to the sheer number of people involved and spoken to, so it does get confusing at points. But honestly, its quite bland the book- it’s missing some element of excitement.
October 6, 2023
Absolutely brilliant. Love this series.
December 20, 2023
Every time I read a Kate Ellis Book I think this is the best one yet. I still haven't read all of the older ones, but I'm working on it. This latest book in the Wesley Peterson series was riveting. When the body of a tutor for a wealthy family is found dead from a .22 rifle, Wesley and his boss, Gerry, go to the house to investigate. The estate was once owned by a family that got it's wealth by being "privateers," another word for state sanctioned pirates.
The present owner, Smithson, is a ruthless businessman who has little to do with the surrounding area. He owns a house in London, one in Scotland as well as a luxury yacht. However neither he nor his wife and son are at home. The woman who answers the door says she is a personal assistant to Smithson and he and his family often go "off the grid" in a luxury trailer somewhere in Scotland. They've taken their son with them because he is tutored at home, but left their daughter behind with her aunt who has a house on the estate and runs writing retreats. Attempts to find the family are fruitless despite the best attempts of Scottish authorities as more people are murdered.
Meanwhile, Neal, Wesley's anthropologist friend, is checking an area that has been bought by a developer with plans to put luxury townhouses there. British law requires that areas that are being developed be checked for any ruins that might be beneath the service. When a "grotto" is found in a cave, Neal goes in and finds what he thinks is a body, but it turns out to be a mannequin that may be an antique. The grotto is creepy inside and has apparently been a place for unholy rituals. As she does in other books, Ellis includes chapters of a diary by an out of work actor in the 18th century who is recruited to be a "madman" living in the grotto and be the "high priest" of the rituals that a wealthy group of noblemen including the son of the estate owner are holding.
This really got my attention although I think I should have had better suspicions than I did! There's a new book coming out in 2024 and there are two left for me to read. I've requested them from the library. I really like this series. The mix of anthropology and present day crime is very interesting and always well done.
The present owner, Smithson, is a ruthless businessman who has little to do with the surrounding area. He owns a house in London, one in Scotland as well as a luxury yacht. However neither he nor his wife and son are at home. The woman who answers the door says she is a personal assistant to Smithson and he and his family often go "off the grid" in a luxury trailer somewhere in Scotland. They've taken their son with them because he is tutored at home, but left their daughter behind with her aunt who has a house on the estate and runs writing retreats. Attempts to find the family are fruitless despite the best attempts of Scottish authorities as more people are murdered.
Meanwhile, Neal, Wesley's anthropologist friend, is checking an area that has been bought by a developer with plans to put luxury townhouses there. British law requires that areas that are being developed be checked for any ruins that might be beneath the service. When a "grotto" is found in a cave, Neal goes in and finds what he thinks is a body, but it turns out to be a mannequin that may be an antique. The grotto is creepy inside and has apparently been a place for unholy rituals. As she does in other books, Ellis includes chapters of a diary by an out of work actor in the 18th century who is recruited to be a "madman" living in the grotto and be the "high priest" of the rituals that a wealthy group of noblemen including the son of the estate owner are holding.
This really got my attention although I think I should have had better suspicions than I did! There's a new book coming out in 2024 and there are two left for me to read. I've requested them from the library. I really like this series. The mix of anthropology and present day crime is very interesting and always well done.
February 7, 2025
A great mix of present and past in this novel. The police characters are great and the plot and both narratives allowed the other characters to be easily imagined. I really enjoy Kate Ellis's novels and this one was great.
October 25, 2023
I was sad to recently read Elly Griffiths' final Ruth Galloway novel. Thank goodness the Wesley Peterson series with its similar mix of archaeology, history and crime is still going strong! In spite of all the murders it still feels cosy to revisit Wesley and the team as the characters and locations are so familiar. This is another great instalment and I loved seeing another side to Rachel, now mum to baby Freddie.
September 5, 2023
Bonfire Night, the 5th of November opens with the killing of Patrick North. Why and by whom, we know not. Thus opens the 27th book in this highly acclaimed series.
