Dying to Know

Dr. Lance Elliot #2

by Keith McCarthy

A Dr Lance Elliot mystery from the author of the John Eisenmenger and Helena Flemming series
October, 1975. When Dr Lance Elliot receives a call from his elderly father to say he has been arrested for arson, he can hardly believe it. Especially when he discovers that the intended victim was his father’s neighbour, Oliver Lightoller, with whom his father has a long-running feud. But things take an even darker turn when Lightoller is slain with a sword, and the police seem certain that Lance and his father are involved.

Genres: Mystery

336 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2010

About the author

Keith McCarthy is a pathologist and writer of crime fiction, known for his Eisenmenger-Flemming Forensic Mysteries. He also writes under the name Lance Elliot.

Series:
* Dr. Lance Elliot
* Eisenmenger-Flemming Forensic Mysteries

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

1970s When Dr Elliot is accused firstly of arson and then murder his son Lance knows he is innocent and aided (or hindered) by girlfriend Max they investigate. But Inspector Masson believes he has the right man
An entertaining mystery

[Bonnye Reed]

My Next Read

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got a bunch of books at the library clearance, and didn't connect series together, so had already read book #3 before this one. So, a bit in this makes things about that one clearer. I guess I need to read #1 and then see if there are newer ones! I do like the characters, with Max being the weakest. She seems so pathetic and immature for a woman old enough to be a veterinarian. Yes, the author seems to want to make a big deal about the age difference (13 years is not that much!), but at times she acts like a high school dimwit. If there are newer in the series I hope the author gives the age thing a rest, it doesn't matter. He's a doctor, she's an animal doctor, both are adult professional people in the medical field.

I only gave this one two stars because of Max. She constantly just runs into situations without thinking. Breaking into houses. Tries to "smoke the baddy out." Yes, she uses those words. It's like she's in one of those old Mary Kate and Ashley movies where they play detective. It isn't a matter of her being younger than Lance, like I said, she's a veterinarian not a preteen!

Lance's father is accused of murder. Not just one murder, but two. After all, how can they not suspect him when he's found unconscious at the bottom of a stairway, with a hammer used to kill his neighbor baring only his fingerprints? Lance is sure his father is innocent, but is rather lukewarm doing anything to help. Max jumps in with both feet, leaping before she looks (she never looks). Add an un-exploded grenade, a diamond brooch conveniently left in a coat pocket, and plenty of red herrings. Was the dead woman's murdered husband (Dad is accused of this murder too) a blackmailer, or using his antique shop to sell stolen goods? Is Dad really crazy and does he need to be locked up for the safety of the neighborhood? I say "yes," after all, he didn't try to burn down the neighbor's shed, but only because he was aiming for their house.

[Robert M. Galbraith · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting story that will certainly stretch your vocabulary. Just enough humor to balance the
British stuffiness.

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not finish.

[Andy Plonka · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a new series for McCarthy a little more lighthearted than his other one, but still contains his trademark use of the language to produce some chuckles. His main protagonist, Doctor Lance Elliott and Max, Lance's love interest make an engaging couple. He's a MD, she's a veterinarian. This time they are trying to prove that Lance's father, also a doctor did not kill a local antique dealer(aka fence).

[Wilde Sky · Rating 3 out of 5]

A doctor investigates when his father is accused of murder.

Not a bad story, but I found the writing was style lacked pace and none of the characters grabbed me.

I’ve rated this 3, but it was more of a 2.5.