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Professor Laura Morland Mystery #1
Walking Into Murder
Who would believe that an innocent walking trip in the English Cotswolds would include not just one murder but three, and even more hair-raising adventures? The intrepid American heroine of WALKING INTO MURDER, professor Laura Morland, would have scoffed at the idea. All she wanted was a few days of peace to recover from a humiliating (if not entirely unwelcome) divorce and a chance to test her new independence. That she certainly does; peace is another matter.WALKING INTO MURDER is a light-hearted mystery with a delightful setting, an intriguing plot and distinctive characters headed by Laura Morland, a wonderfully appealing new amateur detective. It is part traditional English mystery, part middle-aged female sleuth of independent spirit who solves mysteries that confound the experts, part primer on the the battle between the sexes since Laura is an expert on gender, part rousing adventure. Laura is hardly Miss Marple - she is younger, more active, attractive, even romantically inclined, but the settings and characters are very British indeed. It's a wonderful spine-tingling escapes and confrontations on deserted moors contrast with peaceful interludes in England's quaintest villages and most verdant countryside - and with some near-comic scenes of Laura's inept but ultimately successful efforts to track down the villains even as she eludes their clutches. Mask-making, amateur theatrics, underground tunnels and an escape from a boarded-up cottage are all part of the action. The adventure begins when Laura is invited to teach a seminar on gender issues in London. First she decides to embark on a solo walking trip on the Cotswold Way. The walk soon takes stormy turns. A man plummets out of the thick mist, hauls her into an embrace and begs her to masquerade as his wife. Escorted at gunpoint by an aristocratic Englishman to an ancient manor house, she is confronted by a roomful of eccentrics, any of whom could be the killer of the body she finds in a bedroom - a body that perversely keeps changing its identity. In fact, everyone in in this bizarre household seems to have multiple identities and multiple motivations, making it exceedingly difficult to determine who is telling the truth and even harder to ascertain who is on Laura's side.Curiosity is Laura's dominant trait and she delves into the mystery with possibly unwise abandon. She is determined to unmask the murderer - and to get the best of her alternately charming and irritating would-be husband, to whom she is undeniably attracted. She soon discovers that her fund of scholarly knowledge about male/female relationships is of little help in dealing with a man who refuses to answer her questions, appears to be having a steamy affair with the titled Lady of the house, and who increasingly seems the most likely candidate for murderer. Complicating matters further is his fraught relationship with Laura's able assistant in crime-detection, a fiery, free-spirited runaway who lives in the woods.As Laura probes deeper, the efforts of the villains to silence her become more frantic and her strategies to evade them more ingenious. With total disregard for the escalating danger, she vows to outwit them all. And she does. In a final dramatic - and totally unexpected - scene, she zeroes in on the killer, or it might be more accurate to say the murderer zeroes in on her.Joan Dahr Lambert is the author of CIRCLES OF STONE, a prehistoric novel told through the eyes of three women who became leaders of their tribes, and published by Simon & Schuster in 1997 & 1999. Lambert has written two other prehistoric novels, a novel about wolves for children and a novella, as well as the first two books in the Laura Morland series. The second, BABES IN THE BATHS, will be out soon. Like may published authors, she has decided to try self-publishing.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 3, 2010
447 people are currently reading
246 people want to read
About the author
Joan Dahr Lambert
20 books31 followersI grew up outside, so it is no accident that most of my books take place outside. walking and climbing have always been my passions. I am still doing them at 80.
My first novel, Circles of Stone, the fist book in the Mother People Series, was published when I was 65, and I have been writing novels ever since. So never, ever believe you are too old to do anything.
I am about to embark on the fourth Mother People novel after finishing four mysteries in the Laura Morland Mystery Series. They were fun to write, excellent exercise for the brain and a relief after the serious issues I tackled in Circles of Stone and the others, but my heart always remained with Zena and I need to write about her again. I would love suggestions from any of you who have read my Mother People series about what you would like to hear.
I think this bio is becoming a blog, so I will continue there.
Thanks, Joan Dahr Lambert
My first novel, Circles of Stone, the fist book in the Mother People Series, was published when I was 65, and I have been writing novels ever since. So never, ever believe you are too old to do anything.
I am about to embark on the fourth Mother People novel after finishing four mysteries in the Laura Morland Mystery Series. They were fun to write, excellent exercise for the brain and a relief after the serious issues I tackled in Circles of Stone and the others, but my heart always remained with Zena and I need to write about her again. I would love suggestions from any of you who have read my Mother People series about what you would like to hear.
I think this bio is becoming a blog, so I will continue there.
Thanks, Joan Dahr Lambert
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
March 7, 2011
This book is very clever in both plot and dialogue. An old country house
in England, disappearing paintings and a bunch of eccentric characters
with hidden agendas. The only reason I'm not
giving it five stars is that it got a little too "cute" for me at times.
I like a bit of banter but not quite as much as the characters provided.
in England, disappearing paintings and a bunch of eccentric characters
with hidden agendas. The only reason I'm not
giving it five stars is that it got a little too "cute" for me at times.
I like a bit of banter but not quite as much as the characters provided.
January 25, 2019
"Walk on by"
Lightweight story that purports to be modern but feels more like it was written between the wars. This is very much an American view of Britain that was reflected in film and on TV decades ago and has been consigned to history. Until I read this book. One in the series is enough for me.
Lightweight story that purports to be modern but feels more like it was written between the wars. This is very much an American view of Britain that was reflected in film and on TV decades ago and has been consigned to history. Until I read this book. One in the series is enough for me.
July 8, 2021
Interesting
I came across this book quite accidentally while browsing on Amazon and was immediately attracted by the name and cover page. I know one shouldn't judge a book by it's cover but it was just that good and since I love the English countryside, a murder mystery set in that context seemed really appealing to me.
As the name suggests, the plot starts of with a murder, progressing onward with art forgery, impersonation, disguise, etc. i.e. several twists and turns that go on till about eighty percent of the book, giving the reader no clue at all as to what is happening. At times, it feels as if there is too much going on with quite a few sub-plots with no connecting thread visible. This, I felt was a negative in the book which would've been far crisper with focus on one main plot and may be just one or two sub-plots. Things begin to unravel only in the last twenty percent wherein there is an information dump of a back story. The ending is satisfactory and I would recommend it as a good one-time read.
I came across this book quite accidentally while browsing on Amazon and was immediately attracted by the name and cover page. I know one shouldn't judge a book by it's cover but it was just that good and since I love the English countryside, a murder mystery set in that context seemed really appealing to me.
As the name suggests, the plot starts of with a murder, progressing onward with art forgery, impersonation, disguise, etc. i.e. several twists and turns that go on till about eighty percent of the book, giving the reader no clue at all as to what is happening. At times, it feels as if there is too much going on with quite a few sub-plots with no connecting thread visible. This, I felt was a negative in the book which would've been far crisper with focus on one main plot and may be just one or two sub-plots. Things begin to unravel only in the last twenty percent wherein there is an information dump of a back story. The ending is satisfactory and I would recommend it as a good one-time read.
April 20, 2019
Good read
Good read! Never guessed the killer!
Looking forward to the follow up book!
Love Laura! Good sort and down to earth
Good read! Never guessed the killer!
Looking forward to the follow up book!
Love Laura! Good sort and down to earth
October 16, 2018
So many plot twists and turns it made me happily dizzy
Although slow to start, the pace quickly picked up with amazing shenanigans happening as American Professor Laura on an English walking holiday becomes involved with the highly mysterious and eccentric events in a local Cotswold manor house. So many plot twists, turns and red herrings made this a highly enjoyable, entertaining read. Kudos to the author. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Although slow to start, the pace quickly picked up with amazing shenanigans happening as American Professor Laura on an English walking holiday becomes involved with the highly mysterious and eccentric events in a local Cotswold manor house. So many plot twists, turns and red herrings made this a highly enjoyable, entertaining read. Kudos to the author. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
January 17, 2011
This was a very fun book! I love murder mysteries, particularly English ones. This one features wonderful, quirky characters, a strong, independent female lead and great atmosphere. I've been to England a couple times. The author's description of the countryside, buildings and towns really told me back. It was wonderful. I will definitely be reading more of Dr. Laura's mysteries!
February 13, 2011
i started this book about a week ago. i enjoyed it, and i'm looking forward to reading more in this series. the story is complicated, and there are plot twists and turns to keep you on your toes. i did not figure out who the master crook was. i wasn't even close.
June 3, 2018
A very good read
A very good read with twists and turns that keep you turning pages to find out what happens next. The biggest and most unexpected twist comes near the very end of this book. Most unexpected. Look forward to reading more from this author.
A very good read with twists and turns that keep you turning pages to find out what happens next. The biggest and most unexpected twist comes near the very end of this book. Most unexpected. Look forward to reading more from this author.
February 28, 2011
Nancy Drew goes walking in the Cotswolds. Loathed it.
April 24, 2019
Great read
Wow what a page turner, lots of red herrings until the end and some great characters who were given fab personalities. The story was set in an old English Country Manor which has inherited a rather colourful family and murder is on the cards ....... No spoilers from me ........ but I recommend you read this one if you like crime set in the English countryside and and a really good plot .
Wow what a page turner, lots of red herrings until the end and some great characters who were given fab personalities. The story was set in an old English Country Manor which has inherited a rather colourful family and murder is on the cards ....... No spoilers from me ........ but I recommend you read this one if you like crime set in the English countryside and and a really good plot .
June 5, 2019
How did she survive?
They say curiosity killed the cat and to be honest Laura and Thomas should both have died numerous times. Some situations you could see happening even before reading it and others not so much. No one seemed to be who they said they were. Folk getting killed left, right and centre. Even bringing in an old murder which wasnt of any use to the storyline. Everyone in this book needs to book time with a good shrink.
They say curiosity killed the cat and to be honest Laura and Thomas should both have died numerous times. Some situations you could see happening even before reading it and others not so much. No one seemed to be who they said they were. Folk getting killed left, right and centre. Even bringing in an old murder which wasnt of any use to the storyline. Everyone in this book needs to book time with a good shrink.
June 22, 2019
Lost interest several times in the book. I would leave and start another book. The thirteen year old female, Catherine defeating males in battle is a very modern fantasy. Most of the mysteries were resolved at the very end. Not enough was given to speculate until then. Most characters were not developed well enough to fit well into the story. The book succeeded in giving me 20% pleasure versus 80% boredom. I did make it through though.
August 9, 2020
I found the 'tour' interesting. Book a walking tour, prepaid, of course, no refunds if you don't use part of it unless you bought cancellation insurance and had a good reason, where you walk a known path and the tour company books your accommodations and has your heavy luggage waiting at each stop.
OTOH the long descriptions of the flora and fauna along the way were not, had to skim. Okay mystery as I like art mysteries.
OTOH the long descriptions of the flora and fauna along the way were not, had to skim. Okay mystery as I like art mysteries.
April 1, 2021
A very entertaining novel.
This novel was a pleasure to read.There murder,or was there? Then people started disappoint. Then a body was found. Just when you thought you had it solved,you realized that you did not have it solved. In fact you.had more questions and no clues at all. A wonderfully written mystery. It real lad me guessing right up to the end. The ending was a shocker.
This novel was a pleasure to read.There murder,or was there? Then people started disappoint. Then a body was found. Just when you thought you had it solved,you realized that you did not have it solved. In fact you.had more questions and no clues at all. A wonderfully written mystery. It real lad me guessing right up to the end. The ending was a shocker.
January 1, 2020
Delightfully interesting
Took me a little bit to get into reading this but was glad I did. Characters and circumstances described very well.
Only drawback was author (I assume) used a computer with auto correct because some words were definitely not right. I guess the days of proof readers are over.
Still a good mystery!
Took me a little bit to get into reading this but was glad I did. Characters and circumstances described very well.
Only drawback was author (I assume) used a computer with auto correct because some words were definitely not right. I guess the days of proof readers are over.
Still a good mystery!
January 25, 2020
Not a typical British mystery
I like British mysteries. Although this isn't the typical British mystery, the scenery was good and the plot was interesting. Vets, however, are addressed as Mr. since they are surgeons, and all surgeons are Mr.
I would read another book, but not my first choice.
I like British mysteries. Although this isn't the typical British mystery, the scenery was good and the plot was interesting. Vets, however, are addressed as Mr. since they are surgeons, and all surgeons are Mr.
I would read another book, but not my first choice.
December 15, 2020
A excellent confusing to start with , mystery .
Laura, a middle-aged professor from America,
is in Britain on a walking tour,before getting caugnt up in a comedy of ,he said she said, oh please play along with me to save my life. misadventures . This was an author I shall certainly read again.
Laura, a middle-aged professor from America,
is in Britain on a walking tour,before getting caugnt up in a comedy of ,he said she said, oh please play along with me to save my life. misadventures . This was an author I shall certainly read again.
September 21, 2019
Intense and Light
Great plot - we escape down an English country road. We are there in dark cellars and rolling rainy hills. Aristocracy acting spying and Shakespeare. Entertainment with a soucon of romance
Great plot - we escape down an English country road. We are there in dark cellars and rolling rainy hills. Aristocracy acting spying and Shakespeare. Entertainment with a soucon of romance
May 1, 2020
Boredom Alert!
A tangled web of confusing plotlines! The characters keep jumping in dime a dozen and no effort made to develop them properly. The author seems to be under impression that twists and turns every few pages are enough to make a good crime fiction. She is so wrong!
A tangled web of confusing plotlines! The characters keep jumping in dime a dozen and no effort made to develop them properly. The author seems to be under impression that twists and turns every few pages are enough to make a good crime fiction. She is so wrong!
February 16, 2022
I read a lot, mostly historical and cozy mysteries. I always look for something a bit different and I had high hopes for this mystery. I couldn't finish - just not my cup of tea. Rarely do I not finish a book.
August 5, 2019
Great read
Felt it was a great read full of twist and turns very reminiscent of miss marble or Agatha Raisin enjoyed solving mystery with Laura
Felt it was a great read full of twist and turns very reminiscent of miss marble or Agatha Raisin enjoyed solving mystery with Laura
February 6, 2020
Wonderful
May 30, 2020
Quick and Enjoyable Read
I recommend this book for those that like a little bit of everything about British mysteries ... in one book!
I recommend this book for those that like a little bit of everything about British mysteries ... in one book!
July 12, 2020
Long-winded murder mystery with an intriguing, yet interesting ending! Set in a British or European environment.
October 1, 2022
Good start.
Way too long of an ending
Way too long of an ending
April 17, 2022
Brilliant
Brilliant book gripped from the start absolutely filled with twist and turns loved well written and a great cast of characters and story line
Brilliant book gripped from the start absolutely filled with twist and turns loved well written and a great cast of characters and story line
May 10, 2019
I chose it because i found it free on Kindle store, it was interesting for a while - maybe because i like to walk and walking in England has been a dream, but it stops at that. In terms of mysteries it is better than some of the free kindle books that we get, but i never understood the idea of having a romantic subplot along with mystery. So when a handsome guy turns up investigating and accidentally his daughter is also in the same as the now single Laura - you know where things are headed.
October 19, 2010
An eccentric mystery with many eccentric characters. People are in and out of costume. There's young Nigel who makes life-like masks of peoples' faces. There is Thomas who insists that Laura pretend to the Baron and his family that she is his (Thomas') wife. Then there is Antonia who is married to the Baron but with her own eccentricities. Ditto for the baron and the local vet. Strange too, is the way Laura, our main character happens upon Torrington manor.
Things are never what they seem and the plot is as convoluted as a maze of hedges. How can Laura ever know whom she can trust?
Takes place in England with some people speaking French. It really is a delightful adventure/mystery—just right for a cool Halloween read.
Things are never what they seem and the plot is as convoluted as a maze of hedges. How can Laura ever know whom she can trust?
Takes place in England with some people speaking French. It really is a delightful adventure/mystery—just right for a cool Halloween read.
November 10, 2012
Dr. Laura Morland, a contemporary American woman, walks literally into murder and mayhem in a great manor house in England. Laura, on an English walking tour when she arrives at Torrington Manor, her B&B for the night, before long becomes engrossed in uncovering what she learns is an art forgery ring, in aid of the devilish Thomas, an art detective. As bodies and attacks begin to mount up we learn of Laura's curiosity, compassion and sense of humour. This adventurous heroine takes us into a complexity of levels of British society into a situation prompted by a European tale of love and greed. Lambert's character is three-dimensional, interesting and engaging. Book One of the Laura Morland mystery series, the series has a good future. Read and enjoy.
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June 6, 2011Laura Morland, professor from US, is on walking tour of England. She stays at a manor house and finds a dead body. A young boy, who is very clever, makes lifelike masks. The Baron isn't really a baron and the baroness, not his wife, is a former actress. Laura gets mixed up in the whole mess, meets a young American girl who ran away from home and the girl's father who is looking for her. The father is an art detective. Laura and the detective get together and the baron is the one who killed his brother-in-law and others.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews