The Devil Is Dead

Arnold Landon #5

by Roy Lewis

St Michael's Church may be derelict but it's not deserted. Someone still comes here to worship on nights when the moon is full. Arnold Landon should know. He's seen the grisly evidence for himself. Blood among the roses.The butchered remains of a man, tangled in the undergrowth. The victim was a traveler. How did he come to be in the churchyard? Arnold has a theory that leads back centuries, all the way to the cult of the Raging Wolf. Everyone tells him it's impossible, that the cultists are dead and buried. But the devil wears many faces--Arnold's worked in planning long enough to know that much for sure.Can he unmask the modern-day killer before anyone else pays the price?Originally published as The Devil Is Dead.

Genres: Mystery

296 pages, Paperback

Published December 31, 1990

About the author

John Royston Lewis, who published his fiction under the name Roy Lewis, was a prominent English crime writer who wrote more than 60 novels. He was also a teacher, and he taught Law for 10 years before being appointed as One of Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Further & Higher Education. He lived in the north of England where many of his novels are set.

Lewis is also the author of several law texts, which he published under the name J.R. Lewis.

Librarian's note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Margaret Barbour · Rating 3 out of 5]

Murder in the Church.

I nearly gave up on this book for quite a length of time as it was reading like a very factual documentary. About half of the way through, a story started to unfold , so I continued. I found it very heavy reading.

[Alžběta · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Murder in the Church" offers another excellent murder mystery brimming with fascinating information about history and old customs and practices. The Senior Planning Officer (and his various reincarnations) must be one of the funniest characters ever written. Lewis must have dealt with a lot of incompetence in senior positions.

[Eirlys · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was certainly addictive

A book that was impossible to put down. I got immersed in the story and the mysterious happenings. I was surprised by how many times that I was certain had solved the murders, only to find another twist baffling me.

[Mr Kenneth L Mullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good story

Another good story featuring Arnold Landon a local government planning officer and the events he keeps getting embroiled in. I sometimes wonder how he made his job. Looking forward to reading more.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another slow burner and this time we got to know all the characters - in a way paving the path to who could have been the murderer. The crime appeared quite late in the story but it made for interesting reading with the build up

[Sherry]

I really like the main character in this series and I really like these mysteries. The author sprinkles in what seems to be real archeological and history in these books which makes them even more interesting.

[John Retallick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

It's the mystery that keeps you drawn. You can never guess the outcome. I look forward to read the next story.

[Avril · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cleverly worked

Well written, made me keep guessing too Somewhat different to what I usually read very knowledgeable about the subject and ancient architecture

[Denis Tsukalas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Complicated

Was not straight forward Long in development well worth waiting. Social values played a big part. Worth waiting for the climax.

[MRS G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book enormously. I read this book first, (out of order). So I'm now on the first in the series to find out more about lovely Arnold's back story.

As always Roy Lewis characters become a wonderfully familiar part of your literary family.

I can't wait to read through the rest of the series.

[madonna Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Enough mystery to keep you involved.

Interesting people to want to know more
Can't wait to read the next one