Crime in the High Street

Detective Markham Mystery #19

by Catherine Moloney

Welcome to The Copse. A sleepy little cul-de-sac where nothing ever happens. Until . . .

Sheila Craven, the widow at number 12, is found dead in her armchair . Smothered with one of her Liberty cushions.

Detective Markham and the gang are on the case, following a twisty trail that leads straight to the high street — and Sheila’s favourite Italian restaurant.

But just when they think they’ve cracked the case, a second victim is found, floating in his own fishpond.

Markham and his team realize they have a serial killer on their hands .

And it’s a race against time to stop them before more locals die.

210 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 25, 2023

About the author

I was born in Ikom, Nigeria (where my parents were missionaries) and come from a Liverpool medical family, but am not a doctor of medicine. . After graduating in Jurisprudence from Jesus College (University of Oxford), I was called to the Bar at Gray’s Inn. Despite qualifying as a barrister, my first love was English; this led to a PhD in English Literature at Birkbeck College (University of London).

In my academic career, I lectured and published widely on the subject of tuberculosis and nineteenth-century literature, but somehow managed to avoid contracting galloping hypochondria and turned my attention to crime fiction.

Reviews

[Kim Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd have given more stars but...

Markham needs a kick up the backside. Nothing to do with his job, that was just as good as usual. No, it's to do with that blooming Olivia. She leaves him because she is jealous of his job and his increasing respect for his colleague Kate. She goes running off to Mat, who decided he was bisexual, rather that homosexual but now that he has apparently become involved with a gay activist, she wants to come running back to Gil and it looks like he's going to take her back. Seriously, the man needs locking up! My hubby always assured me that men don't just think with what's in their trousers but having Gil Markham more than once say that the sex with Olivia was wonderful, he obviously does! And we are supposed to believe this man is intelligent and cultured.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this one but really don t want Markham to get back with Olivia!

[P · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't like to give bad reviews but as have read all of this series this is the first one that I have absolutely hated. Skimmed through a lot of it as was mostly talking about Rasputin constantly and up to half way through apart from a murder nothing else was happening except the boring conversations
between Markham and Burton. Bring back George Noakes full time as only got interesting when he or Olivia appeared and transfer Kate Burton to another department as she is no second in charge to Markham. They make a boring pair.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

I like the style of writing. However, the plot is getting so familiar it's tedious. Generally speaking the story is well written and interesting. It's just that the writer has a formula that has become tiresome and repetitive. If you've managed to read all the previous books in the series, first, congratulations. And second, you'll understand exactly what I mean. The author is a talented writer and I'm still reading.

[michelle debney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read and enjoyed every one of these books except this one.very boring and the killer made no sense to me.skipped through a lot of the more boring conversations.maybe it is time to put this series to bed.

[Mr Kenneth L Mullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

The nineteenth book in the Detective Markham series which featured all the usual characters. At times I found it difficult to follow the number of characters involved in the plot and hence did not enjoy it as much as those before it.

[Patricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Odd read

I rated this as two stars as the overall book was not my cup of tea. I had a hard time sorting characters and fear I never got most of them straight. And then the ending - totally unsatisfactory.

[valerie gosling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

A very twisted plot unfolds drawing you in keeping you guessing and turning the pages marvellous characters first-class storey telling

[Lee Wilkinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

clever and quirky

Quite a cast of charters! Can you
Believe living around that bunch of characters lol. Thanks for the nice read. It’s un forgettable!

[Delia Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it would like more.

[william george naisby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping and thrilling read kept you intrigued right till the end,love theese series of books

[Mrs Aileen Moran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping read

Excellent story and plot .I couldn't put it down.
I have enjoyed all the books in this series, and look forward to reading more

[Jane Noble · Rating 5 out of 5]

You won't be disappointed....

Extremely readable. Lots of twists, turns and Sub texts. (Everyday is a school day..have to admit to searching Google for some of the words!)

[MRS G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lost the plot.