A Death in the Dales
A Kate Shackleton Mystery
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4.0 • 47 Ratings
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
An intricate plot set in the 1920s English countryside and Frances Brody's "refreshingly complex heroine" (Kirkus) Kate Shackleton make A Death in the Dales an absorbing 7th installment in this mystery, perfect for fans of Jacqueline Winspear and Agatha Christie.
A murder most foul
When the landlord of a Yorkshire tavern is killed in plain sight, Freda Simonson, the only witness to the crime, becomes plagued with guilt, believing the wrong man has been convicted. Following her death, it seems that the truth will never be uncovered in the peaceful village of Langcliffe...
A village of secrets
But it just so happens that Freda’s nephew is courting the renowned amateur sleuth Kate Shackleton, who decides to holiday in Langcliffe with her indomitable teenage niece, Harriet. When Harriet strikes up a friendship with a local girl whose young brother is missing, the search leads Kate to uncover another suspicious death, not to mention an illicit affair.
The case of a lifetime
As the present mysteries merge with the past’s mistakes, Kate is thrust into the secrets that Freda left behind and realizes that this courageous woman has entrusted her with solving a murder from beyond the grave. It soon becomes clear to her that nothing in Langcliffe is quite as it appears, and with a murderer on the loose and an ever-growing roster of suspects, this isn’t the holiday Kate was expecting...
Frances Brody's Kate Shackleton returns in A Death in the Dales with another mystery that's sure to "hold the reader attention and make them continue reading into the small hours of the night" (York Press, UK).
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Set in 1926, Brody's leisurely paced seventh Kate Shackleton mystery (after 2016's Death of an Avid Reader) takes the private investigator and her teenage niece, Harriet, to the Yorkshire village of Langcliffe, where they stay at a cottage belonging to Dr. Lucian Simonson, who's sweet on Kate. No less than three problems require Kate's attention. First, Lucian's aunt, Freda, witnessed the murder of the local alehouse keeper in 1916 and maintained until her recent death that the wrong man was executed for the crime. Kate feels compelled to investigate this old case, despite the disapproval of some townspeople. Meanwhile, Harriet befriends a girl whose brother has gone missing. Finally, the wife of Langcliffe's biggest landowner wants help retrieving some indiscreet letters. No wonder Lucian feels Kate has no time for him. The characters are pleasant enough, but there's not much mystery, except for an out-of-left-field ending that takes everyone by surprise.
Customer Reviews
Seventh book in series!
A Death in the Dales by is the seventh book in A Kate Shackleton Mystery series. Kate Shackleton is taking her niece, Harriet on holiday to recover from her bout of diphtheria. They are going to stay in Lilac Cottage owned by Dr. Lucian Simonson, Kate’s beau. He inherited the cottage six months prior when his Aunt Freda. Kate is hoping for a relaxing fortnight in Langcliffe, but the fates are not with her. Kate and Harriet have barely arrived when Mr. Bradley Wigglesworth arrives. Wigglesworth had been a friend of Freda’s, and she had entrusted a box of papers with him before her death. Freda had witnessed the murder of Rufus Holroyd in 1916, but her testimony was discounted. The case haunted Freda for the past ten years, because she knew the wrong man was convicted and hanged for the crime. Kate feels compelled to look through the papers and the case peaks her interest. Harriet meets Beth Young in the village. Beth is worried about her brother, Martin. After the death of their mother, the two siblings were brought to town and put to work. Martin is working at Raistrick Farm. Martin was supposed to show up for the May Day festivities and he never arrived. When he fails to show up soon thereafter, Kate agrees to drive out to the farm to inquire about the young boy. Unfortunately, Kate’s profession as a detective has gotten out in the village and soon she is approached by Mrs. Victoria Trevelyan about a delicate situation. Someone is trying to blackmail Mrs. Trevelyan about letter she wrote to a past lover. Mrs. Trevelyan would like Kate to obtain the letters. It is not turning out to be much of a holiday for Kate. Harriet, though, is thrilled. She is fascinated by her aunt’s business and believes it might be the right profession for her. Harriet wishes to act as Kate’s assistant. Langcliffe may be a small village, but it is rife with secrets. This trip is also about Lucian and Kate making decisions about their future. It does not look promising when Lucian objects to Kate’s exploring the murder of Rufus Holroyd. This holiday is not turning out the way Kate expected.
A Death in the Dales was easy to read and well-written. I have not read the previous books in A Kate Shackleton Mystery series, but it was not a deterrent. The author provided all the information a reader needs to enjoy this novel. I liked the main character, Kate Shackleton. She is a smart, strong woman (thank heavens) and a good example to her niece, Harriet. I liked Harriet as well. I hope the author includes her in future books. I believe A Death in the Dales is the type of book you want to curl up with in a cozy chair on a rainy afternoon (and do not forget to have your favorite beverage and snack nearby). The author did a superb job at capturing the time and place. You can tell that Frances Brody did her research. I give A Death in the Dales 4 out of 5 stars. There is a lot going on in this book, but I was able to keep track of the various storylines and their characters. There are a couple of slow spots, but they did not bother me. The romance portion of the book seemed off. I did not feel any love or passion between Kate and Lucian. It felt like the writer seemed there should be a romance in the book and, therefore, included one. Kate and Lucian did not seem compatible, and I could not see Kate becoming a doctor’s wife (especially since she has no clue about shopping, cooking, and village politics). The murder mystery was entertaining and I liked the puzzle. I was able to figure out the killer before the reveal (you know I love solving the mystery). I believe most readers will be surprised. I am definitely going to read the other books in A Kate Shackleton Mystery series.