The author makes you wonder if a supernatural presence is responsible for the murder of the popular female curate。 And is same person responsible for two attempted murders and death of local busybody? Wintery setting and well drawn characters are a plus。Thanks to #NetGalley and #MurderAtStAnnes for advanced digital copy。
John Purvis,
Author John R。 Ellis released on 7 December his latest novel “Murder at St Anne’s”。 This novel is the seventh in his ‘Yorkshire Murder Mystery’ series。I received an ARC of this book through https://www。netgalley。com in return for a fair and honest review。 I categorize this book as ‘R' due to scenes of violence。 The primary character is DCI Jim Oldroyd。Oldroyd and his Detective Sergeant Andy Carter are called to an old church where a body has been found。 Reverend Clare Wilcox had been well-liked Author John R。 Ellis released on 7 December his latest novel “Murder at St Anne’s”。 This novel is the seventh in his ‘Yorkshire Murder Mystery’ series。I received an ARC of this book through https://www。netgalley。com in return for a fair and honest review。 I categorize this book as ‘R' due to scenes of violence。 The primary character is DCI Jim Oldroyd。Oldroyd and his Detective Sergeant Andy Carter are called to an old church where a body has been found。 Reverend Clare Wilcox had been well-liked at the church and she had been chosen to fill the post of Bishop。 Her brutal death comes as a shock to her congregation and church officials。This case comes close to home for Oldroyd。 The dead woman had been his sister’s friend and church colleague。 At first, no motives appear in this small Yorkshire village for the murder。 Soon though, Oldroyd discovers that many in the congregation are hiding secrets。 Some of which might have justified the brutal murder of their rector。 Oldroyd had not expected to find bigotry, blackmail, embezzlement, and adultery at the church。The missing weapon used to bludgeon the woman mystifies the police。 Local superstitious tales of a ghost haunting the church muddle the investigation。 As Oldroyd narrows his focus on the suspects, one is murdered and another attacked。 In the end, he must race to stop the killer from attacking a fourth victim。I enjoyed the 7。5 hours I spent reading this 283-page mystery。 I had not read any of the prior novels in this series。 This novel reads well on its own without the background。 I liked that Ellis kept the identity of the killer hidden until near the end of the novel。 I like the chosen cover art。 I rate this book as a 4 out of 5。You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis。wordpress。com/blog/)。 。。。more
Kim Campbell,
A good readAnother really enjoyable book from J。R。Ellis。 It would be nice to think that the attitudes held by some of the characters in the story were a bit over the top, sadly they aren't。 Still it made for a really good read, one I didn't want to put down! A good readAnother really enjoyable book from J。R。Ellis。 It would be nice to think that the attitudes held by some of the characters in the story were a bit over the top, sadly they aren't。 Still it made for a really good read, one I didn't want to put down! 。。。more
Phrynne,
I am very much enjoying this police procedural series set in the Yorkshire Dales in England。 I am jumping around a bit and not reading it in order but it does not seem to matter。Murder at St Anne's is the latest book in the series and it begins with a murder in a church。 The cause of death is a very violent blow but how it has occurred is unknown。 Luckily DCI Oldroyd and his offsider, Andy, are on the case although impeded by a very heavy snowfall which makes travel difficult and sometimes impos I am very much enjoying this police procedural series set in the Yorkshire Dales in England。 I am jumping around a bit and not reading it in order but it does not seem to matter。Murder at St Anne's is the latest book in the series and it begins with a murder in a church。 The cause of death is a very violent blow but how it has occurred is unknown。 Luckily DCI Oldroyd and his offsider, Andy, are on the case although impeded by a very heavy snowfall which makes travel difficult and sometimes impossible。There are plenty of red herrings, some very entertaining characters and a general feeling that basically all is alright with the world despite the bad things which sometimes happen。 Every time I read this author's books I am grateful that someone writes stories where the main characters are normal people who support each other when times get hard。The best part is I still have four more books in the series on my Kindle waiting to be read!Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book。 。。。more
Kelly Ann,
I love love love this author and his novels。
K Hall,
Excellent I love a good murder mystery and this series totally delivers。 Set in the atmospheric Knaresborough a market and spa town and civil parish in the Borough of Harrogate, North Yorkshire which is steeped in history and folklore。 Great story which is always a bit of a puzzle when Oldroyd is involved but that's what he excels at, keeps you guessing till the end。 The best one so far。 Excellent I love a good murder mystery and this series totally delivers。 Set in the atmospheric Knaresborough a market and spa town and civil parish in the Borough of Harrogate, North Yorkshire which is steeped in history and folklore。 Great story which is always a bit of a puzzle when Oldroyd is involved but that's what he excels at, keeps you guessing till the end。 The best one so far。 。。。more
Carolyn Valdez,
I have read all the book in this series and have enjoyed every one of them。 This story is full of suspense and interesting characters。 It keeps you entertained from the beginning to the end。 I would recommend this to all mystery lovers!
Jan,
The vicar, the ghost (?), and the constabulary。 In Yorkshire。 In vile snow weather。 The publisher's blurb is a nice hook and doesn't give away too much, but it doesn't tell about the DCI and his DS having to spend a night camping out on the floor of the church where the vicar was murdered (they were snowed in。 It was quite a slog for them to work out who were all the liars and how the ghost was faked, but the constabulary prevailed。 It's always nice to read about law enforcement members who work The vicar, the ghost (?), and the constabulary。 In Yorkshire。 In vile snow weather。 The publisher's blurb is a nice hook and doesn't give away too much, but it doesn't tell about the DCI and his DS having to spend a night camping out on the floor of the church where the vicar was murdered (they were snowed in。 It was quite a slog for them to work out who were all the liars and how the ghost was faked, but the constabulary prevailed。 It's always nice to read about law enforcement members who work well together and about their families who are not at odds with The Job! Loved it in all its weirdness。I requested and received a free ebook copy from Amazon Publishing UK, Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley。 Thank you! 。。。more
Ann Keeran,
A dead body, the ghost of a monk, several suspects, this is what the detectives have to work with。 Can they surmise who the murderer is?
Mrs M Wallace,
Riveting Unputdownable。 Very interesting arguments and a brilliant list of characters。 Oldroyd and his team become more real with every book in the series。 Really looking forward to the next book。
Mystica,
This was a very good story。 It combined so much - the ecclesiastical scene in modern times but with its age old ideologies and sometimes old fashioned ideas so out of place in modern times, then you get the clergy themselves trying to keep up with the 21st century, also trying to appease those parishioners who are slightly behind them, and the myriad secrets that people all over the world have。We have a murder。 The vicar - a woman popular, compassionate and friendly has been brutally murdered an This was a very good story。 It combined so much - the ecclesiastical scene in modern times but with its age old ideologies and sometimes old fashioned ideas so out of place in modern times, then you get the clergy themselves trying to keep up with the 21st century, also trying to appease those parishioners who are slightly behind them, and the myriad secrets that people all over the world have。We have a murder。 The vicar - a woman popular, compassionate and friendly has been brutally murdered and even the weapon that was used is a puzzle to the detectives。 No outward clues。 No scandals in the background。 She was ear marked for a bishopric and could this be the cause for the women hating members of her congregation。 The detection set against a harsh wintry landscape is very descriptive and the two Detectives on the case go forward very slowly because clues keep getting unearthed - but mainly of secrets that people would want hidden but which really do not have a bearing on this murder。 When the second murder happens we know that the ghost of St Annne's is definitely not behind the murders and then a foiled murder attempt sets the pace up a bit faster as we know our murderer is notgoing to stop。The book is a page turner。 One that will please any mystery murder reader never mind those of a eclesiastical bent。 。。。more
Christie’s Books,
This wasn’t my favorite。 While I enjoyed the plot, I felt the writing wasn’t flowing very well。 It felt clumsy and was at times confusing and boring。 There was a lot of telling rather than showing。 I do appreciate net galley providing this book in exchange for an honest review。
Denise,
First time reading this author so had a bit of catch up along with this murder。 When it happened at the church the victim loved many say a ghost did the dead。 Intriguing though that is a real killer needs to be found。 DCI Oldroyd and gang are tasked for that。 Nothing to go on makes for a difficult case。 As things do come to light turn the pages to see who that "ghost" might be。 First time reading this author so had a bit of catch up along with this murder。 When it happened at the church the victim loved many say a ghost did the dead。 Intriguing though that is a real killer needs to be found。 DCI Oldroyd and gang are tasked for that。 Nothing to go on makes for a difficult case。 As things do come to light turn the pages to see who that "ghost" might be。 。。。more
Beverly,
I was so glad to see there was a new Yorkshire murder mystery。 This time DS Andy Carter is in the field with DCI Jim Oldroyd。 I like this series。 It keeps you interested until the very end。 There is enough background to keep you interested in the continuing characters, yet you could read this as a standalone book。 There is comic relief, action, a couple of deaths and, in this one a ghost。 It was a very good read。
Cynthia Grove,
Possibly the best so far in this series。 A very nasty guilty party but quite a good exposition about the Anglican Church。
Gwen,
This is the 7th book in the series and as I had not read the previous books I was worried that I might not know what was going on, but this story stands alone and can be read separately。 This is a great story and reminds me of a British TV series that I watch a lot called Midsomer Murders。 I can't wait to read the previous books in this series。 This is the 7th book in the series and as I had not read the previous books I was worried that I might not know what was going on, but this story stands alone and can be read separately。 This is a great story and reminds me of a British TV series that I watch a lot called Midsomer Murders。 I can't wait to read the previous books in this series。 。。。more
Rosie Trzewik,
7th book in the series, but my 1st introduction to the Yorkshire Murder Mysteries。 Beloved Rev Clare Wilcox at St Anne’s is found brutally murdered in the church。 DCI Oldroyd and Sergeant Andy Carter are on the case。 There are many possible suspects and a ghostly Monk thrown into the mix。 A very good who done it mystery that will keep you guessing。 The characters are realistic and the storyline will keep you turning pages。 Now to backtrack and read the previous books。 Thank you NetGalley for thi 7th book in the series, but my 1st introduction to the Yorkshire Murder Mysteries。 Beloved Rev Clare Wilcox at St Anne’s is found brutally murdered in the church。 DCI Oldroyd and Sergeant Andy Carter are on the case。 There are many possible suspects and a ghostly Monk thrown into the mix。 A very good who done it mystery that will keep you guessing。 The characters are realistic and the storyline will keep you turning pages。 Now to backtrack and read the previous books。 Thank you NetGalley for this ARC。 I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story。 #NetGalley #MurderatStAnnes 。。。more
Cortney,
Murder at St。 Anne's was a solid murder mystery, however, my rating was based on the characters and the flow of the story。 Characters:The characters fell flat for me。 I was not cheering for or against them and was extremely indifferent to them。 I am a reader that needs to connect with the characters in some way regardless of who they are written to be。 I love a really good villian, so the character does not necessarily have to be pleasant for me to appreciate them。 The characters in Murder at St Murder at St。 Anne's was a solid murder mystery, however, my rating was based on the characters and the flow of the story。 Characters:The characters fell flat for me。 I was not cheering for or against them and was extremely indifferent to them。 I am a reader that needs to connect with the characters in some way regardless of who they are written to be。 I love a really good villian, so the character does not necessarily have to be pleasant for me to appreciate them。 The characters in Murder at St。 Anne's were dull and very two dimensional。 The conversations between them were mundain and seemed to be more of an inconvenience between characters as opposed to a growth or relationship development opportunity。 Conversations between "old friends" seemed forced and not genuine in any way。 Even news of a death did not seem to phase other characters which is something I need to feel in characters that I am reading。 Story Flow: J。R。 Ellis provided a good environment for this murder mystery。 I appreciated the references to the scenery and the details in the churches。 The paragraph flow was not as smooth and easy to read。 I would sometimes lose focus during character conversations because the characters themselves did not seem invested in the conversations so why should I? The conversations also felt forced throughout the book, the characters did not seem like they wanted to be in the novel which made the story drag on。 Again, the murder mystery aspect of the story was interesting enough, but I felt no connection to the events occuring and the transition from one sceen to another was sudden and did not transition nicely。 Overview:I wanted to love this book, it seemed like a light and fun winter murder mystery, but the story seemed more religious to me than an actual story。 I hope that makes sense。 The religious aspect and the setting were more developed than the characters were。 I felt like the focus could have been a little more balanced and a little more focus on the development of characters instead of short insights into their past woud have made things flow a little better for me。 。。。more
Bobbi Wagner,
This is an author that I never hesisitate to pick up and have enjoyed her books from the start。 His writing style and attention to details give life to his stories。 This is a mystery book that I enjoyed from the start。 I enjoyed being pulled into the story by the creative characters。 They are not only connectable but kept the story engaging。 This is a story that is full of mystery and hard to put down。 As the search for the murder weapon and the supsititions leaves a ghost haunting the building。 This is an author that I never hesisitate to pick up and have enjoyed her books from the start。 His writing style and attention to details give life to his stories。 This is a mystery book that I enjoyed from the start。 I enjoyed being pulled into the story by the creative characters。 They are not only connectable but kept the story engaging。 This is a story that is full of mystery and hard to put down。 As the search for the murder weapon and the supsititions leaves a ghost haunting the building。 I really enjoyed this story and what the characters brought to the story。 This is a fast paced story that brought mystery to a new level and I really enjoyed it。 I highly recommend this book and this author。 。。。more
Elaine Tomasso,
I would like to thank Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an advance copy of Murder at St Anne’s, the seventh novel to feature DCI Jim Oldroyd of the Yorkshire Police。Oldroyd and the team are called to Knaresborough where the vicar, Clare Wilcox, has been murdered in her own church。 With inexplicable injuries and no murder weapon local superstition is soon blaming a ghostly monk, although Oldroyd isn’t so sure, especially when more violence ensues。I thoroughly enjoyed Murder at St Anne’s, whi I would like to thank Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an advance copy of Murder at St Anne’s, the seventh novel to feature DCI Jim Oldroyd of the Yorkshire Police。Oldroyd and the team are called to Knaresborough where the vicar, Clare Wilcox, has been murdered in her own church。 With inexplicable injuries and no murder weapon local superstition is soon blaming a ghostly monk, although Oldroyd isn’t so sure, especially when more violence ensues。I thoroughly enjoyed Murder at St Anne’s, which is a good, old fashioned murder mystery with a dash of humour to leaven the subject matter。 The writing is clunky with a propensity for stating the obvious, but that doesn’t detract from the mystery or the warmth between the characters。 I look forward to every instalment。The plot is the thing in this novel, like the others in the series, so everything is a mystery - motive, perpetrator and method。 The first two are not revealed until the denouement but the weapon becomes apparent about half way through。 The reader will have to be ready for another fiendishly obscure method of killing。 No, it’s probably not realistic, but it’s entertaining and I would never have worked it out。 The novel held my interest throughout with the puzzles it presents。 I like that there are no chapters from the killer’s point of view so it’s all down to the little grey cells。 I obviously don’t have enough of them as it had me baffled。I like the characters in this series。 They are smart and there is a warmth in the team that makes reading about them a pleasure。 I also like that the author tries to tackle a different social issue in each novel, albeit with a sledgehammer, and that Oldroyd always treats it as a learning experience。Murder at St Anne’s is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending。 。。。more
Loretta,
A Netgalley ARC - Chief Inspector was called to St。 Anne's Church to solve the death and murder of Rev。 Claire。 Her body was found in the church with an unidentified weapon for the murder。 Questioning the members of the church finding that a lot believe it was the ghost that is supposed to haunt the church。 Very suspenseful with a surprise ending。 A Netgalley ARC - Chief Inspector was called to St。 Anne's Church to solve the death and murder of Rev。 Claire。 Her body was found in the church with an unidentified weapon for the murder。 Questioning the members of the church finding that a lot believe it was the ghost that is supposed to haunt the church。 Very suspenseful with a surprise ending。 。。。more
Melanie Robertson-King,
I had no problems with not having read the first six books in this series。 I know the area of Yorkshire where the book takes place and have many pleasant memories of my time there。 The author sprinkled in enough backstory of the main characters without creating info dumps。I loved the snippets from the ghost stories that started each chapter。 If I have anything negative to say about the book, I found some of the chapters extremely long。Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for a copy of the boo I had no problems with not having read the first six books in this series。 I know the area of Yorkshire where the book takes place and have many pleasant memories of my time there。 The author sprinkled in enough backstory of the main characters without creating info dumps。I loved the snippets from the ghost stories that started each chapter。 If I have anything negative to say about the book, I found some of the chapters extremely long。Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more
Eadie,
This book is set in Yorkshire UK and is the 7th book of the series。 A woman rector is found bludgeoned to death in her own church。 A local superstition blames the ghost of a medieval monk believed to haunt the building。 DCI Jim Oldroyd takes on the case with his assistant, Sergeant Andy Carter。 Has Oldroyd really found himself in the midst of a Gothic ghost story or is there a very real killer at large? I never read this author before but I did enjoy his writing。 He gave interesting details abou This book is set in Yorkshire UK and is the 7th book of the series。 A woman rector is found bludgeoned to death in her own church。 A local superstition blames the ghost of a medieval monk believed to haunt the building。 DCI Jim Oldroyd takes on the case with his assistant, Sergeant Andy Carter。 Has Oldroyd really found himself in the midst of a Gothic ghost story or is there a very real killer at large? I never read this author before but I did enjoy his writing。 He gave interesting details about the Church of England and why men should be in charge of running the church。 Many of the well-developed characters were suspects and they kept me guessing who the murderer was。 There were a few twists that I didn't see coming。 I look forward to reading more from this author。 If you like British mysteries, then I am sure you would enjoy this one。 Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for a free copy for an honest review。 。。。more
Jeremy Reppy,
"Murder at St。 Anne's" was a good murder mystery。 The book starts off with a paragraph about M。R。 James, a late 19th/early 20th century author famous for his English ghost stories, often set in churches, libraries, graveyards, etc。 Each chapter of the book starts with an excerpt from one of M。R。 James' stories, and DCI Oldroyd is familiar with the books and mentions them in connection with the murder investigation at the center of this book, which involves the mysterious murder of Reverend Clare "Murder at St。 Anne's" was a good murder mystery。 The book starts off with a paragraph about M。R。 James, a late 19th/early 20th century author famous for his English ghost stories, often set in churches, libraries, graveyards, etc。 Each chapter of the book starts with an excerpt from one of M。R。 James' stories, and DCI Oldroyd is familiar with the books and mentions them in connection with the murder investigation at the center of this book, which involves the mysterious murder of Reverend Clare Wilcox, the vicar of St。 Anne's。 I appreciate that J。R。 Ellis pays homage to a fellow writer and does so in an effective manner。Clare's murder is mysterious because she was killed by blunt force trauma but there is no obvious murder weapon; the manner of death, once revealed, is quite creative。 There are also a number of possible suspects, but no clear motive。 Some of the parishioners were opposed to female priests, and were open about their opposition, but they said they got along with and liked Clare。 One of the major themes of the book is the misogynistic views of some of the parishioners, and how they have distorted Biblical teachings to support their viewpoint。 Adding to the mystery is the legend that the church is haunted by a monk who was persecuted and murdered by church officials centuries ago and went to his death cursing his killers, and who has been blamed for a series of mysterious deaths over the centuries, and who some parishioners claim to have seen。 One of the strengths of the story is that multiple characters are hiding secrets, and appear as plausible suspects, or at least know more than they are letting on。 The author reveals just enough details to keep the reader guessing about the possible killer and possible motive; in the end, the killer and motive are both surprising and not surprising。 Adding to the suspense is that Clare was good friends with and had been mentored by vicar Alison Oldroyd, the sister of DCI Oldroyd, adding an extra personal dimension to the case。I received a copy of the e-book via NetGalley in exchange for a review。 。。。more
Scilla,
Clare Wilcox is Rector of St。 Anne's。 In a few months, she will become a bishop。 She has an appointment with someone from the church and goes across from the vicarage to the church。 The church is dark, but there is a light in the small room near the west tower。 As she approaches, there was a creaking noise, and she is hit by a tremendous blow。 Her body was found not too long after, when the church wardon, Avison come to lock the church for the night。 Jim Oldroyd and Andy Carter are called in the Clare Wilcox is Rector of St。 Anne's。 In a few months, she will become a bishop。 She has an appointment with someone from the church and goes across from the vicarage to the church。 The church is dark, but there is a light in the small room near the west tower。 As she approaches, there was a creaking noise, and she is hit by a tremendous blow。 Her body was found not too long after, when the church wardon, Avison come to lock the church for the night。 Jim Oldroyd and Andy Carter are called in the investigate。 They look around and can't find what killed her。 The pathologist say it was a very heavy object which smashed her head, broke her neck and nearly ripped out her shoulder。 There is a story in the church about a medieval monk who was put to death and now haunts the church。 The heavy snow causes Oldroyd and Carter to sleep in the church。 In the middle of the night Oldroyd wakes up and sees a monk watching them。 However, Oldroyd is sure it's someone dressed up to scare them。 It soon comes out that there are members of the church who do not approve of female Rectors or Bishops。 。。。more
Julie Ferguson,
I read this book as an ARC。I have read several of J。R。 Ellis's murder mysteries set in West Yorkshire before starring DI Jim Oldroyd and DS Andy Carter。This one is better than most and involves the murder of a Church of England (Anglican) priest in the parish church。 Rev。 Wilcox is a woman and soon to become a bishop。The two detectives have a tough and bizarre case to solve when another murder and two assaults take place confusing everyone。I loved the plot, the police work, and the typical villa I read this book as an ARC。I have read several of J。R。 Ellis's murder mysteries set in West Yorkshire before starring DI Jim Oldroyd and DS Andy Carter。This one is better than most and involves the murder of a Church of England (Anglican) priest in the parish church。 Rev。 Wilcox is a woman and soon to become a bishop。The two detectives have a tough and bizarre case to solve when another murder and two assaults take place confusing everyone。I loved the plot, the police work, and the typical village characters。 It takes a while to even figure out the murder weapon, to say nothing of vague suspects and secrets withheld throughout。As always, Ellis keeps the reader hopping and turning pages。Recommend for mystery lovers everywhere。 。。。more
Wendy Pitts,
Nice mystery, works as a stand alone, and enough red herrings to keep readers occupied。 My only problem was occasionally the explanations slowed down the story flow。 Good descriptions of Irish countryside and culture, enough to hook you in。
Judy Lesley,
This novel is the latest in a series set in the Yorkshire area of Britain。 I have fond memories of exploring in that area during one of our trips to England so that nostalgia figured in my enjoyment of this novel。 I didn't have any problem taking up the series in this 7th book because the author was very generous in providing in depth background of all the principal characters, especially the police who formed the group to investigate the death of The Reverend Clare Wilcox, rector of St。 Anne's This novel is the latest in a series set in the Yorkshire area of Britain。 I have fond memories of exploring in that area during one of our trips to England so that nostalgia figured in my enjoyment of this novel。 I didn't have any problem taking up the series in this 7th book because the author was very generous in providing in depth background of all the principal characters, especially the police who formed the group to investigate the death of The Reverend Clare Wilcox, rector of St。 Anne's church。 The ghostly figure of a monk has been seen by many people around St。 Anne's and the police have about all they can handle to keep the press and parishioners from attributing this murder to that otherworldly specter。I enjoyed the way the author set the atmosphere of this investigation by including the weather as a hindrance to getting the initial investigation under way。 I also liked the depth of the characters and can understand why readers would want to follow their activities throughout a series of crimes and investigations。 The spectral Monk added a creepiness factor and the weather nearly made me freeze to death so those two aspects alone made this an enjoyable novel to read。 。。。more
Jane MacKinnon,
I throughly enjoyed this book。I have never read this author before but after this I will be starting the series at the beginning。 The characters were appealing and I loved the small village and the story line。It kept me guessing right to the end。I will definitely recommend This book。