For writers and readers of mystery
“I haven’t anything to offer. There isn’t any help. We are all alone, all of us from the moment of birth until we die. Our past is our present and our future. We have to live with ourselves until there isn’t any more time left. If you want salvation look to yourself. There’s nowhere else to look.”
P D James, Shroud for a Nightingale
Reviews: E
- A Wake of Vultures by Mary Earnshaw
- The Rising Tide by Patrick Easter
- Darkness Beyond by Marjorie Eccles
- The Property Of Lies by Marjorie Eccles
- Against the Light by Marjorie Eccles
- Heirs and Assigns by Marjorie Eccles
- The Firebird’s Feather by Marjorie Eccles
- A Dangerous Deceit by Marjorie Eccles
- After Clare by Marjorie Eccles
- Black Blood by Jane Eddie
- All Fall Down by Mark Edwards & Louise Voss
- Catch Your Death by Mark Edwards and Louise Voss
- Killing Cupid by Louise Voss and Mark Edwards
- The Crooked Shore by Martin Edwards
- Mortmain Hall by Martin Edwards
- Gallows Court by Martin Edwards
- CWA Anthology of Short Stories Mystery Tour Edited by Martin Edwards
- Foreign Bodies Edited by Martin Edwards
- Crimson Snow. Edited by Martin Edwards
- The Dungeon House by Martin Edwards
- The Frozen Shroud by Martin Edwards
- The Golden Age of Murder by Martin Edwards
- Killing the Emperors by Ruth Dudley Edwards
- Dead Souls by Elsebeth Egholm
- Blood on the Wall By Jim Eldridge
- Grace is Gone by Emiliy Elgar
- The Last Alibi by David Ellis
- The Wrong Man by David Ellis
- Secrets on the Fens by Joy Ellis
- They Disappeared by Joy Ellis
- The Dying Light by Joy Ellis
- Hidden on the Fens by Joy Ellis
- Darkness on the Fens by Joy Ellis
- The Stolen Boys by Joy Ellis
- Five Bloody Heart by Joy Ellis
- Fire on the Fens by Joy Ellis
- Shadowbreaker by Joy Ellis
- A Map of the Dark by Karen Ellis
- The House of the Hanged Woman
- The Burial Circle by Kate Ellis
- Dead Man’s Lane by Kate Ellis
- The Boy Who Lived With the Dead by Kate Ellis
- The Mechanical Devil by Kate Ellis
- The Mermaid’s Scream by Kate Ellis
- A High Mortality of Doves by Kate Ellis
- The House of Eyes by Kate Ellis
- The Death Season by Kate Ellis
- The Shroud Maker by Kate Ellis
- The Shadow Collector by Kate Ellis
- Watching the Ghosts by Kate Ellis
- The Jackal Man by Kate Ellis
- A Knock at the Door By T W Ellis
- North of Boston by Elizabeth Elo
- Mockingbird Songs by R J Ellory
- My Sister’s Bones by Nuala Ellwood
- Blood on a Saint by Anne Emery
- A Hidden Life by Mia Emilie
- Killed by Thomas Enger
- Cursed by Thomas Enger
- My Husband’s Lies by Caroline England
- Beneath the Skin by Caroline England
- Black Lies Red Blood by Kjell Eriksson
- The Chemical Reaction by Fiona Erskine
- The Chemical Detective by Fiona Erskine
- Burning Down George Orwell’s House by Andrew Ervin
- The Fourteenth Letter by Claire Evans
- Asking For it by Geraldine Evans
- The Art of Breathing by Kate Evans
- The Art of Survival by Kate Evans
- The Art of the Imperfect by Kate Evans
- Long Time Lost by Chris Ewan
- Dark Tides by Chris Ewan
- Dead Line by Chris Ewan
- Fifth Column by David R Ewans
Recent Review
‘The Crooked Shore’ by Martin Edwards
Published by Allison & Busby,
22 July 2021.
ISBN: 978-0-74902786-5 (HB)
The question
‘So, you want to know why I killed Ramona Smith?
Is the opening line and is addressed to DCI Hannah Scarlett. But who is asking the question?
DCI Hannah Scarlett is just back from a conference in London where she had presented a paper on the challenge of leading cold case reviews. She is still surprised to find herself now described as an expert in solving unsolved crimes.
When Kit Gleadall, the new Police and Crime Commissioner asks Hannah to look into the twenty-one- year-old case of the disappearance of Ramona Smith from Bowness, it takes her a while to bring the case to mind. Recollection brings back memories of the investigating officer Ben Kind who had a prime suspect who he was convinced was guilty. Although the body of Ramona Smith was never found the prime suspect was charged and tried for the murder. He was found not guilty, but eventually committed suicide. Following another death, the case has resurfaced.
Kingsley Melton is the manager of Strandbeck Manor, a period house that has been turned into luxury apartments. Taking his ease on the shoreline, named The Crooked Shore, Kingsley is shocked to see Logan Prentice jog past him. Logan Prentice who Kingsley suspects of evil deeds.
As Hannah begins re-interviewing the people who were investigated in the original case, those that are still alive that is, she ponders on Ben Kind – a very shrewd cop, who she had liked very much but who had sadly subsequently been killed in a hit and run. These pondering naturally take her to his son Daniel Kind, ex TV historian who Hannah had been dating. But she had not seen him for six weeks as he had been travelling abroad promoting his new book. Whilst it had been wonderful to see him again things seemed different. Maybe, he had someone else.
Narrated in the third person by Kingsley Melton and Hannah Scarlett, there are many strands to this story, which are skilfully drawn together. Like many good stories the clues lie in the past. The Crooked Shore is one of the best books I have read in along time. Just when you think you know it all, there is a sudden jaw-dropping twist that I most certainly didn’t see coming. Most highly recommended as a book not to be missed.
——
Reviewer; Lizzie Sirett
Signed first editions available from Goldboro Books