Lambs to the Slaughter

Monika Paniatowski #5

by Spencer

The colliery village of Bellingsworth is already divided over an impending strike, so the last thing it needs is a murder - but that's exactly what it gets, when a retired miner called Len Hopkins is found battered to death in his outside lavatory.

Detective Chief Inspector Monika Paniatowski, called in to track down the killer with all possible speed, finds herself working in an atmosphere as thick with suspicion and distrust as the mine is with coal dust. It's not only the investigation which is giving her headaches - the behaviour of her right-hand man, Detective Inspector Colin Bereford, is threatening to tear the team apart, and though she doesn't know it yet, a mysterious stranger has her beloved daughter, Louisa, in his sights.

Genres: Mystery, Procedural, Fiction, British Literature

208 pages, Hardcover

Published October 1, 2012

Reviews

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰

There is a murder in a mining village where there is talk of a strike. Monika Paniatowski and her team are sent to investigate and arrest the killer. The police investigation has more twist and misdirection leading every which way. In the end it leads to the unexpected killer and a happy ending. I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of mystery novels 👍🔰. 2023 👒😀😡🏡

[Margaret Barbour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lambs to the slaughter by Sally Spencer.

I very seldom give 5 stars, but after reading the Authors notes at the back, I knew I had too. Parts of the storyline at times seems like wee bits were missing, but with more knowledge at the end of the book, this all seems to fall into place now. Certainly an interesting read and will definitely recommend.

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another tight mystery in this series. Setting is a coal town, an upcoming strike, and Monika pulled into the whole mess on a personal level. Complex, you never know where the story is going and it kept me guessing until the end.

[John Hardy]

DCI Monica Paniatowski #5. Can't stand these plots with some conspiracy versus the police or more particularly their families. The writing was poor and I quickly lost interest. NB: The author is actually male. DNF so no rating.

[Lynne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was the 5th in a series of books written about a female DCI and it was very confusing. Too many characters and not enough clarification. I have not read the other books and the author made no attempt to bring new readers up to speed. It was set in the past around the time of the miner's strike but he (the author's name is a pseudonym) didn't mention until the end of the story that Harold Wilson was the p. m. Then he gave a potted history right at the end of the book, but it was mostly about the 1984 miner's strike and Margaret Thatcher. I am glad this was a library book and I won't be trying any more of his books.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, if only mystery writers could write as tightly woven a story as Spencer. This is just one of her series, and I think it is the best. Her inspector Woodend has turned over his duties to his subordinate, Monica -- and she and her crew get the job done without too much extraneous material, but some character development along the way. A really nice read, a complex mystery, and Spencer keeps the characters changing and adapting to their environment. Well done!

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. The stories are always tight, interesting and compact - just the way a murder mystery should be. The characters continue to evolve with each new title. This one, with the team investigating the murder of a coal miner is a worthy addition to the series. It is set in Northern England in 1974 amidst the strife around potential closure of the coal mines and the end of a way of life for thousands. Recommended!

[Lou Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally no massive grammatical errors!

I can just talk about what a glorious time I had reading this book. Monika is thrown sideways by her second in command and a purely personal issue.

How she figures it all out and who’s to blame for a sadistic murder makes for an interesting story.

[William · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting description of small town Northern England coal mining community. A murder mystery with a complicated plot but I found the wrap up unsatisfactory and a bit contrived. The police procedure and investigation was also rather poorly done as well. Not worth a read in my opinion!

[Thea · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm surprised at the good reviews. I found the characters to be one-dimensional, the plot convoluted and ridiculous, and the writing style choppy and amateurish. Won't be reading any more by this author.

[wendi wigham · Rating 4 out of 5]

What the other hand is doing.

Set against the pending miners strike, a man is killed and its Monica's job to solve the case.
The dead retired miner had strong views and symbolised one side of the dispute, the initial chief suspect represented the other.

[Sylvia Dinnage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lambs to the slaughter

I thought this book was a bit slow at first it it built up and turned out to be very good I really like Sally Spencer as a writer as she seems to have a way of weaving a good mystery.

[Georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Contrary to some of the other reviews I've read, this was a very good story. If people would only start at the beginning of a series, they would understand who the characters are and how they fit into the story.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This entry is from one of the best shorter format UK police procedural series I read. Engaging enough to keep me reading despite some familiarity from a previous reading, I enjoyed the plots turns & familiar characters. I’m planning to read several more of the early series entries soon!

[Rich Scanlon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but not her best so far...

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much better treatment of the miners' issues in the north of England than Peter Robinson's Children of the Revolution. Also, I love DCI Monika Paniatowski and her crew.

[Margaret Fast · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would read more by this author.

[Corrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy simple read, lacked depth.

[Mike Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book. Kept my interest throughout. I found the ending to be a bit complex. I could never have guessed it in a million years.

[Bentonkk · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a fan of this book. Boring

[James D Grail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good sequel

Good sequel,even if each book stands alone.Only main characters remain the same,stories are all new.Excellent main character,supported by others who stand out

[Dawn Haylock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay not brilliant

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great storyline with quite a few twists that I really didn't see coming.