Scaring Crows

DI Joanna Piercy #5

by Priscilla Masters

'The plot is cleverly constructed and tight' - STAFFORDSHIRE EVENING SENTINEL 'It is always a joy to discover a new crime writer with a sure touch and the capacity to shock' - PETER LOVESEY When Dave Shackleton arrived at Hardacre Farm to collect milk, there was no sign of the farmers - until he entered the farmhouse and found Aaron Summers with a fatal shotgun wound in his chest. Next to him lay the body of his son, Jack, and by the door their abandoned shotgun. The forensic evidence leaves Detective Inspector Joanna Piercy with a case of murder by person or persons unknown. She then learns that Aaron's daughter, Ruthie, has vanished. Has she also been killed and her body hidden? Or is she the killer? A massive police search is set in motion to find Ruthie Summers - either alive or dead... A Joanna Piercy Mystery.

Genres: Crime, Mystery, Fiction

400 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Priscilla Masters' writing career started in 1987 when she published Mr. Bateman's Garden, a children's book set in Biddulph Grange Gardens belonging to the National Trust. After that she created Inspector Joanna Piercy and has now also written a number of Medical Mysteries.

Priscilla Masters lives in Shropshire, England. She works part-time in Staffordshire as a practice nurse.

Reviews

[Caroline]

Really enjoyed this continuing series - look forward to the next one :)

[Joanne M Brunelle]

Great mystery, intriguing characters, had me guessing until the end. Still struggling with why Joanna is still with Matthew. As he notes, she is acting like an adolescent in her dislike of his daughter - who's the adult there? And there is not enough in the story to really explain what the attraction is between these two.

[Lilly Hi Way]

Murder in a Rural Setting

This is the first book I've read by Priscilla Masters and I can say that I was impressed. It's Book 5 but I didn't feel like I was missing out by not having read the first 4 books. In this story we have murder occurring on a family farm with a father and his son murdered and his daughter missing. The reason why only becomes clear at the very end and although shocking it's very believable. I plan on reading more books by this author.

[Julie Powell]

This was another good British crime thriller set in the 1990s.

Two murders at a farm begin the hunt for the killer and Joanna and crew investigate in the unusual sweltering heat.

The characters suited the plot but I still don't understand why Joanna is with Matthew who is deluded and selfish.

This was a mysterious story about old-fashioned thinking - sad, disturbing and a peek into intricate human behaviour.

Recommended.

[Eirlys]

An enthralling book.

Another fantastic book from Priscilla Masters. There is murder with two farmers, shot by their own shotgun. The characters were so well crafted that, the interactions between them completely believable and intriguing. The suspense began with the victims' deaths, and ramped up as the story unfolded.

[Neil Randall]

A good old detective story

This story has quite good pace and a great mixture of characters, I thought I'd guessed the culprit about halfway through.

However, the author had me guessing again and again, the final outcome was a good, if little, twist.

Well worth a read, just why do we have to get so involved with our heroes private lives so much?

[Lyndsay Gunn]

3.75*

Was good and kept me guessing throughout as to who was guilty. The characters where intriguing and all had their individual quirks
I was a bit confused over the main relationship and why she stayed with him despite the incompatibilities and her childish hatred towards his daughter, I felt it was unnecessary for the story

[Debra Whisson]

Having read the rest of the series I was disappointed with this one . I am irritated as to why the protagonist stays with a man she obviously dislikes , and a few plot holes were annoying.

If there is to be any more I hope they improve but I will give them a try .

[R.L.]

I enjoyed reading the book. The author sets you right in the middle of the scene. The smell and grubby interior of the farmhouse is palpable. Detective Joanna is confused after asking after the missing girl that no clues arise.

[Marie Shirley Griffin]

Brilliant

This is by far the best in this series that I have read so far.

I am not going to give any thing away, just don't start reading this before bedtime, because you really can't put it down!

[Marge]

Find The Needle In the Haystack

This book’s plot is complicated but with a few repeats (Eloise and her parents’ relationship is one of the repeating complications). But stick with the story because it’s an awesome one!

[Tiffany]

I was really enjoying this series. The mystery itself was quite perplexing and chilling.

My chief complaint is Joanna’s personal life. I’m tired of the Matthew/Eloise drama. I don’t think I will read more of this series.

[ElaineY]

Why Aborted: Now, that Matthew has broken up with his wife and, IIRC, has moved out of the home over a year already, Joanna is still bitching about his daughter, that he's putting her first instead of Joanna.

I cannot tolerate such relationship drama in my crime books.

[Wendy Biden]

good reads

I love this series and I would never have guessed who murdered the man and his son. The only thing I ask of the author , please don’t let Jo sell her house and get her involved with that vet. It will never work with Matt, as he doesn’t want the same things as she does.

[Ivana Richards]

Another good mystery from Priscilla Masters.

[Mick Porter]

Read all the other books in the series, they are really well written and keep you on tender hooks to the end, can't wait to read "Murder on the Moors"

[Laura Poppenwimer]

I have been going through this series and they books are all equally interesting. They are a quick read that keeps you engaged to the end.

[M R B Davis]

Family ties

Eventually Joanna pieces the puzzle together. Secrets within a family and misunderstandings cause first and concern. Will the relationship survive?

[Saadia]

great psychology

The female detective has to juggle her personal life challenges as well as the professional knotty puzzles. Shrewd understanding of human character and motives.

[Alan]

4.5/5 ★

[David Stimpson]

Another Cracking Story in this series .plenty going on to keep you guessing and a back storyline as well .

[Helen]

,

[Mary]

A good mystery

[Lynne]

Good plot. Interesting. Good characters.

[Jules Barraclough]

Great story

[Susan]

great story, just wish Jo would cut Matthew loose it's never going to work...

[Gary Van Cott]

While reading this book (I have been reading the series is order) I realized how similar it is to Ann Granger's Mitchell & Markby mysteries. This really isn't a good thing. The stories share a similar lack of complexity and depth that is found more often in more urban settings in the UK.

I can't say I am developing any fondness for DI Joanna Piercy who doesn't seem to have the flexibility to adapt to the personal situation she has found herself in.

[Alessandra]

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