The Quartet Murders
J.R. Ellis
The 25th book I have read this year was the first of this series, and since I had enjoyed it, I was looking forward to the next book. I was not disappointed, and was drawn into the story right from the first sentence. The book starts on a Friday night in late November, and guess when I started reading it: on the last Friday in November, when I was on my way to OK for the weekend.
A famous violinist is shot dead at the end of a concert in Halifax, right in front of the audience - among them Inspector Oldroyd, who has driven over from Harrogate for the evening.
Because he has been there when it happened, he helps with the investigation in spite of it not being in his policing district. Like in a locked room mystery, it seems impossible that the killer has gotten away, but apart from the murder weapon being found on the premises, he or she seems to have vanished without a trace.
The violin played by the victim has also disappeared in the immediate tumultous aftermath, and since it was a world famous Stradivari and worth millions, the reason for the deadly shot seems to be clear.
But nothing about this case is as straight forward as the investigating team would like it to be. On top of the obvious, the case has personal and political implications, and the number of suspects grows. The more the team learn, the deeper the clues point towards the past.
Oldroyd‘s personal life is also not without complications, leaving plenty of room for further development in the following books of the series.
Just like with the first one, I enjoyed this mystery. I did guess the general direction of the underlying reason behind the first murder (yes, another man loses his life before the investigation is successful), but it was never boring, superficial or too easy to guess. Most of what happens and how the characters act is credible enough, too - apart from a scene towards the end, involving a cat.
I won‘t say more because one or two of you might want to read the book, too. For me, the next one is already waiting!
This does sound like an interesting book. Don't you love it when you find a series of books that you love. It is even better since you already have the next book in the series!
ReplyDeleteI hope your holiday time with O.K. and his family was fun!
I found the series through Monica‘s (DawnTreader) blog and could not believe Imhad not come across the books before, what with my love for all things Yorkshire.
ReplyDeleteThe day with OK‘s family was nice, I had not seen them in a month. Now I am still at OK‘s formthe week, returning on Saturday so that we can both have the Sunday to ourselves, getting ready for starting work again.
Oh wow- certainly a book for me. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome! So far, I have read the first two,of the series in order, but I guess they can be read as standalone, too; you might miss a few background details about the characters and their relationships.
DeleteWhen I saw the setting (Yorkshire), it was easy to understand the draw for you. Glad it was a good read...helps pass all your train time.
ReplyDeleteIt does, and in a very pleasant manner. I usually like looking out of the window when I‘m on the train, but it is dark so early that almost all my trips are in darkness this time of year.
DeleteHarrogate is a handsome town with historic buildings, and it has Betty's Tearoom.
ReplyDeleteI am sure you have such happy memories of going there. Place is everything in a story.
The priceless violin reminded me of a supernatural novel, The Lost Stradivarius by John Meade Falkner (1858-1932) who wrote two other novels, Moonfleet and The Nebuly Coat.
The hero of The Lost Stradivarius finds this mysterious violin in a hidden cupboard of his college rooms. When he begins to play it his personality starts to change.
The story may be a warning of the dangers of Romanticism rather as Goethe saw it.
Can you believe I have never set foot in Betty‘s, just walked past countless times and shook my head at the queues waiting to get a seat at one of the crammed tables.
DeleteOn my trips to and from Ripon, Harrogate is the closest place to Ripon with a train station, and from there to Ripon, it is either the 36 bus or my sister-in-law with her car.
I wonder when I will next see the place!
*Next year in Jerusalem!* as the devout like to say.
Delete*Next year in Ripon!* I hope, if the vaccine is available, and air travel is safe again, and you will visit your sister-in-law in beloved Yorkshire.
Perhaps on a quiet morning you will have coffee at Betty's.
Thanks for the recommendation which has been added to my long "to read" list. I hope you get to Yorkshire soon which is presently looking attractive in a covering of snow but you'll have to save up your pennies to eat at Betty's! However looking at their beautiful window displays is free.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.
Thank you, L, and the same to you!
DeleteOne of my sisters-in-law has sent something from Betty‘s as birthday presents a few times in the past, always very attractively packed and delicious. When I am willing to spend a bit more on a meal, I rather go to Swinton Park for their excellent afternoon tea - a bit further out and not possible to reach by bus, but always an especially nice experience.
Thank you for your good review! Did I get the German part of this story right?!
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome - and thank YOU for taking the time to read my review and comment on it! Yes, you got the German part right.
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