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Flick Fortune and Baggo Chandavarkar #3
Murder in Court Three
Farquhar Knox QC heard a creak to his right and swung round, prepared to bully an intruder into going away. But the blustering tirade died on his lips as the sharp point of an arrow pierced his dinner shirt, entered his torso below the ribs and was pushed up until it penetrated his heart.
A few gurgles were the last sounds Farquhar Knox made. His own day of judgement had arrived.
When a leading QC is found dead after a function at the law courts in Edinburgh, rumour has it that he had been having an affair with the wife of a senior police officer. Detective Inspector Flick Fortune and Detective Sergeant Bagawath Chandavarkar (Baggo) encounter hazy memories, awkward lawyers and a fervent religious group. Their efforts are derided in the press by ex-Inspector No. In the background, a multi-million pound fraud trial reaches its conclusion as unorthodox methods are needed to reach the truth...
Ian Simpson is inspired by a number of authors, including PG Wodehouse, John Mortimer and William Boyd. His writing style is comparable to Christopher Brookmyre. Murder in Court Three is the gripping follow-up to Ian’s first novels, Murder on Page One and Murder on the Second Tee, both of which have attracted national and local media coverage and glowing customer reviews.
A few gurgles were the last sounds Farquhar Knox made. His own day of judgement had arrived.
When a leading QC is found dead after a function at the law courts in Edinburgh, rumour has it that he had been having an affair with the wife of a senior police officer. Detective Inspector Flick Fortune and Detective Sergeant Bagawath Chandavarkar (Baggo) encounter hazy memories, awkward lawyers and a fervent religious group. Their efforts are derided in the press by ex-Inspector No. In the background, a multi-million pound fraud trial reaches its conclusion as unorthodox methods are needed to reach the truth...
Ian Simpson is inspired by a number of authors, including PG Wodehouse, John Mortimer and William Boyd. His writing style is comparable to Christopher Brookmyre. Murder in Court Three is the gripping follow-up to Ian’s first novels, Murder on Page One and Murder on the Second Tee, both of which have attracted national and local media coverage and glowing customer reviews.
- GenresMystery
288 pages, Paperback
First published February 16, 2015
About the author
Ian Simpson
6 books24 followersAfter doing criminal defence work at the Scottish bar, I spent eighteen years on the bench, latterly sitting part-time as a temporary High Court judge. When I retired due to ill-health I turned from crime fact to crime fiction. In 2008 I was shortlisted for the Debut Dagger by the Crime Writers' Association. Murder on Page One is my first book to be published. Murder on the Second Tee is my second. Murder in Court Three came out at Easter 2015. Murder in the Fourth Round is the latest in the series.
Sons of the Fathers and The Andrean Project are different from the others as they are 'faction'. I have always admired the great Bobby Jones, who has a special affinity to St Andrews, my home town. In these books I have weaved murder mysteries into true accounts of championships won by Jones at St Andrews. Aimed mainly at golfers, I have been pleased to get positive reactions from non-golfers.
Sons of the Fathers and The Andrean Project are different from the others as they are 'faction'. I have always admired the great Bobby Jones, who has a special affinity to St Andrews, my home town. In these books I have weaved murder mysteries into true accounts of championships won by Jones at St Andrews. Aimed mainly at golfers, I have been pleased to get positive reactions from non-golfers.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 18, 2015
Even if you didn't know that author Ian Simpson regards John Mortimer as one of his inspirations, there's something slightly similar in their writing styles, although there's no Rumpole character in MURDER IN COURT THREE.
Set in the precincts of courts, and the legal fraternity, the victim here is a Barrister, and the investigation is straight police procedural, albeit with a hefty portion of fraud case in court antics on the side. It's actually a nice balance, as is the idea that the police team is made up of DI Flick Fortune, pregnant and about to have her baby at any moment and DS Bagawath Chandavarkar from the Major Crime / Fraud squad seconded into this investigation because the victim, Farquhar Knox QC is one of the legal team involved in a major fraud case.
It's a complicated investigation because, for a start, just about every possible suspect - from the fraud trial, the marital infidelities, past cases as well as a general dislike of up jumped lawyers seems to have been on-site the night that Knox died. Many of these characters have plenty of experience of the law - from both sides - as well, and they are past masters at the art of vague memories and obfuscating answering. Even allowing for the slightly odd method of his death there's no shortage of possible motives as well, down to the senior police officer who ends up suspended whilst the team investigate his wife's relationship with the victim.
Alongside the complications of the case there are the irritations of the media shoving it's nose in where it's not wanted, and the opinions of Fortune's old boss who does a particularly nice line in antiquated, horrible old dinosaur if there ever was one.
The subject matter in MURDER IN COURT THREE is handled well and there's no indication that it's a spoof, but the author's hand is light and very engaging. His characters all have lives, thoughts and feelings, and the way that they are affected by each other, and the pressure of an investigation reads with authenticity. There is something here though, some sort of gentle hat-tip to Rumpole perhaps, that does make this feel slightly on the lighter side. Maybe it is the home, love and real lives interwoven with the day to day grind. Perhaps it is the setting of the legal world, and the idea that an Advocates and Archery night would happen in the first place that makes it all seem slightly "not of this world". It's definitely not crime fiction on the gritty side, but it is fabulously readable and enjoyable enough to quickly place the previous two books (MURDER ON PAGE ONE and MURDER ON THE SECOND TEE) instantly on the purchased list.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/revie...
Set in the precincts of courts, and the legal fraternity, the victim here is a Barrister, and the investigation is straight police procedural, albeit with a hefty portion of fraud case in court antics on the side. It's actually a nice balance, as is the idea that the police team is made up of DI Flick Fortune, pregnant and about to have her baby at any moment and DS Bagawath Chandavarkar from the Major Crime / Fraud squad seconded into this investigation because the victim, Farquhar Knox QC is one of the legal team involved in a major fraud case.
It's a complicated investigation because, for a start, just about every possible suspect - from the fraud trial, the marital infidelities, past cases as well as a general dislike of up jumped lawyers seems to have been on-site the night that Knox died. Many of these characters have plenty of experience of the law - from both sides - as well, and they are past masters at the art of vague memories and obfuscating answering. Even allowing for the slightly odd method of his death there's no shortage of possible motives as well, down to the senior police officer who ends up suspended whilst the team investigate his wife's relationship with the victim.
Alongside the complications of the case there are the irritations of the media shoving it's nose in where it's not wanted, and the opinions of Fortune's old boss who does a particularly nice line in antiquated, horrible old dinosaur if there ever was one.
The subject matter in MURDER IN COURT THREE is handled well and there's no indication that it's a spoof, but the author's hand is light and very engaging. His characters all have lives, thoughts and feelings, and the way that they are affected by each other, and the pressure of an investigation reads with authenticity. There is something here though, some sort of gentle hat-tip to Rumpole perhaps, that does make this feel slightly on the lighter side. Maybe it is the home, love and real lives interwoven with the day to day grind. Perhaps it is the setting of the legal world, and the idea that an Advocates and Archery night would happen in the first place that makes it all seem slightly "not of this world". It's definitely not crime fiction on the gritty side, but it is fabulously readable and enjoyable enough to quickly place the previous two books (MURDER ON PAGE ONE and MURDER ON THE SECOND TEE) instantly on the purchased list.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/revie...
April 10, 2015
I have given my own effort four stars because that is the average of seven reviews on Amazon UK and Net Galley. It also earned four out of five stairs from the Hidden Staircase blog who described it as 'an enjoyable afternoon read'. It's not noir, it's not blanc and it's certainly not fifty shades of anything else. I had fun writing it.
July 15, 2015
Title: Murder in Court Three by Ian Simpson
Publisher: Matador 179 pp
Genre: cozy, scottish, murder mystery,
4 stars
Author:
Since retiring from a law career in Scotland, Ian Simpson has been writing traditional police procedurals. As a judge in Scotland's High Court on murder trials, he is well qualified to write crime fiction, and obviously enjoys doing so. His descriptive writing style is entertaining and laced with humor. His characters are well drawn and distinctive, so don't be worried when you see the daunting three page list. I reviewed the previous book Murder on the Second Tee and also recommended his first, Murder on Page One. His work was shortlisted for Debut Dagger. The intersecting lives of DI (ex) Osborne, DI Flick Fortune and Constable Bagawath (Baggo) Chandavarkar continue with interesting character development over these novels. Read in order if you can, and note that Kindle has the first two on sale $1.49!
Story Line:
As usual, the story is told from several points of view as we progress with the various leads and intersecting cases. A high profile real estate fraud trial, with 4.5 million pound sterling missing and a non existent golf course, now in its fourth week, should be wrapping up. DI Fortune is the senior investigating officer, and has only two weeks left before maternity leave will change her life. But the body of one Farquhar Knox QC complicates the proceedings.
Baggo remains ambitious, DI(ex) No remains politically incorrect, although improving slightly, realistically, and Flick and her husband DI Fergus Maxwell, shine. And the dialogue and locale gave me a quick trip to Edinburgh. Simpson writes a clever page-turner on legal matters in Scotland. This was a fast, delightful read, perfect for summer days and armchair travel. I shall look forward to more (this series or new) by this author.
Read On:
If you like Agatha Christie, Perry Mason, John Buchan
For Scottish mysteries, AD Scott, Alexander McCall Smith (he recommends these mysteries, as do the local Scottish papers and law society) or Chris Brookmyre
Quotes:
...his own day of judgement has arrived.
It's the talk of the steamie, as we say.
(Flick as)... a rugby fan, this conversation made her feel like a full-back waiting to catch a high ball with the opposing scrum thundering towards her.
He had discovered that a shoulder of lamb, slowly roasted at a low heat, required the same cooking time as he took for a round of golf and a pint, so was perfect for a Sunday morning.
There were more than 400 people who, in theory, might have killed Knox.
I expected some cracking stories, true-life Rebus stuff you know...
You are in a very deep hole yet you continue to dig.
Read as an ARC from Netgalley. Thank you!
Publisher: Matador 179 pp
Genre: cozy, scottish, murder mystery,
4 stars
Author:
Since retiring from a law career in Scotland, Ian Simpson has been writing traditional police procedurals. As a judge in Scotland's High Court on murder trials, he is well qualified to write crime fiction, and obviously enjoys doing so. His descriptive writing style is entertaining and laced with humor. His characters are well drawn and distinctive, so don't be worried when you see the daunting three page list. I reviewed the previous book Murder on the Second Tee and also recommended his first, Murder on Page One. His work was shortlisted for Debut Dagger. The intersecting lives of DI (ex) Osborne, DI Flick Fortune and Constable Bagawath (Baggo) Chandavarkar continue with interesting character development over these novels. Read in order if you can, and note that Kindle has the first two on sale $1.49!
Story Line:
As usual, the story is told from several points of view as we progress with the various leads and intersecting cases. A high profile real estate fraud trial, with 4.5 million pound sterling missing and a non existent golf course, now in its fourth week, should be wrapping up. DI Fortune is the senior investigating officer, and has only two weeks left before maternity leave will change her life. But the body of one Farquhar Knox QC complicates the proceedings.
Baggo remains ambitious, DI(ex) No remains politically incorrect, although improving slightly, realistically, and Flick and her husband DI Fergus Maxwell, shine. And the dialogue and locale gave me a quick trip to Edinburgh. Simpson writes a clever page-turner on legal matters in Scotland. This was a fast, delightful read, perfect for summer days and armchair travel. I shall look forward to more (this series or new) by this author.
Read On:
If you like Agatha Christie, Perry Mason, John Buchan
For Scottish mysteries, AD Scott, Alexander McCall Smith (he recommends these mysteries, as do the local Scottish papers and law society) or Chris Brookmyre
Quotes:
...his own day of judgement has arrived.
It's the talk of the steamie, as we say.
(Flick as)... a rugby fan, this conversation made her feel like a full-back waiting to catch a high ball with the opposing scrum thundering towards her.
He had discovered that a shoulder of lamb, slowly roasted at a low heat, required the same cooking time as he took for a round of golf and a pint, so was perfect for a Sunday morning.
There were more than 400 people who, in theory, might have killed Knox.
I expected some cracking stories, true-life Rebus stuff you know...
You are in a very deep hole yet you continue to dig.
Read as an ARC from Netgalley. Thank you!
October 25, 2016
Really enjoyed the detailed and highly readable account of Murder in Court Three.
Fast paced, logical, coherent the story unfolded in a very page turning style.
Great read - my first in the series but I'll certainly be reading more in the sequence.
Fast paced, logical, coherent the story unfolded in a very page turning style.
Great read - my first in the series but I'll certainly be reading more in the sequence.
April 14, 2015
Another excellent police procedural from the pen of Ian Simpson.
This third book is fully within the world the author previously inhabited; the legal profession and high court judgement and now firmly cited in Scotland with warm mentions of golf and St Andrews.
You can tell the writer's comfort in these surroundings as he has produced perhaps his best book yet.
The plot is detailed but more control seems to have been exercised; there are clear roles for the various police officers; their personalities and interactions working well within a team of detectives. Although a large number of suspects the telling of the story enables the characters to remain defined and they do not blur together as they did at times in book two.
It is good to see Simpson is mastering his art in creating a convincing murder thriller where the the culprit isn't known until well into the book. There is no slight of hand it is just well written and it is encouraging as a reader to see this development and enjoy the story more and feel safe in an authors telling of it. I felt really comfortable and enjoyed the book thoroughly.
There is tremendous wit, but even Inspector No is slowly being reprogrammed sufficiently to prevent his un pc world overwhelming the book. He remains a wonderful character but his role has deeper significance other than comic interludes. Indeed some of his interventions go a long to solving this case even if he remains unaware of his policeman's instincts.
The book has two court cases running side by side. Both come under scrutiny when Farquhar Knox, QC is murdered. The proceeedings are not dry in either case made lighter by junior counsel's relationship DS Bagawath Chandavarkar (Baggo) in one and a religious group protesting for justice at the other.
In the process an interesting insight into all things legal in Scotland is explored without it being dry or indulgent. I enjoyed this aspect and it added to the overall quality of the novel.
A complete list of characters is added to aid clarity and entertainment. I found I never had to refer to this during reading the book which shows how well written Simpson's story is in this book.
A clever page-turner that brings a lot of pleasure into reading crime fiction. I loved the homage to Rebus but the very clear narrative that made this Edinburgh and Glasgow Simpson's own.
It was also refreshing that although there is real threat at times within the book, the novel doesn't have to have that sense of jepody where out hero is in danger of becoming the latest victim in the thrilling conclusion to the case. Original, Entertaining and Heralding the arrival of a new star in the crime genre - Ian Simpson.
This third book is fully within the world the author previously inhabited; the legal profession and high court judgement and now firmly cited in Scotland with warm mentions of golf and St Andrews.
You can tell the writer's comfort in these surroundings as he has produced perhaps his best book yet.
The plot is detailed but more control seems to have been exercised; there are clear roles for the various police officers; their personalities and interactions working well within a team of detectives. Although a large number of suspects the telling of the story enables the characters to remain defined and they do not blur together as they did at times in book two.
It is good to see Simpson is mastering his art in creating a convincing murder thriller where the the culprit isn't known until well into the book. There is no slight of hand it is just well written and it is encouraging as a reader to see this development and enjoy the story more and feel safe in an authors telling of it. I felt really comfortable and enjoyed the book thoroughly.
There is tremendous wit, but even Inspector No is slowly being reprogrammed sufficiently to prevent his un pc world overwhelming the book. He remains a wonderful character but his role has deeper significance other than comic interludes. Indeed some of his interventions go a long to solving this case even if he remains unaware of his policeman's instincts.
The book has two court cases running side by side. Both come under scrutiny when Farquhar Knox, QC is murdered. The proceeedings are not dry in either case made lighter by junior counsel's relationship DS Bagawath Chandavarkar (Baggo) in one and a religious group protesting for justice at the other.
In the process an interesting insight into all things legal in Scotland is explored without it being dry or indulgent. I enjoyed this aspect and it added to the overall quality of the novel.
A complete list of characters is added to aid clarity and entertainment. I found I never had to refer to this during reading the book which shows how well written Simpson's story is in this book.
A clever page-turner that brings a lot of pleasure into reading crime fiction. I loved the homage to Rebus but the very clear narrative that made this Edinburgh and Glasgow Simpson's own.
It was also refreshing that although there is real threat at times within the book, the novel doesn't have to have that sense of jepody where out hero is in danger of becoming the latest victim in the thrilling conclusion to the case. Original, Entertaining and Heralding the arrival of a new star in the crime genre - Ian Simpson.
March 31, 2015
Murder in Court Three is very much a traditional mystery. The murder happens in the first few pages, and then we follow along with the team picking up clues and interviewing witnesses. This case is receiving some special treatment, as one of the prime suspects is Chief Superintendent Traynor. The department wants to investigate quietly and keep his name from the papers if possible, unless of course he is the guilty party.
To help complicate the case (and add a bit of fun for the reader), enter ex-Detective Inspector Noel Osborne. He has a definite (unfavorable) history with DI Fortune, and is in general just an unpleasant man. Inspector No manages to muddle things up for Fortune, and also ends up in his own mess as well.
A well plotted case with interesting characters, Murder in Court Three makes for an enjoyable afternoon read.
For my full review, please visit Hidden Staircase.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
To help complicate the case (and add a bit of fun for the reader), enter ex-Detective Inspector Noel Osborne. He has a definite (unfavorable) history with DI Fortune, and is in general just an unpleasant man. Inspector No manages to muddle things up for Fortune, and also ends up in his own mess as well.
A well plotted case with interesting characters, Murder in Court Three makes for an enjoyable afternoon read.
For my full review, please visit Hidden Staircase.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 19, 2015
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley. This is a mystery set in Glasgow. A QC, Farquhar Knox has been found murdered. He was prosecuting a real estate fraud deal and there are a host of suspects, both in and out of the fraud deal. This novel, which was a bit slow to start, move on with faster and faster details, making it compelling to finish. The investigative work and court details are British, and Simpson does a good job of exposition to detail the workings of both. His experience, having spent eighteen years on the bench, and then sitting part-time as a temporary High Court judge, serves him well. His writing style is very descriptive and his characters are compelling, especially "Baggo". There are a number of conflicts which swirl through the novel, humanizing the characters and providing a good backstory. The ultimate reveal is very credible and Simpson is fair with the clues, giving enough along the way that one concludes the that if I had only put things together... All in all, this is a splendid mystery and I look forward to reading more of his novels. I'd give this 4 out of 5 stars.
April 8, 2015
***NOTE: I received a free review copy of this book from NetGalley***
The body of Farquhar Knox, QC, has been found in courtroom number three, pierced through the heart with an arrow. It's up to DI Flick Fortune and her team to find the killer. Things are made all the more difficult when a Chief Superintendent shows up on their suspect list, and the local paper implies that the very pregnant Flick and her department may not be up to the task at hand.
This was a very enjoyable read. It's the third in a series of traditional police procedurals from author Ian Simpson, but the first one that I had read. I was worried after seeing the long list of characters included at the beginning of the book that I might feel lost or have trouble keeping everyone straight, not having read the two previous books. This was not the case, however, and Simpson does a good job of making his characters distinct and recognizable. A very well-written mystery with several sub-plots and lots of red herrings, I would recommend Murder in Court Three to anyone who enjoys a good mystery.
The body of Farquhar Knox, QC, has been found in courtroom number three, pierced through the heart with an arrow. It's up to DI Flick Fortune and her team to find the killer. Things are made all the more difficult when a Chief Superintendent shows up on their suspect list, and the local paper implies that the very pregnant Flick and her department may not be up to the task at hand.
This was a very enjoyable read. It's the third in a series of traditional police procedurals from author Ian Simpson, but the first one that I had read. I was worried after seeing the long list of characters included at the beginning of the book that I might feel lost or have trouble keeping everyone straight, not having read the two previous books. This was not the case, however, and Simpson does a good job of making his characters distinct and recognizable. A very well-written mystery with several sub-plots and lots of red herrings, I would recommend Murder in Court Three to anyone who enjoys a good mystery.
May 4, 2015
DPL e book. Excellent. Focus on the group of police investigating complex and interrelated cases. Nice details on English courts. And the bad guy did it--very satisfying!! Want to read this author again
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2022
This is not the first in this series but I didn’t feel that mattered too much – the story stands well on its own. Set amongst the noblesse de la robe of Edinburgh, the author’s own experience of the legal profession shines through and the cast of characters is broad and interesting. It’s another traditional murder mystery, and the plot is satisfying.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews