Sorrow on Sunday

Lois Meade Mystery #7

by Ann Purser

The new Lois Meade mystery - A spate of equestrian thefts has hit Long Farnden. Lois Meade agrees to listen out for any incriminating rumours. Once again, Lois proves herself invaluable to Chief Inspector Hunter Cowgill, but things take a more dangerous turn when she finds herself a prime target . . . The trail leads Lois into the world of horse racing, which it becomes clear, holds more secrets and sorrow than youd ever imagine...

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, British Literature, Fiction, Cozy

218 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2007

About the author

Ann Purser lives in the East Midlands, in a small and attractive village which still has a village shop, a garage, pub and church. Here she finds her inspiration for her novels about country life. She has only to do her daily shopping down the High Street to listen to the real life of the village going on around her.

Before turning to fiction, she had a number of different careers, including journalism – she was for six years a columnist in SHE magazine – and art gallery proprietor. Running her own gallery in a 400-year-old barn behind the house, she gained fascinating insights into the characters and relationships of customers wandering around. She had no compunction about eavesdropping, and sharpened up her writer’s skills in weaving plots around strangers who spent sometimes more than an hour in her gallery.

Working in a village school added more grist to the mill, as does singing in the church choir and membership of the Women’s Guild. She reminds herself humbly that Virginia Woolf was President of her local WI…

Six years hard study won her an Open University degree, and when she faltered and threatened to fall by the wayside, writer husband Philip Purser reminded her that he was paying good money for the course. During this period, she wrote two non-fiction books, one for parents of handicapped children (she has a daughter with cerebral palsy) and the other a lighthearted book for schools, on the explosion of popular entertainment in the first forty years of the twentieth century.

Ten years of running the gallery proved to be enough, and while it was very successful she decided to sell. The business moved down the street to another barn and owner, and Pursers stayed on in their house next to the village school – another rich source of material for the stories. Time to start writing novels.

Round Ringford became Ann’s village in a series of six novels, each with a separate story, but featuring the same cast of characters with a few newcomers each time. The list of books gives details of each story, and each features an issue common to all villages in our rural countryside. “Just like our village!” is a frequent comment from Ann’s readers.

Next: the Lois Meade Mysteries, each title reflecting a day of the week. Ann has always loved detective fiction, and determined to make it her next series. So Murder on Monday was born, followed by Terror on Tuesday, and Weeping on Wednesday. The rest of the week follows!

Mornings are set aside for writing, and the rest of the day Ann spends walking the dog, retrieving bantams’ eggs from around the garden, gossiping and taking part in the life of the village. She is never bored!

Reviews

[Chris Curtis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like this series but this was not one of the better books from it. The lottery win must have something to do with books further on down the line because it didn't seem to add anything to this one.

I found myself getting bored with this book. I knew right away who "did it" but I never could get interested in how or why.

[Awallens · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not as good as previous installments of the series. I think with the kids gone, which added a lot of characterization to the novel, they have gotten a bit dull. Not dull enough for me to stop reading though.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first Ann Purser I have read. Very enjoyable read.

[Sharneel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lois Meade could be called a busy body. A no-nonsense businesswoman with a local cleaning agency, she always has her ear to the ground. These characters are well- drawn and believable. No grand houses and subtle murders here. In this particular story, even the murder was not totally intentional. The looming affection Cowgill has for Lois continues. Poor, slow Darren is the only mortality, although attempts were made on two other characters, even Lois herself.
Small town life plays out in these novels with greed, kindness, affections, fears and triumphs. Not a page turning read or great fiction, these novels offer a different twist in the murder mystery.

[Debby · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first in this series. It was a good read. I didn't exactly get all the English terms for certain things but I eventually figured them out. The timing in the story was off in some parts. They talked of buying a home, renovating it and renting it out. A few pages later, they own a house with a tenant in it. This is the seventh book in a series, so I didn't have all the nuances that help you understand all the character relationships, but in the end it didn't matter. I think I will give the series a try.

[Justine Wilkinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a patch on others in this series. I wondered at times whether it had even been written by the same author. Hope the next book is an improvement it I may have to give this series up, which would be a pity as I have really enjoyed it up to now.

[Lalla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This entry in the adventures of Lois Meade involves gambling at the local racetrack and some evil and immoral characters. The setting at the racetrack and Ms. Purser's depiction of a special needs child add to the plot of this story. Fans of this series will enjoy this mystery.

[Dick Harding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, I was going to stop reading this series as the protagonist can seem a bit mean at times. But this book will keep me going. Don't want to give anything away, but the book is full of action, intrigue, surprises and compassion.

[Verity W · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not for me. Didn't like it at all. Never mind. Lesson learned. Didn't like the characters, didn't like the mystery, nearly gave up on the whole thing. Hey ho.

[Lynette Caulkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5, actually. I do like my cozy mysteries every now and again, even if they're somewhat cliche. :)

[Tracy Quick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was sad with who was killed in this book but it was still a good read. On to the next Lois mystery

[Madelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lois and her husband, Derek have had a stroke of good fortune--it won't change their lives. Lois is still running New Brooms and getting mixed up in crimes nearby A good read.

[Joni Kuzma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this was my favorite of all of this series. Darren was the best character and was so very sweet.

[Danni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the new characters, the elderly Dot and the mentally handicapped young boy, Darren, in this, the 7th book of the series. Some of Dot's antics were pretty funny and I thought the Darren character was well-written. I especially liked - SPOILER - Dot's mischief in the hospital.

I also liked that Douglass stepped back into Lois's life, even if it was brief.

Yes, I agree with Josie that people do tend to say ridiculous, even hurtful, things when trying to comfort a grieving person.

I do wish that there hadn't been two characters with similar names - Horace and Horsley.

Another book on loan from my mother-in-law.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have loved this series so it is hard for me to say but I didn't enjoy this one nearly as much. It was really hard for me to finish this book. I didn't like that they won the lottery in this one. I hate it when you are reading a series of books that are already good with good characters and the author wants the character to have a windfall. It just seems superficial or unneeded. Anyway the mystery part was ok. The interesting thing about this book was that you knew exactly who the bad guys were, but you didn't know exactly what they were up to. Thats a twist for a mystery.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite Lois Meade story. In fact there were several facts that I just didn't understand. I mean why was it so important that Lois won the lottery, and what exactly was going on with the Nimmo's. Really I was let down by this book, and have been with her past two stories. I will give it one more go, as I really like the characters, but if her latest proves to be another let down I think I am finished with Lois and her crazy adventures.

[Nancyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book alot. I liked the knowing who did it but not why-something totally different for a change, it was so interesting to find out what actually happened at the race track at the end & the plot finally unfolding. My only comments are-that I would of given this book 5 stars if I just could of liked lois more. I know lois has a big heart but she can be very rude when its uncalled for. And Cowgill-someone get him a girlfriend-please. I cringe whenever he swoons over lois.

[Josephine (Jo) · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting plot with some surprises. Much better than the last book in the series. I am a great fan of Lois Mead and her trusty crew of cleaners/snoopers. I also like the relationship between Lois and Chief Inspector Hunter Cowgill, Lois is very truculent towards him but despite that, she really cares for him as a friend and he also cares for her.

[Olivia Plasencia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the first half of the book it was fast and kept me interested but the last half seemed to slow down and I hung in there but then it hit a wall. I finished the book but found the ending and the post script not too satisfying. Still I will stick with her books because I do like the main character so very much!

[Melaniedk · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the cute English dialog (meaning British). I also found out that this genre is actually called a 'British Cozy' - which certainly describes the dialog and interaction among the characters.

[Mary Newcomb]

Lois Meade and her staff crack another confusing case. There are several new dimensions to the team and village this time around, it will be interesting to see how things develop (if they do since we have now finished 7 days worth of titles).

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been my favorite of all the Lois Meade mystery book series. I always wondered why Lois' oldest son Douglas is hardly mentioned in the books and finally a storyline where he figures prominitly and he is the most likable of her children.

[Lindig · Rating 2 out of 5]

same old same old

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome

[Fiona · Rating 2 out of 5]

I remember enjoying the earlier books. What happened to the writing?

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another good book in the Lois Meade series. Thoroughly enjoy these books. Nice, clean, not much violence (this is a murder series).

[Jerry Ramsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great

[Caroline Ingvaldsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seventh in the Lois Meade mystery series a predictably appealing read: latest in a series past its peak.

[Kathie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when I am getting to know all the characters well, I finish the series. Was a good read although I sometimes have trouble keep all the secondary characters straight.