Developer, Jason Fonsby was keen to get the archaeological report completed and signed off so that building work could begin. Jason had twelve luxury executive homes lined up on land that had once belonged to the big house, Nesbarton Hall, a large estate that dated back to the eighteen century. Now archaeologist Dr Neil Watson, Heritage Manger, has discovered a Grotto, an unexpected feature in the middle of a copse that he feels calls for further investigation. Squeezing himself through the narrow entrance to a second room he finds at the far end what looks like an altar, adorned by a naked human figure. He wastes no time in dialling Wesley Peterson’s number.
DCI Gerry Heffernan, Wesley’s boss says, ‘what’s the fuss?’ Surely, he says, your mate Neil is always finding skeleton’s that’s his job, isn’t it? Wesley had worked with Gerry for many years, and never takes his comments too seriously. Wesley and Neil had studied archaeology together at Exeter University but had remained friends despite their different career choices.
With the summer season over in South Devon DI Wesley Peterson had been hoping for a quiet month. But a call from his colleague DS Rachel Tracey saying that her husband’s uncle Geoff has just found a dead body while walking his dog in the woodland near Nesbarton Hall puts paid to that.
The body is identified as that of Patrick North who worked for the Smithson family the owners of Nesbarton Hall estate. Wesley and Gerry head to Nesbarton Hall. Wesley has looked up Silas Smithson and learned that he founded a tech company. Later selling it for seventy-five million pounds. The door is answered by middle-aged woman dressed in black who identifies herself as Mr Smithson’s personal assistant. When she is told of Patrick North’s death her mouth drops open in shock, and she identifies him as Darius’s tutor. Darius is Mr Smithson’s thirteen-year-old son, and he is with his parents on holiday touring the Scottish Highlands, and they are not contactable. No phone, no Internet. Wesley muses that he couldn’t imagine his thirteen-year-old son Michael taking kindly to a digital detox in Scotland in cold, damp November!
Although identifying the body as that of Patrick North was quite straight forward discovering anything of his background is not so easy. Eventually they track down previous employment which answers some, but not all questions.. Then the arrival of an anonymous letter threatening to abduct the Smithson son and kill him if the police are informed, rather muddies the water. So, is Darius safely with his parents, or…….
Interspersed with Wesley’s investigation there are several entries dating from April 1787 from an actor named Charles Burbage, currently with no work and little money answering a request for an actor of quality to assume an important role in the county of Devonshire. With the offer of a lucrative post Charles sets off from London to Devonshire, where he meets his new employer who asks him a rather odd question. Just what has the lure of money got him into?
As in all previous novels we have the current day mystery and running alongside an historical story set in exactly the same place and in this instance 236 years ago.
Clever, complex, fascinating and intriguing, as both stories unfold, they provide a thoroughly satisfying read. Most highly recommended.
------
Reviewer: Lizzie Sirett
Developer, Jason Fonsby was keen to get the archaeological report completed and signed off so that building work could begin. Jason had twelve luxury executive homes lined up on land that had once belonged to the big house, Nesbarton Hall, a large estate that dated back to the eighteen century. Now archaeologist Dr Neil Watson, Heritage Manger, has discovered a Grotto, an unexpected feature in the middle of a copse that he feels calls for further investigation. Squeezing himself through the narrow entrance to a second room he finds at the far end what looks like an altar, adorned by a naked human figure. He wastes no time in dialling Wesley Peterson’s number.
DCI Gerry Heffernan, Wesley’s boss says, ‘what’s the fuss?’ Surely, he says, your mate Neil is always finding skeleton’s that’s his job, isn’t it? Wesley had worked with Gerry for many years, and never takes his comments too seriously. Wesley and Neil had studied archaeology together at Exeter University but had remained friends despite their different career choices.
With the summer season over in South Devon DI Wesley Peterson had been hoping for a quiet month. But a call from his colleague DS Rachel Tracey saying that her husband’s uncle Geoff has just found a dead body while walking his dog in the woodland near Nesbarton Hall puts paid to that.
The body is identified as that of Patrick North who worked for the Smithson family the owners of Nesbarton Hall estate. Wesley and Gerry head to Nesbarton Hall. Wesley has looked up Silas Smithson and learned that he founded a tech company. Later selling it for seventy-five million pounds. The door is answered by middle-aged woman dressed in black who identifies herself as Mr Smithson’s personal assistant. When she is told of Patrick North’s death her mouth drops open in shock, and she identifies him as Darius’s tutor. Darius is Mr Smithson’s thirteen-year-old son, and he is with his parents on holiday touring the Scottish Highlands, and they are not contactable. No phone, no Internet. Wesley muses that he couldn’t imagine his thirteen-year-old son Michael taking kindly to a digital detox in Scotland in cold, damp November!
Although identifying the body as that of Patrick North was quite straight forward discovering anything of his background is not so easy. Eventually they track down previous employment which answers some, but not all questions.. Then the arrival of an anonymous letter threatening to abduct the Smithson son and kill him if the police are informed, rather muddies the water. So, is Darius safely with his parents, or…….
Interspersed with Wesley’s investigation there are several entries dating from April 1787 from an actor named Charles Burbage, currently with no work and little money answering a request for an actor of quality to assume an important role in the county of Devonshire. With the offer of a lucrative post Charles sets off from London to Devonshire, where he meets his new employer who asks him a rather odd question. Just what has the lure of money got him into?
As in all previous novels we have the current day mystery and running alongside an historical story set in exactly the same place and in this instance 236 years ago.
Clever, complex, fascinating and intriguing, as both stories unfold, they provide a thoroughly satisfying read. Most highly recommended.
------
Reviewer: Lizzie Sirett
October 26, 2024
Well I enjoyed this better than the last book I've just read, more complicated but not so repetitive! DI Wesley Peterson wasn't particularly enjoying the wassail evening his wife had dragged him to when he was rescued by a call that a body had been found shot in a wood on the massive wild Nesbarton estate, conveniently by an officer who was the niece of the man who found the body, and who also took in a man who had lost his memory and was badly injured looking as if he's been in a recent fight. Now I don't know about you but if I had found a body on the floor which had been shot and then found a young man wandering about looking beaten up I wouldn't have taken him into my home because I felt sorry for him, and saying he wouldn't hand him over to anyone. Just saying.
Anyway the plot thickens and does get extremely complicated going back and forth to 1787 with an actor looking forward to being paid a fortune by a very rich young man just to act the part of a very ragged hermit type of a man in a grotto on the Nesbarton estate. Where, I should add, Wes's friend Neil Watson, archaeologist, was trying to stop a developer bulldozing it before he could look at it properly and write it up. Neil finds a skeleton of a woman buried in a shallow grave behind the grotto. She was too ancient a body to stop the development going ahead. Neil wasn't happy.
Meanwhile back at Nesbarton manor Karensa Carlton, the PA to the millionaire Silas Smithson who appears to have gone on a very rapid holiday in his campervan to Scotland after receiving a death threat for his 14yr old son Darius, but left his daughter Tatiana (their mother is russian) to stay in the lodge with her aunt (Silas's sister) who runs a retreat there. The PA is an incredibly snooty woman, bit like the housekeeper Mrs Danvers in Daphne du Maurier's book "Rebecca", and is very unhelpful. I should have kept that in mind.
The book does become a bit complicated from here on and I found myself going back on odd occasions to remind myself who this person is?? Anyway I got there in the end trying to keep up with it and the ending sort of could be seen to be coming, if you added up all the different multiple strands to the plotline, but it was satisfyingly worth it!! Although I did worry for the aunt and niece. Perhaps they will pop up in another book in the series, in a nice way of course!
Anyway the plot thickens and does get extremely complicated going back and forth to 1787 with an actor looking forward to being paid a fortune by a very rich young man just to act the part of a very ragged hermit type of a man in a grotto on the Nesbarton estate. Where, I should add, Wes's friend Neil Watson, archaeologist, was trying to stop a developer bulldozing it before he could look at it properly and write it up. Neil finds a skeleton of a woman buried in a shallow grave behind the grotto. She was too ancient a body to stop the development going ahead. Neil wasn't happy.
Meanwhile back at Nesbarton manor Karensa Carlton, the PA to the millionaire Silas Smithson who appears to have gone on a very rapid holiday in his campervan to Scotland after receiving a death threat for his 14yr old son Darius, but left his daughter Tatiana (their mother is russian) to stay in the lodge with her aunt (Silas's sister) who runs a retreat there. The PA is an incredibly snooty woman, bit like the housekeeper Mrs Danvers in Daphne du Maurier's book "Rebecca", and is very unhelpful. I should have kept that in mind.
The book does become a bit complicated from here on and I found myself going back on odd occasions to remind myself who this person is?? Anyway I got there in the end trying to keep up with it and the ending sort of could be seen to be coming, if you added up all the different multiple strands to the plotline, but it was satisfyingly worth it!! Although I did worry for the aunt and niece. Perhaps they will pop up in another book in the series, in a nice way of course!
February 17, 2024
Took me a while to get gripped but good story ...didn't guess who did it until it was revealed. Well written
November. With the tourist season well and truly over in South Devon, Detective Inspector Wesley Peterson is looking forward to a quieter month in the CID. But when a man is shot dead on Bonfire Night, he finds he has a disturbing murder case on his hands.
The body of Patrick North was found in woodland connected to Nesbaraton Hall, a grand estate dating back to the eighteenth century. North worked for the Smithson family who now own the estate. The family are away on holiday, however when an anonymous letter threatening to abduct the Smithson son is uncovered, Wesley fears North's death might have been collateral damage in a kidnap plot.
Meanwhile, archaeologist Dr Neil Watson discovers a hidden grotto on land that was once part of the Nesbaraton estate. Evidence of past rituals and the shocking discovery of a skeleton raise questions about strange occurrences, past and present, on the land.
Then, just when Wesley's team seem to be making progress in their investigation, a resident of the nearby village is killed in a near-identical shooting to North's. A race is on to find the ruthless killer, before they strike again . . .
November. With the tourist season well and truly over in South Devon, Detective Inspector Wesley Peterson is looking forward to a quieter month in the CID. But when a man is shot dead on Bonfire Night, he finds he has a disturbing murder case on his hands.
The body of Patrick North was found in woodland connected to Nesbaraton Hall, a grand estate dating back to the eighteenth century. North worked for the Smithson family who now own the estate. The family are away on holiday, however when an anonymous letter threatening to abduct the Smithson son is uncovered, Wesley fears North's death might have been collateral damage in a kidnap plot.
Meanwhile, archaeologist Dr Neil Watson discovers a hidden grotto on land that was once part of the Nesbaraton estate. Evidence of past rituals and the shocking discovery of a skeleton raise questions about strange occurrences, past and present, on the land.
Then, just when Wesley's team seem to be making progress in their investigation, a resident of the nearby village is killed in a near-identical shooting to North's. A race is on to find the ruthless killer, before they strike again . . .
January 22, 2025
The first DI Peterson book I've read.
The first thing that strikes you about the book is how unique the style is. Having a historical diary with a separate, albeit slightly linked, story interspersed in the main narrative was unique and had me intrigued on both stories. I also found the ordinariness of the detectives also quite winsome and very refreshing. I liked the characters a lot. Ellis writes well and the police go through the motions exploring avenues and investigating what is going on, which is fairly engaging.
The problem I found with this was the plot and villain lets the story down. Given how the book develops realistically the culprit has to be who it is. The author backs herself a bit into a corner with this, blocking off avenue after avenue of potential suspects. Added in too that the police seem to blunder into uncovering the villain which is something of a pet peeve of mine, and a personal dislike. In this case however combined with how the case develops it leads to a bit of an unsatisfactory finish.
I'll try another in the series as it was definitely different and had a lot of elements that were attractive. It's a shame poor plot development undoes a lot of the work of this book. 2 stars.
The first thing that strikes you about the book is how unique the style is. Having a historical diary with a separate, albeit slightly linked, story interspersed in the main narrative was unique and had me intrigued on both stories. I also found the ordinariness of the detectives also quite winsome and very refreshing. I liked the characters a lot. Ellis writes well and the police go through the motions exploring avenues and investigating what is going on, which is fairly engaging.
The problem I found with this was the plot and villain lets the story down. Given how the book develops realistically the culprit has to be who it is. The author backs herself a bit into a corner with this, blocking off avenue after avenue of potential suspects. Added in too that the police seem to blunder into uncovering the villain which is something of a pet peeve of mine, and a personal dislike. In this case however combined with how the case develops it leads to a bit of an unsatisfactory finish.
I'll try another in the series as it was definitely different and had a lot of elements that were attractive. It's a shame poor plot development undoes a lot of the work of this book. 2 stars.
January 25, 2025
I didn’t realise that this book is part of a series, following a detective called Wesley Peterson,but it’s perfectly good as a standalone so don’t be put off by that. I initially really struggled to get into this. It took me a while to get into the dual timeline because it didn’t seem to make much sense at first. However, once i got into it I really enjoyed it! One timeline is set in the present day and the other is in 1787
The 1787 story follows an out-of-work actor recruited to go to Devon to do a job on a grand estate. The present-day concerns the hall of the same estate, now owned by a multi-millionaire, where a man has been found shot dead. At the same time, archaeologists digging nearby uncover a hidden grotto showing evidence of rituals. This is an enjoyable mystery with really likeable characters, not only this, it is well-paced and interesting. This has been my first Kate Ellis book and I look forward to reading some others!
The 1787 story follows an out-of-work actor recruited to go to Devon to do a job on a grand estate. The present-day concerns the hall of the same estate, now owned by a multi-millionaire, where a man has been found shot dead. At the same time, archaeologists digging nearby uncover a hidden grotto showing evidence of rituals. This is an enjoyable mystery with really likeable characters, not only this, it is well-paced and interesting. This has been my first Kate Ellis book and I look forward to reading some others!
February 5, 2024
Another triumph.
Back in Devon on familiar territory with Wesley Peterson the nice clever black policeman we have all learned to love. His old university buddy, archaeologist Neil, finds what seems to be a body in an old folly. Turns out to be false then a real body is found. All this plus we read the testimony of a young out of work actor who in Georgian times is paid to play a 'wild man' living in a folly. Throw in a missing rich man, wife and troubled son plus a grim female assistant and we have a great mystery. Solved of course. Great atmosphere, wonderful, unputdownable writing and there you have another amazing Wesley Peterson story. Highly recommended. Have pre-ordered the next one in the series. Can't wait.
Back in Devon on familiar territory with Wesley Peterson the nice clever black policeman we have all learned to love. His old university buddy, archaeologist Neil, finds what seems to be a body in an old folly. Turns out to be false then a real body is found. All this plus we read the testimony of a young out of work actor who in Georgian times is paid to play a 'wild man' living in a folly. Throw in a missing rich man, wife and troubled son plus a grim female assistant and we have a great mystery. Solved of course. Great atmosphere, wonderful, unputdownable writing and there you have another amazing Wesley Peterson story. Highly recommended. Have pre-ordered the next one in the series. Can't wait.
August 28, 2023
The latest Wesley Peterson story, as usual combining a present day murder with an interwoven story of an ancient crime, in this case the murder of a young woman in 1787.
The modern crime involves the shooting of Patrick North, tutor to Darius Smithson whose father owns Nesbaraton Hall and the surrounding estate. As the police struggle to uncover a motive for the murder, hindered by the absence of the Smithsons, allegedly on holiday in Scotland, a second shooting occurs, this time of a local villager who appears to have no connection to the family or the first victim. As with all this series, great characterisation and a gripping fast moving plot.
The modern crime involves the shooting of Patrick North, tutor to Darius Smithson whose father owns Nesbaraton Hall and the surrounding estate. As the police struggle to uncover a motive for the murder, hindered by the absence of the Smithsons, allegedly on holiday in Scotland, a second shooting occurs, this time of a local villager who appears to have no connection to the family or the first victim. As with all this series, great characterisation and a gripping fast moving plot.
November 17, 2023
I am big fan of this series, now numbering 27 books. When the book first came out it was too expensive for me considering the amount of reading I do. Finally got lucky with the current sales price of 99 cents. Jump for joy!
There are a good many threats, deaths and hazards in this storyline with Wesley and his boss counted among those threatened. The historical threads are interesting as usual. This is a very satisfying read for fans of this great series that takes place in South Devon. All the central figures appear and I believe I can count on more Wesley Peterson books in future since they all survive.
There are a good many threats, deaths and hazards in this storyline with Wesley and his boss counted among those threatened. The historical threads are interesting as usual. This is a very satisfying read for fans of this great series that takes place in South Devon. All the central figures appear and I believe I can count on more Wesley Peterson books in future since they all survive.
March 28, 2024
The latest Wesley Peterson mystery and, as always, set in two time-lines – one in 1787, the other in the present day. The 1787 story is about an out-of-work actor recruited to go to Devon to do a job on a grand estate. The present-day concerns the hall of the same estate, now owned by a multi-millionaire, where a man has been found shot dead. At the same time, archaeologists digging nearby to uncover a hidden grotto, unearth a skeleton. This is an enjoyable mystery – likeable characters, well-paced and interesting. And another plus for the series is that each book can be read as a standalone novel.
Review by Norfolk Gal, Oundle Crime
Review by Norfolk Gal, Oundle Crime
August 21, 2023
I have probably said this of the last 26 books in this series of detective novels but this one has to be the best. I discovered my first novel by Kate Ellis in an independent bookshop in Dartmouth (the novels take place in South Devon) that we frequently visit on holiday and my introduction to DI Wesley Peterson and his friend from student days, the Archaeologist Neil Watson, began. That was about 2018 and book number 23. I was so enamoured by her writing, characters and the ability to combine history and modern detection I was intrigued and started reading the series from book one which had been published about ten years previously and have been addicted ever since. Her characters are people you can associate with and get to know well throughout the novels. You worry about them and their domestic and work problems and you mature and understand each one a little better after each episode. The historical research that must go into each novel and manages to combine and compare with the detection plot at hand makes you think of what came first in its creation, the current case or the history that can be associated with it? Amazing, intriguing situations and so well written...please,Kate Ellis, keep on writing.
February 20, 2024
Another Wesley Peterson story, #27. It conforms to the standard plot format of current day killing and a similar ancient killing told through some old document. Neil Watson has his usual argument with a developer. There isn't as much of the personal angst with Wesley's wife, although Gerry heffernan has a bit of a problem with his lady love.
Sgt. Rachel is less prominent because she's on maternity leave, and maybe she is finally over her crush on Wesley.
I still like the series, because these stories are an easy and undemanding read.
Nothing new here, though, so it's a rating 3.3.
Sgt. Rachel is less prominent because she's on maternity leave, and maybe she is finally over her crush on Wesley.
I still like the series, because these stories are an easy and undemanding read.
Nothing new here, though, so it's a rating 3.3.
August 18, 2024
A recent outing for DI Wesley Peterson (and thankfully little of Pam) and darker than earlier ones in this lengthy, but always engaging series. Once again Ellis weaves in the past and present - an C18th diary details the story of Charles Burbage an impoverished actor engaged by a typical rake to play the role of a 'wild man' in his grotto and that of a murdered tutor, Patrick North and a missing billionaire. For once, the identity of the killer became increasingly evident but that did not detract from the narrative in the least.
May 3, 2025
Another instalment in the long-running Wesley Peterson series, set in Devon. This time he's investigating the murder of a young man who was tutor to the son of a local wealthy family, who have apparently headed off to Scotland to live off-grid for a break,which means of course that they can't be found. Then a local woman is murdered and the police become even keener to find out what's really been going on at Nesbarton Hall. Meanwhile, the historical story which runs parallel to the modern investigation concerns a body found on the estate, admittedly one from a couple of hundred years ago but when an old grotto is discovered, which has strange markings on the wall, Wesley's friend Neil is fascinated by the possibility of an illegal club which may have existed in the 18th century. It's a fairly standard police procedural,easy to read but a bit dry, with a bit of light relief provided by, as usual, Wesley's irrepressible mum in law Della, who happens to be on a writing retreat at the lodge on the estate. An OK read but nothing particularly special. 6.5/10
June 27, 2024
Enjoyable read, as always from Kate Ellis. Even though I did work our whodunnit on p2, I was still interested enough to want to know why.
Being picky, as an archivist I know full well there's no way paper would survive in a grotto for 250 years, especially as the environmental conditions were such that the wooden box it was in was disintegrating. I also know that handwriting from the 1770s would not be legible to a modern teenager.
Being picky, as an archivist I know full well there's no way paper would survive in a grotto for 250 years, especially as the environmental conditions were such that the wooden box it was in was disintegrating. I also know that handwriting from the 1770s would not be legible to a modern teenager.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2024
More of a 3.5 score, but not allowed by Goodreads. Overall good thriller/crime novel. Found the storyline more unusual than the basic crime stories. There are 2 intertwined storylines from past and present. Towards end, some of the clues that came up made more sense by referring back to the first few pages. Liked the detectives characters and their background stories, but not sure I'm invested enough to read more in the series. Great story telling though by the author.
September 10, 2023
A worthwhile read.
I have read all of the books in their series and I have really enjoyed them all. THe crossed between history and current times woven into the story makes for interesting reading. Wesley is a good well formed main character as is Gerry. Now I have a wait for the next one.
I have read all of the books in their series and I have really enjoyed them all. THe crossed between history and current times woven into the story makes for interesting reading. Wesley is a good well formed main character as is Gerry. Now I have a wait for the next one.
August 20, 2023
Awesome Book
Kate Ellis’s books are always so great. I can never put one down wham I start reading it. I love how she included 18th century history in this novel. I always learn from her work.
I look forward to more wonderful books from her.
Kate Ellis’s books are always so great. I can never put one down wham I start reading it. I love how she included 18th century history in this novel. I always learn from her work.
I look forward to more wonderful books from her.
November 13, 2023
Another very readable book in this long series. The idea of a story in the present and a similar, historical story revealed by an ongoing excavation, works well in this one and is cleverly done.
I guess Gerry will have to retire eventually but no sign of it yet!
I guess Gerry will have to retire eventually but no sign of it yet!
June 30, 2024
I discovered this series a few months ago & now have reached the final book for the time being.
I have thoroughly enjoyed all the books. A fantastic series. So happy to find there will be 2 more books on the horizon.
I have thoroughly enjoyed all the books. A fantastic series. So happy to find there will be 2 more books on the horizon.
September 15, 2024
I always like this series. I learn something from the archeology piece. I enjoy reading about the characters. And the plot is always interesting, although I was spot on figuring out the killer in this one. I find Rachel a bit of an enigma though.
dnf
January 11, 2025DNF page 10. Got two books from the series and having given earlier one two stars I was worried starting this one. Still I was disappointed. I don’t normally DNF books I have physical copies of but I can’t do it. The writing, the characters, everything feels off.
August 5, 2023
Great series
I love this series and all the characters. Have really enjoyed them all and can't wait for the next one.
I love this series and all the characters. Have really enjoyed them all and can't wait for the next one.
August 25, 2023
Good read
As expected a book you do not want to put down but also do not want to end waiting for the next one
As expected a book you do not want to put down but also do not want to end waiting for the next one
September 5, 2023
An average read
September 5, 2023
Kate Ellis always pulls it out of the bag. Another Wesley Peterson masterpiece. If you haven’t read her books I suggest you start now!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews