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Lois Meade Mystery #10
Threats at Three
When the Long Farden village hall is in danger of being destroyed, the citizens form a committee to save it, with the usual grumps and curmudgeons included. But it seems someone opposes the preservation enough to set the historic building on fire. When a dead body turns up in the canal, Inspector Cowgill fears the dispute is only going to get uglier-and deadlier. Naturally, he turns to Lois Meade to sort out the culprit before the village hall becomes a funeral hall...
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 7, 2010
About the author
Ann Purser
38 books140 followersAnn Purser lives in the East Midlands, in a small and attractive village which still has a village shop, a garage, pub and church. Here she finds her inspiration for her novels about country life. She has only to do her daily shopping down the High Street to listen to the real life of the village going on around her.
Before turning to fiction, she had a number of different careers, including journalism – she was for six years a columnist in SHE magazine – and art gallery proprietor. Running her own gallery in a 400-year-old barn behind the house, she gained fascinating insights into the characters and relationships of customers wandering around. She had no compunction about eavesdropping, and sharpened up her writer’s skills in weaving plots around strangers who spent sometimes more than an hour in her gallery.
Working in a village school added more grist to the mill, as does singing in the church choir and membership of the Women’s Guild. She reminds herself humbly that Virginia Woolf was President of her local WI…
Six years hard study won her an Open University degree, and when she faltered and threatened to fall by the wayside, writer husband Philip Purser reminded her that he was paying good money for the course. During this period, she wrote two non-fiction books, one for parents of handicapped children (she has a daughter with cerebral palsy) and the other a lighthearted book for schools, on the explosion of popular entertainment in the first forty years of the twentieth century.
Ten years of running the gallery proved to be enough, and while it was very successful she decided to sell. The business moved down the street to another barn and owner, and Pursers stayed on in their house next to the village school – another rich source of material for the stories. Time to start writing novels.
Round Ringford became Ann’s village in a series of six novels, each with a separate story, but featuring the same cast of characters with a few newcomers each time. The list of books gives details of each story, and each features an issue common to all villages in our rural countryside. “Just like our village!” is a frequent comment from Ann’s readers.
Next: the Lois Meade Mysteries, each title reflecting a day of the week. Ann has always loved detective fiction, and determined to make it her next series. So Murder on Monday was born, followed by Terror on Tuesday, and Weeping on Wednesday. The rest of the week follows!
Mornings are set aside for writing, and the rest of the day Ann spends walking the dog, retrieving bantams’ eggs from around the garden, gossiping and taking part in the life of the village. She is never bored!
Before turning to fiction, she had a number of different careers, including journalism – she was for six years a columnist in SHE magazine – and art gallery proprietor. Running her own gallery in a 400-year-old barn behind the house, she gained fascinating insights into the characters and relationships of customers wandering around. She had no compunction about eavesdropping, and sharpened up her writer’s skills in weaving plots around strangers who spent sometimes more than an hour in her gallery.
Working in a village school added more grist to the mill, as does singing in the church choir and membership of the Women’s Guild. She reminds herself humbly that Virginia Woolf was President of her local WI…
Six years hard study won her an Open University degree, and when she faltered and threatened to fall by the wayside, writer husband Philip Purser reminded her that he was paying good money for the course. During this period, she wrote two non-fiction books, one for parents of handicapped children (she has a daughter with cerebral palsy) and the other a lighthearted book for schools, on the explosion of popular entertainment in the first forty years of the twentieth century.
Ten years of running the gallery proved to be enough, and while it was very successful she decided to sell. The business moved down the street to another barn and owner, and Pursers stayed on in their house next to the village school – another rich source of material for the stories. Time to start writing novels.
Round Ringford became Ann’s village in a series of six novels, each with a separate story, but featuring the same cast of characters with a few newcomers each time. The list of books gives details of each story, and each features an issue common to all villages in our rural countryside. “Just like our village!” is a frequent comment from Ann’s readers.
Next: the Lois Meade Mysteries, each title reflecting a day of the week. Ann has always loved detective fiction, and determined to make it her next series. So Murder on Monday was born, followed by Terror on Tuesday, and Weeping on Wednesday. The rest of the week follows!
Mornings are set aside for writing, and the rest of the day Ann spends walking the dog, retrieving bantams’ eggs from around the garden, gossiping and taking part in the life of the village. She is never bored!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
October 1, 2011
Very disappointing. The cover says "a must read for British cozy fans", so I should have been the target audience - but I wish I had skipped it! After the first hundred pages I just stubbornly made myself finish it, but I didn't enjoy the book at all. Here are a few of the things I didn't like:
The book is part of a series, and I felt lost starting with this book. I'm assuming the first book of the series does a better job of introducing characters. There were also several awkward references to things that obviously happened in past books. You need to start with the first book to understand this series.
Lois and the Inspector have a highly inappropriate emotional affair going on through the book and she even kisses him at the end. Apparently, she is totally fine with this. Even when her husband shows his discomfort, she offhandedly dismisses him. The affair is a open secret referenced by Lois's husband, Lois's daughter, Lois's mother, the townspeople, policemen and even crooks. Lois's daughter strangely seems to encourage it. Every time Lois and the Inspector meet, we are treated to their internal thoughts about how attracted they are to each other.
I hated Lois's character. I can't overestimate how much I disliked her. She is a busybody who bosses everyone around and never can seem to get over herself. I found her highly offensive as a person. She is the type of person who acts like every "social justice" issue personally offends her. She uses other people's suffering to justify her own inappropriate actions. Everything is her business, except when she thinks Kate is having an affair. Apparently affairs are totally okay and no one else's business. She is also constantly picking on her mother, who clearly represents traditional values. Several times Gran was belittled and mocked for wanting to see people face the consequences of their decisions. Gran's common sense was seen as heartless and cold by Lois. There were many references in this book to the "old" conservative ways in conflict with the current "modern" ways.
My favorite character in the story was Mrs. TJ, even though she was obviously meant to be vilified.
The language in the book was easy enough to read. But it was really a character driven book. The building climax works itself out almost magically at the end, without letting the reader actually see the resolution unfold. Unless you really like Lois's character, I see no point to reading the book.
I will not read another book in this series. It was a total waste of my time.
The book is part of a series, and I felt lost starting with this book. I'm assuming the first book of the series does a better job of introducing characters. There were also several awkward references to things that obviously happened in past books. You need to start with the first book to understand this series.
Lois and the Inspector have a highly inappropriate emotional affair going on through the book and she even kisses him at the end. Apparently, she is totally fine with this. Even when her husband shows his discomfort, she offhandedly dismisses him. The affair is a open secret referenced by Lois's husband, Lois's daughter, Lois's mother, the townspeople, policemen and even crooks. Lois's daughter strangely seems to encourage it. Every time Lois and the Inspector meet, we are treated to their internal thoughts about how attracted they are to each other.
I hated Lois's character. I can't overestimate how much I disliked her. She is a busybody who bosses everyone around and never can seem to get over herself. I found her highly offensive as a person. She is the type of person who acts like every "social justice" issue personally offends her. She uses other people's suffering to justify her own inappropriate actions. Everything is her business, except when she thinks Kate is having an affair. Apparently affairs are totally okay and no one else's business. She is also constantly picking on her mother, who clearly represents traditional values. Several times Gran was belittled and mocked for wanting to see people face the consequences of their decisions. Gran's common sense was seen as heartless and cold by Lois. There were many references in this book to the "old" conservative ways in conflict with the current "modern" ways.
My favorite character in the story was Mrs. TJ, even though she was obviously meant to be vilified.
The language in the book was easy enough to read. But it was really a character driven book. The building climax works itself out almost magically at the end, without letting the reader actually see the resolution unfold. Unless you really like Lois's character, I see no point to reading the book.
I will not read another book in this series. It was a total waste of my time.
August 13, 2018
Threats at Three is one of my favorite mysteries by this author.Many current community issues as well as social problems are woven into the plot of this story. The community effort to save the village's historical meeting hall by organizing a fund raiser that included a soapbox derby.I remember soapbox derbies that were held in the town that I grew up in so that was nostalgic for.This part of the plot included conflict with characters who favored new buildings over saving historical ones and this is an issue that many communities face.
The other plot line about a mother of four struggling to provide for her family and deal with a teenager that is confused and conflicted was written in a realistic and sympathtic style.
Of course, Lois and her family and employees at New Brooms are an important part of the story,
The other plot line about a mother of four struggling to provide for her family and deal with a teenager that is confused and conflicted was written in a realistic and sympathtic style.
Of course, Lois and her family and employees at New Brooms are an important part of the story,
July 11, 2023
I have read all the previous books about Lois Meade solving crimes, starting with the days of the week ones followed by the number ones. This one was a little slow in starting off. The author gave some explanations for people unfamiliar with the series. Lois’ relationship with Inspector Cowgill is getting stranger. Everyone is getting older. Lois’ children are all grown up and either figure as affected by the crimes or help in solving them. I think there are only a few titles left and I wonder how the series will end.
August 9, 2022
This 3rd in the series is full of the trademark details of previous ones. This is set around preserving the historic village hall. The committee decides to raise funds to restore it. There is dark goings on in the village as well. A developer wants to make sure it doesn't happen. As usual Lois Meade investigates to get at the bottom of all that is going on. It ends with the loose ends being tied up nicely.
April 26, 2026
This series improves with each book and life in Long Farden is both believable and magical. Lois is the person we all wish we had as a best friend. In this book, the complex web is slightly revealed to the reader throughout, yet we are left to wonder what is coming next as the characters each move through the days.
December 19, 2017
Cute story. Still struggle with the language some since it’s set in England. I did find a blooper in the book. I edit books for a couple local authors so it’s made my radar very active reading to find bloopers. I won’t share so others won’t find it. Majority read right over it.
July 11, 2022
I'm not sure I like the way this author thinks. A woman decides to get back together with the husband even though he'd slashed her with a knife while drunk? The police chief is in love with the hero, even though she's married to another man? Ugh.
June 24, 2017
Had a little trouble at first getting into the story, but after a while, got into it. Enjoyable.
July 31, 2018
Tenth in the satisfying Lois Meade series, another predictably entertaining cozy murder mystery set in the English countryside.
April 14, 2019
this was just so dull and boring. I skimmed a bit, okay, maybe a lot:) Too many characters, too much description of every single thing they did. Not recommending this one.
May 4, 2020
the Lois Meade series
April 17, 2026
3.75 stars. Started out slow but did pick up pace.
July 16, 2026
It was ok
February 22, 2017
This was a difficult book to rate. I may have been too generous. I liked most of the characters but the relationship between the police inspector and the main character a bit creepy and there are not many people I know who would call a member of the police force "stupid" or tell him/her to "shut up"!
The ending was a little too pat for me and there was not much of a mystery either.
The ending was a little too pat for me and there was not much of a mystery either.
January 23, 2016
This is the 10th book in the Lois Meade cleaning mystery series, on loan from my mother-in-law.
The Meade family were all workaholics in the other books, and pretty much had to be, as they ran three businesses - Lois' cleaning business, Derek's electrician business, and Josie's store. So, it was odd and almost out-of-character to see them taking time off to do a family activity together, going to the space museum, just for the fun of it. Perhaps that was the influence of having a grandbaby, although, admittedly, it wasn't for his benefit.
It also seemed odd to me that once they arrived, they didn't stay together to enjoy each other's company, but each went their own way. It sounded more like a carpool than family time.
It was also sad that others envied them their happy, smiling faces from the expedition. Yes, the Meades didn't always see eye to eye (did they ever?) and they could be cold to each other, but they tended to stand up for each other, and Lois and Josie have become confidants, to a point.
I liked the 13 year old and his mother in this book. So many people had volunteered to try to help him that it was truly taking a village to raise him and draw him away from some of the negative influences around him. The last choice he made in this book was a sad one, though understandable. The other characters seemed to think he would be OK afterwards; I think he would need some counselling and some time to heal emotionally as well as physically.
The abusive husband in this story had determined that he never wanted to hit anyone again. That's good, but it remained to be seen whether he could keep his resolution. Actually changing might be harder than he realized, and I think his wife was too trusting to accept him back, perhaps at all, but definitely so soon. If she actually wanted to do that, there should have been family counseling and a great deal of accountability and a gradual return, rather than just suddenly deciding everything's OK. He needed to earn back trust over time.
Hunter Cowgill was getting even more sappy, and Lois didn't do as good a job rebuffing him as usual. I think she was more compassionate towards him, but that could prove dangerous.
The Meade family were all workaholics in the other books, and pretty much had to be, as they ran three businesses - Lois' cleaning business, Derek's electrician business, and Josie's store. So, it was odd and almost out-of-character to see them taking time off to do a family activity together, going to the space museum, just for the fun of it. Perhaps that was the influence of having a grandbaby, although, admittedly, it wasn't for his benefit.
It also seemed odd to me that once they arrived, they didn't stay together to enjoy each other's company, but each went their own way. It sounded more like a carpool than family time.
It was also sad that others envied them their happy, smiling faces from the expedition. Yes, the Meades didn't always see eye to eye (did they ever?) and they could be cold to each other, but they tended to stand up for each other, and Lois and Josie have become confidants, to a point.
I liked the 13 year old and his mother in this book. So many people had volunteered to try to help him that it was truly taking a village to raise him and draw him away from some of the negative influences around him. The last choice he made in this book was a sad one, though understandable. The other characters seemed to think he would be OK afterwards; I think he would need some counselling and some time to heal emotionally as well as physically.
The abusive husband in this story had determined that he never wanted to hit anyone again. That's good, but it remained to be seen whether he could keep his resolution. Actually changing might be harder than he realized, and I think his wife was too trusting to accept him back, perhaps at all, but definitely so soon. If she actually wanted to do that, there should have been family counseling and a great deal of accountability and a gradual return, rather than just suddenly deciding everything's OK. He needed to earn back trust over time.
Hunter Cowgill was getting even more sappy, and Lois didn't do as good a job rebuffing him as usual. I think she was more compassionate towards him, but that could prove dangerous.
January 3, 2011
Ann Purser's Threats at Three is the latest installment in her Lois Meade mystery series. I started reading these books when she was going through the days of the week, and I've come to love Lois, her husband Derek, daughter Josie and the villagers of Long Farnden that are featured in each of her books. After reading so many books in this series, I feel as if I know each of the characters personally, and love "meeting" new characters such as the Hickson and the Adstone families that were introduced in this novel.
Threats at Three begins as the villagers of Long Farnden try to identify a way to save their village hall, a popular spot where the Women's Institute (WI) and other community groups meet. Because of the building's rich heritage as a center of life in the village for many generations, there is much debate as to whether to re-build or remodel. It is decided that the building will be remodeled and a committee sets out to identify a way to raise the much-needed funds. However, evil forces from outside the village are at work to destroy these plans, and when two new families, the Hicksons and the Adstones, move into Long Farnden, some strange things start to happen. Threats against both families lead to an abduction, and then there is a mysterious transient who continues to haunt the village. It is up to Lois, as usual, to use her connections to help her good friend, Inspector Cowgill, get to the bottom of things before life in the village is threatened further.
Threats at Three begins as the villagers of Long Farnden try to identify a way to save their village hall, a popular spot where the Women's Institute (WI) and other community groups meet. Because of the building's rich heritage as a center of life in the village for many generations, there is much debate as to whether to re-build or remodel. It is decided that the building will be remodeled and a committee sets out to identify a way to raise the much-needed funds. However, evil forces from outside the village are at work to destroy these plans, and when two new families, the Hicksons and the Adstones, move into Long Farnden, some strange things start to happen. Threats against both families lead to an abduction, and then there is a mysterious transient who continues to haunt the village. It is up to Lois, as usual, to use her connections to help her good friend, Inspector Cowgill, get to the bottom of things before life in the village is threatened further.
December 13, 2011
Threats at Three is part of a series with Lois Meade, who runs the New Brooms cleaning agency, as the main protagonist. I’ve read other books in the series and, although I think it’s a great setup, I can’t ever quite take to Lois herself as she isn’t the warmest of people.
The story revolves around the good folk of Long Farnden who form a committee to save the village hall, and their choice of a soap box derby to raise funds. A death, a kidnapping, and a variety of threats to two new families in the village, sees Lois, as usual, getting involved.
Her odd ongoing relationship with Inspector Cowgill continues in this book though you have to wonder what it is about her that he finds so fascinating! I’d have liked to have seen more from the larger-than-life Mrs T-J who came across as a great character.
The story revolves around the good folk of Long Farnden who form a committee to save the village hall, and their choice of a soap box derby to raise funds. A death, a kidnapping, and a variety of threats to two new families in the village, sees Lois, as usual, getting involved.
Her odd ongoing relationship with Inspector Cowgill continues in this book though you have to wonder what it is about her that he finds so fascinating! I’d have liked to have seen more from the larger-than-life Mrs T-J who came across as a great character.
August 13, 2013
I didn't know if I loved this book or hated it. The story was good and I liked most of the characters but it crosses the line of realism. Lois Meade owns a cleaning service company and has a reputation for working with the police on various cases. The town is planning a soap box derby to raise funds to restore the old town hall. Someone else decides to burn it down. OK so far. Then a young boy keeps getting approached at the schoolyard by a man selling drugs. Lois finds out about it but she doesn't tell the police because they might think the boy's mother isn't doing her job properly. Even after the boy is kidnapped, Lois doesn't tell the police. She keeps so much to herself and then tells the police after she feels that she has solved things to her satisfaction. She is happily married but the police inspector is in love with her. I'm torn with this one.
January 24, 2011
When I started Threats at Three I didn't think I would like it but hung in there for a chapter or two and began to get interested, not so much in the plot, but in the characters. Actually, the plot was a little thin. For instance who was trying to burn down the hall? That wasn't clearly established. But, now I want to go back and read the forerunners of this book to find out how the characters began their interaction. If you like fast moving action, dead on suspense, and a stunning rap up, this book is probably not for you. If, instead, you want to spend a leisurely couple of days in an English village peering in the windows of some of the families then Threats at Three will be your 'cup of tea'.
January 9, 2011
Lois Meade and her family do a lot to keep the little village Long Farnden running smoothly. Her husband Derek is chairing a committee to decide what to do with the old village hall. Little do they know that there are some who have an interest in tearing the old place down. An unidentified corpse and a missing, unhappy teenager add to the village problems, as Purser shifts viewpoints to show the anxiety of the boy's father and the problems of a man caught in the toils of a vicious criminal. Meanwhile, Lois negotiates with the policeman who's grown to have a wistful love for her. A lot of the material on the jacket blurb is wrong, so don't let that distract you.
April 5, 2011
Lois Meade, the lady with the cleaning service, is at it again. This time it invalves the town trying to save the town hall. Someone wants to burn it down. At the sametime the WI and other are planning on having a soap box derby. A man's body is found in the canal and some assume that it is the body of a missing father whose wife now works for Lois. Meanwhile the teenage son of the missing man is having trouble with a man who is following him and bothering him. Drugs, arson, death, etc all take place but in the end Lois helps her friend Insp Cowgill solve the crimes. A very nice cozy and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
September 16, 2013
Another enjoyable read from Ann Purser. Lois Mead is out there solving crime with the help of her employees at the New Brooms cleaning company that she runs. In this story there are several mysteries to ponder on, not just who did it, but who is he and where are they. I don't want to give the story away so I shall say no more. The book is very well written and brings to life the different aspects of living in a small village where everyone knows everyone elses business, (wheter they like it or not), where there is a strong community spirit and people will usually pull together in a crisis. I have read almost all of Ann Purser's books and always find them relaxing, interesting and funny.
January 16, 2013
I've read so many books in this series that I'm starting to feel like I've been to Long Farnden. The soapbox derby in this book was great. I loved that Mrs. TJ was in the race, and I got a really great laugh thinking about her in the Jam & Jerusalem derby car. All in all, these are great stories with endearing characters and a taste of village life that could only be written by someone very familiar with the pace of a small town or village and the quirkiness of its inhabitants. Another great read by Ann Purser.
September 8, 2014
19 3/20-23/14 THREATS AT THREE, Ann Purser – More of Lois Meade’s ‘fretterin’. Starts w/hubby Derek serving as chair of SOS (save our shed) fund raising committee. Soap box races main event. Whole village gets involved. Paula’s son Jack Jr abducted by Ross, man w/grudge against dad, Jack Sr. Jr during race see’s Ross next to his dad and runs his car into crown, Ross is killed.
Quotes: “…because any time a great man tries to do a wonderful thing, lesser men will try to stop him. That is one of the laws of life.”
Quotes: “…because any time a great man tries to do a wonderful thing, lesser men will try to stop him. That is one of the laws of life.”
December 28, 2011
I think it was okay - I love English mysteries, but I was never sure what the mystery was and the one dead body that did show up was written off as a homeless bum of no-consequence so his murder did not matter. There was no inkling of a mystery at all until about 3/4 of the way through the book and even then, it was weak. There were more strings left hanging than were tied up. I enjoy Ann Purser's mysteries and will read the next, but this one was far from her best.
July 15, 2015
Seriously, page 72...useless stupid verbiage with nothing to do with the story line. That's why it ranks one star. Thank goodness I checked it out at the library and didn't waste any money on buying it. I'm beginning to think that I can't wait for this series to end. They seem to be getting weaker and weaker in plot as they go. And the main characters of Lois, Derek, and Gran are still very hard to like. They are all very abrasive and in many ways unlikable.
July 21, 2012
An interesting read. Wasn't sure where it was heading when I first picked it up, as the plot was not your typical cosy mystery plot. Lots of characters. Unusual that the main characters consisted of three generations of relatives. Quaint British expressions. Overall an interesting story line that eventually caused me to eagerly continue to find out how the plot would be resolved.
January 21, 2011
This is an updated British "cosy" mystery. The village has changed a bit, but there is vicar, Lois, the modern day Miss Marple, a policeman who knows enought to listen to her and other fun characters.
July 26, 2011
Hmm, I don't even know how I came across this book. And it is one that I will have completely forgotten about in another month. It was a nice enough way to pass an evening, but it was not anything that I hadn't read in some form or another somewhere else.
December 27, 2010
I liked it. It takes place in a small English village. Kind of slow going for awhile, but in the end of course there is a murder - of sorts, but all ends well.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews