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A grave affair
He had only been gone a few minutes…
His life was supposed to have been the one that was under threat, his profession making him a target for many, but Edmund Burke returns to his car to find his young lover is the one to have been murdered.
The affair will be revealed if he reports the death, so he turns to an old friend for help.
The crime is discovered and suddenly it is more than just Burke’s reputation at stake.
Surely as a Member of the House of Commons he ought to be above suspicion?
But a series of clues including with the discovery of the body all seem to point straight to Burke. As witnesses begin to emerge, eager to tell their stories, things start to look even worse for him.
One particular man swears Burke is responsible.
Is he guilty?
He says not.
Somebody is lying and the truth needs to be uncovered.
A Grave Affair is a chilling thriller that leads you on a twisted path to the truth.
His life was supposed to have been the one that was under threat, his profession making him a target for many, but Edmund Burke returns to his car to find his young lover is the one to have been murdered.
The affair will be revealed if he reports the death, so he turns to an old friend for help.
The crime is discovered and suddenly it is more than just Burke’s reputation at stake.
Surely as a Member of the House of Commons he ought to be above suspicion?
But a series of clues including with the discovery of the body all seem to point straight to Burke. As witnesses begin to emerge, eager to tell their stories, things start to look even worse for him.
One particular man swears Burke is responsible.
Is he guilty?
He says not.
Somebody is lying and the truth needs to be uncovered.
A Grave Affair is a chilling thriller that leads you on a twisted path to the truth.
- GenresMystery
203 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1971
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 22, 2017
Shelley Smith was the pen name for Nancy Bodington, who wrote several novels between 1942 and 1978. This is one of her later books, published in 1971 and does seem a little dated now in terms of attitudes; particularly towards women.
The story involves Edmund Burke, a government minister who is due to attend Middle East peace talks. His wife, Cynthia, is having an affair with millionaire press baron, Mark Nevinson. This leaves Edmund to roam, which he does – indeed, when we meet him he is having lunch with the beautiful television personality, Alys. Alys is also very much a free spirit; having just returned from a trip to Jordan and the Lebanon with political journalist, Douglas, with whom she is also having a relationship. Confused? It does read a little like a Seventies farce at first, but Alys is concerned because, while in the Middle East, she overheard plots against Edmund’s life. However, it is Alys who is killed and this leads to Edmund clumsily attempting to cover up the crime.
This is a fairly average thriller. There are lots of suspicious Middle Eastern men, attempting to derail the peace talks, intrigue, and the threat of Edmund being uncovered as an adulterer and murderer, which will destroy his career. I quite liked the character of Cynthia, Edmund’s wife, but sadly we really do not get to know Alys too well and many of the other characters just seem too stereotypical. I would like to try one of Smith’s earlier novels, as I suspect I might like that more.
The story involves Edmund Burke, a government minister who is due to attend Middle East peace talks. His wife, Cynthia, is having an affair with millionaire press baron, Mark Nevinson. This leaves Edmund to roam, which he does – indeed, when we meet him he is having lunch with the beautiful television personality, Alys. Alys is also very much a free spirit; having just returned from a trip to Jordan and the Lebanon with political journalist, Douglas, with whom she is also having a relationship. Confused? It does read a little like a Seventies farce at first, but Alys is concerned because, while in the Middle East, she overheard plots against Edmund’s life. However, it is Alys who is killed and this leads to Edmund clumsily attempting to cover up the crime.
This is a fairly average thriller. There are lots of suspicious Middle Eastern men, attempting to derail the peace talks, intrigue, and the threat of Edmund being uncovered as an adulterer and murderer, which will destroy his career. I quite liked the character of Cynthia, Edmund’s wife, but sadly we really do not get to know Alys too well and many of the other characters just seem too stereotypical. I would like to try one of Smith’s earlier novels, as I suspect I might like that more.
April 18, 2017
3.5 Stars
Edmund Burke is a member of the House of Commons. His profession made him a target for many people... but it's not him who loses his life.
While on an outing with his young beautiful lover, he takes his wife's dog for a short walk. When he returns, he finds her in his car ... murdered.
He decides to not report the death ... the hint of an affair will ruin his reputation. So he calls an old friend for help.
Eventually, when the crime is discovered, he is number one suspect and all clues seem to point directly to him.
A man comes forward and says he knows that Burke is responsible.
Who is this man? Is Burke being framed? Or is Burke lying about what happened?
I found this book to be a little slow in the beginning, but it did pick up pace, leading to a surprising conclusion. Not all the characters are likeable .... just the way the author meant them to be. I didn't find this one highly suspenseful, but it was mysterious.
Many thanks to Endeavour Press and Netgalley for the digital copy of A GRAVE AFFAIR. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Edmund Burke is a member of the House of Commons. His profession made him a target for many people... but it's not him who loses his life.
While on an outing with his young beautiful lover, he takes his wife's dog for a short walk. When he returns, he finds her in his car ... murdered.
He decides to not report the death ... the hint of an affair will ruin his reputation. So he calls an old friend for help.
Eventually, when the crime is discovered, he is number one suspect and all clues seem to point directly to him.
A man comes forward and says he knows that Burke is responsible.
Who is this man? Is Burke being framed? Or is Burke lying about what happened?
I found this book to be a little slow in the beginning, but it did pick up pace, leading to a surprising conclusion. Not all the characters are likeable .... just the way the author meant them to be. I didn't find this one highly suspenseful, but it was mysterious.
Many thanks to Endeavour Press and Netgalley for the digital copy of A GRAVE AFFAIR. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
June 17, 2018
I can't say this book enraptured me with it's detail for storytelling or imagination, it did not. But I finished it nonetheless because I really thought the ending for Edmund would be way more phenomenal or at least more reproachful in details in it's conclusion. I was left in the end feeling as if the story ended way before he went to trial. Although the literal writing of the story had good texture and structure the story fell short of substance. I'm not all that privy to reading British language and epithets but it was so much long winded wording as if this were written in the 1840s instead of more present times.
March 27, 2017
Edmund Burke is both respected and hated. As a member of Britain’s House of Commons, Burke’s position can be a dangerous one. His every move is under scrutiny, so his infidelity must be kept secret. When Burke’s mistress is murdered, suspicion begins mounting against him.
I found this book to be a bit slow at the beginning. But once it got going, it moved along at a steady pace.
The author’s writing is intelligent. This is a compelling tale of political intrigue, secrets and deception – all great qualities in a suspenseful mystery. It reminded me of a good old-fashioned murder mystery. Well worth the read!
I found this book to be a bit slow at the beginning. But once it got going, it moved along at a steady pace.
The author’s writing is intelligent. This is a compelling tale of political intrigue, secrets and deception – all great qualities in a suspenseful mystery. It reminded me of a good old-fashioned murder mystery. Well worth the read!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews