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Tobias Campion #1
The Keeper of Secrets
Spring 1810. Young Parson Tobias Campion is excited to be taking over the small Warwickshire parish of Moreton Priory. But his first night in the village brings excitement of the wrong kind when Tobias intervenes in an attempted rape and becomes hero to housemaid Lizzie Woodman. As Tobias settles into life in Morton Priory he finds friendship in the form of Dr. Edmund Hansard and his concern for Lizzie quickly blossoms into something more. But as Jem, Tobias's groom, and local farm boy Matthew compete for Lizzie's attention Tobias resigns himself to the fact that his feeling for the girl will remain unrequited. Soon, however, his mind turns to other matters when the unsettling death of poverty stricken poacher Mr Jenkins, the suspicious demise of local aristocrat Lord Elham and a mysterious attack on Tobias himself make one thing clear; a malign influence is at work in the supposedly sleepy hamlet!
343 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
19 people are currently reading
422 people want to read
About the author
Judith Cutler
88 books93 followersJudith Cutler was born and bred in the Midlands, and revels in using her birthplace, with its rich cultural life, as a background for her novels. After a long stint as an English lecturer at a run-down college of further education, Judith, a prize-winning short-story writer, has taught Creative Writing at Birmingham University, has run occasional writing course elsewhere (from a maximum security prison to an idyltic Greek island) and ministered to needy colleagues in her role as Secretary of the Crime Writers' Association.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
October 10, 2008
‘Let us go and prepare ourselves.’
In spring 1810, Reverend Tobias Campion, who has turned his back on a life of privilege, takes up his small Warwickshire parish of Moreton Priory. Alas, his first night in the village as the guest of his distant cousin, Lady Elham, is exciting for all of the wrong reasons. Tobias intervenes in the attempted rape of Lizzie Woodman, a housemaid in his cousin’s home. While this makes him a hero to some, it brings him the enmity of others.
Nothing is quite what it seems in at Moreton Priory. Tobias makes friends with Dr Edmund Hansard, uses his social conscience in relation to the lives of the labourers and poor of the village, and consequently offends some of his parishioners. At the same time, while he has deepening feelings of affection for Lizzie, he is aware that others are also attracted to her. Soon, though, a number of deaths and accidents occur and soon Reverend Campion and Dr Hansard join forces to try to uncover some answers.
It is not particularly fast-paced and some may find that the scene-setting takes too long. However, once the scene is set and the characters established, the novel is full of twists and turns and some insights into the social history of the times. It is the historical setting rather than the mystery that makes this novel most enjoyable. This is the first book in a series and I’ll be reading the next book ‘Shadow of the Past’ to see how what the future holds in store for Tobias Campion.
In spring 1810, Reverend Tobias Campion, who has turned his back on a life of privilege, takes up his small Warwickshire parish of Moreton Priory. Alas, his first night in the village as the guest of his distant cousin, Lady Elham, is exciting for all of the wrong reasons. Tobias intervenes in the attempted rape of Lizzie Woodman, a housemaid in his cousin’s home. While this makes him a hero to some, it brings him the enmity of others.
Nothing is quite what it seems in at Moreton Priory. Tobias makes friends with Dr Edmund Hansard, uses his social conscience in relation to the lives of the labourers and poor of the village, and consequently offends some of his parishioners. At the same time, while he has deepening feelings of affection for Lizzie, he is aware that others are also attracted to her. Soon, though, a number of deaths and accidents occur and soon Reverend Campion and Dr Hansard join forces to try to uncover some answers.
It is not particularly fast-paced and some may find that the scene-setting takes too long. However, once the scene is set and the characters established, the novel is full of twists and turns and some insights into the social history of the times. It is the historical setting rather than the mystery that makes this novel most enjoyable. This is the first book in a series and I’ll be reading the next book ‘Shadow of the Past’ to see how what the future holds in store for Tobias Campion.
October 29, 2008
The Warwickshire parish of Moreton Priory is the setting. The manor house is grand but the villagers are impoverished and in 1810 England was cut off from buying wheat by the French wars. Napoleon, as Emperor, has been isolated by the British navy but has retaliated by cutting off European food supplies. British land owners are making money but that was not passed on to workers and the cost of food was high resulting in ever increasing.
The new parson, Tobias Campion, arrives to minister to the village of his mother's distant cousin Lady Elham who has granted him the local living. Toby finds the family fairly feudal in its attitudes towards the servants and other dependent villagers. Toby's own father(implied to be a man of the 10,000) was rather enlightened so Toby is rather shocked to find the family holds an easy assumption of privileged access to the female servant personal charms and provides dreadful living conditions for both current and pensioned servants. So he begins a small campaign for social reform beginning by stopping the mishandling of the attractive parlor maid Lizzie Woodman.
Setting the tone of his incumbency Toby aligns the villagers rapidly as he attempts to bring education and real charity not just workhouse charity to the poorest villagers. He makes fast friends with the local Dr Edmund Hansard and others but also finds many who resent his easy assumption of authority. These include Lady Elham's son and friends who begin a campaign of petty but painful retributions.
Period background:
Geo III is still king and Spencer Percival is Prime Minister. The prince becomes regent in 1811. The Army is fighting the Spanish peninsular war where Wellington's British forces are augmented by the Portuguese, and Spanish army fighting the French Emperor.
The upper ranks of Georgian & Regency society were known as the haut ton (based on the French phrase bon ton - good manners and fashionable style) for their rich, well-born and extremely fashion conscious style. Only those who attended the London season and participate in the social activities are listed as a part of the 10,000. Money and birth are necessary but not sufficient to be ranked. Style is paramount!
Britain has outlawed slavery in its territories and banned the Atlantic slave trade but not yet persuaded other countries to join Britain in outlawing the slave trade.
The new parson, Tobias Campion, arrives to minister to the village of his mother's distant cousin Lady Elham who has granted him the local living. Toby finds the family fairly feudal in its attitudes towards the servants and other dependent villagers. Toby's own father(implied to be a man of the 10,000) was rather enlightened so Toby is rather shocked to find the family holds an easy assumption of privileged access to the female servant personal charms and provides dreadful living conditions for both current and pensioned servants. So he begins a small campaign for social reform beginning by stopping the mishandling of the attractive parlor maid Lizzie Woodman.
Setting the tone of his incumbency Toby aligns the villagers rapidly as he attempts to bring education and real charity not just workhouse charity to the poorest villagers. He makes fast friends with the local Dr Edmund Hansard and others but also finds many who resent his easy assumption of authority. These include Lady Elham's son and friends who begin a campaign of petty but painful retributions.
Period background:
Geo III is still king and Spencer Percival is Prime Minister. The prince becomes regent in 1811. The Army is fighting the Spanish peninsular war where Wellington's British forces are augmented by the Portuguese, and Spanish army fighting the French Emperor.
The upper ranks of Georgian & Regency society were known as the haut ton (based on the French phrase bon ton - good manners and fashionable style) for their rich, well-born and extremely fashion conscious style. Only those who attended the London season and participate in the social activities are listed as a part of the 10,000. Money and birth are necessary but not sufficient to be ranked. Style is paramount!
Britain has outlawed slavery in its territories and banned the Atlantic slave trade but not yet persuaded other countries to join Britain in outlawing the slave trade.
December 3, 2020
The reason I enjoyed this novel so much was that it was told in the colloquial language of the time. Although it was slow to start it was really the introduction of the working partnership between the new parson and the local doctor.
The parson was from a well to do family and he was to go through a learning curve of seeing the real hardships that the gentry put their employees through and the scandalous way that money was wasted by the rich (pretty much the same as today), whilst trying to solve the heinous crime carried out on a young serving girl.
All the characters were well formed and displayed the characteristics of their era. The housing was also described so well I am sure I was reading it holding my nose.😝
I am just about to start the second in the series and hope I will enjoy it as much as this one.
The parson was from a well to do family and he was to go through a learning curve of seeing the real hardships that the gentry put their employees through and the scandalous way that money was wasted by the rich (pretty much the same as today), whilst trying to solve the heinous crime carried out on a young serving girl.
All the characters were well formed and displayed the characteristics of their era. The housing was also described so well I am sure I was reading it holding my nose.😝
I am just about to start the second in the series and hope I will enjoy it as much as this one.
October 7, 2021
I recently discovered Judith Cutler and her parish priest, Tobias Campion. There are three books in the series: The Keeper of Secrets is the first.
Rather like Grantchester in that it is set in a village and the priest is the primary character. It is set in the early 19th century in a small Warwickshire village/parish of Moreton Priory. Tobias has turned his back on a life of privilege to take up residence in the village.
On his first night in the village, and as the guest of a distant cousin, Lady Elham, Tobias intervenes in the attempted rape of a housemaid by one of the other guests. Tobias becomes obsessed with the housemaid, Lizzie Woodman and he becomes aware that there are others who have deep feelings for her. Lizzie leaves to work away from the village and is distraught when her body is later found close to the village.
Early on, Tobias makes friends with the local doctor, Edmund Hansard, and uses his social conscience to become involved in the lives of the labourers and poor of the village, and while aligning the villagers, of course, he offends some of his parishioners. These include Lady Elham's son and friends who begin a campaign of petty but painful retributions.
A number of deaths and accidents occur and the Reverend and the Doctor join forces to uncover some answers.
The novel is full of twists and turns and we get a number of insights into the social history of the time. An easy read and a thoroughly interesting novel.
Rather like Grantchester in that it is set in a village and the priest is the primary character. It is set in the early 19th century in a small Warwickshire village/parish of Moreton Priory. Tobias has turned his back on a life of privilege to take up residence in the village.
On his first night in the village, and as the guest of a distant cousin, Lady Elham, Tobias intervenes in the attempted rape of a housemaid by one of the other guests. Tobias becomes obsessed with the housemaid, Lizzie Woodman and he becomes aware that there are others who have deep feelings for her. Lizzie leaves to work away from the village and is distraught when her body is later found close to the village.
Early on, Tobias makes friends with the local doctor, Edmund Hansard, and uses his social conscience to become involved in the lives of the labourers and poor of the village, and while aligning the villagers, of course, he offends some of his parishioners. These include Lady Elham's son and friends who begin a campaign of petty but painful retributions.
A number of deaths and accidents occur and the Reverend and the Doctor join forces to uncover some answers.
The novel is full of twists and turns and we get a number of insights into the social history of the time. An easy read and a thoroughly interesting novel.
November 8, 2017
I️ had high hopes for this book, and I️ tried to like it, but I️ couldn’t. Between the first half and the last half of the book I️ felt like I️ was reading two entirely different stories.The first involved a parson and a quiet country life, and the second a crazy woman and a handful of murders. There was nothing special about the writing, and the multiple grammatical errors I️ found in the book were annoying. The characters were poorly developed, and I️ didn’t feel even a little upset when terrible things were happening - the writing just wasn’t convincing. Overall, a pretty average, boring book.
January 2, 2025
Tobias Campion is the youngest son of the Duke of Hartland and just like the rest of the nobility with spares, he was allowed to choose his profession to occupy him and have an income given he had no estate to run. But he took the third option~ the Church, and that led his father to disown and disinherit him. (For the Army is not for him because he considers himself to be a coward). On his first posting, he was fortunately in the right time and place to prevent a fellow~guest at the Priory of taking liberties on a very comely maid. As a result of his timely heroic intervention, he was infatuated by Lizzie, the girl he rescued. Time passed, and he is finding his feet in his new hitherto unusual Environment so far removed from the ease and comfort he enjoyed as the son of a Duke. So Tobias tried to forget Lizzie given that she was away in Bath as Lady Elham's companion, so he took up to bird watching and chronicling their habits. He was engrossed on watching a Whitethroat building her nest when he noticed that the bird was using a red thread to feather its nest. It turned out to be hair and that was when he realized that it was like Lizzie's hair.
December 11, 2018
I was given a recommendation to read this book. Well, I was given a recommendation to read a book called The Keeper of Secrets by Julie Thomas. Oops.
I went to chat with the person who recommended it, explaining that I was lost with some of the language and the customs of the day etc. She was very perplexed and then we figured out that I was reading the wrong novel.
Anywho, I enjoyed it.
Cheers
I went to chat with the person who recommended it, explaining that I was lost with some of the language and the customs of the day etc. She was very perplexed and then we figured out that I was reading the wrong novel.
Anywho, I enjoyed it.
Cheers
July 19, 2016
Well written, if slow-paced, and seemingly as much of a societal description of the era as a mystery. I thought the language and the tone were very authentic – quite Austen like, but without the impish humor and with a lot more awareness of lower-class mores.
I liked the characters and was able to stay with the story; but I have to say that the denouement was disappointing, as there was absolutely no surprise or twist to it.
I might try another one, just for the heck of it; but the series apparently didn't fly, as there are no more books in it, and if they're all this obvious, I can see why.
I liked the characters and was able to stay with the story; but I have to say that the denouement was disappointing, as there was absolutely no surprise or twist to it.
I might try another one, just for the heck of it; but the series apparently didn't fly, as there are no more books in it, and if they're all this obvious, I can see why.
October 25, 2012
This was a quick and easy read but also very enjoyable and a real page turner. The writing is excellent and I feel the author has a real 'of the period' style. The main characters are all very likeable and the villans all very villanous. There is also some pithy social comment. I will be searching out more books by Judith Cutler.
November 13, 2019
Enjoyable story about a country person and his doctor friend, who try to solve the mystery of Lizzie's disappearance. The mystery element is fairly light, and the plot developments seemed a bit random in places. But it's populated by a set of likeable characters and there was a real sense of time to the story.
August 25, 2008
The story is set in 1810 so the language reflects this. It is a historical mystery and even though the book is done, I am still drawn to what happens next to the main character Parson Tobias Campion. I hope there will be another book about this interesting and charming character.
May 9, 2011
I liked this. I admit I skimmed some, but well plotted!
July 19, 2011
Enjoyed this book -a very early who-dunnit. But the edition I read had many typos. Very badly proof-read.
August 16, 2013
An enjoyable historical mystery.
July 21, 2014
Well written presenting a beautiful window into Victorian life and language.
July 15, 2018
I found this book to be well written, and entertaining - but the plot lines were very simple and evident. Everyone in this novel turns out to be - exactly what they appear to be. The historical background research is well done, and integrated into the story line, but I thought that the attitudes of the main characters - especially their egalitarianism and concern for the poor - was rather anachronistic.
One of the fun aspects of reading this novel, is picking up references to other novels set in the era of Regency England. There are frequent uses of phrases familiar to readers of the novels of Georgette Heyer - a character who collapses is "done to cow's thumb", and a racy young person shows that they have "town bronze." And a nod to Jane Austen! At the end, someone is planning their wedding, and decides to have "very little white satin and very few lace veils" ...
One of the fun aspects of reading this novel, is picking up references to other novels set in the era of Regency England. There are frequent uses of phrases familiar to readers of the novels of Georgette Heyer - a character who collapses is "done to cow's thumb", and a racy young person shows that they have "town bronze." And a nod to Jane Austen! At the end, someone is planning their wedding, and decides to have "very little white satin and very few lace veils" ...
March 13, 2018
Really enjoyed this!
January 28, 2019
Not my style of crime book
September 13, 2019
Well-characterised, but poorly plotted ... the asylum is far more Victorian rather than Regency ... great potential, but poorly executed ...
August 14, 2022
3.5 stars. A solid story with likeable characters. I loved the historic setting and the mystery. I did not guess who the murderer was.
January 17, 2023
I've read several of Judith Cutler's contemporary series, and enjoyed them. This historical mystery is excellent. I wish there were more than three books in the series.
September 5, 2024
Not a sub genre I'm overly fond of but she's quite a good writer.
December 1, 2012
I don’t read that many crime fiction novels these days, but when I do they tend to be historical crime fiction. There is something a bit safer and cosier about historical crime fiction, even when the crimes are a little bit unpleasant. I bought this book after hearing the author talk at a local meet up group. Judith Cutler is a well-known local-ish crime writer, married to another historical crime fiction writer – Edward Marston. Their talk was great, so interesting to find out about how writers approach their work, and what drives them. I have also read a couple of Edward Marston novels – so was pleased to meet the man behind the books I had read.
It is 1810 and young Parson Tobias Campion takes up his new position in small Warwickshire community of Moreton Priory. He spends the night before he moves into his new home, in the grand house of his distant cousin Lady Elham. It is while in this house that Tobias first meets Lizzie, a beautiful housemaid, who he has to save from the clutches of a houseguest. In the weeks that follow Tobias becomes acquainted with life in this small rural community, the realities of the poverty suffered by some parishioners, being of particular concern. Living alongside Tobias is Jem his groom, the two men played together as young boys on Tobias’s family estate, but now although socially separate the men remain friends and Jem is often at Tobias’s side, and time and again proves himself indispensable. Tobias is befriended soon after his arrival by the local doctor, a man rather older than Toby who has a rather touching friendship with Lady Elham’s housekeeper. However Toby hardly has time to settle into his new role before other matters take his attention away from his parish duties. Lady Elham’s husband dies suddenly, and the lady Elham’s son the arrogant and spoiled heir becomes the new Lord Elham. Tobias himself is nursing a secret love for Lizzie, although he is far from the only man who is entertaining similar thoughts. Meanwhile a mantrap on Tobias’s land kills a poacher, and then Tobias is victim to a mysterious attack himself one day. Then most worrying of all Lizzie disappears. Aided by Jem and Dr Hansard Tobias sets out to discover the truth about what happened to Lizzie, which takes the men to the fashionable town of Bath.
Spring 1810
“The bird I was watching, flitting to and fro through the woodland to her unseen nesting place, was one of the genus Sylviidae, the warblers. I could not tell in the dim light that was all the noble trees permitted whether she was a sedge-warbler or a whitethroat. I resolved to tread softly in the hope of seeing her more closely – perhaps even finding the nest.
There! I was almost upon her! A whitethroat, surely with the building material of her nest in her beak – soft delicate threads, blowing in the breeze as she darted with purpose into a rowan tree. The thread was red”
This is the first novel in a new series by a prolific writer of crime fiction, and I know that there is a second book in the series – which I will certainly be getting hold of. I think Judith Cutler’s other novels are more modern set novels, which I don’t think I will be reading. The Keeper of Secrets though is well written atmospheric novel, and I enjoyed it a lot. The story does take a little while to get going, which I often think happens with the first book in a series. I loved the setting and the characters of Tobias, Jem and Dr Hansard and their relationships are well developed and I am sure will delight readers of historical crime fiction.
It is 1810 and young Parson Tobias Campion takes up his new position in small Warwickshire community of Moreton Priory. He spends the night before he moves into his new home, in the grand house of his distant cousin Lady Elham. It is while in this house that Tobias first meets Lizzie, a beautiful housemaid, who he has to save from the clutches of a houseguest. In the weeks that follow Tobias becomes acquainted with life in this small rural community, the realities of the poverty suffered by some parishioners, being of particular concern. Living alongside Tobias is Jem his groom, the two men played together as young boys on Tobias’s family estate, but now although socially separate the men remain friends and Jem is often at Tobias’s side, and time and again proves himself indispensable. Tobias is befriended soon after his arrival by the local doctor, a man rather older than Toby who has a rather touching friendship with Lady Elham’s housekeeper. However Toby hardly has time to settle into his new role before other matters take his attention away from his parish duties. Lady Elham’s husband dies suddenly, and the lady Elham’s son the arrogant and spoiled heir becomes the new Lord Elham. Tobias himself is nursing a secret love for Lizzie, although he is far from the only man who is entertaining similar thoughts. Meanwhile a mantrap on Tobias’s land kills a poacher, and then Tobias is victim to a mysterious attack himself one day. Then most worrying of all Lizzie disappears. Aided by Jem and Dr Hansard Tobias sets out to discover the truth about what happened to Lizzie, which takes the men to the fashionable town of Bath.
Spring 1810
“The bird I was watching, flitting to and fro through the woodland to her unseen nesting place, was one of the genus Sylviidae, the warblers. I could not tell in the dim light that was all the noble trees permitted whether she was a sedge-warbler or a whitethroat. I resolved to tread softly in the hope of seeing her more closely – perhaps even finding the nest.
There! I was almost upon her! A whitethroat, surely with the building material of her nest in her beak – soft delicate threads, blowing in the breeze as she darted with purpose into a rowan tree. The thread was red”
This is the first novel in a new series by a prolific writer of crime fiction, and I know that there is a second book in the series – which I will certainly be getting hold of. I think Judith Cutler’s other novels are more modern set novels, which I don’t think I will be reading. The Keeper of Secrets though is well written atmospheric novel, and I enjoyed it a lot. The story does take a little while to get going, which I often think happens with the first book in a series. I loved the setting and the characters of Tobias, Jem and Dr Hansard and their relationships are well developed and I am sure will delight readers of historical crime fiction.
January 30, 2017
Fledgling parson Tobias Campion has his hands full adjusting to his new parish where tenants live in deplorable squalor while their indifferent patrons lead debauched lives of leisure. When he attempts to right small wrongs with the help of Dr. Edmund Hansard and several righteous companions, he is then confronted with a servant’s mysterious disappearance, travels to an horror-filled mental asylum, and several ghastly crimes. Although his investigation moves at a decidedly measured pace, the variety of characters met along the way sustain interest and lend an air of realism to 19th Century sleuthing.
And while the culprit can easily be spotted by contemporary readers, Campion’s naïve sense of morality, based on class hierarchy, provides a compelling perspective to his first person narrative. Judith Cutler’s tone and meticulous attention to detail authentically recreate Austenian prose yet incorporate the chilling effect of LeFanu. Moreover, the ambiguously pragmatic conclusion does make one wonder how Campion can move forward. It is a question that will surely oblige this reader to follow his further adventures.
And while the culprit can easily be spotted by contemporary readers, Campion’s naïve sense of morality, based on class hierarchy, provides a compelling perspective to his first person narrative. Judith Cutler’s tone and meticulous attention to detail authentically recreate Austenian prose yet incorporate the chilling effect of LeFanu. Moreover, the ambiguously pragmatic conclusion does make one wonder how Campion can move forward. It is a question that will surely oblige this reader to follow his further adventures.
January 1, 2022
The Keeper of Secrets
Judith Cutler
Description:
"Spring 1810. Young parson Tobias Campion is settling in at his new parish in Moreton St Jude. Although he loves the quiet village life, Tobias has a troubling sense that all is not quite as it seems.
The suspicious death of a poacher, the untimely demise of a local aristocrat and a mysterious attack on Tobias himself confirms his previous misgivings; malign influence is at work in the supposedly sleepy hamlet. And then someone close to his heart disappears."
Review:
Don't judge a book by its cover! I picked this book up free at my local library bookstore because of its mysterious cover and description.
I found this book slow and boring. The author's writing style seemed archaic and her phrasing choices made little sense to me. The book is set in the early 1800s but not written in the early 1800s - if that makes sense. I put the book down several times, thinking I might have a DNF on my shelf. I'm sorry but I can't recommend this book.
Judith Cutler
Description:
"Spring 1810. Young parson Tobias Campion is settling in at his new parish in Moreton St Jude. Although he loves the quiet village life, Tobias has a troubling sense that all is not quite as it seems.
The suspicious death of a poacher, the untimely demise of a local aristocrat and a mysterious attack on Tobias himself confirms his previous misgivings; malign influence is at work in the supposedly sleepy hamlet. And then someone close to his heart disappears."
Review:
Don't judge a book by its cover! I picked this book up free at my local library bookstore because of its mysterious cover and description.
I found this book slow and boring. The author's writing style seemed archaic and her phrasing choices made little sense to me. The book is set in the early 1800s but not written in the early 1800s - if that makes sense. I put the book down several times, thinking I might have a DNF on my shelf. I'm sorry but I can't recommend this book.
October 12, 2014
A well plotted historiacal thriller with enough twists to keep me guessing until near the end. The protagonist's character is established in the first few pages as is the social setting.
A good cast of secondary characters, an intriguing victim and enough potential villains to keep the reader guessing. The historical setting was painted deftly and never got in the way of the story. As a reader with a less than perfect grasp of British history I would have liked something to provide a clear date for the piece. Were I to regard this as simply as a murder story, I would find the plot structure unusual in having the first suspicious death quite a way into the story (although the prologue certainly foreshadows the demise of the central victim) but there was a great deal more to interest the reader in this story than just the discovery of a single murderer. I am looking forward to reading subsequent books in this series.
A good cast of secondary characters, an intriguing victim and enough potential villains to keep the reader guessing. The historical setting was painted deftly and never got in the way of the story. As a reader with a less than perfect grasp of British history I would have liked something to provide a clear date for the piece. Were I to regard this as simply as a murder story, I would find the plot structure unusual in having the first suspicious death quite a way into the story (although the prologue certainly foreshadows the demise of the central victim) but there was a great deal more to interest the reader in this story than just the discovery of a single murderer. I am looking forward to reading subsequent books in this series.
July 10, 2015
England, 1810. Young Parson Tobias Campion is excited to be starting at the small parish of Moreton St Jude's. But his first night in the village brings excitement of the wrong kind when he has to intervene in the attempted rape of housemaid Lizzie Woodman. Even in the normal course of events, village life is far from quiet, and soon Tobias has to deal with suspicious deaths. Matters come to a head when Lizzie disappears from her employers' home. What has become of the girl and who is responsible? As Tobias searches for answers, he finds himself delving into the dark secrets that haunt Lizzie's past
July 28, 2009
3 1/2 stars. Historical fiction and a crime story set in early 19th century England, this is a quick and enjoyable read. A young and naive parson at his first post learns of the lives of rich and poor alike, of a close friendship with the local doctor, and of possible murder. Some very grisly descriptions and some editing mistakes I found annoying but I enjoyed the story and the 19th century language, including usage of words I didn't know.
November 29, 2010
Hmmmm, it started out with promise and I got it from the Amazon "if you liked that, perhaps you'll like this" screen. But.... Too drawn out, I guess. Maybe I read it too slowly, but I found myself picking up another book in the middle and then making myself read it to finish it. It should have held my interest - I like Regency mysteries - but it just wasn't as compelling as I like. Good research for the historical bits, but the story wasn't fast enough and frnakly, parts were unlikely....
May 24, 2014
There are so many typos in this book, it seems that they have completely dispensed with the idea of proofreaders at this publisher.
It's OK as a read: it kept me interested enough but it is not particularly gripping. It doesn't even seem like a crime story until halfway through. It's pretty obvious who the culprit is a long time before the end and it's oddly untwisty. Nothing objectionable about it; it's just fairly unremarkable.
It's OK as a read: it kept me interested enough but it is not particularly gripping. It doesn't even seem like a crime story until halfway through. It's pretty obvious who the culprit is a long time before the end and it's oddly untwisty. Nothing objectionable about it; it's just fairly unremarkable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews