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Cry of the Machi: A Suffolk Murder Mystery
Like all English villages, the quiet and charming Thorpe Amberley in the heart of the Suffolk countryside has it secrets, it mysteries and its legends. It also has it traditions such as the Tamberley Morris Men, a dysfunctional band of 'blow-ins', mainly professionals, who rehearse every Thursday and drink at the local pub. Nothing much has disturbed the tranquility of Thorpe Amberley for centuries.
Until now. A stunningly beautiful American woman comes to the village to teach at a nearby school, and her arrival coincides with with the resurrection of deadly seeds of jealousy, evil and murder.
When the village is rocked by a series of gruesome and apparently ritualistic killings, it soon becomes clear that the local police are up against dark forces that they are wholly unequipped to deal with. Unlikely help comes from a Patagonian 'Machi' through the Morris Men's 'Squire' and the unexpected assistance of an ex-NYPD policeman.
A hunt for not one, but two serial killers, is on, and Thorpe Amberley will never be the same again.
Until now. A stunningly beautiful American woman comes to the village to teach at a nearby school, and her arrival coincides with with the resurrection of deadly seeds of jealousy, evil and murder.
When the village is rocked by a series of gruesome and apparently ritualistic killings, it soon becomes clear that the local police are up against dark forces that they are wholly unequipped to deal with. Unlikely help comes from a Patagonian 'Machi' through the Morris Men's 'Squire' and the unexpected assistance of an ex-NYPD policeman.
A hunt for not one, but two serial killers, is on, and Thorpe Amberley will never be the same again.
- GenresMystery
160 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 25, 2011
Like all English villages, the quiet and charming Thorpe Amberley in the heart of the Suffolk countryside has it secrets, it mysteries and its legends. It also has it traditions such as the Tamberley Morris Men, a dysfunctional band of 'blow-ins', mainly professionals, who rehearse every Thursday and drink at the local pub. Nothing much has disturbed the tranquility of Thorpe Amberley for centuries.
Until now. A stunningly beautiful American woman comes to the village to teach at a nearby school, and her arrival coincides with with the resurrection of deadly seeds of jealousy, evil and murder.
When the village is rocked by a series of gruesome and apparently ritualistic killings, it soon becomes clear that the local police are up against dark forces that they are wholly unequipped to deal with. Unlikely help comes from a Patagonian 'Machi' through the Morris Men's 'Squire' and the unexpected assistance of an ex-NYPD policeman.
A hunt for not one, but two serial killers, is on, and Thorpe Amberley will never be the same again.
Merged review:
Like all English villages, the quiet and charming Thorpe Amberley in the heart of the Suffolk countryside has its secrets, its mysteries and its legends. It also has its traditions, such as the Tamberley Morris Men, a dysfunctional band of blow-ins, mainly professionals, who rehearse every Thursday and drink in the local pub.
Nothing much has served to disturb the tranquillity of Thorpe Amberley for centuries.
Until now. A stunningly beautiful American woman comes to the village to teach at a nearby school, and her arrival coincides with the resurrection of deadly seeds of jealousy, evil and murder.
When the village is rocked by a series of gruesome and apparently ritualistic killings, it soon becomes clear that the local police are up against dark forces which they are wholly unequipped to deal with. Unlikely help comes from the shamanistic connection with a Patagonian Machi through the Morris Men's Squire and the unexpected assistance of an ex-NYPD policeman.
A hunt for not one, but two serial killers, is on, and Thorpe Amberley will never be the same again.
Until now. A stunningly beautiful American woman comes to the village to teach at a nearby school, and her arrival coincides with with the resurrection of deadly seeds of jealousy, evil and murder.
When the village is rocked by a series of gruesome and apparently ritualistic killings, it soon becomes clear that the local police are up against dark forces that they are wholly unequipped to deal with. Unlikely help comes from a Patagonian 'Machi' through the Morris Men's 'Squire' and the unexpected assistance of an ex-NYPD policeman.
A hunt for not one, but two serial killers, is on, and Thorpe Amberley will never be the same again.
Merged review:
Like all English villages, the quiet and charming Thorpe Amberley in the heart of the Suffolk countryside has its secrets, its mysteries and its legends. It also has its traditions, such as the Tamberley Morris Men, a dysfunctional band of blow-ins, mainly professionals, who rehearse every Thursday and drink in the local pub.
Nothing much has served to disturb the tranquillity of Thorpe Amberley for centuries.
Until now. A stunningly beautiful American woman comes to the village to teach at a nearby school, and her arrival coincides with the resurrection of deadly seeds of jealousy, evil and murder.
When the village is rocked by a series of gruesome and apparently ritualistic killings, it soon becomes clear that the local police are up against dark forces which they are wholly unequipped to deal with. Unlikely help comes from the shamanistic connection with a Patagonian Machi through the Morris Men's Squire and the unexpected assistance of an ex-NYPD policeman.
A hunt for not one, but two serial killers, is on, and Thorpe Amberley will never be the same again.
October 2, 2011
From his experiences as a former Morris dancer and, since retirement, a seasoned traveller, Alan Blood skilfully weaves together the possible pagan origins of Morris dancing and the rituals of a remote tribe from Chile into the framework of his new novel. When a beautiful American woman escaping from a jealous rich husband arrives in the tranquil Suffolk village of Thorpe Amberley, the tensions already rumbling between the members of the local Morris side are exacerbated. Adding to the explosive mix a touch of the dark forces, a former New York detective sent to track down the errant wife, and, in due course, the violent husband himself, the once peaceful village becomes the focus for a horrific series of events.
Alan doesn’t waste words on unnecessary padding. For a quite slim volume by modern standards, he manages to pack in a tremendous amount of action without the reader feeling short changed. A number of diverse threads in the early chapters are fused together to create a situation that tumbles inexorably towards a dramatic climax.
In some respects reading this book is rather like watching a drama film; snapshots of separate apparently unrelated pieces of action at the beginning, the main players converging as the scenes unfold ever more rapidly towards a full-of-action finale. Like the best of mysteries, there’s still a sting in the tail, and a lingering feeling that the story is not ended. It’s not so much of a whodunit but whodidwhattowhom and why. Best not ask to those questions – just enjoy the book!
Alan doesn’t waste words on unnecessary padding. For a quite slim volume by modern standards, he manages to pack in a tremendous amount of action without the reader feeling short changed. A number of diverse threads in the early chapters are fused together to create a situation that tumbles inexorably towards a dramatic climax.
In some respects reading this book is rather like watching a drama film; snapshots of separate apparently unrelated pieces of action at the beginning, the main players converging as the scenes unfold ever more rapidly towards a full-of-action finale. Like the best of mysteries, there’s still a sting in the tail, and a lingering feeling that the story is not ended. It’s not so much of a whodunit but whodidwhattowhom and why. Best not ask to those questions – just enjoy the book!
February 16, 2012
Book Title: "Cry of the Machi"
Author: Alan S. Blood
Published By: Book Guild Publishing
Age Recommended: 18 +
Reviewed By: Kitty Bullard
Raven Rating: 5
Review: Take an ancient Chilean Pagan Religion, Murder, Insanity, Americans from New York and place them all in an English backdrop and you have "Cry of the Machi". This book was one of the best mystery, paranormal, drama's I've read in quite some time. The characters were vividly written and alive, the plot was both charming and macabre (strange mix, I know) and the story was fantastic. The book is not an overly long read and gives just the right amount of detail to keep you intrigued while not prolonging the inevitable.
The suspense of who-done-it is drawn out just long enough to keep you wondering, and the ending definitely provides room for a sequel... or sequels as Mr. Blood may have planned. I'll give away nothing in this review other than to say you should definitely give this book a read.
