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Inspector Thanet #5
Last Seen Alive
It was all of twenty years since Alicia Parnell last saw Sturrenden. While she was still a schoolgirl a jilted boyfriend had killed himself, and her parents had tactfully moved away. Nevertheless the old crowd were delighted to welcome her back when she turned up out of the blue one day- but puzzlement at her motive is quickly replaced by shock, when Alicia is found strangled in her room...
220 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1985
374 people are currently reading
344 people want to read
About the author
Dorothy Simpson
36 books119 followersDorothy Preece Simpson writes...
"I was born and brought up in South Wales, went to Bridgend Grammar School and then on to Bristol University, where I read modern languages before moving to Kent, the background of the Thanet novels, to teach French at Dartford and Erith Grammar Schools.
Moving to the Maidstone area on my marriage, I then spent several years devoting myself to bringing up my three children. During that time I trained as a marriage guidance counsellor and subsequently worked as one for thirteen years.
You may think that marriage guidance counsellor to crime writer is rather a peculiar career move, but although I didn’t realise it at the time, of course, the training I received was the best possible preparation for writing detective novels. Murder mysteries are all about relationships which go disastrously wrong and the insights I gained into what makes people tick, into their interaction and motivations, have been absolutely invaluable to DI Thanet, my series character, as have the interviewing skills I acquired during my years of counselling.
I began to write after a long illness in 1975. The success of my first book, a suspense novel called HARBINGERS OF FEAR, gave me sufficient impetus to carry me through the two rejections which followed - very disheartening at the time, but invaluable in retrospect.
It was during this period that I realised that the crime novel is of such diversity that it offers enormous scope to the writer and decided to attempt to lay the foundation for a series of detective novels in my next book. This was the THE NIGHT SHE DIED." This was the first in a 15 book series starring Detective Inspector Luke Thanet. Severe repetitive stress injury caused her to stop writing in 2000.
She is an award winning author, receiving a Silver Dagger Award from the Crime Writers' Association of Great Britain.
"I was born and brought up in South Wales, went to Bridgend Grammar School and then on to Bristol University, where I read modern languages before moving to Kent, the background of the Thanet novels, to teach French at Dartford and Erith Grammar Schools.
Moving to the Maidstone area on my marriage, I then spent several years devoting myself to bringing up my three children. During that time I trained as a marriage guidance counsellor and subsequently worked as one for thirteen years.
You may think that marriage guidance counsellor to crime writer is rather a peculiar career move, but although I didn’t realise it at the time, of course, the training I received was the best possible preparation for writing detective novels. Murder mysteries are all about relationships which go disastrously wrong and the insights I gained into what makes people tick, into their interaction and motivations, have been absolutely invaluable to DI Thanet, my series character, as have the interviewing skills I acquired during my years of counselling.
I began to write after a long illness in 1975. The success of my first book, a suspense novel called HARBINGERS OF FEAR, gave me sufficient impetus to carry me through the two rejections which followed - very disheartening at the time, but invaluable in retrospect.
It was during this period that I realised that the crime novel is of such diversity that it offers enormous scope to the writer and decided to attempt to lay the foundation for a series of detective novels in my next book. This was the THE NIGHT SHE DIED." This was the first in a 15 book series starring Detective Inspector Luke Thanet. Severe repetitive stress injury caused her to stop writing in 2000.
She is an award winning author, receiving a Silver Dagger Award from the Crime Writers' Association of Great Britain.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
June 24, 2017
I think this is my favorite book, so far, in the series. In this one, we find a woman that has been murdered in a hotel. She used to live in Sturrenden but nobody has seen her for 20 years. Not since her then boyfriend committed suicide. The thing with these mysteries, is you kind of know who the killer is but at the same time, you really don't care. At least, I don't. I like the way they're written, I like the characters, and I enjoy "watching" the mystery unfold. I've said this before, they are very reminiscent of Agatha Christie. I'm finished with the 5th book in the series and I still can't wait to read the rest.
**Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
**Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 20, 2022
5/10.
It might be me,but I found it rather slow and boring.
