The Seven Stars

David Webb #12

by Anthea Fraser

British detecive David Webb finds himself investigating a curious string of estate break-ins that might be related to a suspicious hit-and-run accident outside The Seven Stars guest house

Genres: Mystery

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

aka Vanessa Graham

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helen Campbell is forced by bad weather to spend the night at The Seven Stars guest House, the same night that a hit and run incident occurs resulting in a death. She returns for a fortnight stay when attending an antiques course, but is increasing suspicious of the inhabitants.
DCI David Webb finally becomes involved in a robbery at a local country house. The 10th burglary at country houses across the country. Now involving a death. There is also a theft at an evening fashion show to investigate.
An entertaining mystery, another good addition to this series.
Originally published in 1995

[Damaskcat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helen Campbell finds herself driving through fog on her return journey from taking her daughter Penelope back to university. Erring on the side of caution she decides to stay the night and continue her journey the following morning. She comes across a bed ad breakfast establishment called The Seven Stars, which fortunately has a room for her. This trivial decision will change her life and see her involved in rather more than she bargained for.

DCI Webb, travelling for an evening out comes across a hit and run accident which alters his plans for the evening. He has a big case which is worrying him at present - a series of robberies at stately homes - which seems to have left no clues at all.

This is an entertaining and intricate story with several strands to the plot and a welcome re-appearance of several characters from previous stories. I didn't guess the ending at all and it kept me turning the pages to try and work out who was responsible. This series is really excellent and stands up to the test of being read back to back, which many series do not. I thoroughly recommend it to anyone who enjoys crime novels without too much on the page violence and no bad language.

[Doug Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helen Campbell, an empty nester hoping to rejoin the working world, signs up for a two-week course that will refresh her knowledge of the world of antiques. She also figures the two weeks away from home will give her time to take stock of the state of her not-so-happy marriage.

She arranges to stay at The Seven Stars, a pleasant bed and breakfast, for the two weeks. Bur the atmosphere there soon becomes tense, and Helen begins to wonder if something strange is going on.

Meanwhile, police continue to investigate a serious of mysterious burglaries at the homes of British aristocrats. The burglaries have been going on for two years, with the perpetrators leaving few clues. Then someone is murdered during one of the crimes, and DCI David Webb joins the investigation.

With little to go on, the police are thankful for any lead they can find. So when Helen comes to them with her suspicions, they are prepared to listen carefully. But do her suspicions amount to anything? Webb and his colleagues will soon find out.

I enjoyed this suspenseful mystery that kept delivering surprises right up to the last few pages.

[Michael Cordery · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a one of book for me, #12 of #14. It was first published in 1995 so it it was a bit slower than the current UK crime books. It was a gentle, meandering book primarily set around the stealing of insignificant jewellery and artifacts from stately homes. The author was able to bring in the characters quite easily and except for a rather unfortunate murder of a knight of the realm it was a pretty relaxed life for our DCI. As a book I thought it was well suited for The Marlow Murder Club. Whilst the county of Brokeshire was fictitious it was easy to see it that it resembled Buckinghamshire.

Will I read the other 13 books? No I won't, one gentle book is enough. I don't want to read or experience MobLand but I like a bit more action and a lot of smarts from my DCI.

[nicky hedden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great opening chapter

I didn't really know what to rate this book......
It's not that it isn't well written and the first chapter grabbed me but the rest of the book was a bit uncaptivating. I couldn't quite picture the characters or identify with them. I usually love an abrupt and succinct ending but this one left me feeling a bit flat. It didn't evoke any emotion or intrigue for me so I'm afraid not a great book for me.

[Doreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another exciting mystery!

DC I David Webb is involved in stately English home burglaries and murder! This mystery is very involved, with tentacles all over the county. All the clues, misdirections, and suspects do not sort into a cohesive solution until the end, which is itself shocking! This is a story worthy of Agatha Christie and as enjoyable as one of hers!

[Cynthia Grove · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great offering in this series.
David Webb and Hannah's presence are less obvious in this story, though still enjoyable, with the focus being on a benighted traveller.
It's a complex story with several strands going on.
This was my second or third read of this story and it still gives pleasure.

[emogene spinks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The seven stars by Anthea Fraser

Loved this book, this is the 12th of this authors books that I have binged in the last few weeks.The main characters especially Chief Inspector Webb. The books are fast paced and they and always a surprise ending and they go into the characters private lives .Hope to read more from this author.

[Diana Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. It reminds me of Agatha Christie novels in many respects particularly with regard to time, location and class references; but it nevertheless is equally intriguing in its plots and character developments.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 upgraded
I was so hoping to enjoy this book but it just didn't make it for me. I guessed much of the ending halfway into the book. And, although I was interested, at times it felt tedious reading.

[Debbie O'Mahony · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting read. Not one of my favorite Anthea Fraser books, thought. I couldn't really relate to the main character and that always makes me less enthusiastic about the book.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book all the way through until the end, which was weak, unbelievable and fast. A let down.

[Cheryl Kleinjam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Mystery!

A really great book. Full of great characters and a wonderful plot. Great imagination and a very surprising ending. Well done!

[Shirley]

DCI Webb Book 12

[Jeanne Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an odd story. Helen was at a cross road in her life. Children away at college. Husband ignored her. Did she still have a marriage? What was she going to do now with her life? Before marriage she worked in the antique business. She saw that there was a 2 week class on antiques at a town close to her. It seemed like a good time to be away, giving her time to reflect if she had a future with her husband and also to try to get back into the antique business that she loved. She had not anticipated that when she was staying at the B&B during her class time, there would be a murder. She kept seeing what seemed to her to be clues. Was her mind just playing tricks on her, or was she really seeing things that no one else seemed to be seeing? Actually, she had most of it figured out and informed the police. They were glad for the information, and it eventually lead them to the real killer. It was however, a story that kept changing and the end was nothing that I could have imagined. Sit back with a cup of tea and enjoy the book.

[Maryann MJS1228 · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was not for me. It's not bad and I've certainly read worse books. The plot takes too long to get going and once it does it is more than a little obvious. There are also too many points of view presented versus the attention given to the characterizations. The dialogue is a tad clunky and definitely repetitious - the phrase "the Stately Home robberies" may haunt my dreams. The ending is almost laughable. It's like the printer decided to hack off the last few pages without telling the author. There are elements of a decent series here but they aren't used effectively in this outing.

My standard of comparisons, btw, are Martha Grimes, Deborah Crombie, Peter Robinson and P.D. James.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helen Campbell gets caught in some fog on her way home and ends up staying at an bed and breakfast called The Seven Stars for the night. She ends up coming back to stay there when she returns to take a course on how to buy and sell antiques. Meanwhile, a servant girl who lived there has been killed and many homes have been broken into and things stolen. Helen begins to notice strange little things at the inn. DCI Webb and his fellow officers investigate the robberies, etc. to figure out who the thieves are.

Very well-written and easy to read. Interesting one time characters and also recurring characters in this series.

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading the Inspector Webb mystery series is like visiting with family. Really glad I found this author.

[Caroline Barr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad should have see the ending coming but I did n't pleasing read

[Samantha Boyette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good enough read, hard to put down at time.

[Nancy Hallowell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good procedural mystery. Kind of like visiting an old friend. I've read most of the series and will definitely read the rest.

[Tessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A particularly good story in this series.