I am a new fan of Alan S. Blood's writing and I will be looking forward to more of his wonderful work! If you are a fan of mystery with the spice of thriller mixed in you will definitely enjoy, "Cry of the Machi".
Read more: http://www.greatmindsthinkaloud.probo...
Author: Alan S. Blood
Published By: Book Guild Publishing
Age Recommended: 18 +
Reviewed By: Kitty Bullard
Raven Rating: 5
Review: Take an ancient Chilean Pagan Religion, Murder, Insanity, Americans from New York and place them all in an English backdrop and you have "Cry of the Machi". This book was one of the best mystery, paranormal, drama's I've read in quite some time. The characters were vividly written and alive, the plot was both charming and macabre (strange mix, I know) and the story was fantastic. The book is not an overly long read and gives just the right amount of detail to keep you intrigued while not prolonging the inevitable.
The suspense of who-done-it is drawn out just long enough to keep you wondering, and the ending definitely provides room for a sequel... or sequels as Mr. Blood may have planned. I'll give away nothing in this review other than to say you should definitely give this book a read.
I am a new fan of Alan S. Blood's writing and I will be looking forward to more of his wonderful work! If you are a fan of mystery with the spice of thriller mixed in you will definitely enjoy, "Cry of the Machi".
Read more: http://www.greatmindsthinkaloud.probo...
September 27, 2011
Filled with characters and pace, a fun read, with grisly murders and dark magic.
February 21, 2012
Alan Blood wastes no words, doesn’t fill the pages with fluff or empty words, he jumps right into a world most can only imagine. Deep inside the heart of Chile, where strange rituals are performed, and those practices live on in one of Thorpe Amberely’s own proud Morris Men dancers. You then jump into the peaceful life of Thorpe Amberely, the beautiful village on the outskirts of the countryside, where in a single day the news of an American woman moving in has swept through the entire town.
I found Blood’s description of the village, their townsfolk, and the peacefulness of its simple life quite pleasing. He gives enough description to spring images alive in your mind, yet not so much detail that it hampers your imaginations freedom to paint its own picture of living in the British countryside.
As you come to know the town’s residents, you can easily see their own personalities, habits, and voice come to life on the page. I rather enjoyed getting a glimpse of British life, how they speak, how they seem to love simplicities – in contrast to America’s constant craving for more technology and constant busyness. Many of the characters are rather lively, quirky, and fun people to get to know. And coming from an Englishman, I think Blood did a rather good job at portraying the American characters that come into the story; right down to the New Yorkers somewhat gritty tongue. The only aspect that sometimes jarred me out of the story was the occasions when the American characters spoke like the Brits. The average American, I personally don’t think, would be saying things like “Bollocks” in their first week or two of visiting the country. Yet despite those instances, you quickly dove back into the story. I don’t think it was enough to make the characters unrealistic or un-relatable. Even with that in mind, I appreciated that each character was their own, none blending into the other, and all colorful and adding to the story.
The ways of Morris Men plays a heavy role in this book, it’s very intertwined in the lives of everyone in the town. While I thoroughly enjoyed this for the most part (because it is something I had never heard of before – a quick search on Youtube will show you the athleticism and beauty of the dances), I wish that the mystery aspect (that comes full force later) came to the forefront of the story a tad earlier on. It came in bits for roughly the first half, I just wish the bits were a smidgen more prominent from the start. That being said, when the plot twists kick in, the intensity really picks up. You’re then quickly wrapped up in these gruesome murders, suspecting everyone in the town, and trying like hell to figure out who the mysterious murderer is – and if he’ll be discovered.
The ending of the novel was perfectly paced, the suspense building at just the right moments, and keeping you turning the pages. And while this was a quick read (only 152 pages), I never felt let down, or as if the story had more to play out, or left anything unfinished. For being such a short novel, Blood did a fine job at keeping an even, steady plot pace, and fleshing out the story to its fullest potential.
