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The Falconer Files #10
Death in High Circles
There is mischief afoot in the village of Fallow Fold. Persons unknown have been on a spree of vandalism, scratching cars, smashing colourful pots of flowers in full bloom, breaking greenhouse windows – and defiling a front door with a racist word, written in spray paint. The police are called, and given the unavailability of more junior personnel DI Harry Falconer and DS ‘Davey’ Carmichael arrive to investigate, but there are no obvious suspects.
Then a resident is attacked as he keeps a nocturnal vigil, hoping to catch whoever is responsible for the vandalism. Soon, there is a surfeit of uncharacteristic behaviour from those who live there, and Falconer begins to suspect that there is more to come.
When the man who runs the local bridge circle disappears, there is a palpable whiff of evil in the air – which leads to a murderous attack on one of the police officers. This is a time when DI Falconer is forced to search his soul to discover what, and who, is really important in his life, and what really matters in it.
Then a resident is attacked as he keeps a nocturnal vigil, hoping to catch whoever is responsible for the vandalism. Soon, there is a surfeit of uncharacteristic behaviour from those who live there, and Falconer begins to suspect that there is more to come.
When the man who runs the local bridge circle disappears, there is a palpable whiff of evil in the air – which leads to a murderous attack on one of the police officers. This is a time when DI Falconer is forced to search his soul to discover what, and who, is really important in his life, and what really matters in it.
- GenresMystery
302 pages, Paperback
First published April 17, 2013
38 people are currently reading
473 people want to read
About the author
Andrea Frazer
280 books83 followersAn ex-member of Mensa (bored!),Andrea Frazer is married, with four grown-up children, and lives in the Dordogne with her husband Tony and their seven cats. She has wanted to write since she first began to read at the age of five, but has been a little busy raising a family and working as a lecturer in Greek (she has a Fellowship Diploma in Greek), and teaching music.
Apart from writing, Andrea continues to teach music, and now also teaches French to ex-pats.
Her interests include playing several instruments (but not all at the same time!), reading, and choral singing (she sings with two choirs in a nearby town). In her spare time, she breathes!
Apart from writing, Andrea continues to teach music, and now also teaches French to ex-pats.
Her interests include playing several instruments (but not all at the same time!), reading, and choral singing (she sings with two choirs in a nearby town). In her spare time, she breathes!
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 11, 2017
Early books in the series were much more fun.
November 21, 2023
Rating 3.5
A return to this series several years after I read the previous book.
Not a well known series or author I think, but I remembered the books being well written mysteries with interesting characters and a nice amount of humour.
So this one had less humour than I remembered , the characters felt like people you knew once but hadn’t seen for a while and once re-encountered everything just carried on like before.
The story / mystery was a bit flimsy I found and the ending felt like it appeared out of nowhere.
But still a solid recommendation though but would suggest starting with the first couple of titles in the series to get acquainted with the main characters and locations before jumping around the series.
The rating for goodreads was a tricky one and probably should be a 3 but I enjoyed meeting these characters again that despite the weaknesses in the novel moved the rating up to a 4
A return to this series several years after I read the previous book.
Not a well known series or author I think, but I remembered the books being well written mysteries with interesting characters and a nice amount of humour.
So this one had less humour than I remembered , the characters felt like people you knew once but hadn’t seen for a while and once re-encountered everything just carried on like before.
The story / mystery was a bit flimsy I found and the ending felt like it appeared out of nowhere.
But still a solid recommendation though but would suggest starting with the first couple of titles in the series to get acquainted with the main characters and locations before jumping around the series.
The rating for goodreads was a tricky one and probably should be a 3 but I enjoyed meeting these characters again that despite the weaknesses in the novel moved the rating up to a 4
December 27, 2018
The village of Fallow Fold is experiencing vandalism. Then one of the residents is attacked. Then another resident disappears. On top of that, a police officer is brutally attacked. Can Falconer & Carmichael figure out what is going on?
Fairly interesting story. Not as gripping as previous ones. Still had some funny parts, but also had some very poignant parts.
Fairly interesting story. Not as gripping as previous ones. Still had some funny parts, but also had some very poignant parts.
June 27, 2024
I continue to ask myself how on earth Harry Falconer ever became a Detective Inspector, not that you really needed one in this book. It was all over the place with so much time spent on cats, dogs, kids and family. It just didn't make sense at all with everything just going around in circles. It only got interesting towards the end, but that didn't last, as expected.
A rather unenjoyable read.
A rather unenjoyable read.
October 9, 2017
Mystery kept me guessing but it didn't quite add up in the end.
June 7, 2019
Lovely cozy mystery
Traditional police mysteries set in little English villages. If you like Midsummer Murders then these books are just the thing.
Traditional police mysteries set in little English villages. If you like Midsummer Murders then these books are just the thing.
March 4, 2017
Best so far!
IMO this is the best of the series. The relationships of the characters is maturing to the point where I really care about them. The four legged characters add their own special quirkiness that dovetails perfectly with their humans. Thank you, Ms. Fraser!
IMO this is the best of the series. The relationships of the characters is maturing to the point where I really care about them. The four legged characters add their own special quirkiness that dovetails perfectly with their humans. Thank you, Ms. Fraser!
June 17, 2016
The village of Fallow Fold is the centre of a several groups devoted to various activities such as bridge, reading, drama, sewing and gardening. Everyone who lives there seems to be law abiding but there is suddenly a spate of vandalism in the village with no obvious suspect.
DI Harry Falconer and DS Davey Carmichael are sent to investigate. Falconer senses that this minor criminal spree isn't the end of it and he feels there is real evil there. Falconer is right and the organiser of the bridge group disappears without trace. There is bloodshed to come and a murderous attack on the police which causes Falconer to examine his whole life. There is plenty of humour and a few tears in this well written and intriguing mystery.
I enjoyed reading this book though I don't think it is quite as good as some of the books in this excellent series. Maybe this is because I read it in very short spells and as a result I didn't becomes as absorbed in the story as I normally do. I can recommend this series to anyone who likes their crime novels with interesting plots, likeable characters, touches of humour and little on the page violence.
DI Harry Falconer and DS Davey Carmichael are sent to investigate. Falconer senses that this minor criminal spree isn't the end of it and he feels there is real evil there. Falconer is right and the organiser of the bridge group disappears without trace. There is bloodshed to come and a murderous attack on the police which causes Falconer to examine his whole life. There is plenty of humour and a few tears in this well written and intriguing mystery.
I enjoyed reading this book though I don't think it is quite as good as some of the books in this excellent series. Maybe this is because I read it in very short spells and as a result I didn't becomes as absorbed in the story as I normally do. I can recommend this series to anyone who likes their crime novels with interesting plots, likeable characters, touches of humour and little on the page violence.
February 1, 2014
This was my favourite instalment yet in the Falconer Files series! There was such a mix of comedy and seriousness that it was a constant roller coaster of emotions. It was great to see Falconer finally come to terms with everything that's happened in his life and I have a feeling there's going to be romance for him soon too. (Personally, I've seen him with Rev. Florrie since she was introduced in the last book, but time will tell if I'm right!)
Very good book!
Very good book!
July 30, 2015
A thoroughly enjoyable cozy mystery. Frazer has a way with words. An example of this: "The treetops were a lush paltte of mixed green salad..."
The characters are interesting, but I'd like to learn more about what makes them tick. I will definitely read more in this Facoloner Files series.
I received this book for free through Good Reads First Reads.
The characters are interesting, but I'd like to learn more about what makes them tick. I will definitely read more in this Facoloner Files series.
I received this book for free through Good Reads First Reads.
July 16, 2015
Dreadful!
No detective work
A totally forgettable book, with a wimp for a detective.
There was barely a plot, very weak
No detective work
A totally forgettable book, with a wimp for a detective.
There was barely a plot, very weak
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews