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Inspector Thanet #1
The Night She Died
British police detective Luke Thanet tracks a housewife’s killer in the debut novel of an award-winning mystery series “in the P. D. James manner” (Kirkus Reviews).
Luke Thanet is a British police inspector with a soft heart, bad back, and bloodhound’s nose for murder. When a young woman is found stabbed through the heart with a kitchen knife, Thanet and his partner, the brusque young Mike Lineham, rush to the scene. Julie Holmes lies dead in her front hall, wrapped in her overcoat, her handbag missing. The perpetrator could have been a burglar, a jealous husband, or a spurned lover. But Detective Inspector Thanet never leaps to conclusions, and always takes his time; it seems the key to finding this killer lurks twenty years in the past.
When Julie was a child, she witnessed a murder—a traumatic event so scarring she repressed it entirely. Thanet believes that before she died, Julie’s memory came back—and so did the killer . . .
The first in the series featuring Inspector Thanet, a “most likable policeman,” The Night She Died is a compelling procedural from an acclaimed CWA Silver Dagger winner (Yorkshire Post).
The Night She Died is the 1st book in the Inspector Thanet Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
Luke Thanet is a British police inspector with a soft heart, bad back, and bloodhound’s nose for murder. When a young woman is found stabbed through the heart with a kitchen knife, Thanet and his partner, the brusque young Mike Lineham, rush to the scene. Julie Holmes lies dead in her front hall, wrapped in her overcoat, her handbag missing. The perpetrator could have been a burglar, a jealous husband, or a spurned lover. But Detective Inspector Thanet never leaps to conclusions, and always takes his time; it seems the key to finding this killer lurks twenty years in the past.
When Julie was a child, she witnessed a murder—a traumatic event so scarring she repressed it entirely. Thanet believes that before she died, Julie’s memory came back—and so did the killer . . .
The first in the series featuring Inspector Thanet, a “most likable policeman,” The Night She Died is a compelling procedural from an acclaimed CWA Silver Dagger winner (Yorkshire Post).
The Night She Died is the 1st book in the Inspector Thanet Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
255 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1980
1210 people are currently reading
1633 people want to read
About the author
Dorothy Simpson
38 books118 followersDorothy Preece Simpson writes...
"I was born and brought up in South Wales, went to Bridgend Grammar School and then on to Bristol University, where I read modern languages before moving to Kent, the background of the Thanet novels, to teach French at Dartford and Erith Grammar Schools.
Moving to the Maidstone area on my marriage, I then spent several years devoting myself to bringing up my three children. During that time I trained as a marriage guidance counsellor and subsequently worked as one for thirteen years.
You may think that marriage guidance counsellor to crime writer is rather a peculiar career move, but although I didn’t realise it at the time, of course, the training I received was the best possible preparation for writing detective novels. Murder mysteries are all about relationships which go disastrously wrong and the insights I gained into what makes people tick, into their interaction and motivations, have been absolutely invaluable to DI Thanet, my series character, as have the interviewing skills I acquired during my years of counselling.
I began to write after a long illness in 1975. The success of my first book, a suspense novel called HARBINGERS OF FEAR, gave me sufficient impetus to carry me through the two rejections which followed - very disheartening at the time, but invaluable in retrospect.
It was during this period that I realised that the crime novel is of such diversity that it offers enormous scope to the writer and decided to attempt to lay the foundation for a series of detective novels in my next book. This was the THE NIGHT SHE DIED." This was the first in a 15 book series starring Detective Inspector Luke Thanet. Severe repetitive stress injury caused her to stop writing in 2000.
She is an award winning author, receiving a Silver Dagger Award from the Crime Writers' Association of Great Britain.
"I was born and brought up in South Wales, went to Bridgend Grammar School and then on to Bristol University, where I read modern languages before moving to Kent, the background of the Thanet novels, to teach French at Dartford and Erith Grammar Schools.
Moving to the Maidstone area on my marriage, I then spent several years devoting myself to bringing up my three children. During that time I trained as a marriage guidance counsellor and subsequently worked as one for thirteen years.
You may think that marriage guidance counsellor to crime writer is rather a peculiar career move, but although I didn’t realise it at the time, of course, the training I received was the best possible preparation for writing detective novels. Murder mysteries are all about relationships which go disastrously wrong and the insights I gained into what makes people tick, into their interaction and motivations, have been absolutely invaluable to DI Thanet, my series character, as have the interviewing skills I acquired during my years of counselling.
I began to write after a long illness in 1975. The success of my first book, a suspense novel called HARBINGERS OF FEAR, gave me sufficient impetus to carry me through the two rejections which followed - very disheartening at the time, but invaluable in retrospect.
It was during this period that I realised that the crime novel is of such diversity that it offers enormous scope to the writer and decided to attempt to lay the foundation for a series of detective novels in my next book. This was the THE NIGHT SHE DIED." This was the first in a 15 book series starring Detective Inspector Luke Thanet. Severe repetitive stress injury caused her to stop writing in 2000.
She is an award winning author, receiving a Silver Dagger Award from the Crime Writers' Association of Great Britain.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 220 reviews
June 5, 2017
First published in the 80's, they are now being re-published this year.
Set in Britain in the 80's, this book introduces Inspector Luke Thanet. I really liked him as a character. He has a solid family life to ground him while he's out solving crimes. He's a good man but can be gruff at times. He reminded me a little of Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot. Actually, the whole book reminded me of Christie's books. This had a good mystery to it. Nothing powerful in nature but just a good old-fashioned crime novel. This will be a new series that I continue reading.
**Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
Set in Britain in the 80's, this book introduces Inspector Luke Thanet. I really liked him as a character. He has a solid family life to ground him while he's out solving crimes. He's a good man but can be gruff at times. He reminded me a little of Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot. Actually, the whole book reminded me of Christie's books. This had a good mystery to it. Nothing powerful in nature but just a good old-fashioned crime novel. This will be a new series that I continue reading.
**Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 16, 2016
I really liked this British crime mystery-a great start for the Inspector Luke Thanet series. He is an interesting man, fairly young in his career and a happily married man with two very young children. The relationships in his work environment and with that of an amiable wife are well drawn. The whodunit part of this book had me guessing to the end, quite a few red herrings there!
January 25, 2016
I first read Dorothy Simpson's Luke Thanet series more than twenty years ago and enjoyed them. Re-reading this first volume in the series I realised why I enjoyed them. It is well written, the police characters are interesting, have peaceful home lives and mainly get along with each other. Thanet is a quiet and unassuming individual but likeable and quick to apologise when he snaps at his sidekick - DS MIke Lineham.
In this well plotted story, a beautiful young woman is stabbed to death in her own home with one of her own kitchen knives. Naturally her devastated husband is suspect number one but as Thanet and Lineham delve into her life, it seems Julie Holmes had a mesmeric effect on men, even though she wasn't especially interested in them. Could this have led to her death? Or could it have been something in the distant past which has come back to haunt her?
If you are looking for well written police procedural crime novels, then try Dorothy Simpson. This novel - although it was first published in the nineteen eighties has stood the test of time well and will be read and enjoyed by twenty first century readers.
In this well plotted story, a beautiful young woman is stabbed to death in her own home with one of her own kitchen knives. Naturally her devastated husband is suspect number one but as Thanet and Lineham delve into her life, it seems Julie Holmes had a mesmeric effect on men, even though she wasn't especially interested in them. Could this have led to her death? Or could it have been something in the distant past which has come back to haunt her?
If you are looking for well written police procedural crime novels, then try Dorothy Simpson. This novel - although it was first published in the nineteen eighties has stood the test of time well and will be read and enjoyed by twenty first century readers.
July 30, 2020
It took a while to get into this book, but I ended up liking it. Thanet is the kind of inspector that is old fashioned and determined and he gets the job done.
October 8, 2013
1981, #1 Inspector Luke Thanet, Sturrenden, Kent; young and beautiful Woman With A Past is murdered. Cosy police procedural - three-and-one-half stars.
Beautiful Julie Holmes is found messily murdered in the hallway of their home by her adoring husband, who promptly goes to pieces. When the quiet (but thorough) Inspector Luke Thanet is called in, he finds several odd things out immediately about the case - the husband conveniently finds the body when he has a friend with him as witness, and her purse is missing, apparently meant to indicate the deed was done by a burglar. And she had her outdoor coat on when she was killed although she had told her husband she'd be staying home - alone - all night and would be working on some sewing until he got home from night school.
This is our first view of the likable Thanet and his young family. He's a gentle, kind man (usually) but a very hard worker and a bit of perfectionist about his work and expects those who work under him to be the same. He has a new Sargent working with him, and some of the procedure here concerns "breaking him in" to the style of investigation Thanet prefers; it's very interesting, and doesn't detract from the case at hand - it rather helps inform it.
I suppose I'd better 'fess up - I've been rather in love with Thanet for many years now, since I first discovered Simpson's writing in the late 1990s. This rereading of her first in series was very enjoyable, especially since I didn't remember whodunnit! (grin) The writing was very smooth and the plotting excellent - remarkable, when you consider this was only Simpson's second novel, and her first police procedural. She does, IMO, a wonderful job. The characters, especially, come alive and everything is well-tied-up at the end, but not cutely or conveniently. All very satisfactory.
This series is a clear illustration of what I most enjoy in "village mysteries" (my favorite kind, most of the time): the village or small town that is painted in clear shades and colors, the interesting, not overly quirky characters (although a few of them *are* rather odd...), an intricate puzzle of a case, usually murder, and just enough well-written information about the crime-solvers to round them out as whole people.
Her writing might seem sweet at first, but there's always a few dark edges poking around if you look closely - she's rather subtle with shadings and bits of information without becoming overly "cutsey tricky", kwim? One of my all-time favorite mystery series, there are fifteen books in all; I wish there had been lots more!
Beautiful Julie Holmes is found messily murdered in the hallway of their home by her adoring husband, who promptly goes to pieces. When the quiet (but thorough) Inspector Luke Thanet is called in, he finds several odd things out immediately about the case - the husband conveniently finds the body when he has a friend with him as witness, and her purse is missing, apparently meant to indicate the deed was done by a burglar. And she had her outdoor coat on when she was killed although she had told her husband she'd be staying home - alone - all night and would be working on some sewing until he got home from night school.
This is our first view of the likable Thanet and his young family. He's a gentle, kind man (usually) but a very hard worker and a bit of perfectionist about his work and expects those who work under him to be the same. He has a new Sargent working with him, and some of the procedure here concerns "breaking him in" to the style of investigation Thanet prefers; it's very interesting, and doesn't detract from the case at hand - it rather helps inform it.
I suppose I'd better 'fess up - I've been rather in love with Thanet for many years now, since I first discovered Simpson's writing in the late 1990s. This rereading of her first in series was very enjoyable, especially since I didn't remember whodunnit! (grin) The writing was very smooth and the plotting excellent - remarkable, when you consider this was only Simpson's second novel, and her first police procedural. She does, IMO, a wonderful job. The characters, especially, come alive and everything is well-tied-up at the end, but not cutely or conveniently. All very satisfactory.
This series is a clear illustration of what I most enjoy in "village mysteries" (my favorite kind, most of the time): the village or small town that is painted in clear shades and colors, the interesting, not overly quirky characters (although a few of them *are* rather odd...), an intricate puzzle of a case, usually murder, and just enough well-written information about the crime-solvers to round them out as whole people.
Her writing might seem sweet at first, but there's always a few dark edges poking around if you look closely - she's rather subtle with shadings and bits of information without becoming overly "cutsey tricky", kwim? One of my all-time favorite mystery series, there are fifteen books in all; I wish there had been lots more!
March 11, 2021
A nice solid book involving a murder investigation in current (1980's) and in the past.
I really liked Inspector Thanet, he has the dogged investigative skills of Poirot but with a lot more humanity.
A good whodunit that has left me wanting to read more of Simpson's work.
I really liked Inspector Thanet, he has the dogged investigative skills of Poirot but with a lot more humanity.
A good whodunit that has left me wanting to read more of Simpson's work.
October 24, 2019
Nice introduction to Inspector Thanet in this first of the series. See review by Colin as I second his thoughts on this book. It does bring back another era and introduced me to Sturrenden, Kent, England.
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December 25, 2020
3.5 stars
Entertaining police procedural with a likable main character and a twisty mystery.
Not a bad way to spend a couple of hours.
Entertaining police procedural with a likable main character and a twisty mystery.
Not a bad way to spend a couple of hours.
July 3, 2017
The Night She Died is the first novel in the Inspector Thanet series. A pretty housewife is found murdered in her home....a knife sticking out of her chest. She was stabbed through her coat and clothes. Her husband, supposedly returning home soon after Julie Holmes was killed, found his wife's body on the floor. As Inspector Luke Thanet begins piecing together information from Julie's last few days, he finds that this case might just be more complex than it looks. Apparently Julie was a witness to another murder 20 years before. Could it be that the killer came back after two decades to stab the only witness to a long-cold murder case? Or is it someone in Julie Holmes' present day life that killed her?
I am impressed by this book. I love a great detective story, but this one stands out from the crowd. Mostly because the Inspector is talented at his job, but not portrayed as perfect. He makes mistakes, sometimes rushes to judgement, and can be overwhelmed by his emotions at times. He's human. The story not only shows him investigating the case, but also shows how his home life supports him and offers him a haven away from it all. He loves his wife and his kids....and they try to understand when he has to be away from them. Luke Thanet is portrayed as a well-rounded, human character which gives this story depth that some detective stories just don't have.
The mystery is well-written, with plenty of suspects, intriguing plot twists and an excellent ending. It is neither too simple nor too complex to be believable. The plot seems realistic, keeping my attention throughout. Both Inspector Thanet and his new sidekick, Sergeant Mike Lineham, are likable, professional, and skilled at their jobs. They are occasionally at odds with one another, but in the end work together perfectly to solve the case.
There are 15 books in the Inspector Thanet series. The series was originally published starting back in the early 1980s, but Open Road Integrated Media is releasing new ebook versions of the novels. Before being approved to read this first ebook release by Open Road, I was unfamiliar with this series. I'm so glad I read this first book! I will definitely be reading the rest of this series!
**I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book from Open Road Media via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.**
I am impressed by this book. I love a great detective story, but this one stands out from the crowd. Mostly because the Inspector is talented at his job, but not portrayed as perfect. He makes mistakes, sometimes rushes to judgement, and can be overwhelmed by his emotions at times. He's human. The story not only shows him investigating the case, but also shows how his home life supports him and offers him a haven away from it all. He loves his wife and his kids....and they try to understand when he has to be away from them. Luke Thanet is portrayed as a well-rounded, human character which gives this story depth that some detective stories just don't have.
The mystery is well-written, with plenty of suspects, intriguing plot twists and an excellent ending. It is neither too simple nor too complex to be believable. The plot seems realistic, keeping my attention throughout. Both Inspector Thanet and his new sidekick, Sergeant Mike Lineham, are likable, professional, and skilled at their jobs. They are occasionally at odds with one another, but in the end work together perfectly to solve the case.
There are 15 books in the Inspector Thanet series. The series was originally published starting back in the early 1980s, but Open Road Integrated Media is releasing new ebook versions of the novels. Before being approved to read this first ebook release by Open Road, I was unfamiliar with this series. I'm so glad I read this first book! I will definitely be reading the rest of this series!
**I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book from Open Road Media via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.**
April 14, 2020
The first book in the series, The Night She Died has an engaging plot and a likable protagonist in Inspector Luke Thanet, happily married father of two small children. Thanet is one of the strengths of the book - sympathetic, kind, but dogged in his pursuit of the case. He is full of love for his children and his wife, whom he encourages to pursue her art studies (and whose knowledge of art and artists helps the case in several small ways). His humanity shines through in every scene; even when he is tired and irritable, and snaps at his colleague, Detective Sergeant Mike Lineham, he recognizes his own negativity and works to be more charitable. He admits mistakes and also carefully examines his own motivations - for example, hoping that a cool, calculating murder suspect is the one he is pursuing, rather than a foster mother of four, even through "It was quite wrong of him" (191) to hope for one over the other. He is compassionate when comparing the lives of the foster children - who are justifiably wary and fearful of change and of strangers - with the lives of his own little ones, secure, safe, and protected.
The plotting is strong and there is a bit of misdirection as Thanet and company pursue a red herring or two. The case, involving the murder of a young woman named Julie Holmes, introduces plenty of suspects and suggests possible motives from her past. If you are a fan of crisply plotted, straightforward British police procedurals like those of Ngaio Marsh or Deborah Crombie, you will find an intriguing mystery and a winning detective in the Luke Thanet series.
The plotting is strong and there is a bit of misdirection as Thanet and company pursue a red herring or two. The case, involving the murder of a young woman named Julie Holmes, introduces plenty of suspects and suggests possible motives from her past. If you are a fan of crisply plotted, straightforward British police procedurals like those of Ngaio Marsh or Deborah Crombie, you will find an intriguing mystery and a winning detective in the Luke Thanet series.
August 29, 2023
I enjoyed the book and would like to give it its overall marking of 3½. Its well worth reading.
January 6, 2022
Can you claim the Golden Age of British Mysteries lasted through the 1980's? If by stretching a point and making them a 20th Century phenomenon, perhaps you can. Agatha Christie's last book was published in 1976 and the great style of drawing room murder still lives on, although only in nostalgic work for the most part.
I believe Dorothy Simpson's Inspector Thanet series belongs to the genre. "The Night She Died" is intelligent, plot driven, with main characters in Thanet, his co-workers, his supportive wife Joan and his children to give him a well rounded world.
The mystery holds together well. He dives down rabbit holes, makes all too human mistakes, but recovers well, and solves the mystery in the end.
There are no unbelievable plot twists. No one kidnaps his three year old daughter or threatens to bomb the police station. Just a good old fashioned "who-dun-it."
Golden Age by the book.
I believe Dorothy Simpson's Inspector Thanet series belongs to the genre. "The Night She Died" is intelligent, plot driven, with main characters in Thanet, his co-workers, his supportive wife Joan and his children to give him a well rounded world.
The mystery holds together well. He dives down rabbit holes, makes all too human mistakes, but recovers well, and solves the mystery in the end.
There are no unbelievable plot twists. No one kidnaps his three year old daughter or threatens to bomb the police station. Just a good old fashioned "who-dun-it."
Golden Age by the book.
December 25, 2015
This was my fastest read in the last two decades, finished in one breathless Christmas Eve. But for the sly red herring being left unresolved, this story has everything that one wishes for in a mystery. Dorothy Simpson knows how to draw beguilingly simple pen portraits of her characters without diverting attention from the plot. Also the charming backdrop of small town England lends the perfect foil for murders most foul. I hope I can find some more of this much underrated writer's works soon.
December 2, 2019
This series of books was recommended to lovers of Louise Penny books. It is a police procedural murder mystery. The writing is not as good as Louise Penny's. There's a lot of repetition in plot. But it's still a solid, captivating, mysterious book!
September 15, 2022
My favorite style of books, the British detective. I love Inspector Thanet. Completely enjoyed this book and all its characters. The plot and story develops through the whole book - not just in the last 40 pages. And, I almost had it figured out!
April 28, 2023
Most definitely this is nostalgia reading experience…40 years ago I read all of this mystery series by Dorothy Simpson. I would grab it as soon as my son fell asleep for his nap (that was before I understood not every mother had an easy napper).
It took me years to read the “Inspector Luke Thanet” books as Ms. Simpson wrote them. I came across a set of paperbacks and I can now “binge read” them as I want.
This first one did not disappoint, it is dated and many societal norms have changed (most for the better), but I think of the Inspector as having been the kind of person who moved forward into social justice and proactive equality.
So I am not angry with a few mis-steps in his thinking… if he were investigating in 2023 he would be all about protecting and supporting (and there would be no turmoil about his wife having a career!)
It took me years to read the “Inspector Luke Thanet” books as Ms. Simpson wrote them. I came across a set of paperbacks and I can now “binge read” them as I want.
This first one did not disappoint, it is dated and many societal norms have changed (most for the better), but I think of the Inspector as having been the kind of person who moved forward into social justice and proactive equality.
So I am not angry with a few mis-steps in his thinking… if he were investigating in 2023 he would be all about protecting and supporting (and there would be no turmoil about his wife having a career!)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2022
3.5
I’m not sure how I stumbled upon this British Detective series first published in the late 80’s, but I’m glad I did.
Det Luke Thanet is on this tricky case. He is a great character as is his partner, Mike, and I’m sure I will find out more about him as the series goes on.
A good quick mystery, with maybe a few too many characters and a couple of grammar stumbles, but well worth a read. The download for 3 books on an Amazon deal was $4.99!
I’m not sure how I stumbled upon this British Detective series first published in the late 80’s, but I’m glad I did.
Det Luke Thanet is on this tricky case. He is a great character as is his partner, Mike, and I’m sure I will find out more about him as the series goes on.
A good quick mystery, with maybe a few too many characters and a couple of grammar stumbles, but well worth a read. The download for 3 books on an Amazon deal was $4.99!
April 15, 2019
This is a no nonsense crime novel the first in a series featuring Detective Inspector Luke Thanet and Sergeant Lineham. The investigation starts when the body of Julie Holmes is found just inside her front door, stabbed with a carving knife. What is the motive, why is she wearing her outside coat with a distinctive broach, where was her husband?
All the makings of an enjoyable read as the pair follow the clues, are diverted on the Inspector's hunch and finally track down the killer. Oh! and there is the painting.
This book was first published in 1981 and has slightly dated prose but then I remember the day, brings back a simpler time with much less of the current hustle and bustle. If you like a readable novel with a straight forward sleuth then you will like this.
4 stars
All the makings of an enjoyable read as the pair follow the clues, are diverted on the Inspector's hunch and finally track down the killer. Oh! and there is the painting.
This book was first published in 1981 and has slightly dated prose but then I remember the day, brings back a simpler time with much less of the current hustle and bustle. If you like a readable novel with a straight forward sleuth then you will like this.
4 stars
April 30, 2019
A solid cozy mystery. liked that DI Thanet had such a wonderful perception of himself. A short but good read. I’m off to read the rest of the series. I love these gems to read between more serious tomes
August 1, 2024
Excellent book!! Would definitely recommend it!!
October 16, 2025
The combo average rating for this is 4 stars
I got this at the last library book sale I attended. It was fill a bag day which as I've stated previously, I'm a fillin' that bag. I didn't see many books for myself so I ended up filling the bag for my mom. She wasn't able to go to the sale so I just filled the bag with a bunch of mystery books I grabbed for her.
This was one of those random picks which she enjoyed reading. We both agreed that neither of us had heard of this writer before, but I will now look for the other books by her.
And because she liked it so much, she said I should read it too which I did.
A woman is found stabbed to death in the doorway entrance to her home. Inspector Thanet leads the investigation in this small village town in England.
My mom's review: 5 stars
She found the book hard to put down. A few times, I would look over & see her scrunching her face.
"Why are you making that face mom?"
"I'm thinking. I'm trying to figure out who did it." (hee hee!)
She also said "OOOOOHHHH!" very loudly at one point. Funnily enough, I also made that same sound & realized I'd reached the same point in the story as she had when I was reading it.
She liked the lead detective character Thanet. She felt the mystery was intriguing and had her guessing. She also liked that Thanet had a happy home life so there wasn't that added drama that some other books have with their lead detectives. She felt it was realistic in how he would mull over the case and worry about not solving it.
My review: 3.5 stars
I also liked Inspector Thanet. It was a police procedural which is always interesting, but the story does move a little slower that way.
I found the mystery intriguing too & I wasn't sure who did it either. Lots of little clues & suspects along the way.
I didn't give it 4 stars b/c there was a parallel mystery story which I wanted a bit more closure on.
Otherwise, I also found it "unputdownable."
It did remind me of the tv series: Foyle's War, Inspector Lynley, Dalgliesh, Inspector Morse, Vera.
I would recommend this to those who like British mysteries, Agatha Christie or any of the British mystery tv series starring a no-nonsense lead Detective.
I got this at the last library book sale I attended. It was fill a bag day which as I've stated previously, I'm a fillin' that bag. I didn't see many books for myself so I ended up filling the bag for my mom. She wasn't able to go to the sale so I just filled the bag with a bunch of mystery books I grabbed for her.
This was one of those random picks which she enjoyed reading. We both agreed that neither of us had heard of this writer before, but I will now look for the other books by her.
And because she liked it so much, she said I should read it too which I did.
A woman is found stabbed to death in the doorway entrance to her home. Inspector Thanet leads the investigation in this small village town in England.
My mom's review: 5 stars
She found the book hard to put down. A few times, I would look over & see her scrunching her face.
"Why are you making that face mom?"
"I'm thinking. I'm trying to figure out who did it." (hee hee!)
She also said "OOOOOHHHH!" very loudly at one point. Funnily enough, I also made that same sound & realized I'd reached the same point in the story as she had when I was reading it.
She liked the lead detective character Thanet. She felt the mystery was intriguing and had her guessing. She also liked that Thanet had a happy home life so there wasn't that added drama that some other books have with their lead detectives. She felt it was realistic in how he would mull over the case and worry about not solving it.
My review: 3.5 stars
I also liked Inspector Thanet. It was a police procedural which is always interesting, but the story does move a little slower that way.
I found the mystery intriguing too & I wasn't sure who did it either. Lots of little clues & suspects along the way.
I didn't give it 4 stars b/c there was a parallel mystery story which I wanted a bit more closure on.
Otherwise, I also found it "unputdownable."
It did remind me of the tv series: Foyle's War, Inspector Lynley, Dalgliesh, Inspector Morse, Vera.
I would recommend this to those who like British mysteries, Agatha Christie or any of the British mystery tv series starring a no-nonsense lead Detective.
September 12, 2020
I began the Inspector Thanet series with #11, found in the used-book section of my bookstore. I was drawn into the fine and deep descriptions of characters and relationships, into the delightful working bond between Thanet and his partner, Sergeant Lineham, and into those of their private lives. I was also struck by a disabled character in each book, and how people around this person handled it. A finely meshing plot, thoughtful managing of clues, and a satisfying conclusion—all these sent me on reading others in the series. I found them all to be as rewarding, really good reads.
I ended up, after being through nearly all of the 15, with this first one in the series. Because #15 was so gross I almost didn’t finish it and had a hard time understanding why, after 14 splendidly satisfying murder plots, fresh insights into human relationships, and gradually developing and growing characters (Thanet’s daughter, Bridget, is 3 in Book 1 and having her own baby by finale Book 15) that Simpson would concentrate on so much ugliness and nasty, destructive behavior.
Luckily, I had left this one, #1 until last, and discovered the beginning working relationship between Thanet and Lineham, marveled at the development it took through the series. I saw the start of the little formulas that were so comfortable to find in every book. I enjoyed the start of a really worthwhile series—at least until the last book in it. So leaving the first until last was a happy thing, leaving me with the smile that Thanet and Joan, Littleham and Louise, put on my face. Read this good series, but skip the finale.
I ended up, after being through nearly all of the 15, with this first one in the series. Because #15 was so gross I almost didn’t finish it and had a hard time understanding why, after 14 splendidly satisfying murder plots, fresh insights into human relationships, and gradually developing and growing characters (Thanet’s daughter, Bridget, is 3 in Book 1 and having her own baby by finale Book 15) that Simpson would concentrate on so much ugliness and nasty, destructive behavior.
Luckily, I had left this one, #1 until last, and discovered the beginning working relationship between Thanet and Lineham, marveled at the development it took through the series. I saw the start of the little formulas that were so comfortable to find in every book. I enjoyed the start of a really worthwhile series—at least until the last book in it. So leaving the first until last was a happy thing, leaving me with the smile that Thanet and Joan, Littleham and Louise, put on my face. Read this good series, but skip the finale.
March 22, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this 1980s crime novel, written from the perspective and thoughts of Inspector Thanet of the Kent police. The first of fifteen, it was well-written, thoughtful, and instructive. Thanet's well-grounded family life will provide, I am sure, a solid basis for the development in this series. I will certainly read on.
The GR blurb says:
"The first Inspector Luke Thanet novel, where a beautiful young woman is murdered in her own home by possibly one of the many men eager to capture her attention. Julie Holmes had always enticed men; a famous broadcaster in London, her husband, and now her new boss in Kent. Still, it is surprising that Julie would end up stabbed in the front hall of her own home, cut to the heart right through her tweed overcoat just minutes before her husband returns from evening class to find her dead... or so he says. Did he have time to wield the knife before calling for help? Several suspects can be found, but Inspector Thanet is pointed towards a foggy November evening twenty years ago when the three-year-old Julie may have witnessed a dreadful crime. Did her haunted past return to give her more than the occasional nightmare? The confident policeman learns a few things about himself as well as Julie as he investigates the night she died."
The GR blurb says:
"The first Inspector Luke Thanet novel, where a beautiful young woman is murdered in her own home by possibly one of the many men eager to capture her attention. Julie Holmes had always enticed men; a famous broadcaster in London, her husband, and now her new boss in Kent. Still, it is surprising that Julie would end up stabbed in the front hall of her own home, cut to the heart right through her tweed overcoat just minutes before her husband returns from evening class to find her dead... or so he says. Did he have time to wield the knife before calling for help? Several suspects can be found, but Inspector Thanet is pointed towards a foggy November evening twenty years ago when the three-year-old Julie may have witnessed a dreadful crime. Did her haunted past return to give her more than the occasional nightmare? The confident policeman learns a few things about himself as well as Julie as he investigates the night she died."
February 6, 2021
I liked the character of Luke Thanet at the start of the book. He was a conscientious and diligent inspector of Scotland Yard and was very good at solving a somewhat baffling murder. As the book went on I began to become frustrated with his condescending attitude and just wished that he would go home, have a big cuppa tea or a shot of brandy and regroup. It was the first book so perhaps the inspector is a bit overwhelmed and will come back in book#2 as a changed man with a little more tolerance for others abilities.
November 12, 2018
Loved it!
A new favorite Inspector and fun cases to solve and books to read! Love the characters; the sweet relationship between husband and wife.
A new favorite Inspector and fun cases to solve and books to read! Love the characters; the sweet relationship between husband and wife.
March 4, 2023
Enjoyed this very, very much. A bit of a complicated mystery with very appealing characters. Hope to read more in the series.
April 22, 2023
Well-done mystery. Old timey detective. My only disappointment is that my library doesn’t have any more Dorothy Simpson.
August 12, 2023
Nice old fashioned Murder Mystery set in England. Although it was recently published, it’s actually a rerelease of a 1980s book.
June 7, 2017
I was genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. It was a bit slow at first, but as I read, it got easier and easier. The writing is excellent and exactly what I like in a more procedural book. The plot was good--I found myself genuinely invested in Inspector Thanet, as well as his wife and children, and in the victim, Julie Holmes. However, the major digression that takes up the middle part of the book felt a bit anticlimactic--but I wonder if perhaps the next book in the series wraps that up tidily? I did feel a bit disappointed by the end, mainly because I expected something a little bit more. But in terms of an easy, enjoyable, police procedural, this was quite good.
August 29, 2021
Good read
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