Overall this was a pretty good read for me. I really loved getting a glimpse of British life, having a beautiful picture painted of the country I would love to someday visit, and getting to know the quirky people of Thorpe Amberely. And the mystery buff in me was more than satisfied with the devilish murders and secret killer. There's no denying that Alan Blood is a talented writer, surely to thrill many readers! This book is a mix of the strange, fascinating ways of the Machi, the ways of Morris dancers, and a dash of evil with a side of murder. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a quick, enjoyable read!
**My review copied from my blog, CrazyLadywithaPen.blogspot.com
I found Blood’s description of the village, their townsfolk, and the peacefulness of its simple life quite pleasing. He gives enough description to spring images alive in your mind, yet not so much detail that it hampers your imaginations freedom to paint its own picture of living in the British countryside.
As you come to know the town’s residents, you can easily see their own personalities, habits, and voice come to life on the page. I rather enjoyed getting a glimpse of British life, how they speak, how they seem to love simplicities – in contrast to America’s constant craving for more technology and constant busyness. Many of the characters are rather lively, quirky, and fun people to get to know. And coming from an Englishman, I think Blood did a rather good job at portraying the American characters that come into the story; right down to the New Yorkers somewhat gritty tongue. The only aspect that sometimes jarred me out of the story was the occasions when the American characters spoke like the Brits. The average American, I personally don’t think, would be saying things like “Bollocks” in their first week or two of visiting the country. Yet despite those instances, you quickly dove back into the story. I don’t think it was enough to make the characters unrealistic or un-relatable. Even with that in mind, I appreciated that each character was their own, none blending into the other, and all colorful and adding to the story.
The ways of Morris Men plays a heavy role in this book, it’s very intertwined in the lives of everyone in the town. While I thoroughly enjoyed this for the most part (because it is something I had never heard of before – a quick search on Youtube will show you the athleticism and beauty of the dances), I wish that the mystery aspect (that comes full force later) came to the forefront of the story a tad earlier on. It came in bits for roughly the first half, I just wish the bits were a smidgen more prominent from the start. That being said, when the plot twists kick in, the intensity really picks up. You’re then quickly wrapped up in these gruesome murders, suspecting everyone in the town, and trying like hell to figure out who the mysterious murderer is – and if he’ll be discovered.
The ending of the novel was perfectly paced, the suspense building at just the right moments, and keeping you turning the pages. And while this was a quick read (only 152 pages), I never felt let down, or as if the story had more to play out, or left anything unfinished. For being such a short novel, Blood did a fine job at keeping an even, steady plot pace, and fleshing out the story to its fullest potential.
Overall this was a pretty good read for me. I really loved getting a glimpse of British life, having a beautiful picture painted of the country I would love to someday visit, and getting to know the quirky people of Thorpe Amberely. And the mystery buff in me was more than satisfied with the devilish murders and secret killer. There's no denying that Alan Blood is a talented writer, surely to thrill many readers! This book is a mix of the strange, fascinating ways of the Machi, the ways of Morris dancers, and a dash of evil with a side of murder. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a quick, enjoyable read!
**My review copied from my blog, CrazyLadywithaPen.blogspot.com
January 30, 2012
Alan's experience of Morris dancing and his time spent travelling have both contributed towards the storyline of his new novel. I like the interesting mix of the dark forces set amongst the quiet backdrop of Thorpe Amberley, and how the once peaceful village becomes the focus for a terrible series of events. I found myself piecing together different snapshots of separate and seemingly unconnected events early on, whether I was right or not, it ensured I didn't put the book down until I found out the truth!
I like Alan's style of writing, a lot of action packed into a nice sized novel. All threads fused together nicely in the end which would leave any reader satisfied with the dramatic climax!
I look forward to the sequel Alan?
I like Alan's style of writing, a lot of action packed into a nice sized novel. All threads fused together nicely in the end which would leave any reader satisfied with the dramatic climax!
I look forward to the sequel Alan?
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews