Malice Downstream

Erskine Powell #5

by Graham Thomas

FLY-FISHING TAKES A KIND OF PATIENCE THAT FEW POSSESS. — SO DOES PLOTTING THE PERFECT MURDER. — For Detective-Chief Superintendent Erskine Powell, the invitation to visit an old friend in the small idyllic town of Houghton Bridge is too good to pass up. With superb fishing on the River Test, the trip will give him a much-needed chance to rest. Still, Powell can’t seem to unwind. He’s a seasoned policeman after all -- and although he’s on vacation, his instincts are not.

Then the body of a potential member of the Mayfly Fishing Club turns up one morning, tangled in the weeds along the bank. Powell has no choice but to step into the investigation. In a town where gossip is the only thing more popular than a rod and reel, there will be a lot of deep secrets -- and even darker lies -- to wade through before he can catch a killer on his line ...

Genres: Mystery, British Literature

240 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Pseudonym of Gordon Kosakoski, 1950-2008.
Wrote five novels.

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

"For Detective-Chief Superintendent Erskine Powell, the invitation to visit an old friend in the small idyllic town of Houghton Bridge is too good to pass up. With superb fishing on the River Test, the trip will give him a much-needed chance to rest. Still, Powell can't seem to unwind. He's a seasoned policeman after all -- and although he's on vacation, his instincts are not.

"Then the body of a potential member of the Mayfly Fishing Club turns up one morning, tangled in the weeds along the bank. Powell has no choice but to step into the investigation. In a town where gossip is the only thing more popular than a rod and reel, there will be a lot of deep secrets -- and even darker lies -- to wade through before he can catch a killer on his line ..."
~~back cover

A nice little mystery, with Detective-Chief Superintendent Powell smack in the middle of the investigation. At first because he just likes a mystery, and then because he's asked to investigate on the q.t. (NB: he did have a choice not to get involved, but of course he couldn't resist.) And as usual, he uncovers the real motive, and the real murderer, underneath layers of myth and gossip.

The only problem is ... this book is a cliffhanger. Graham Thomas wrote only these five books, and died in 2008. So we'll never know if Powell decided to retire to Canada with his family, or remain in England and his friendship with Jemma Walker. Arggh!

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

#5 in the Scotland Yard Detective-Chief Superintendent Erskine Powell mystery series. Recovering for an injury from his last case, Powell receives an invitation to visit an old friend in the small idyllic town of Houghton Bridge a well known and prized fly fishing location. It quickly turns into a busman's holiday when a potential member of the exclusive local Fishing Club turns up dead. This death is mixed up the suicide of a young woman 7 years ago in the town.

This story is all Powell without his usual Scotland Yard team members.

[Jeff Tankersley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chief Detective Erskine Powell is vacationing at Houghton Bridge, a small English town that is known for its select fishing club called the Mayfly Club on the Test River. The Mayfly Club only has nineteen members and doesn't add another until one passes away, so when one of three potential members being considered for a vacant spot ends up dead, Powell can't help but shift from vacation mode into full detective mode. There are a number of townsfolk who also carry secrets and suspicions about another death that happened there in years past.

Verdict: An easy and interesting British murder mystery.

Jeff's Rating: 3 / 5 (Good)
movie rating if made into a movie: PG-13

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a rather slow moving story but with interesting characters and an unexpected climax. I probably would have enjoyed it more if I was into dry fly fishing as much of the book centers around that activity with lots of descriptions of fish and casting techniques but a knowledge of the sport is not essential to understanding the story.

[Georgia · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sorry this is the last book by this author.

[Ron Chicaferro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like all of the Graham Thomas 'Malice' books, Malice Downstream is an excellent British murder mystery. The writing is crisp and clear. The crime, suspects and possible solution are text book examples of how to write an excellent mystery novel. If you like the art of fly fishing then this book has some added treats! Its murder in a small town that sometimes brings out worse villians then what you might find in the big cities.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy the pace of Graham Thomas' detective novels. They are traditional English mysteries with Detective-Chief Inspector Erskine Powell the main character. The plot is well developed, moving along like the River Test where he is fishing. Great characters and descriptions. Of course, someone is murdered, and even though he is on vacation, the Chief Inspector is ready and willing to solve the case. Jolly good fun!

[Julie]

I liked 3 out of 5 of his series, and this is one of those 3 that i liked. This was the last he wrote and I have wondered why he stopped. There was an interview in the back that indicated he intended to write more. - it's a 'mystery'; maybe i can solve it on wikepedia

[Sajeev · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fishy

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series would be a good choice for the fisherman on your list.