Death in a Cold Spring

Pitkirtly Mysteries #9

by Cecilia Peartree

This is the ninth novel in the Pitkirtly Mystery series. It’s a cold spring in Pitkirtly. Amaryllis’s campaign to be elected to the local Council is approaching a conclusion, and the local minister has set up the Face of Pitkirtly art exhibition to show off the creativity of the young people of the area. Things begin to go wrong soon after two young artists arrive unexpectedly at the Cultural Centre to set up their artwork. Before long gruesome discoveries are made, people go missing and are sometimes found again, and Keith Burnet of the local police force suffers from a sudden work overload.

Genres: Fiction

199 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 23, 2015

About the author

Cecilia Peartree is the mystery writing pen name of a former database manager who lives in Edinburgh. She is a history graduate and as well as writing, she uses her spare time to research family history, serve on a local committee and look after cats.
In real life, Cecilia has two sons, one a computer consultant and one a writer, film-maker and social media specialist.
Incidentally, there are now 27 books in the Pitkirtly Mystery series, and 6 in the Adventurous Quest series, but who's counting? (Apart from me, of course) Recently published work includes six historical novels (with more in progress) and 3 mysteries in a new series, as well as some random odds and ends.

Reviews

[Elizabeth Ducie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christopher, Amaryllis and their friends are on the hunt of yet another murderer. More romps around Pitkirtly, this time in the cold months of early spring.

[Joo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the ninth in the Pitkirtly series and is probably my favourite so far.

Amaryllis has put herself forward for being a councillor, but has this dulled her senses? Christopher has loads to do at the Cultural Centre, but what's this art exhibition he doesn't really know about? When Christopher and Amaryllis find something nasty at the Centre, they try to go their typical opposite ways, Christopher doesn't want to know, but Amaryllis needs to stick her nose in.

As with the previous 8 stories, there's a crime in the community and the locals do their best to "help", although the police wouldn't call it that. Keith is the only policeman around and he's struggling to keep up.

In each episode we get more info on a supporting character and this time it's Keith. I enjoyed finding more about Keith in this story, now that Charlie is the pub landlord. I particularly liked the dogs' stories. They seemed to have a more starring role.

This story is best enjoyed having read the previous ones, but I think this stands on it's own. You don't really need to know the cast's history, it just makes it seem that they are your friends.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great adventure with these loveable characters.