Murder at the Rocks

Alistair Fitzjohn #2

by Jill Paterson

When Laurence Harford, a prominent businessman and philanthropist is found murdered in the historic Rocks area of Sydney, Detective Chief Inspector Fitzjohn is asked to solve the crime quickly and discreetly. After barely starting his investigation, uncovering a discarded mistress and disgruntled employees, a second killing occurs.

Meanwhile, Laurence’s nephew, Nicholas Harford, has his certainties in life shaken when he becomes a suspect in his uncle’s death, and receives a mysterious gold locket that starts a chain of events unravelling his family’s dark truths.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Ebooks, Amazon, Crime, Australia, Thriller

264 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 7, 2011

About the author

Jill Paterson is best known for her popular Fitzjohn Mystery Series. Set in the city of Sydney, Australia, her richly drawn characters include Alistair Fitzjohn. Now a police consultant since his retirement from the force, his methods of investigation remain the same, methodical and painstaking.

While continuing the Fitzjohn series, Jill is also working on a new series, the Phoebe Chadwick Mysteries. Set along the east coast of Australia in a small township, Phoebe Chadwick heads the cast of characters as the female sleuth.

When not writing, Jill explores settings for her books and enjoys painting, photography and tai chi.

If you would like to get an automatic email when Jill’s next book is released, sign up on her blog at: https://theperfectplot.blogspot.com
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Reviews

[Phrynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Number 2 in a series of which I had already read #1 and#3. Not sure how that happened but it didn't matter since each story is individual and not much happens between books to progress the main characters.
Alistair Fitzjohn is of course the principle character. He is a likeable man who works his way fairly and honourably through all the evidence in order to eventually arrest the correct guilty parties. He likes orchids and classical music and he misses his deceased wife very much. Unfortunately, for me, he never quite gets up off that page to become an interesting person.
The story was fine, the setting (Sydney) was great, the characters were okay and the overall reading experience was good. I liked it. Three stars.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective Chief Inspector Alistair Fitzjohn has been delegated to solve the murder of Laurence Harford. Laurence was found in a lane way that runs beside his business in the Rocks in Sydney. Working on the case with him is Detective Sergeant Betts together they set out to investigate the crime at hand, but they quickly learn that Laurence was not a well liked man so narrowing down their suspects could be a little harder than they first thought.

The further they investigate, they discover that Laurence's nephew, Dr Nicholas Harford could be on their list of suspects. Nick had just got back from being away in South America. He came back after finding out his father, Edward, was very ill, but it seemed he was too late after being met at the airport by his father's solicitor informing him that his father had passed away three weeks ago. Nick was most upset to learn of his father's passing, only now he was also faced with being a suspect in his uncle's death. As the investigation continues family lies and secrets come to light, leaving Nick with uncertainty and many inquiries about his family. But was Nick the person responsible for killing his uncle or is the killer still out there waiting to move again?

Another very entertaining and well written book by Aussie author, Jill Paterson. This is the second book in the Alistair Fitzjohn mysteries and I can't wait to read the next volume in this series. Recommended.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well written, fast paced cozy crime set in Sydney. When a wealthy businessman is found murdered near his jewellery business in the rocks area of Sydney DI Alistair Fitzjohn is sent to investigate. What he finds leads him on to discover past crimes and cover-ups and a family's darkest secrets. Well told story, the only negative being that the characters were a bit underdeveloped. It was almost as if the story was rushing along at such a pace that the author didn't have time to flesh out the players and I had to keep checking back on who was who as I didn't have a clear picture of them. Otherwise a good read and I'd be happy to read another in the series.3.5★

[Stephen Clynes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Laurence Harford is found murdered outside his business in Sydney, Australia. Detective Chief Inspector Alistair Fitzjohn is on the case to solve the crime.

This novel is the second in the series but can be read as a stand-alone. Sadly it is very similar to the first novel in the series. Again the novel is split between the police investigating the crime and a family member, this time the victim’s nephew, getting to the bottom of this cosy mystery.

In this pedestrian tale we once again have Alistair Fitzjohn pottering about in his gardening gear and lots of coats being taken off. Oh yes, we have lots of cars pulling away from the curb - funny that, never thought they would be parked in the middle of the road, yet Jill must remind her readers that cars can park along a “kerb”. Thankfully later on Jill reveals that car wheels are fitted with “tyres” rather than those misspelled American rubber things they call tires.

Also like in the first book, The Celtic Dagger, we have the inclusion of dodgy accountants, blackmail and paintings. Again there is plenty of repetition, this time I noticed far too many people asking “Can I help you?” and whenever the police knocked on a door the conversation went “Mr Surname?” and the other person replies “Yes, I’m First Name - Surname” every time it became a bore. Then every single hot drink any character had was “steaming” - good grief Jill, watch out my girl, contents may be hot! Not forgetting there were an awful lot of people who “hovered” in a doorway, thank goodness it was not a typo making the locations clean by being hoovered!

I found Murder At The Rocks to be a disappointing and predictable piece of easy reading that was a POOR dull read. There were no special police skills OR any WOW! Factor. I think the plot was mundane and typical of an afternoon television drama. This was a second rate novel that gets just 2 stars from me.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detective Chief Inspector Fitzjohn has been handed a murder case which is very high profile, because the victim, Laurence Harford, is part owner of a huge jewellery and diamond business in the Rocks area of Sydney. When DCI Fitzjohn and his offsider, Detective Sergeant Betts arrive at the murder scene, which is in the lane beside the business, he was struck by the particularly gruesome manner of death, quite obviously not an accident!

As their investigation progresses, Dr Nicholas Harford, nephew to the murdered man, becomes a ‘person of interest’. Nick has just returned from twelve months in South America, where he had discovered his father, Edward Harford, was in extremely ill health. On arrival at Sydney International Airport, he was met by his father’s solicitor, who passed on the tragic news of Edward’s death three weeks previously. He also explained he had sent a person by the name of Piers LaSalle to search for him. Nick was grief stricken to learn of his father’s death, as their previous estrangement hadn’t been resolved, but when he received a letter written by his father before he died, delivered to him by LaSalle, he was extremely confused.

The investigation also discovers Laurence Harford was a man few people liked, so there appears to be many ‘suspects’ into his death. By the time the second murder occurs, DCI Fitzjohn has started to uncover fraudulence, long buried family secrets as well as horrors dating back to the Vietnam War. And all the while, Nick is trying to find out details he had never been privy to, regarding his father and his uncle, who had detested each other. The hatred seemed to stem from when his mother died, when Nick was 8 years old...if he could understand the reasons, he would go a long way to proving he didn’t murder his uncle.

The web of intrigue, the twists in the plot, the dark secrets, all woven very cleverly to produce a brilliantly thrilling mystery...I will definitely be reading more of Jill Paterson and her ‘Fitzjohn Mysteries’!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable read set in Australia.

[Terri Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book!!! I hope this author will write a hundred more mysteries and obviously I now have to seek out the book that came before this one.
Detective Chief Inspector Fitzjohn has to solve the mystery of who murdered Laurence Harford. Harford was such a jerk, the question was really who wouldn't want to kill him? He had been cheating on his wife for years , he bullied his late brother Edward so much the man had a heart attack. he is trying to challenge Edward's will to rob Ed's son Dr. Nick Harford of the 51% share of stock in the jewelry/diamond company's stock left to him, he was having an affair with another man's wife, and so on. There is also the matter of him firing the wife-abusing shop manager and a mysterious man limping in the shadows who seems to put fear into Laurence.

More bodies show up along with more suspects and poor Fitzjohn has to battle to solve the crime while dealing with a meddling sister who comes to town fussing because he is alone after his wife died, a boss Grieg who does not like him, and multiple mysteries all relating to the one at hand. This book is one that will keep you up all night turning the pages and unable to find a good point to stop for the night.

I got this one free from Goodreads and am so glad I was chosen. There is one thing I want to mention that might bother readers a bit. I myself am used to reading books that have been edited by experienced, professional book editors and apparently this book was not. You will find here misspelled words- Grieg, for example, was spelled Grief at one point. Some words are not used properly or have punctuation errors. For example, as Nick explains to Matthew about something that is odd and strange, Matthews says "That is bazaar." Since a bazaar is where people sell things, the word should have been "bizarre". Fitzjohn passed Ellen in the doorway but the word was written as "he past her". Officer Carruthers came in late and was asked "What happened to you Carruther's?" His name is Carruthers so it should have read "What happened to you Carruthers?" Carruther's would be a possessive indicating that something belonged to someone named Carruther.

In addition, there are a few other things that would have been caught by an experienced professional book editor. Every single chapter has multiple people who "glower" or "glare" at others. It was extreme overkill on those two words. Also, odd or unnecessary descriptions were tacked on such as the boss Grieg whose name was mispelled in this sentence on page 94- "Grief remained standing with his hands on his hips, his arrogant, belligerent nature oozing from him." Oozing from him? Sounds like something out of that old 1950's sci-fi/horror cult favorite THE BLOB. Another cop was giving information to the group and tacked at the end of his comment was "...put in Saunders, his exuberant personality undeniable." These descriptive tags can be found throughout the book and would be things a good editor would have edited out.

Don't let these things keep you away. The story is very well written and it is a thoroughly exciting book. I am going to read her first in this series and hope that there will be many more, hopefully with a good editor at the helm. Jill Paterson really knows how to write a mystery.

[Bonnye Reed]

DigitalBookSpot

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicholas Harford returns to Sydney from an extended overseas trip to find that his estranged father has died. He inherits almost everything, to the chagrin of his unpleasant Uncle Laurance with whom he shortly has a major fight. Unfortunately, Laurance Harford is murdered that same evening and Nicholas becomes the prime suspect.

Detective Chief Inspector Alistair Fitzjohn is assigned the case. Fitzjohn is a lonely widower and very competent detective who struggles to find the murderer mainly due to the fact that Laurance was SO unpleasant that there are too many suspects. At the same time, the investigation starts turning up an historical mystery and more complexities for Nicholas.

I struggled with this book due to the 'feel' of it being very English village but the setting being a police procedural in metropolitan Sydney. While many people may think the north side of Sydney is different, police still have to follow the same procedures as everywhere else. The barrister who complained about being spoken to by police cracked me up. Barristers are not that stupid and neither are police. I just found it too far from reality in too many ways to suit me. Neither the plot nor the characters were engaging enough to rescue it for me.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Fitzjohn mystery that I've read and I must say it was fairly enjoyable. Considering the dirtbag uncle that was murdered, it's a shame someone like that even deserves to have their killer brought to justice considering all that he did throughout his life which I shan't get into here as it'd spoil the book for you. I will saythat some of the secrets took a bit too long to be brought out; I can understand and appreciate creating anticipation and keeping the reader on the edge of their seat but there's a fine line, I think anyways, between creating anticipation and frustration.

[Lee Holz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Murder At The Rocks is a well-written police procedural with a complex plot and has rounded, engaging characters. I haven’t given it a higher rating because it’s not the sort of murder mystery I like very much and I see it as a responsibility to say as much for readers with similar tastes. There’s one too many sealed letters and locked lockets for me. They strike me as being deus ex machina plot devices when used multiple times. Unfortunately, I missed this aspect in the book description. I regret I can’t give this well-done book full justice.

[Babs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lets see we have blackmail, family secrets, dysfunctional family and to top it off a murder. The family secrets start to come out as you go along and the locket is known, but there is no key. Fitzjohn does not get along with his superior and skates by. Between the twists, taking care of flowers, and solving a murder I suspected almost everyone a long the way at certain points. This book is a must read as you will not want to put it down.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to give it 3 1/2, but thought it was worth rounding up to 4. This was a clean read and held my interest. I've always enjoyed a good mystery, but it's usually hard to find one that isn't filled with smut. My biggest complaint with this book was I found it hard to keep all of the characters straight. It took some interesting twists and turns along the way! I felt comfortable enough with it to let my "tween" read it.

[J Barkess · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a let down ! !

I down loaded this because it was supposedly set in the rocks, a place I have visited. However, it could have been anywhere, there was nothing of the atmosphere of Sydney.
The plot was flimsy and boring and there were so many unconvincing characters I forgot who most of them were supposed to be and were they fitted in the story.

[Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second book I've read by this author. It was okay but there were just too many unnecessary characters and red herrings. The plot was somewhat convoluted for my taste. However, I will read another because I do like mysteries without blood, gore and sex.

[PortCityDeDe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging...

The plot developed at a pace sufficient to keep you on the edge of your seat and guessing . The characters came to live and draws you into their fictional wild.

[LeAnne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually read a series in the order written, but I grabbed several from this series whenever they went on sale. So I've read #3, 7, 4, and now 2. I gave them all 4 or 5 stars, except the one I just finished...#2...Murder at the Rocks, which I could only give 2 stars. The mystery itself was okay, but for me, it dragged on and on and on. A number of characters to keep up with (I recommend the reader make a list: names, relationship to whomever, any unusual traits or hints). The police interviewed one suspect after another... back and forth, many times as they worked to get at the truth from each character. Like pulling teeth for Insp. Fitzjohn...for the reader, too. Initially, it was a page-turner, but eventually, I just wished someone would confess ao it could end. Two of the women had names that began with C and I found myself wondering is that the one who was flirty and rich or the one who was flirty and not rich? And three men all named Harford...father, son, uncle/nephew. Too many names to keep up with....I really needed a scorecard.
This story starts in the present but keeps returning to the past....the past that anyone who might have the answers is already dead. We still don't know why the uncle, who was a real piece of work, was murdered recently. The line of suspects for him was very long....could have been any of these 15 odd people we've met. Here we go again. This one did not do it for me....too long, too many characters, too many crisscrossing relationships to keep up with. I'm glad I didn't read this one first.

[Jacob · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because it's set in Sydney, Australia, a place I love. Particularly The Rocks, so it was great to read references to places I know and have been. Most of the characters feel real and genuine, and the writing is easy to follow.

However, the mystery suffers from having a paint-by-numbers feel, where there are a lot of elements that seem included because a mystery *should* include characters that are red herrings, etc. The funny thing is that pretty much all the characters are essential to the story! They aren't compulsory after all, they just feel like it to start with. It's also unfortunate since the ultimate story is a very good one, worthy of a fine mystery. But the author isn't doing herself any favors with the opening scene, where the victim steps outside, lights a cigarette, peers through the mist at someone watching him, gets nervous and hurries on his way. If that's not a tired mystery trope, I don't know what is.

The other thing that doesn't help this mystery is that it plays out extremely passively. Our Lieutenant Fitzjohn who is "old guard", "methodical", "painstaking" and "archaic" is really mostly a bump on a log. He keeps visiting person after person, bouncing from one to another until one finally reveals something new he can follow up on. What he is not is active. He's not really solving the case, just letting it play out and bringing us along for the same ride he's on.

[Alis Page · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Murder at the Rocks" by Jill Patterson is a gripping mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish
One of the strengths of "Murder at the Rocks" lies in Jill Patterson's ability to create well-rounded characters. Each character is intricately developed with their own quirks, motives, and hidden pasts. Patterson's attention to detail ensures that every character feels real, allowing readers to become fully invested in their fates.
Patterson's vivid descriptions transport readers where the charming streets, the rocky coastline, and the quaint local establishments come to life in a way that adds depth to the narrative.
The plot of "Murder at the Rocks" is a meticulously woven tapestry of suspense and intrigue. Patterson masterfully plants clues and red herrings, keeping readers guessing until the very end. As the layers of deception are peeled away, the tension escalates, and my desire to uncover the truth intensifies.
In "Murder at the Rocks," Jill Patterson delivers a mystery that checks all the boxes – engaging characters, an immersive setting, and a plot that keeps you guessing. If you're a fan of intricate mysteries that challenge your deductive skills, this book is a must-read. Prepare to be captivated by Patterson's storytelling prowess as she leads you through a maze of secrets and lies in a town where nothing is as it seems.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like a mystery with a lot of twists and turns and a surprise ending this is the book for you. Dr Nicolas Harford returns home after a sabbatical from his teaching job at the university to find his father Ed had been ill and died. He had left after having a disagreement with his father and was sad he hadn't been able to reconcile with him. Knowing he was dying his father had written him a letter reconciling their differences and disclosing that should his estranged brother Laurence try to contest his will he left a deterrent in place. Ed left everything to his son including 51% of the shares to the family business. Ed's brother did threaten to contest the will and when Nick went to see him to try to come to some sort of agreement Laurence wanted no part and told Nick he wanted him to just give him all the shares of the company. When Nick told him no he started calling his mother (who had died when Nick was young) names. Nick punched his uncle and left. His uncle was murdered that night. What followed was a lot of twist including a lot of suspects, Vietnam War, another murder, artist and his paintings.

[Doug Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

University of Sydney geologist Nicholas Harford returns to Australia after a sabbatical in the field in Ecuador and immediately learns that his father has recently died and made him the main beneficiary of his estate, including controlling interest in a lucrative jewelry business. Then his uncle Laurence, who plans to contest the will, is soon murdered.

While Detective Chief Inspector Fitzjohn investigates the murder, Nicholas has his own family mysteries to solve. What had led to the death of his mother when he was eight years old? Why had his father and his uncle been enemies from that point onward? What was the significance of a locket that has been passed on to him from his father? Both Fitzjohn and Nicholas persist until they find the answers they seek.

[Rhondda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an easy to read, but satisfying, police procedural, set in Sydney and environs. It fits neatly into the “cosies” genre, with a little of everything in the mix; family secrets, a dysfunctional family, blackmail and murder. The plot was nicely paced to keep the reader interested in finding out the culprit amongst a cast of many characters, all of whom seem to be less than forthcoming when questioned by Detective Chief Inspector Fitzjohn and his colleague, Detective Sergeant Betts. It does not help that the more they dig into this high-profile victim, the less there is to like about him.
This engaging mystery was an enjoyable weekend read.

[Kylie H · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book two in the Alistair Fitzjohn series - in the first book Alistair played a very minor role and is still not feeling like a main character as yet. In this story set in Sydney, Nicholas Harford returns to Australia from a year in remote Ecuador to find that his father has passed away. Within days he also finds out he is the prime suspect in the murder of this Uncle with whom he argued about his inheritance.
The plot was a little convoluted but overall kept me interested and reading.

[Blair H. Prigg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fasten your seatbelt!

What a good ride with Fitzjohn and Betts. This tireless pair barely takes time to eat and sleep in their endeavor to solve the murder. The author does a fantastic job of writing to keep you guessing who is guilty in a story that flows at a fast pace. At the very end the guilty character is finally revealed with a total surprise in the last paragraph of the mystery.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a free book so I didn't know what to expect. I ended up reading it all day. I found the characters well written and the plot just convoluted enough to hold my interest. Sometimes I got the characters confused as there were a fair number tangentially involved. But I enjoyed it sufficiently to consider reading more of the series.
Parts were predictable and somewhat formulaic. But overall there was a certain charm to the book. Good beach read.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cut above cosy

The author herself places this book in the "cosy mystery" genre but I would say there's more to it than that. A thoroughly enjoyable police procedural, with many a twist and turn before the bad guys are exposed. I found the main characters quite sympathetically written (their speech sometimes a little stiff and formal across the board regardless of their role). A decent read though, and an engaging mystery.

[Liz Etnyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good one! Reads a bit like an Agatha Christie - helped along a bit by people just not using their cell phones enough!! A bit formulaic - similar issues for the main character (deep dark family secrets about parentage) but still a decent read. These mysteries stand pretty well by themselves, but I think reading them in order helps you know the recurring characters better. Will move on to book 3.

[SylviaV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder at the rocks - Alistair Fitzjohn Book 2 by Jill Patterson.

This is another solid crime/mystery story, set in Sydney and surrounding area in Australia.
Each book in the series is a stand alone book. There are no cliff hangers. There is no need to read these books in order, but with each book we learn a little bit more about the main character Alistair Fitzjohn, so you will get the most out of the books if you read them in order. Very much enjoyed the story telling and the writing style.

[Lonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plenty of Intrique

Plenty of intrigue in this mystery. You're taken through twists and turns with soon to be 2 murders, and several suspects. I won't give it away though I figured out some answers along the way & others were revealed. It gets a bit slow moving in some spots, but it's well worth it.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent reading

A very will written romantic mystery.The characters are interesting and will developed. The story line is very complicated with lots of misdirection leading to the unexpected conclusion. I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys will written romantic mysteries. Enjoy reading 2020☺