It might be me,but I found it rather slow and boring.
January 1, 2019
It seems someone held a grudge against Alicia Doyle for 20 years; the day she showed her nose in Sturrenden once more, she was strangled to death. An elegant, secretive woman, the only thing she told anyone was that she had plans to meet someone. It is up to Inspector Thanet to unravel the tragedy of Alicia and her crowd, the stars of Thanet's old school. Author Simpson pulls it off again - with psychology and remarkably few clues she finally leads us to a moving ending.
My Favorite Contemporary Mystery reread of 2018
Read 2 times
My Favorite Contemporary Mystery reread of 2018
Read 2 times
August 10, 2025
I've always enjoyed the Inspector Thanet series - some more than others for sure. This is a very intriguing mystery, and it kept me switching from one suspect to another as red herrings were ruled out and information was revealed. It's clever and entertaining. My only concern was that I really had to suspend disbelief when the connection between the victim and perpetrator was revealed. Nevertheless, a satisfying four star read for me.
September 15, 2023
Another good book by Dorothy Simpson. Well worth reading
July 25, 2017
GNAb I received a free electronic copy of this novel from Netgalley, Dorothy Simpson and Open Road Integrated Media in exchange for an honest review. This novel was originally published December 1988 by Penguin. Thank you for sharing your hard work with me.
A Dorothy Simpson novel is always a good choice for an entertaining read. Her mysteries stay nicely hidden until she is ready for you to figure them out, Her characters are interesting and very completely known by the reader, and you will always feel good about the way things end. Last Seen Alive is excellent, a novel I can highly recommend to friends and family. As always, Ms. Simpson delivers.
originally published 1988 by Penguin
pub date June 6, 2017
Open Road Integrated Media
A Dorothy Simpson novel is always a good choice for an entertaining read. Her mysteries stay nicely hidden until she is ready for you to figure them out, Her characters are interesting and very completely known by the reader, and you will always feel good about the way things end. Last Seen Alive is excellent, a novel I can highly recommend to friends and family. As always, Ms. Simpson delivers.
originally published 1988 by Penguin
pub date June 6, 2017
Open Road Integrated Media
July 12, 2017
I just binge read 5 of Dorothy Simpsons Detective Thanet series. The first being "Six Feet Under". This the 5th of the series.
My review will be the same for all 5 that I read. I don't like to recap what happened in the book. We can all read the blurb on the jacket, or online versions. I find it much more important to tell you, the potential reader, what I liked and why or what I disliked and why.
What i liked:
Detective Thanet is a fully realized character. We find out that he hates the first contact with a corpse. There is a mixture of anger and empathy. He often wonders if this makes him ineffective detective. We get a chance to see his family life. His wife and two children. We see the struggles and joys of a normal family. Adds a distinct layer to his character.
Their are only 2 other recurring characters, Doc Mallard, the curmudgeonly coroner, and DS Lineham, Thanets partner who has two strong women in his life, his mother and his wife. they aren't as fully realized as characters but we gather enough information to relate to them.
The tedious work of interviewing and writing reports is frequently related. Since this is a vital aspect of police work we are given an incite to the working life of the police.
The interaction between characters works well. Suspects getting annoyed with the interruptions to their lives. Family members being interviewed shortly after the murder. The difficult job the police have in doing their investigation.
Dorothy Simpson makes the whole process seem real.
What I don"t particularly appreciate. One caveat is that reading all 5 books in a row these "problems" are amplified.
There is a formula that is followed in each book. The finding of the body. the early interviews, the lack of forensic evidence, secondary interviews, the insights that lead to the murderer. Connections to evidence is lacking.
As I stated this becomes more apparent when reading one after the other.
I would like to thank the Publisher, NetGalley, and the author for my copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
My review will be the same for all 5 that I read. I don't like to recap what happened in the book. We can all read the blurb on the jacket, or online versions. I find it much more important to tell you, the potential reader, what I liked and why or what I disliked and why.
What i liked:
Detective Thanet is a fully realized character. We find out that he hates the first contact with a corpse. There is a mixture of anger and empathy. He often wonders if this makes him ineffective detective. We get a chance to see his family life. His wife and two children. We see the struggles and joys of a normal family. Adds a distinct layer to his character.
Their are only 2 other recurring characters, Doc Mallard, the curmudgeonly coroner, and DS Lineham, Thanets partner who has two strong women in his life, his mother and his wife. they aren't as fully realized as characters but we gather enough information to relate to them.
The tedious work of interviewing and writing reports is frequently related. Since this is a vital aspect of police work we are given an incite to the working life of the police.
The interaction between characters works well. Suspects getting annoyed with the interruptions to their lives. Family members being interviewed shortly after the murder. The difficult job the police have in doing their investigation.
Dorothy Simpson makes the whole process seem real.
What I don"t particularly appreciate. One caveat is that reading all 5 books in a row these "problems" are amplified.
There is a formula that is followed in each book. The finding of the body. the early interviews, the lack of forensic evidence, secondary interviews, the insights that lead to the murderer. Connections to evidence is lacking.
As I stated this becomes more apparent when reading one after the other.
I would like to thank the Publisher, NetGalley, and the author for my copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
August 9, 2016
Alicia Parnell hasn't been back to Sturrenden since she left with her family twenty years ago. Within hours of her arrival she is found strangled in her hotel room. Before she left, her jilted boyfriend had committed suicide - has someone taken their revenge after all this time? DI Luke Thanet and DS Mike Lineham must dig deep into the past to find where the seeds of the tragedy started to germinate.
This is a thoughtful and thought provoking mystery which has an all too human tragedy at its heart. I found it poignant and moving when the truth is actually revealed. I had worked out part of the solution though not all of it. I thought the characters were well drawn and I could believe in their motivations.
Dorothy Simpson is in underrated writer in the crime genre in my opinion and deserves to be better known. Her characters are well drawn and her plots are complex and interesting. The series can be read in any order.
This is a thoughtful and thought provoking mystery which has an all too human tragedy at its heart. I found it poignant and moving when the truth is actually revealed. I had worked out part of the solution though not all of it. I thought the characters were well drawn and I could believe in their motivations.
Dorothy Simpson is in underrated writer in the crime genre in my opinion and deserves to be better known. Her characters are well drawn and her plots are complex and interesting. The series can be read in any order.
February 28, 2020
I liked the Inspector Thanet and his family. Simpson is very good with her plot, and the story interested me. Plenty of twists and turns, but I found her writing a bit tedious—even for me! I doubt I will return to the series. But never underestimate the appeal of a nice, steady cozy procedural puzzle written by an author with a flair for description and affection for her characters.
March 1, 2023
This is a good, straightforward police procedural story written in a traditional manner. Detective Inspector Thanet and Detective Sergeant Lineham are called to the death of a woman in her hotel bedroom. Thanet is the more imaginative and is backed up by the stolid Lineham as the pair work through the life of Alicia Parnell and her connection with the fictitious Kent town of Sturrenden. Through patient police work they home in on the murderer.
A good read 4 stars.
A good read 4 stars.
April 18, 2022
Rounding up to 4.
Out of this series, this is my favorite so far featuring Detective Inspector Luke Thanet and his deputy Mike Lineham. These books were originally published in the 1980s and the only thing that dates these this time around is the smoking aspect. I keep forgetting to mention that in my reviews.
Otherwise, it’s an intricate mystery based upon a group of friends stretching back 20 years and who knows what you would do to hide a secret that was that old?
Out of this series, this is my favorite so far featuring Detective Inspector Luke Thanet and his deputy Mike Lineham. These books were originally published in the 1980s and the only thing that dates these this time around is the smoking aspect. I keep forgetting to mention that in my reviews.
Otherwise, it’s an intricate mystery based upon a group of friends stretching back 20 years and who knows what you would do to hide a secret that was that old?
May 24, 2025
A decent British police procedural of its time (1980’s), if a bit dry. Have now read five of these Dorothy Simpson mysteries, and they are just a little more “staid” and “frumpy” than I’d like; although the plotting is fine, the characters feel stock and formulaic to me. Will read more, but they won’t be “go-to” reading for me…
September 13, 2016
As always I find Titles In Dorothy Simpson's Inspector Luke Thanet's British police procedural series to be first-rate. So sad that illness forced her to stop writing altogether. A mystery reader's loss but of course wish her continued improved health.
Want to read
June 7, 2019Synopsis: while Alicia was a schoolgirl, a boyfriend had killed himself. She moved but now she's back. Soon Thanet has to investigate her murder!
November 7, 2020
In this detective novel from 1985, Inspector Thanet is just breathing a sigh of relief after a visit by Diana, Princess of Wales, has gone off without security hitches, when he is called to a murder scene in a local hotel. He recognizes the victim as Alicia Parnell, the golden girl of his high school twenty years or so ago. She had left town shortly after graduation -a departure precipitated by her boyfriend's suicide- and had never been seen since. What brought her back after all these years, and could it be coincidence that she ends up strangled within a day of her arrival? Inspector Thanet has to work on two levels : the scrupulous following-up of leads and alibis in the present day, and a reconstruction of what exactly happened in that group of six close friends, more than 2 decades ago.
Inspector Thanet is a lovable character. A good husband and father, unusually sensitive to the first view of a dead body, fond of his little town, he's much closer to Inspector Maigret and the Scotland Yard detectives of classic British mystery fiction than the tormented (hard-drinking, multi-divorced.... ) law enforcement officers in vogue now. I always enjoy mysteries with an aspect of "cold case" about them, so this book was right up my alley.
Inspector Thanet is a lovable character. A good husband and father, unusually sensitive to the first view of a dead body, fond of his little town, he's much closer to Inspector Maigret and the Scotland Yard detectives of classic British mystery fiction than the tormented (hard-drinking, multi-divorced.... ) law enforcement officers in vogue now. I always enjoy mysteries with an aspect of "cold case" about them, so this book was right up my alley.
July 1, 2017
4 stars
Alicia Parnell was last seen in Sturrenden some twenty years earlier when her then boyfriend committed suicide. When she returned to the town, she is found murdered less than a day after her return.
DI Luke Thanet and DS Mike Lineham are on the case. Since Thanet knew Alicia from years ago when the attended school together, he finds himself enmeshed in his personal feelings about the victim.
After a few false starts and following some red herrings, Thanet and Lineham find the murderer.
What I like about these mysteries is the easy style in which they are written. They are a refreshing and cozy way to spend a rainy afternoon. They are well written and plotted and the suspense starts immediately and builds to a close, with surprises along the way. I especially enjoy the interactions between Thanet and his wife and children. They are a very pleasurable aside from the mystery side of the story and do not detract from the main telling of the story at all. Dorothy Simpson was a fantastic writer and it is sad to realize that she had to abandon her writing.
I want to thank Netgalley and Open Road Integrated Media for forwarding to me a copy of this great book to read.
Alicia Parnell was last seen in Sturrenden some twenty years earlier when her then boyfriend committed suicide. When she returned to the town, she is found murdered less than a day after her return.
DI Luke Thanet and DS Mike Lineham are on the case. Since Thanet knew Alicia from years ago when the attended school together, he finds himself enmeshed in his personal feelings about the victim.
After a few false starts and following some red herrings, Thanet and Lineham find the murderer.
What I like about these mysteries is the easy style in which they are written. They are a refreshing and cozy way to spend a rainy afternoon. They are well written and plotted and the suspense starts immediately and builds to a close, with surprises along the way. I especially enjoy the interactions between Thanet and his wife and children. They are a very pleasurable aside from the mystery side of the story and do not detract from the main telling of the story at all. Dorothy Simpson was a fantastic writer and it is sad to realize that she had to abandon her writing.
I want to thank Netgalley and Open Road Integrated Media for forwarding to me a copy of this great book to read.
November 24, 2023
The characters in this book are almost the exact opposite of the previous books. Most of them are at least relatable if not downright likeable. At the end, I even feel sorry for the killer.
The hint about the killer's identity is like a beacon. You can't miss it. I even figured it out before Thanet, although I didn't catch the twist. Apparently, I didn't pay enough attention to colors....
New detective is introduced, DC Sparks. He appears to be better than Lineham and Thanet. Even Thanet admits that Sparks won't stay with them long. The working relationship between Thanet and Lineham continues to evolve, with Lineham understanding when to pick up the interview.
The story goes back to Thanet's school days. The characters are kids a year or two older than him, that somehow meet each other again 2 years later with tragic ending.
On the home front, Bridget is 12 and obsessed with Princess Diana. Doctor Who is something present in Ben's life, but he also starts having some issues that catch the attention of his parents. Lineham and his wife, meanwhile, are looking to buy a house.
The hint about the killer's identity is like a beacon. You can't miss it. I even figured it out before Thanet, although I didn't catch the twist. Apparently, I didn't pay enough attention to colors....
New detective is introduced, DC Sparks. He appears to be better than Lineham and Thanet. Even Thanet admits that Sparks won't stay with them long. The working relationship between Thanet and Lineham continues to evolve, with Lineham understanding when to pick up the interview.
The story goes back to Thanet's school days. The characters are kids a year or two older than him, that somehow meet each other again 2 years later with tragic ending.
On the home front, Bridget is 12 and obsessed with Princess Diana. Doctor Who is something present in Ben's life, but he also starts having some issues that catch the attention of his parents. Lineham and his wife, meanwhile, are looking to buy a house.
October 5, 2023
As I said in a previous review, I have been going through books on my shelves which I haven't read yet. This one was published in 1988. But I like reading detective novels from the golden years of detective fiction. They are more gentle, more civilised and this was no exception.
What was refreshing was that Inspector Thanet is no flawed hero. He is happily married and is does not drink to excess. It was such a breath of fresh air compared to some of our modern detective novels which anguished detectives. Whereas this was a gentle unfolding of clues and misdirection. And a wonderful surprise ending.
The classics are worth rereading especially if the modern detective novels seem to be all the same.
What was refreshing was that Inspector Thanet is no flawed hero. He is happily married and is does not drink to excess. It was such a breath of fresh air compared to some of our modern detective novels which anguished detectives. Whereas this was a gentle unfolding of clues and misdirection. And a wonderful surprise ending.
The classics are worth rereading especially if the modern detective novels seem to be all the same.
March 5, 2024
Another splendid murder mystery for Dorothy Simpson’s pipe-smoking DI Thanet who seems to inhabit the 1950’s in spite of living in the mid 1980’s. I suspect the Kent town of Sturrenden is actually Maidstone; the summer Kent countryside is picture-postcard perfect, the air heavy with the scent of flowers and the fruits of market gardening. Intruding into this idyll comes death in the form of a particularly violent strangulation of a 38 year old woman in a hotel bedroom. She was in school with Thanet (but older) and he remembers her allure and impossible glamour. So why had she returned to Kent and been killed on the first evening of her stay? Could it be that she’d confronted one of her old friends with shattering information? Or was this a random attack in a hotel chock-full of guests for a Rotary Club ladies’ evening?
While Thanet and DS Lineham are pondering this we are also immersed in their family concerns. Will the Linehams get their dream house away from Mike’s overbearing mother, and why is Thanet’s son, Ben, so withdrawn? It’s the combination of stolid police procedural and recognisable domestic angst that make this such an enjoyable series.
While Thanet and DS Lineham are pondering this we are also immersed in their family concerns. Will the Linehams get their dream house away from Mike’s overbearing mother, and why is Thanet’s son, Ben, so withdrawn? It’s the combination of stolid police procedural and recognisable domestic angst that make this such an enjoyable series.
November 21, 2017
The 5th book in the Inspector Thanet mysteries and my first time reading the series. This is a well plotted and developed police procedural with lots of red herrings and a twist in the end. Set in a small village outside of London, Inspector Thanet and his partner are called to the scene of a murder at a local hotel. Thanet, who grew up in the village, recognizes the victim as a beautiful girl, and one of a group of popular teens, who left the village twenty years ago and returned for one night only to be murdered. Many secrets are unlocked in their search for the murderer and motive. Fast read.
July 1, 2018
Another great Inspector Thanet novel, this time tied to the theme of parents and children. I still enjoy the interactions between the inspector and Lineham, which were more centralized this time than some of the other books. The way the characters continue to grow older, rather than staying static, makes it feel more like they're real people. I actually figured out who dunnit about the same time as Thanet. The way the clues were laid out was cleverly done, plus plenty of red herrings to distract the attention, too. Will be picking up the next in the series as soon as I can get a copy.
August 12, 2018
This is the second Inspector Thanet book that I have read, and I felt that it was not as well written as the first. In book #4, the first I read, Thanet has a brilliant flash of insight to solve the whole crime, and I was okay with that, but when it happened in this book also, I start to assume that it's going to be the author's way of solving the crime in each book. Too hokey for me. Also, the dialogue was well-written in book #4. In this one, every time Thanet speaks to Lineham, he uses his name. Every Time. If I saw the word "Mike" one more time, I was going to scream.
November 6, 2021
Greek tragedy translated into a murder mystery. Well written with great characters, my only negative thought concerns digressions such as the Inspector dealing with a drug issue in his son's school, and the Sargeant dealing with buying a house. On one hand these things make the characters more real and human, but on the other, they take away focus from the story. Funny, family digressions in another series that take place in Venice and mostly center around meals and food don't bother me at all...
September 1, 2024
Found this book at a random shop in Nice among a bunch of thicker British murder mysteries, the only English books they had. Easy to read. But the investigators continued to lean on homophobic and sexist. Especially way the characters fawn over the suspect in the end…
SPOILER
if roles were reversed and the “quarry” as they call it was a female they’d never give the same sympathy and kindness that they gave to the man. It reads as if they completely have forgotten he strangled someone! Oh poor him, “luckily” he’ll only probably be in prison for nine years. What the hell
SPOILER
if roles were reversed and the “quarry” as they call it was a female they’d never give the same sympathy and kindness that they gave to the man. It reads as if they completely have forgotten he strangled someone! Oh poor him, “luckily” he’ll only probably be in prison for nine years. What the hell
July 20, 2017
So nice to read about a nice and normal family.
I know not all families are nice but then not all families are horrible either. Thanet has a loving relationship with wife and children. I like the cerebral stories,not violent and psychologically insane people. I firmly agree with Thanet's last opinion on telling the secret. Only fair to the woman.
I know not all families are nice but then not all families are horrible either. Thanet has a loving relationship with wife and children. I like the cerebral stories,not violent and psychologically insane people. I firmly agree with Thanet's last opinion on telling the secret. Only fair to the woman.
February 21, 2018
Twists and turns
I like Inspector Thanet and his partner. This should be a good series. The ending was weak to me. I couldn't tell if their conclusion to the murder was right or not. I thought Rain's confession was true or not. Several other characters could have been the murderer and Rain was protecting family.
I like Inspector Thanet and his partner. This should be a good series. The ending was weak to me. I couldn't tell if their conclusion to the murder was right or not. I thought Rain's confession was true or not. Several other characters could have been the murderer and Rain was protecting family.
December 22, 2018
This was a quick read and hard to put down. Simpson's very concise writing really gets to the core of the mystery - and the characters - quickly. There aren't a lot of clues here, but the book is well written and there are twists right through to the last page. I think this is the strongest installment in this series.
March 7, 2023
I really enjoy this series. It was written in the late 2000’s, but is set in the 1980’s. It reads like good old fashioned English detective stories, quite successfully. This story in particular had me guessing whodunnit until almost the end. While the murderer wasn’t surprising, it was a great, satisfying read. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series 📚🐉
January 18, 2024
I have read several Dorothy Simpson mysteries in the past year and have really enjoyed them. Inspector Luke Thanet is a wonderful character. I like the scenes at home where we meet his wife and children. His working relationship with his colleagues is interesting. I appreciate the dialogue between Thanet and Lineham. The books were written in the 1980's so must be read in context.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews