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Purple Death
A series of murders leads Detective Inspector Sean Connor and his team into a labyrinthine investigation. The victims are dispatched using a poison previously associated with the notorious Borgia family.
As the murders multiply at an alarming rate, Connor finds clues hard to come by, and every lead takes him down yet another blind alley. The killer seems to be one step ahead of him at every turn.
Together with Sergeant Lucy Clay, they must piece together the shreds of evidence and find the mastermind behind the murders that become known as Purple Death.
★★★★★ - "Another spellbinding book from the master of misdirection."
★★★★★ - "A nicely crafted mystery that kept me guessing right to the end."
★★★★★ - "The twists and turns that Sean Conner negotiates to solve this curious thriller will keep you flipping pages. The characters are well drawn and believable. Porter knows his craft."
As the murders multiply at an alarming rate, Connor finds clues hard to come by, and every lead takes him down yet another blind alley. The killer seems to be one step ahead of him at every turn.
Together with Sergeant Lucy Clay, they must piece together the shreds of evidence and find the mastermind behind the murders that become known as Purple Death.
★★★★★ - "Another spellbinding book from the master of misdirection."
★★★★★ - "A nicely crafted mystery that kept me guessing right to the end."
★★★★★ - "The twists and turns that Sean Conner negotiates to solve this curious thriller will keep you flipping pages. The characters are well drawn and believable. Porter knows his craft."
- GenresThriller
285 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 27, 2010
45 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Brian L. Porter
62 books71 followersFormerly a member of the Royal Air Force, Brian L Porter is an award-winning author, and a dedicated dog rescuer, with the distinction of having more than twenty Amazon #1 bestsellers to his name. He has written under three pseudonyms, with bestsellers coming under each of his writing guises. The majority of those have come under his Brian L Porter name with four coming under his Harry Porter and Juan Pablo Jalisco names.
Nowadays, he divides his time between writing his popular Mersey Murder Mystery series of books, and his immensely successful true-life Family of Rescue Dogs series, all featuring the dogs that form part of his own family, and all having been Amazon #1 bestsellers.
Nowadays, he divides his time between writing his popular Mersey Murder Mystery series of books, and his immensely successful true-life Family of Rescue Dogs series, all featuring the dogs that form part of his own family, and all having been Amazon #1 bestsellers.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
December 22, 2017
One of Porter's best. Thoroughly enjoyed this crime thriller, centred around a series of murders using aconite poisoning. D.I. Sean Connor is a convincing character & as the suspects begin to mount, you'll be pulled in to thinking you know who the killer is. Beware the twists, as always Porter keeps you on the edge of your seat right up to the very last chapter.
February 20, 2010
Purple Death - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat
'Sam tried to move his legs and instead fell in a crumpled heap on his office floor. He felt more than just 'ill' now. Fear gripped Sam while the sweat on his brow began to run down into his eyes. He felt a constriction in his chest, as if someone had suddenly placed an iron barrel ring around him and was tightening it by the second. The life was rapidly being crushed out of his body, but with nothing and no one there to offer help. Sam Gabriel had never felt so frightened and alone.'
Sam Gabriel will become just one of several to die a gruesome death by poisoning. The poison 'aconite' is being administered by what Detective Inspector Shawn Connor has decided is a serial killer. D.I. Connor, who heads up a team of investigators, is baffled as to how the poison is being induced. This question is finally answered after the third victim is killed. Now Connor must determine if there is a connection between the victims and follow what few clues he has to determine who will be next.
DI Connor has determined that a woman is involved but doesn't feel that she's alone. Due to the timing of the deaths and the locations of the victims, there has to be more than one person involved.
Connor and his team finally come up with a clue which seems to connect most of the victims. The clue pertains to events that happened over 30 years earlier with most of those involved being deceased. To Conner, it appears that with each clue that surfaces, another victim turns up poisoned. He seems to hit nothing but dead ends.
I've read all but 2 books written by Brian Porter and I have to say that if you've never read his writings, you're losing out. Purple Death has taken me on a road with many curves, most of them sharp. Porter grabs your attention in the beginning of the book with his Welcome message and your reading experience goes up from there. He has got to be one of the best mystery writers I've ever had the pleasure of reading.
Moongypsy Press
January, 2010
327 Pages
ISBN #9781449954154
'Sam tried to move his legs and instead fell in a crumpled heap on his office floor. He felt more than just 'ill' now. Fear gripped Sam while the sweat on his brow began to run down into his eyes. He felt a constriction in his chest, as if someone had suddenly placed an iron barrel ring around him and was tightening it by the second. The life was rapidly being crushed out of his body, but with nothing and no one there to offer help. Sam Gabriel had never felt so frightened and alone.'
Sam Gabriel will become just one of several to die a gruesome death by poisoning. The poison 'aconite' is being administered by what Detective Inspector Shawn Connor has decided is a serial killer. D.I. Connor, who heads up a team of investigators, is baffled as to how the poison is being induced. This question is finally answered after the third victim is killed. Now Connor must determine if there is a connection between the victims and follow what few clues he has to determine who will be next.
DI Connor has determined that a woman is involved but doesn't feel that she's alone. Due to the timing of the deaths and the locations of the victims, there has to be more than one person involved.
Connor and his team finally come up with a clue which seems to connect most of the victims. The clue pertains to events that happened over 30 years earlier with most of those involved being deceased. To Conner, it appears that with each clue that surfaces, another victim turns up poisoned. He seems to hit nothing but dead ends.
I've read all but 2 books written by Brian Porter and I have to say that if you've never read his writings, you're losing out. Purple Death has taken me on a road with many curves, most of them sharp. Porter grabs your attention in the beginning of the book with his Welcome message and your reading experience goes up from there. He has got to be one of the best mystery writers I've ever had the pleasure of reading.
Moongypsy Press
January, 2010
327 Pages
ISBN #9781449954154
November 6, 2014
Purple Death by Brian L. Porter is a chocolate lover’s nightmare, a slick whodunit centered on the murders of Sam Gabriel and David Arnold. Their demise is diagnosed as poison by chocolate, which brings police operatives Sean Connor and Lucy Clay onto the case. Eventually they begin uncovering a string of killings that share the same modus operandi, and soon they begin building a composite sketch of a murderess they call the Chocolate Woman. Only Lucy finds herself keeping Sean from tripping over his two left feet, and soon her efforts result in a theory placing a psychotic mastermind behind the Purple Death murders.
The author does a solid job in building his backstory based on the fancy footwork of the Criminal Investigation Division stationed at Richmond-on-Thames. Catherine Nickels is the forensic expert who discovers that the ‘purple death’ dates back to the Middle Ages, a poisoning technique that was virtually undetectable until the victim’s demise. Bodies and names continue to accumulate on Sean’s desk, and soon Tracy Willis is drawn into the intrigue after Sandy McLean becomes the killer’s latest victim. Sean and Lucy are in a race against time to learn Tracy’s secrets before the Purple Death claims another life.
Sound intriguing? You bet your chocolate mousse. Pick up a copy of Purple Death by Brian L. Porter – it might just cure those chocolate jones – for the time being, at least.
The author does a solid job in building his backstory based on the fancy footwork of the Criminal Investigation Division stationed at Richmond-on-Thames. Catherine Nickels is the forensic expert who discovers that the ‘purple death’ dates back to the Middle Ages, a poisoning technique that was virtually undetectable until the victim’s demise. Bodies and names continue to accumulate on Sean’s desk, and soon Tracy Willis is drawn into the intrigue after Sandy McLean becomes the killer’s latest victim. Sean and Lucy are in a race against time to learn Tracy’s secrets before the Purple Death claims another life.
Sound intriguing? You bet your chocolate mousse. Pick up a copy of Purple Death by Brian L. Porter – it might just cure those chocolate jones – for the time being, at least.
August 24, 2015
A particularly vicious poison is being used to kill a number of people who seemingly have no connection to each other.
DI Sean Connor is tearing his hair out over the lack of any DNA, clues, or motive. The killer seems to know what Connor and his team are doing before they do it. The poison used eventually leads them to an unsolved crime from 30 years ago.
There's lot of action, mostly Connor and his team running around questioning everyone. The medical examiner even comes up with a way to help the investigation.
The author did a great job in throwing out those red herrings of which I am so fond. I had absolutely no clue who the killer was until the very end.
Not the most exciting book I've read, but it was still a satisfactory read. I was intrigued by the use of poison as means to dispatch a number of lives. I liked the characters although I think they could have been explained a little more fully. I loved the cover .. that's what attracted me in the first place.
Note of interest: Purple Death is soon to appear as a motion picture produced by Thunderball Films LLC of Los Angeles, See www.thunderballfilms.com and www.freewebs.com/purledeathmovie/
Many thanks to the author for supplying the digital book to read in exchange for an hoonest and unbiased review.
December 30, 2010
Brian L. Porter's "Purple Death" is set in an area close to where I once lived in England. The author has chosen the quiet town of Richmond-on-Thames which adds a shock effect to the murders that take place there. A present day murder leads to a thirty-year old cold case. As victims multiply, Detective Sean Connor and his assistant, Sergeant Lucy Clay, work a twisted and frightening case that takes them all over England, and leads them to a mysterious person known as Chocolate Woman. As suspects become victims and the investigation of this woman and her involvement proceeds, it leads to the warped mind creating what becomes known as "The Purple Death."
I enjoyed reading a book by a British author, with a far away location with which I am familiar. Am also happy to say that "Purple Death" is being made into a motion picture by Thunderball Films LLC in Los Angeles, California.
I enjoyed reading a book by a British author, with a far away location with which I am familiar. Am also happy to say that "Purple Death" is being made into a motion picture by Thunderball Films LLC in Los Angeles, California.
March 26, 2019
Detective Inspector Sean Connor and his team get involved when it looks like the Richmond area has a serial killer. None of the victims seem to be connected to each other, so no motive. How will they be able to catch the killer.
An enjoyable mystery though I still found the dialogue stilted,
An enjoyable mystery though I still found the dialogue stilted,
May 18, 2020
Verified Purchase Format: Kindle version
A series of baffling murders
In this intriguing murder mystery set in Richmond-on-Thames, a far cry from his usual familiar Merseyside background, Brian L.Porter introduces us to a new investigating team led by Detective Inspector Sean Connor aided by his Sergeant, Lucy Clay, faced with the first of a series of seemingly baffling murders, due to aconite poisoning, ending in a horrible and agonising death.
As more victims are discovered, a clue emerges that points to a character called ‘The Chocolate Woman’ who appears to be a common link in the disposal of the poison, and the possibility that the murders might be connected to a murder that happened some thirty years ago.
While the tension builds up, the author leads the reader through a field of red herrings before dangling the final clue in the last chapter as to the identity of the murderer which I never suspected. Overall, a good thriller with well thought out characters and a tantalising finish.
A series of baffling murders
In this intriguing murder mystery set in Richmond-on-Thames, a far cry from his usual familiar Merseyside background, Brian L.Porter introduces us to a new investigating team led by Detective Inspector Sean Connor aided by his Sergeant, Lucy Clay, faced with the first of a series of seemingly baffling murders, due to aconite poisoning, ending in a horrible and agonising death.
As more victims are discovered, a clue emerges that points to a character called ‘The Chocolate Woman’ who appears to be a common link in the disposal of the poison, and the possibility that the murders might be connected to a murder that happened some thirty years ago.
While the tension builds up, the author leads the reader through a field of red herrings before dangling the final clue in the last chapter as to the identity of the murderer which I never suspected. Overall, a good thriller with well thought out characters and a tantalising finish.
May 12, 2020
Set in Richmond-on-Thames, a part of London I am familiar with as it’s my maternal line’s old stomping ground, Purple Death is a gripping whodunnit featuring a spat of seemingly random deaths. All the victims died of Aconite poisoning, otherwise known as Wolfsbane, the stuff of poison arrows and Lucrezia Borgia. Who would do such a thing? More’s the point, how? Detective Inspector Sean Conner is faced with solving the dark mystery while blind Michael Stride, who lives with his two sisters after their parents both died thirty years ago, thinks he might have found a connection.
Porter has penned a page-turner of a mystery filled with intrigue. The portraits of the various victims in the throes of their demise were very well executed. Purple Death has Porter’s trademark charm and nuts and bolts policing while delving into the history of a special kind of murder that creates its own atmosphere: Poison.
Porter has penned a page-turner of a mystery filled with intrigue. The portraits of the various victims in the throes of their demise were very well executed. Purple Death has Porter’s trademark charm and nuts and bolts policing while delving into the history of a special kind of murder that creates its own atmosphere: Poison.
June 16, 2021
Another masterclass in crime thriller writing
I have read so many of Porter’s books I lose track, but I do know I have never been disappointed. Porter is a consummate, crime thriller writer, and Purple Death is right up there with the others I have read.
In Purple Death, we are presented with a series of apparently unconnected poisonings, on the same day, and across the country - how can this be, especially as the poison is a rare choice – Aconite, and this presents with a painful and violent death.
After a while, and more geographically distant deaths, the investigation centres on a team of detectives in Richmond-upon-Thames and Birmingham.
No plot spoilers here but I found the book thoroughly engaging with twists and turns especially at the end; didn’t see that coming.
Porter has an ease about his writing that whatever his subject matter, the reader can relax in the hands of a master – recommended – 5 stars.
I have read so many of Porter’s books I lose track, but I do know I have never been disappointed. Porter is a consummate, crime thriller writer, and Purple Death is right up there with the others I have read.
In Purple Death, we are presented with a series of apparently unconnected poisonings, on the same day, and across the country - how can this be, especially as the poison is a rare choice – Aconite, and this presents with a painful and violent death.
After a while, and more geographically distant deaths, the investigation centres on a team of detectives in Richmond-upon-Thames and Birmingham.
No plot spoilers here but I found the book thoroughly engaging with twists and turns especially at the end; didn’t see that coming.
Porter has an ease about his writing that whatever his subject matter, the reader can relax in the hands of a master – recommended – 5 stars.
January 26, 2022
Brian L Porter, author of the successful Mersey Murder mysteries, evidently sharpened his quill first with this novel Purple Death. But don’t be deceived into thinking that this tale is nothing more than a prototype for the subsequent series. Nothing could be farther from the truth. This tale involves more twists and turns than a B-road in the Scottish glens. The elusive serial killer, a poisoner, is always one step ahead of the worthy Richmond detectives, floundering along the wrong trail until the final gripping denouement. The Purple Death - aconite the substance from a common garden plant - stands high among the best of this productive author’s works. I have no hesitation awarding it 5 stars.
September 20, 2020
A page turned for sure!
A young solicitor, celebrating his promotion in Richmond,and a train driver in Birmingham,what did these two men have in common? Both of them died an extremely horrific and painful death from a little known poison, aconite. Inspector Sean Connor and Sergeant Lucy Clay are tasked with finding out the why's and wherefores and of course ,more importantly,the who. This book has so many twists and turns and red herrings before leading we the readers to it's shocking conclusion.
A young solicitor, celebrating his promotion in Richmond,and a train driver in Birmingham,what did these two men have in common? Both of them died an extremely horrific and painful death from a little known poison, aconite. Inspector Sean Connor and Sergeant Lucy Clay are tasked with finding out the why's and wherefores and of course ,more importantly,the who. This book has so many twists and turns and red herrings before leading we the readers to it's shocking conclusion.
December 22, 2017
Far fetched.
A bit too far fetched for me. Too many men who fell so in love with one woman. A woman with no redeeming features, as far as I could gather. Then, the last lover waits decades and takes revenge on descendents? No. Never happen. Not even women love like that. Also, there seemed to be a lot of repeating, like the reader is too dense to remember that. Sorry. Can't recommend at all.
A bit too far fetched for me. Too many men who fell so in love with one woman. A woman with no redeeming features, as far as I could gather. Then, the last lover waits decades and takes revenge on descendents? No. Never happen. Not even women love like that. Also, there seemed to be a lot of repeating, like the reader is too dense to remember that. Sorry. Can't recommend at all.
January 20, 2019
Review: Purple Death by Brian L. Porter.
This was a great intriguing book to read. I like the author’s writing style and the way he grabs the reader’s attention at the beginning of the book. The way Porter creates a thrilling mystery using his powerful characters especially the Criminal Investigation Team. There is plenty of action and murders by poisoning and guessing “who-done-it” will amaze you. I had no clue who was the killer until the end and to me that means it was a great mystery.
Detective Sean Connor and his team had know idea how the poison was administered to the victims but he did know they died of gruesome crushing death in seconds. The answer was found by third victim. Now Connor must find out if there were any connections between the victims before other bodies are found. Throughout the investigation Connor is stumped with what little clues he has to work with. He has a hunch that it was more than one person involved.
Connor and his team finally get a clue that seems to connect most of the victims but they are confused because it seems to be leading them back thirty years. As the investigation team slowly gets information the killer is always one step ahead of him…
This was a great intriguing book to read. I like the author’s writing style and the way he grabs the reader’s attention at the beginning of the book. The way Porter creates a thrilling mystery using his powerful characters especially the Criminal Investigation Team. There is plenty of action and murders by poisoning and guessing “who-done-it” will amaze you. I had no clue who was the killer until the end and to me that means it was a great mystery.
Detective Sean Connor and his team had know idea how the poison was administered to the victims but he did know they died of gruesome crushing death in seconds. The answer was found by third victim. Now Connor must find out if there were any connections between the victims before other bodies are found. Throughout the investigation Connor is stumped with what little clues he has to work with. He has a hunch that it was more than one person involved.
Connor and his team finally get a clue that seems to connect most of the victims but they are confused because it seems to be leading them back thirty years. As the investigation team slowly gets information the killer is always one step ahead of him…
August 28, 2018
Excellent!
Mr. Porter can really write! I have read at least six of his detective stories now, and they all kept me riveted. The characters are appealing and the plots are involved and full of suspense! Its very hard to figure out the guilty one before the very end! So entertainment guaranteed!
Mr. Porter can really write! I have read at least six of his detective stories now, and they all kept me riveted. The characters are appealing and the plots are involved and full of suspense! Its very hard to figure out the guilty one before the very end! So entertainment guaranteed!
November 4, 2020
Amazing and charming and engaging characters set in a small English town. Plenty of suspense awaits the reader making this book hard to down. A surprising and unpredictable ending. A must read for Harry Porter fans, which I am one. Get it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2023
Definitely Need a Better Editor/Proofreader
There were SO many spelling/grammar/typographical errors in the edition that I read that it distracted from the story. The plot was good though and I wasn't able to figure out who the killer was until the very end.
There were SO many spelling/grammar/typographical errors in the edition that I read that it distracted from the story. The plot was good though and I wasn't able to figure out who the killer was until the very end.
May 13, 2020
Some people die a horrible quick death by poison. The cops have some leads, but some of fhose people are killed or cleared. The story is interesting, but I thougt it dragged at spots.
July 6, 2020
Good, fast moving read.
October 16, 2021
Interesting book. A different approach to posioning.
April 24, 2024
Solved it.
January 17, 2016
Murder, murder by poison, murder by aconite, creating a horrible, rending death not for one but for seven victims. As the series of crimes unfold Detective Inspector Sean Connor and Sgt. Lucy Clay, along with DI Carrick and Sgt. Cole struggle with why, who and even, in the first two deaths, how. But Sean's friend, the forensic pathologist, finds the why, that being aconite. Then, slowly Sean and the others begin to fathom out how the first several murders are committed. The Chocolate Lady surfaces. She is the purveyor of a number of deaths. But who is she? And then a thirty five year old murder surfaces and the speed of the investigation takes on the nature of an unchecked run-away freight train.
Do you enjoy a finely written British investigatory novel? Then this one is for you. Do you enjoy a mystery that unravels in front of you which has twists and turns of who is involved and why they are involved? Then this one is for you. Do you enjoy the chase, the pursuit of a murderer most foul and the confusion of not being able to step in front of the murderer in the investigation? Then this one is for you. Do you enjoy a book with an explosive ending? Then this one is for you.
Brian L. Porter is a consummate writer of mysteries. His style and usage of the language is nonpareil. His creation of characters and the flesh he gives them in pursuit of his story lines is excellent. The intermingling of male and female characters that he presents as a part of his view of the criminal world is wonderfully done. The by-play, the respect and recognition that each of the characters give to one another is at times humorous, at times provoking, at times a major contributor to the fabulous nature of his story telling ability.
I give this book five stars without regard to any of the editing errors mentioned by another reviewer. I think those who center their reading on whether a book has editing errors are making a huge mistake and missing the entire point of the reading which is the story itself. This story is exciting, compelling and demands your attention. Five stars is well earned.
Do you enjoy a finely written British investigatory novel? Then this one is for you. Do you enjoy a mystery that unravels in front of you which has twists and turns of who is involved and why they are involved? Then this one is for you. Do you enjoy the chase, the pursuit of a murderer most foul and the confusion of not being able to step in front of the murderer in the investigation? Then this one is for you. Do you enjoy a book with an explosive ending? Then this one is for you.
Brian L. Porter is a consummate writer of mysteries. His style and usage of the language is nonpareil. His creation of characters and the flesh he gives them in pursuit of his story lines is excellent. The intermingling of male and female characters that he presents as a part of his view of the criminal world is wonderfully done. The by-play, the respect and recognition that each of the characters give to one another is at times humorous, at times provoking, at times a major contributor to the fabulous nature of his story telling ability.
I give this book five stars without regard to any of the editing errors mentioned by another reviewer. I think those who center their reading on whether a book has editing errors are making a huge mistake and missing the entire point of the reading which is the story itself. This story is exciting, compelling and demands your attention. Five stars is well earned.
November 3, 2014
Inspector Sean Conner and Sgt. Lucy Clay catch the case of a train engineer who is found dead in the cab of his locomotive just after it pulled into the station. Then they get more cases and the only obvious link is the cause of death. They scramble for clues and end up chasing red herrings as the killer seems to be a step ahead of them. Set in England it has and English "flavor" to it and the ending is not exactly obvious but may be guessed by the careful reader.
February 20, 2015
As many murder mysteries as I've read, from all over the English speaking world, this one actually had some unexpected plot twists. I like that in a book. It kept me guessing. I figured out who "done" it fairly early on but couldn't figure out how and why he chose his victims. With so many story elements, I didn't think the author was going to be able to tie them together plausibly but he did. Very well done.
June 12, 2015
Took to long to get started
I gave this book 3 stars as I was 50 percent finished before any suspense was really in the book! It seemed to just go on and on and I finally got to the end. Did not keep my attention. I like a fast moving suspense and more character development.
I gave this book 3 stars as I was 50 percent finished before any suspense was really in the book! It seemed to just go on and on and I finally got to the end. Did not keep my attention. I like a fast moving suspense and more character development.
March 1, 2015
Below average murder mystery about poisoned victims. Lots of spelling and grammar errors. I'm surprised I read the whole book. Fortunately, it only cost $.99.
June 9, 2015
A good read
This book is really good police procedure. Full of dead ends keeps you guessing right to the end. I would really recommend it
This book is really good police procedure. Full of dead ends keeps you guessing right to the end. I would really recommend it
August 16, 2016
Well done
An interesting plot by a fine author. Well worth reading. Great job on local color and characters. I recommend reading
An interesting plot by a fine author. Well worth reading. Great job on local color and characters. I recommend reading
May 25, 2020
Addictive Read
I absolutely loved the uniqueness of the storyline, but the many editing errors and typos became to much of a distraction.
I absolutely loved the uniqueness of the storyline, but the many editing errors and typos became to much of a distraction.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews