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Detective Trevor Joseph Series #2
Midnight Murders
Second book in the Detective Trevor Joseph series.
Compton Castle is a Victorian psychiatric hospital long overdue for demolition. Its warrens of rooms and acres of grounds, originally designed as a sanctuary for the mentally ill, now provide the ideal stalking ground for a serial killer.
Physically and mentally battered after his last case (Without Trace), Sergeant Trevor Joseph is a temporary inmate – but the hospital loses all therapeutic benefit when a corpse is dug out of a flowerbed. Then more bodies are found; young, female and both linked to the hospital. Everyone within the mouldering walls is in danger while a highly unpredictable malevolence remains at large. And, as patients and staff are interrogated by the police, the apparently motiveless killer watches and waits for the opportunity to strike again . . .
Compton Castle is a Victorian psychiatric hospital long overdue for demolition. Its warrens of rooms and acres of grounds, originally designed as a sanctuary for the mentally ill, now provide the ideal stalking ground for a serial killer.
Physically and mentally battered after his last case (Without Trace), Sergeant Trevor Joseph is a temporary inmate – but the hospital loses all therapeutic benefit when a corpse is dug out of a flowerbed. Then more bodies are found; young, female and both linked to the hospital. Everyone within the mouldering walls is in danger while a highly unpredictable malevolence remains at large. And, as patients and staff are interrogated by the police, the apparently motiveless killer watches and waits for the opportunity to strike again . . .
374 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 4, 1993
66 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
Katherine John
48 books41 followersKatherine John is a pen name of the author Catrin Collier. She was born and brought up in Pontypridd and worked for a while in Europe and America before returning to her native Wales. She now lives on the Gower Peninsula near Swansea, with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 16, 2013
I enjoyed this the second book in the series by Kathrine John. Trevor Joseph is recovering from his exploits in the book Without Trace. He is in a psychiatric hospital when bodies are discovered buried in the grounds. With each chapter you think that you know who the killer is but each time you are proved wrong. Very enjoyable read.
July 17, 2020
More like a 3.5, but upgraded for clever plotting and good pacing, although, there were some tiresome redundancies I could have done without.
As for setting, you would have to go far to find a creepier murder venue than an old, Victorian mental hospital, built on Norman, 11th-12th century, foundations! It positively reeks of insanity, which is the whole point of this serial-killer chase!
This is an older book (copyright 1993) and it creaks with age and attitudes. There are only rudimentary computer resources available, they rely on pagers and beepers rather than on cell phones, and DNA comparisons are unknown. It is also riddled with male chauvinism, but the men know they are guilty of prejudice and there is a miasma of uncertainty among the whole police force, of men and women as they struggle to find their way to being true equal colleagues. It is actually fascinating to watch how that social change was wrought over the course of so many years. By 1993, they had come far enough to have accepted women police officers as here-to-stay, but they still had all the old tea-making, weaker sex faint-of-heart, working habits. All of this was consistent through-out the book as it is a product of that time. For those feminists who clamor for "more" justice, they might try to remember how it was less than 30 years ago and consider how far society has come since then.
Back to the book! This is number 2 in a series and having not read the first one, I really began to wonder why it was called on the front cover "A Sergeant Trevor Joseph" mystery, rather than a "Sergeant Peter Collins" mystery, as he was the lead for at least the first half of the book! His one-time partner, Trevor Joseph, is a patient in the mental hospital during the whole length of the book. At first, he is practically comatose with depression and it seems that he will never recover or care enough to actively participate in the growing crime case which he is so perfectly placed to observe. However, his transition from trembling agoraphobe to fully functioning police detective in less than 24 hours is astounding and not really credible! Of course, it is essential to the structure of the book that this metamorphoses takes place in order for him to solve the case. I did find DS Collins the more believable and relatable than Sergeant Joseph, despite his rough edges.
There are bodies galore here, found in gruesome graves and literally, littering the grounds! The killer is well hidden, but I did finger the culprit before the reveal. There were several other secrets "exhumed" along the way and I caught most of those too! None of the plot points were obvious though, so it kept my interest all the way through. I will look for more books by this author.
As for setting, you would have to go far to find a creepier murder venue than an old, Victorian mental hospital, built on Norman, 11th-12th century, foundations! It positively reeks of insanity, which is the whole point of this serial-killer chase!
This is an older book (copyright 1993) and it creaks with age and attitudes. There are only rudimentary computer resources available, they rely on pagers and beepers rather than on cell phones, and DNA comparisons are unknown. It is also riddled with male chauvinism, but the men know they are guilty of prejudice and there is a miasma of uncertainty among the whole police force, of men and women as they struggle to find their way to being true equal colleagues. It is actually fascinating to watch how that social change was wrought over the course of so many years. By 1993, they had come far enough to have accepted women police officers as here-to-stay, but they still had all the old tea-making, weaker sex faint-of-heart, working habits. All of this was consistent through-out the book as it is a product of that time. For those feminists who clamor for "more" justice, they might try to remember how it was less than 30 years ago and consider how far society has come since then.
Back to the book! This is number 2 in a series and having not read the first one, I really began to wonder why it was called on the front cover "A Sergeant Trevor Joseph" mystery, rather than a "Sergeant Peter Collins" mystery, as he was the lead for at least the first half of the book! His one-time partner, Trevor Joseph, is a patient in the mental hospital during the whole length of the book. At first, he is practically comatose with depression and it seems that he will never recover or care enough to actively participate in the growing crime case which he is so perfectly placed to observe. However, his transition from trembling agoraphobe to fully functioning police detective in less than 24 hours is astounding and not really credible! Of course, it is essential to the structure of the book that this metamorphoses takes place in order for him to solve the case. I did find DS Collins the more believable and relatable than Sergeant Joseph, despite his rough edges.
There are bodies galore here, found in gruesome graves and literally, littering the grounds! The killer is well hidden, but I did finger the culprit before the reveal. There were several other secrets "exhumed" along the way and I caught most of those too! None of the plot points were obvious though, so it kept my interest all the way through. I will look for more books by this author.
April 26, 2015
Keeps you guessing!
I discovered this gem of an author perusing my Kindle Unlimited offerings and couldn't be more pleased. This is the second book I the series and just as amazing as the first one. Concrete storylines, solid characters, and just the right amount of mystery to keep you guessing as to who the murderer is right until the end. If a classic who-done-it is your cup of tea then this lovely English author is right up your alley!
I discovered this gem of an author perusing my Kindle Unlimited offerings and couldn't be more pleased. This is the second book I the series and just as amazing as the first one. Concrete storylines, solid characters, and just the right amount of mystery to keep you guessing as to who the murderer is right until the end. If a classic who-done-it is your cup of tea then this lovely English author is right up your alley!
June 23, 2024
A really good twisty thriller set in an unusual location which added to the sense of eeriness, as well as generating a wide range of potential suspects. The staff at the hospital were presented as down-to-earth, coping with the difficulties of dealing with psychiatric patients whilst trying to maintain a sense of humour and realism about their own lives.
There is an appealing grittiness about the story and characters. The male detectives can be abrasive and insensitive, but that adds to the tension which is what this story is all about.
As with all fiction novels, there's a stretch of imagination required to accept how things pan out, but it keeps you engaged right through. Plenty of dialogue and not spoilt by too much irrelevant narrative. A very good read.
There is an appealing grittiness about the story and characters. The male detectives can be abrasive and insensitive, but that adds to the tension which is what this story is all about.
As with all fiction novels, there's a stretch of imagination required to accept how things pan out, but it keeps you engaged right through. Plenty of dialogue and not spoilt by too much irrelevant narrative. A very good read.
July 2, 2024
I definitely didn’t hate this book, but I did find myself longing to get to the end so I could move on to a new one. The story was interesting enough but I have read enough murder mysteries that I had pretty well guessed who the author wanted you to think the killer would be before she revealed the plot twist and the real killer, a person who was introduced all too oddly earlier in the story and who I had my suspicions about from then on. Also a lot of typos, which doesn’t mean anything about the story, just that the editors should have done their job better. This story is 30 years old now, and there is something charming about solving a mystery in those days before you could just track suspects on their smart phones, isn’t there?
October 30, 2018
trevor joseph is recovering from a vicious attack. while his body is healing physically, his emotional well being is in shambles. trevor suffers from crippling depression and is in Compton castle psychiatric facility. the patients there have a variety of illnesses, but they never thought they would have to worry about murder. a woman is found buried on the grounds, and then another woman and then 2 more are found. what is going on? is it a patient doing this? is a staff person guilty? a doctor? trevor has been a good detective, but now he lays in the midst of death and murder. can he survive? who is next? and why?
July 21, 2018
Unusually for a crime novel, Sergeant Joseph doesn't bounce straight back after serious injuries but is depressed and struggling to recover on a psychiatric unit. Then the job comes to him following a strange discovery in the garden.
January 6, 2017
Gripping
This was one of those books that keeps you guessing right to the end. I would recommend this book to anyone.
This was one of those books that keeps you guessing right to the end. I would recommend this book to anyone.
December 15, 2017
This was okay. The setting was good, in an old victorian insane asylum, which always makes for a good creepy story.
May 23, 2019
Not a bad story, but tends to drag.
October 8, 2019
Gripping
Found the story line very gripping,couldn't put the book down,kept you guessing to the last chapter who the murderer was.
Found the story line very gripping,couldn't put the book down,kept you guessing to the last chapter who the murderer was.
February 11, 2017
Midnight Murders
I love murder mysteries that keeps you in suspense until the end. I love how the author twists the lives of her characters throughout the story not knowing if they are going to make it out in one piece.
I love murder mysteries that keeps you in suspense until the end. I love how the author twists the lives of her characters throughout the story not knowing if they are going to make it out in one piece.
May 18, 2010
This was a quick read.....a British mystery set in a psychiatric hospital where a police sergeant is recovering from major head injuries inflicted by a fleeing suspect. Several horrible murders take place inside the hospital grounds which bring the main protagonist back to mental equilibrium as he joins forces with his fellow detectives in a search to bring the murderer to justice. An enjoyable book with interesting characters. It appears to be part of a continuing series with the same players but I have not run across any of the other books in this series.
June 30, 2013
Trevor Joseph, is recovering from his injuries from his last case in Compton Castle Psychiatric Hospital. He wants nothing to do with the murder mystery happening at the hospital. Until a patient who discovers the dead body in the flower beds go missing. When the number of dead bodies start adding up the police start hunting for answers and the killer. There are more twists and turns woven into the story that surprises you when the killer is finally revealed. Trevor finally finding a woman to share his life with, if she can survive the killer.
February 26, 2021
So many suspects and so little time. I’m so pleased to read that Trevor has recovered and his life is better than before. I didn’t guess the identity of the murderer, the necrophiliac or psychopath, not surprising as the is does take place in a mental hospital.
Another thoroughly enjoying Trevor Joseph novel!
Another thoroughly enjoying Trevor Joseph novel!
May 7, 2015
Number two in the Trevor Joseph series, I loved this one because I'm a nurse and the medical side of this story, although slight, was a magnet. I was constantly trying to solve the mystery along with Trevor. Great book!
August 10, 2015
Midnight Murders
Once again I was unable to figure out who do it in this Katherine John novel. I like the character Peter Collins and Trevor. Enjoyed that she continue the story line of the characters where the last book ended.
Once again I was unable to figure out who do it in this Katherine John novel. I like the character Peter Collins and Trevor. Enjoyed that she continue the story line of the characters where the last book ended.
December 18, 2016
Great read!
I really couldn't stop reading until the end. I didn't expect murderer that for sure. I was certain it was someone else, then Ms. John had me guessing the whole way. Kudos to Katherine John! I now have another favorite series.
I really couldn't stop reading until the end. I didn't expect murderer that for sure. I was certain it was someone else, then Ms. John had me guessing the whole way. Kudos to Katherine John! I now have another favorite series.
December 28, 2013
Not a bad series and I will continue reading them. Comfortable.
September 8, 2013
Another great read from Katherine John.
March 5, 2014
Again a brilliant book by Katherine John, not only could I not put it down, it kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.
March 11, 2014
I don't normally read british novels but I was hooked on this from the get go and couldn't put it down. It was a bit spooky in places but that just added to the fun.
March 18, 2016
Well written second in a series.
The continuing saga is exciting, suspenseful and tense. A surprise ending makes this a great read that you don't want to end. Reviewed by Jeana.
The continuing saga is exciting, suspenseful and tense. A surprise ending makes this a great read that you don't want to end. Reviewed by Jeana.
July 15, 2016
Okay
Not the best but okay. Too many people to keep track of, too much description...boring. Lots of printing errors...should have been better edited.
Not the best but okay. Too many people to keep track of, too much description...boring. Lots of printing errors...should have been better edited.
November 11, 2016
The story was a little weak, but it was a relief to finally have Trevor Joseph pull himself together.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews