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Inspector Thanet #13
Day for Dying
When playboy Max Jeopard is killed at his own engagement party, Inspector Luke Thanet is called in to investigate and uncovers a host of suspects, including his fiancee, a jealous brother, an ex-girlfriend, and the victim's future in-laws
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1995
About the author
Dorothy Simpson
36 books117 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 43 reviews
December 2, 2025
Summary -
When Max Jeopard, a charismatic writer is found dead, Thanet discovers he had several enemies, including his father-in-law and members of his own family. He uncovers jealousies which lay beneath Max's seemingly perfect life.
My thoughts -
Someone attending the engagement party for Max Jeopard and Tess Sylvester is responsible for Max's death. DI Thanet and DS Lineham have their work cut out for them as the number of potential suspects steadily increases as the investigation proceeds. I wasn't overly impressed by this, #13 in the series. Nevertheless, I admire Thanet's discreet handling of some sensitive issues that arise as the investigation wraps up. A solid mystery and my 3-star rating supports that. [3 - Good - better than average]
When Max Jeopard, a charismatic writer is found dead, Thanet discovers he had several enemies, including his father-in-law and members of his own family. He uncovers jealousies which lay beneath Max's seemingly perfect life.
My thoughts -
Someone attending the engagement party for Max Jeopard and Tess Sylvester is responsible for Max's death. DI Thanet and DS Lineham have their work cut out for them as the number of potential suspects steadily increases as the investigation proceeds. I wasn't overly impressed by this, #13 in the series. Nevertheless, I admire Thanet's discreet handling of some sensitive issues that arise as the investigation wraps up. A solid mystery and my 3-star rating supports that. [3 - Good - better than average]
November 24, 2020
I read this book out of order since I didn't know it was part of a series until after I had started it. Inspector Thanet is compassionate, and much less flamboyant then many of the detectives featured in classic and cozy mysteries. The clues are all there for the reader to see, though I didn't guess who committed the murder. I enjoyed this, and will now start the series from the beginning.
July 30, 2024
Max is such a douchebag!!! Kinda glad he got what he deserved.
May 9, 2022
Didn't realize I had read book 14 and skipped this one! But no problem in reading a little out of order. I so enjoy this series and sad to see there is only one more left.
April 10, 2019
As in most Inspector Thanet mysteries, the characters have many dimensions. The author who died in a pool on the night of his engagement party is a case in point - charisma and talent matched to extreme selfishness. But death isn't all that's going on, by any means. From the dying daughter of the gardener to the Grande Dame's unborn grandchild, Simpson has a lot of sympathy to share.
Read 2 times
Read 2 times
October 8, 2013
1995, #13 Inspector Luke Thanet, Sturrenden, Kent; cosy police procedural - four stars.
A man’s body is found in the swimming pool, thus putting a definite stop to a fancy party supposedly celebrating his engagement to the beautiful daughter of the household.
Another smooth, intricate, and tidy tale of malfeasance amongst the wealthy folks in a small town, from a Master of the genre. Not too sweet, has a bit of sly humor, and superb characterizations (including just enough personal interactions with Thanet to show he is human), mixed with a solid, convoluted, and interesting plot, making this an enjoyable read.
A man’s body is found in the swimming pool, thus putting a definite stop to a fancy party supposedly celebrating his engagement to the beautiful daughter of the household.
Another smooth, intricate, and tidy tale of malfeasance amongst the wealthy folks in a small town, from a Master of the genre. Not too sweet, has a bit of sly humor, and superb characterizations (including just enough personal interactions with Thanet to show he is human), mixed with a solid, convoluted, and interesting plot, making this an enjoyable read.
January 3, 2019
This one had me as "keen as mustard." (Page x) I'm not exactly sure what that means... but I am definitely into mustard and the series.
Hold on there, I googled it and instead of saying "he thinks he's hot stuff," you can now expect me to make clever comments like, "he's so mustard rn."
Hold on there, I googled it and instead of saying "he thinks he's hot stuff," you can now expect me to make clever comments like, "he's so mustard rn."
March 12, 2025
A good, straightforward who dun it. Believable characters the beaver away searching clues but Thanet usually has an eureka moment. 3 stars.
February 24, 2024
I presume there are single people out there who are dying to get married. But this book describes a situation where Max Jeopard died on his wedding day. Someone brutally murdered him at poolside, and they had to fish his body out of the water. Never mind that the travel writer was also a strong swimmer. He was essentially dead when he hit the water.
But there are no end of suspects for Luke Thanet and his cohort, Mike Lineham. One suspect deals with schizophrenia. You know he’s a bit too obvious. Things get super dicey when a young Brazilian girl arrives at the cop shop looking for Jeopard. Seems he impregnated her while he was in her country.
I love this series because the mystery is amazing always and the end of this one was particularly emotional and entirely unexpected. I’m nearly finished with the series—two more books, I think. I’ll miss Thanet, his wife, and their two kids. I’ll miss the way he solves cases, too.
But there are no end of suspects for Luke Thanet and his cohort, Mike Lineham. One suspect deals with schizophrenia. You know he’s a bit too obvious. Things get super dicey when a young Brazilian girl arrives at the cop shop looking for Jeopard. Seems he impregnated her while he was in her country.
I love this series because the mystery is amazing always and the end of this one was particularly emotional and entirely unexpected. I’m nearly finished with the series—two more books, I think. I’ll miss Thanet, his wife, and their two kids. I’ll miss the way he solves cases, too.
March 25, 2024
A little over stars.
I was bored. The book was only 280 pages, but I kept counting how far along I was. 10% is 28 pages, 20% is 56 pages, etc....
The story didn't seem to go anywhere until the ah-ha moment. The conclusion, as usual, is pretty far fetched. Unfortunately, when I was trying to figure out how long the book was, I encountered the word , so I immediately figured out who the killer was.
I am still not sure if I was supposed to dislike the victim. The author kept trying to paint him as some spoiled individual who always got his way, but at the same time he seemed pretty fascinating, especially to women, which makes the conclusion even made less sense. Why would he feel the need to do what he did?
I was bored. The book was only 280 pages, but I kept counting how far along I was. 10% is 28 pages, 20% is 56 pages, etc....
The story didn't seem to go anywhere until the ah-ha moment. The conclusion, as usual, is pretty far fetched. Unfortunately, when I was trying to figure out how long the book was, I encountered the word , so I immediately figured out who the killer was.
I am still not sure if I was supposed to dislike the victim. The author kept trying to paint him as some spoiled individual who always got his way, but at the same time he seemed pretty fascinating, especially to women, which makes the conclusion even made less sense. Why would he feel the need to do what he did?
May 30, 2021
Simpson really is a master at this genre, and I like that there aren't a ton of red herrings (though there are a lot of suspects) here. You're able to solve the murder along with the detectives - but I couldn't hit upon 'why'? And that's resolved in a twist that probably seemed modern when this was written, but less so now.
This is a classic murder set up, and Thanet and Lineham respond as only they can. I really enjoy this series - it's like a more modern Agatha Christie - and this book is no exception. It's fast-paced, and shows the detective team being brought into the modern age through their families.
You could read this as a standalone.
This is a classic murder set up, and Thanet and Lineham respond as only they can. I really enjoy this series - it's like a more modern Agatha Christie - and this book is no exception. It's fast-paced, and shows the detective team being brought into the modern age through their families.
You could read this as a standalone.
October 22, 2024
A young man is found dead in a private swimming pool during his own engagement party. It turns out that apart from his besotted, long-suffering fiancee, many people disliked or distrusted the charming, charismatic Max. A travel writer who would take off when he felt like it, a womanizer, his mother's favorite but otherwise not a very nice person. Plenty of suspects: his future in-laws, who feared he would lead their daughter a sorry life, his brother, his ex-girlfriend, the man who got jilted when Max returned from a long trip.
I figured out who the murderer was pretty early on, so that's an automatic subtraction of a star. Enjoyable in its genre. I liked the cover art.
I figured out who the murderer was pretty early on, so that's an automatic subtraction of a star. Enjoyable in its genre. I liked the cover art.
March 10, 2018
I'm a fan of the entire Inspector Thanet series and this one is a particular favourite because of the psychology involved. There's some fine bit of detection pieced together painstakingly by Thanet and Lineham, and ending with one of Thanet's brilliant brainwaves that results in the unveiling of a murder, the circumstances of which are tragic. What I like is the fact that though Simpson has been ruthless and real in her plotting and characterization, putting down facts in her dry, matter-of-fact way, she still manages to evoke emotion and pity.
October 14, 2018
I've liked most of the books so far, and this one is as good as each of those. Simpson continues to weave what's going on in Thanet's life with the current case, which is an interesting way to provide clues, because they're definitely in there. Like so many of the stories in this series, though, I rather wished by the end that he hadn't solved it. These are more modern mysteries, with the bad guys/good guys less clearly delineated at times, leaving the reader feeling conflicted. Still very enjoyable, though.
September 20, 2019
I enjoyed this, but it's not as good as some others in the same series.
One thing I like about the Thanet series is that it gives you clues as you read the books and if you pick them up you can figure out "who done it." This is true of this book.I prefer this to the mysteries in which the solution comes out of thin air.
In this book a travel writer dies during the party being given by his in-laws-to-be to celebrate his engagement to their daughter--except it's pretty clear they aren't all that happy about the engagement.
One thing I like about the Thanet series is that it gives you clues as you read the books and if you pick them up you can figure out "who done it." This is true of this book.I prefer this to the mysteries in which the solution comes out of thin air.
In this book a travel writer dies during the party being given by his in-laws-to-be to celebrate his engagement to their daughter--except it's pretty clear they aren't all that happy about the engagement.
February 5, 2022
I enjoyed this one, even if the usual defensive reactions irritated me, as did Thanet's submissive manner during his questioning. I'm certain no other homicide detective would react the way Thanet always does when his suspects or witnesses turn belligerent. He meekly apologises and allows the crap attitude every single book. I know Angela Marsons' Kim Stone wouldn't.
Yet I admit a fondness for this series (written in the 80s and early 90s), faults and all. I'm sad I have only 2 more books left in the series.
I did not guess who was involved in Max's death.
Yet I admit a fondness for this series (written in the 80s and early 90s), faults and all. I'm sad I have only 2 more books left in the series.
I did not guess who was involved in Max's death.
February 1, 2019
Of the handful of Dorothy Simpson's cosy mysteries I’ve read, this one is by far her weakest effort : a small cast of paper-thin characters, a feeble plot that limps along without the benefit of suspense and more than the usual fillers regarding Inspector Thanet’s home life, lumbago, beloved wife, son and daughter, etc. etc.
April 4, 2019
Good murder mystery, great characters and development. I think what I appreciate the most about Simpson's mysteries is that she also includes the messy-have-no-clear-answers aspects of life--in this particular book, the difficulties of how to take care of those who are mentally ill. Very timely, great perspectives.
April 14, 2021
Another day in the world of Thanet.
What a wonderful gift Ms. Simpson has and always a joy to read her books 📚. I hope that she will find a way to create several more stories for us to read and relish the characters of Thanet. Bravo 👏 Your stories are a very wonderful treat 👏.
What a wonderful gift Ms. Simpson has and always a joy to read her books 📚. I hope that she will find a way to create several more stories for us to read and relish the characters of Thanet. Bravo 👏 Your stories are a very wonderful treat 👏.
June 19, 2023
I sure wish we could do 1/2 stars on the ratings. This little mystery would be a 3.5 as would many others I've rated as 3's. Also some I've rated as 4's but that really quite measure up to many solid 4's in my opinion.
December 24, 2023
one of my half dozen favorite authors.
No suspense or violence, outside of a regrettable murder. The scenario is believable and likely, the denouement sad. I get so caught up in their lives I want to know what happened next.
No suspense or violence, outside of a regrettable murder. The scenario is believable and likely, the denouement sad. I get so caught up in their lives I want to know what happened next.
March 9, 2024
Excellent
Ms Simpson is a favorite author for me. She writes very well. You get a good image in your mind of the characters and plot situations. She very good at describing the human elements of the story.
Ms Simpson is a favorite author for me. She writes very well. You get a good image in your mind of the characters and plot situations. She very good at describing the human elements of the story.
March 23, 2024
Thanet solves the mystery of the cad drowned in the pool at his own engagement party. This particular cad had caused grief and anguish among many, especially the young woman he raped and passed HIV to.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2024
Not one of my favorites of this series, which I mostly really like. The story was slow and the characters just not that interesting to me. The ending was more interesting, but also dated. However, I remember those days well.
October 31, 2024
Not bad, but a bit slow
Quite enjoyable book, but the detective work itself seemed a bit slow for me. Not truly boring, but a bit slow. Also, the last chapter when Thanet’s wife is told how the concluding was reached was quite unnecessary, I thought.
Quite enjoyable book, but the detective work itself seemed a bit slow for me. Not truly boring, but a bit slow. Also, the last chapter when Thanet’s wife is told how the concluding was reached was quite unnecessary, I thought.
November 17, 2017
Really like this series!
January 12, 2018
Believable characters
Fantastic .. Have thoroughly enjoyed the whole series. Great characters with a home life and don't have to swear to make themselves understood.
Fantastic .. Have thoroughly enjoyed the whole series. Great characters with a home life and don't have to swear to make themselves understood.
May 29, 2018
One of the best in the series
August 31, 2019
Knowing a favorite series is complete and getting ever closer to the last book is bittersweet. I've enjoyed this series and characters very much.
September 11, 2020
I am enjoying this series and will be sorry to see it end.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews