And None Shall Sleep

DI Joanna Piercy #4

by Priscilla Masters

Jonathan Selkirk, known as a ruthless, powerful lawyer, receives a threatening letter advising him to make a will. Only hours later he is recovering in the Leek Cottage Hospital from a suspected heart attack. Late that night Selkirk mysteriously disappears.The discovery of a dead body two days later leaves Inspector Joanna Piercy, in her fourth outing, coping not only with a murder investigation, but with the arrival of the Regional Crime Squad. The murder is believed to be the work of a professional contract killer and the formidable Superintendent of the Squad is determined to trap him in the village of Leek.

Genres: Mystery, Crime

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

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

[Carol]

I have read the first 3 books in this series and enjoyed them although I didn't feel they were books that I would want to read again and again. The plots were good and easy to follow and that is still true with this one. It's the character of DCI Joanna Piercy that I have had misgivings about from the start. She never really struck me as a component "leader" that "has it together". In this one she was cold, unfeeling, and down-right self-absorbed. She and her partner, Mike have been partners, and more than just "work partners", for several years. When he made a really amazing discovery, she couldn't even take the time or have the grace to say, "well done" or "good work". Police work is hard...my husband was in it for 35 years and he was always recognizing, even in small ways, the accomplishments of his partner and the men he supervised. Other police driven books that I have read, and I read a lot, the lead character has always taken time to a least be polite. Her feelings come across as that only she is capable of solving the murders. I found it interesting enough in spite of Joanna's cold, uncaring attitude, to give it 3 stars. I hope that Michael wises up and realizes that the only person Joanna is capable of loving is Joanna.

[David Gilchrist]

Again a great clever plot. loved the story and its delivery.

[Sandy Adams]

Meh

A rather plodding story for although the plot was decent, the detecting not so much. Another detective with a troubled background faced with a puzzling (?) case while juggling a iffy romance aided by a partner reduced to chauffeur. Seem what said partner mostly does - besides drive - is hover in the background. Would skip this one.

[renuka]

Easy reading. Not much detecting work but has a good number of suspects. The End was like a hurried finish.

[Louise]

Joanna Piercy and Mark Korpanski
Matthew
Joanna hit by lorry while bicycling to work - broke arm, needed surgery.
In hospital at same time as Jonathan Selkirk, heart attack, brought on by receipt of letter telling him to make his will. Wife: Sheila Selkirk.
He was kidnapped from the hospital, taken to park, tied up and executed contract hit style.
He was a mean and nasty man, an attorney with Selkirk & Wilde, Fraud Squad investigating; hit and run, he hit and killed a child and the crossing guard who lost 2 legs. Got off with a very light sentence. His wife despised him and he didn't like his son. Hard to find anyone who liked him.
Pugh, Regional Crime Squad; found the hit man: Gallini; but who hired/paid for him.
Nurses: Yolande Prince: involved with a suicide at hospital several years ago, KILLED also, by OSullivan who let the killer in the exit door
Samantha Wilde, works at law firm, mistress? Selkirk willed all his money to her.
Ann Carter, mother of Rowena Carter, hit & run victim, hired the hit man.

[ElaineY]

Oh dear. I listened to this barely a week ago and all I can recall is that it involved a dead lawyer, and later, a dead nurse. I can't, for the life of me, remember who killed them and whether it was, indeed, a contract killing.

On the Joanna-Matthew drama, I think we left off with Joanna telling him he can't say No to his daughter because he's a weak man. Or was that the previous installment?

Anyway, I have liked this series enough to keep listening despite detesting the Joanna-Matthew drama. Adultery always sits uncomfortably with me, even when understandable. And in this case it's not because Joanna's reason for not leaving Matthew (or even getting involved in the first place!) is because she finds him so attractive.

I'd like to move on to the next book but I think I will see, first, if I can find out whether Joanna finally dumps Matthew.

[Eirlys]

Enjoyable story

Detective Joanna Piercy is a strong woman , and yet she has her weaknesses too . I liked that Joanna has a gritty determination to solve her cases. The characters were skilfully constructed and were believable. There were some unexpected twists which increased the tension and made the suspense pulsate. I will be reading more books in this series.

[william B. Parrill]

Masters is illiterate

I suggest that Me Masters look into the proper uses of the verbs sit,set, and sat. A person sits. A person set a plate on a table. Yesterday she sat on a chair. No one is ever SAT down. However, a person may be sitting on a chair.

[M R B Davis]

A sudden ending

Not sure all confidence was clear to the reader. Percy gets a broken wrist as a result of a traffic accident, but that isn't resolved or investigated. What is resolved is who and how a contract killer is employed. Not sure the murderer of the nurse was proven.

[Neil Randall]

Not really a detective novel as there's hary any detecting done.
The end sort of rushed the reveal, which the whole story matched, lots going on but nothing much happening.
Bit of a disappointment compared to the first few I've read.

[David Harte]

Thoroughly enjoyable thriller

A gripping read intriguing plot excellent as always and it keeps you guessing to the end.This is an excellent serious of crime thrillers highly recommended!

[Julie Powell]

This was another good British police detective story set in the 1990s from the box set I have.

A man is missing from a hospital...

There were plenty of suspects and a twisty trail to follow.

Overall, this tale was engaging and worth reading.

[Ivana Richards]

Another very enjoyable novel.

[Julene Haack]

Not as good as the previous books

[Joanne O' Brien]

Totally addicted to this series

You think you know what's going to happen but there's always a twist, I just turn page after page so fast.

[R.L.]

Like the previous novels I've read by Priscilla Masters, this one was a great read. I recommend her novels. Her character's lives continue through the series, which is the best part.

[Laura Poppenwimer]

This is a decent series, the plots while not too complex do keep you engaged and there is always a twist at the end that you don't expect.

[Terry]

A fast read. Some perplexing grammar that showed up more than once. Examples: "someone was sat" and "he was stood" and "Mike was stood". It was a bit off putting.
A decent who done it.

[Saadia]

gripping as expected

Characters are developing their styles from one book to the next. Readers are kept guessing at the local emotions which created the death or deaths.

[David Stimpson]

Really enjoyed this story . It is the 4th of the series and I have enjoyed them all

[Lynne]

Liked this less than the previous ones in this series. Was unnecessarily complicated at times.

[Mary]

A good mystery

[Susan]

Tricky case and what is Joanna going to do next weekend?

[Jules Barraclough]

Great story

[Joanne M Brunelle]

Another good mystery with compelling victims and suspects.

[Debbie Ubienski]

it was a good read..kept you wanting more but the end left you lacking.

[Gary Van Cott]

Read it but can't remember what I thought of it.

[Alessandra]

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