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Devonshire Mysteries #1
A Study in Stone
Dan Corrigan wants to disappear.
Burnt out by the pressures of corporate life, he escapes to the countryside. But when he least expects it, a chance discovery draws him into a compelling mystery. An ancient legend, a coded message on a stone slab, and a secret concealed in a country manor house: these are the clues that take Dan on a journey into the past, delving deeper into a hidden history. But reputations are on the line, and there are those who want the mystery to remain unsolved. Uncovering the truth might give Dan the confidence to rebuild his life, but if he fails, there’s no going back.
Burnt out by the pressures of corporate life, he escapes to the countryside. But when he least expects it, a chance discovery draws him into a compelling mystery. An ancient legend, a coded message on a stone slab, and a secret concealed in a country manor house: these are the clues that take Dan on a journey into the past, delving deeper into a hidden history. But reputations are on the line, and there are those who want the mystery to remain unsolved. Uncovering the truth might give Dan the confidence to rebuild his life, but if he fails, there’s no going back.
162 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 31, 2019
2049 people are currently reading
660 people want to read
About the author
Michael Campling
42 books39 followersSee also GoodReads Author's profile under Mikey Campling
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 207 reviews
November 23, 2020
I would have given the story another star, but Dan Corrigan was such a dreadfully pretentious character that I couldn't. He's also not too smart since I had the secret figured out as soon as the Great War was mentioned in connection with Cyril.
Alan is okay, but I'd pour a pot of Dan's favorite coffee over Corrigan's head for being such so obnoxious.
Alan is okay, but I'd pour a pot of Dan's favorite coffee over Corrigan's head for being such so obnoxious.
March 3, 2021
I’d like to give this about 3.8 stars as crime fiction - a bit more as a regional mystery novella. I agree with other readers that Dan is obnoxious. He is, however, recognisable and understandable as is his relationship with Allan. It is refreshing to engage with a productive, developing, mutual supportive male friendship in the context of crime fiction. I found it believable.
I also enjoyed the settings - both Devon and the WWI battlefield - and their role in the narrative. Yes, it’s true I could guess where the plot was going, but that mattered little. It is still a powerful story and part of an ongoing one that needs to be told continuously in all its aspects - lest we forget.
I found it compelling, moving and uplifting. It’s most appropriate that newly formed, somewhat grumpy male friendship should be the vehicle that unravels this particular mystery.
I also enjoyed the settings - both Devon and the WWI battlefield - and their role in the narrative. Yes, it’s true I could guess where the plot was going, but that mattered little. It is still a powerful story and part of an ongoing one that needs to be told continuously in all its aspects - lest we forget.
I found it compelling, moving and uplifting. It’s most appropriate that newly formed, somewhat grumpy male friendship should be the vehicle that unravels this particular mystery.
June 24, 2019
A really fun British mystery story, that can be read in an afternoon.
March 26, 2021
Not a murder mystery, not a romance, just a really good story with plenty of clues and things to go chasing after, a mystery to be solved. Dan, who's on an extended leave from London(he actually was fired from his posh job there) takes up residence at his sister's vacation home in the little town of Dartmore, England. There's no wifi, no cable, actually only 4 tv channels, very dodgy cell phone connection....what's a person to do here? There's a pub, where all the locals gather for a pint and a bit of gab. Dan meets his neighbor, Alan, and after they find out about a certain sunken well in this coffee shop, they go off to find out the real truth about this well. One thing leads to another, one clue leads to another revelation. It's not earth shattering, but still a good story and well told. And it's short...100 pages and a quick read. I hope you like this book as much as I did.
March 1, 2021
"You have all the tact of a gently lobbed hand grenade," Alan Hargreaves tells his new neighbour, as they go about asking questions re: some strange writing on a stone and what it means. Alan, a writer of adventure stories for children, delivers these unique turns of phrase; all the deadpan humor, neatly woven into the text, gave me many chuckles.
Fresh from the dog-eat-dog world of corporate London, hard-nosed and wary, Dan Corrigan definitely lacks people skills. But the corporate world has chewed him up and spit him out; now he's going to lick his wounds in a peaceful country setting, his sister's rental cottage in a remote Devon village. When he arrives a passing neighbour stops to chat. The silence hits him. Settling in, he finds he can only get four channels on the telly – and no internet service! Peaceful soon becomes bored stiff so he joins his neighbour Alan at the local pub. All through the book the author has an amusing way of dealing with Dan's "This isn't London" frustrations.
In a coffee shop the next day a curious code on a stone attracts their attention and Dan's tenacious attempts to learn the story behind it take them on this long adventure. I really liked Alan's character; his level-headed and congenial nature makes a great foil for Dan's skeptical, abrasive one. He helps Dan make the adjustment to another world, chiding him at times for his "you out here in the sticks" remarks.
The mystery in this story isn't a menacing one and, having read some WWI history, I guessed the answers Dan and Alan were searching for. But the story's compelling and the writing enjoyable; once I started I didn't quit reading until I was done. I enjoyed the excerpt for the next novel the author has included at the end and definitely want to read this one, too.
Fresh from the dog-eat-dog world of corporate London, hard-nosed and wary, Dan Corrigan definitely lacks people skills. But the corporate world has chewed him up and spit him out; now he's going to lick his wounds in a peaceful country setting, his sister's rental cottage in a remote Devon village. When he arrives a passing neighbour stops to chat. The silence hits him. Settling in, he finds he can only get four channels on the telly – and no internet service! Peaceful soon becomes bored stiff so he joins his neighbour Alan at the local pub. All through the book the author has an amusing way of dealing with Dan's "This isn't London" frustrations.
In a coffee shop the next day a curious code on a stone attracts their attention and Dan's tenacious attempts to learn the story behind it take them on this long adventure. I really liked Alan's character; his level-headed and congenial nature makes a great foil for Dan's skeptical, abrasive one. He helps Dan make the adjustment to another world, chiding him at times for his "you out here in the sticks" remarks.
The mystery in this story isn't a menacing one and, having read some WWI history, I guessed the answers Dan and Alan were searching for. But the story's compelling and the writing enjoyable; once I started I didn't quit reading until I was done. I enjoyed the excerpt for the next novel the author has included at the end and definitely want to read this one, too.
June 17, 2021
What a delightful surprise! A Study in Stone was not what I had expected..not a mystery with a fresh murder and an investigation. This brilliant story was a mystery of the historical kind, which is one of my favs! The hunt for a good cup of coffee leads Dan and his neighbor Alan on a trek through the past to discover what happened to a local man 100 years ago. Containing many of the twists and turns you'd expect in a traditional mystery and a very satisfying conclusion would make this a great read on their own, but add to it, the Frick & Frack type relationship of Dan an Alan, and you get an exceptional read!
November 18, 2020
Mystery was not very interesting. Characters were not that likeable, and neither had a very fleshed out personality. Just a bunch of back and forth banter. I don't remember reading where we find out what Alan did for a living, but it was casually dropped in the story in pieces as if we'd been told. While Dan's backstory was unfortunate, it was implied in earlier bits as if it was much more ominous. A rather choppy story.
July 25, 2020
The main characters are nasty human beings. Unusual for an alleged cozy Mystery. Didnt finish reading the book.
October 17, 2021
A mildly entertaining story in which 2 men meet and decide to solve a mystery involving local soldiers who fought in the war. The take is told in a fairly prosaic way and the effect was not helped by the laconic delivery of the narrator in the audiobook version.
August 23, 2023
I was attracted to this book because it is set in Devonshire, England. Devon was one of my favorite places which I visited in England, simply a beautiful place with lovely landscapes. As for the book, it was really not very engaging and I was just glad for it to be finished.
October 10, 2019
Nice! It's refreshing to find a mystery that doesn't involve a serial killer or police procedure. I like historical puzzles and found the whole story interesting, but it's the characters that really made it work. Dan and Alan are an unlikely pair, having very different personalities, but a shared inability to leave a puzzle unsolved sparks a friendship. I loved that Alan quietly refused to go away when Dan was being obnoxious. By the end of the book, it's hard to say which of the two is actually the main character. They aren't Sherlock and Watson, but I liked their refusal to give up until the mystery was solved and the best coffee shop was found. Also, I learned a bit of history and enjoyed the scattered bits of dry humor. This book is fun.
April 6, 2021
I read in kindle, and it was a treat. It is easy to read and follow the story, there are some sorts of twist unpredictable, but it tells the compelling story about a family grief. It has some sad nostalgic feeling at some parts. The author not hold back in defining the weakness of the characters, make them more realistic in the point you could decide what is your personal view of them and easy to condemn it. Not only that, but this is an easy read, and it could be done in a short period, but you can remember the story, and it does set some question in general about people and culture (and ourselves as well).
June 13, 2020
Think of the great detective pairs down through time, now add Dan and Alan
A happenstance meeting of two men leads to a sleuthing holiday for Dan, who needs it, and an exercise of discovery for Alan, who needs the exercise. Their repartee isn't slick, but it's genuine. Their developing friendship isn't a foregone conclusion, but it's organic. The ending was not what I expected, it was just such a shame. A century of shame. I recommend this book. A tale Miss Marple would appreciate.
A happenstance meeting of two men leads to a sleuthing holiday for Dan, who needs it, and an exercise of discovery for Alan, who needs the exercise. Their repartee isn't slick, but it's genuine. Their developing friendship isn't a foregone conclusion, but it's organic. The ending was not what I expected, it was just such a shame. A century of shame. I recommend this book. A tale Miss Marple would appreciate.
March 31, 2021
If you are looking for a quick cozy read then this novella might be just the thing, the first in what is currently a series of 4. Dan Corrigan has fled to Devonshire from London, from a high pressure job. He and his next door neighbour Alan make an unlikely sleuthing duo (they remind me a bit of the Fethering mysteries with Carole and Jude), but neither can leave a mystery alone, and the puzzle confronting them has more serious implications than it first seems.
September 28, 2021
I give this 3.5 for a first book. Not a murder mystery, but a historical family puzzle. I thought there were a few grammatical errors, but overall I liked his style. I look forward to reading his second book.
November 15, 2020
A quick read. Written on a very basic level. It's missing all kinds of depth and credibility.
August 10, 2021
This book was not what I was expecting.
I was expecting a murder mystery, with the classic 'whodunnit' formula. Instead, it was simply a mystery mystery, with a 'whydunnit' theme.
But, this is not a bad thing. This is a nice little read where we can sit back and enjoy the ride while Alan and Dan follow the clues to work out the mystery of the coded engraving on a stone they come across in a coffee shop.
The plot is a bit light weight, but when I read this book, I was happy to read a mystery that did not involve mayhem and murder.
Although it is overall an easy book to read, it took me a while to get into it. Mainly because I was not convinced by the relationship between Dan and Alan. Dan is abrasive, and quite frankly, more than a bit of a twat. Alan is an older chap, and while appearing to be more relaxed, can be a short tempered curmudgeon. The bad tempered banter between them, followed by chagrined grins is often unconvincing.
But, that being said, if you are looking for a 'nice' mystery, that doesn't include murder and bloodshed, this is a book that you can sit down with over a few hours.
I was expecting a murder mystery, with the classic 'whodunnit' formula. Instead, it was simply a mystery mystery, with a 'whydunnit' theme.
But, this is not a bad thing. This is a nice little read where we can sit back and enjoy the ride while Alan and Dan follow the clues to work out the mystery of the coded engraving on a stone they come across in a coffee shop.
The plot is a bit light weight, but when I read this book, I was happy to read a mystery that did not involve mayhem and murder.
Although it is overall an easy book to read, it took me a while to get into it. Mainly because I was not convinced by the relationship between Dan and Alan. Dan is abrasive, and quite frankly, more than a bit of a twat. Alan is an older chap, and while appearing to be more relaxed, can be a short tempered curmudgeon. The bad tempered banter between them, followed by chagrined grins is often unconvincing.
But, that being said, if you are looking for a 'nice' mystery, that doesn't include murder and bloodshed, this is a book that you can sit down with over a few hours.
September 18, 2022
3.5 stars
A short, engaging mystery. As many other reviewers have noted, one of the main characters is a too bull-headed to be likable (having "all the tact of a gently lobbed hand grenade"), but I imagine Campling was trying to develop a non-typical protagonist.
Depending on your age you could either identify with city-dweller Dan's love for over-priced coffee and vegan food or just find it amusing that he is mindlessly following the latest trends. Although the book was too short for much character building, one of its strengths was in having Dan occasionally wonder whether life in the fast lane was really that great.
The author makes it clear from the very beginning that Dan and Alan are friends and not a couple, which I thought was awkward, but in this day and age, I guess that's something you have to make clear.
A short, engaging mystery. As many other reviewers have noted, one of the main characters is a too bull-headed to be likable (having "all the tact of a gently lobbed hand grenade"), but I imagine Campling was trying to develop a non-typical protagonist.
Depending on your age you could either identify with city-dweller Dan's love for over-priced coffee and vegan food or just find it amusing that he is mindlessly following the latest trends. Although the book was too short for much character building, one of its strengths was in having Dan occasionally wonder whether life in the fast lane was really that great.
The author makes it clear from the very beginning that Dan and Alan are friends and not a couple, which I thought was awkward, but in this day and age, I guess that's something you have to make clear.
August 18, 2021
Well, this is a first. Normally whether I enjoy a book depends on how much I like the central character. I disliked Dan who was a walking cliche and unpleasant, but I found the book a fun, light read.
The mystery revolves around an inscription on a misplaced stone and the airbrushing of a young man from his family history. It's not deep or complicated. A quick, easy read with an interesting mystery to solve.
Recommend to readers of cozy mysteries.
The mystery revolves around an inscription on a misplaced stone and the airbrushing of a young man from his family history. It's not deep or complicated. A quick, easy read with an interesting mystery to solve.
Recommend to readers of cozy mysteries.
March 19, 2020
Dan Corrigan was a high powered corporate executive who had reached the burn out point and was sacked by his company. He borrows his sister's old beater car and gets the keys to her holiday cottage in Devon. His neighbor, Alan Hargreaves is a retired teacher who invites Dan to join him at the pub and have a pint. When Dan says that he needs to get a new coffee filter and a sharp knife for the cottage, Alan tells him that they can find it in nearby Exeter and offers to go with Dan the next day. Dan wants to find a really great little coffee shop and not just one of the big chain stores. They decide to try The Aquifer Café. The owner of the café claims that the café is built over the St. Sidwell well and has her grandfather's Roman artifacts on display along with a stone that is written in code and probably from the Edwardian error. She claims that no one has been able to decode the stone and offers a free cup of coffee and a piece of their famous chocolate cake if they can decode it. Dan and Alan start working on decoding it and between them they try quite a few different types of code and finally come upon one where paper was wrapped around a staff and the message written vertically on the paper. Using mathematical equations, they are able to break the code and it seems that the stone may have been a headstone for Cyril Kenning. When they confront Deborah with this, she throws them out of the café. Determined to break this code, they visit the Kenning Estate which offers tours in only certain areas of the estate. When they come upon the private secret garden and discover where the headstone had been taken from, they get thrown out. They visit the local church and cemetery and come away with more information, but also a confrontation with Martin Kenning and his father, David. Whatever happened to Cyril Kenning in the first World War is something they don't want anyone finding out. The sad thing is that to uphold the family honor, the family themselves never really bothered to find out the true story of how Cyril died and it was not as a deserter as they had thought. The ending is quite touching with a family finally finding out the truth about a courageous young man who only tried to help others and ended up losing his life because of that.
May 4, 2021
Summary
Dan was the stereotypical demanding office executive who got let go from his job and decided to escape into the countryside. He met up with his new neighbour, Alan for a cup of coffee at the Aquifer Cafe. The owner of the cafe, Deborah, told them a story about having an ancient well at the back of the cafe. That piqued the men’s interest. However, after observing the odd fake relics, the object that really interested them was a plaque with a bunch of letters and dots. It resembled some sort of code…. Deborah offered them a slice of free cake if they could decipher it.
Naturally, the pair succeeded in breaking the code and Dan, became furious that Deborah was lying to them about the false info regarding the well and how she found the plaque. He became extremely rude and got kicked out of the cafe. Dan continued to try to dig into why she was lying, by researching into her family. The pair continued to visit the different places in the town to find out more. Due to Dan’s extremely abrasive personality, the pair was not making a good impression on most of the people they encountered…. this made investigating a bit troublesome….
Why were Deborah’s family lying about how one of their ancestors died? What were they hiding?
Conclusion
I love historical mysteries, so this was quite interesting to me. I really hope that Dan’s rude behaviour can improve in the future novels. Digging into people’s business and being rude to the interviewees is never a good idea.
One main takeaway was the historical background info about the executions that happened during the Great War. Many deserters or soldiers that acting oddly due to combat fatigue and battle neurosis were executed. We now know this was related to PTSD. This was a shock to me….
Dan was the stereotypical demanding office executive who got let go from his job and decided to escape into the countryside. He met up with his new neighbour, Alan for a cup of coffee at the Aquifer Cafe. The owner of the cafe, Deborah, told them a story about having an ancient well at the back of the cafe. That piqued the men’s interest. However, after observing the odd fake relics, the object that really interested them was a plaque with a bunch of letters and dots. It resembled some sort of code…. Deborah offered them a slice of free cake if they could decipher it.
Naturally, the pair succeeded in breaking the code and Dan, became furious that Deborah was lying to them about the false info regarding the well and how she found the plaque. He became extremely rude and got kicked out of the cafe. Dan continued to try to dig into why she was lying, by researching into her family. The pair continued to visit the different places in the town to find out more. Due to Dan’s extremely abrasive personality, the pair was not making a good impression on most of the people they encountered…. this made investigating a bit troublesome….
Why were Deborah’s family lying about how one of their ancestors died? What were they hiding?
Conclusion
I love historical mysteries, so this was quite interesting to me. I really hope that Dan’s rude behaviour can improve in the future novels. Digging into people’s business and being rude to the interviewees is never a good idea.
One main takeaway was the historical background info about the executions that happened during the Great War. Many deserters or soldiers that acting oddly due to combat fatigue and battle neurosis were executed. We now know this was related to PTSD. This was a shock to me….
November 12, 2020
Actually 3.75 stars for this book. Rarely do I give such high mark to first books in a series but this one was fun and fast paced while avoiding many of the faults of cozy mystery.
In this first book, Dan, a Londoner suffering a burnout, an Alan, former teacher turned author, join forces to elucidate a mystery set in motion during a visit at a local café. Dan, being used to a fast-paced life, is a bit discombobulated when he arrives at his sister’s house in Devonshire and Alan, his friendly neighbor, keen on finding inspiration for his new book are both intrigued by a coded inscription on a stone slab shown to them in a cafe in town. Throughout this fast-paced adventure, they face the wrath of the family that owns the stone that sends both men on a quest to discover the truth and the truth comes out in the end.
In this first book, Dan, a Londoner suffering a burnout, an Alan, former teacher turned author, join forces to elucidate a mystery set in motion during a visit at a local café. Dan, being used to a fast-paced life, is a bit discombobulated when he arrives at his sister’s house in Devonshire and Alan, his friendly neighbor, keen on finding inspiration for his new book are both intrigued by a coded inscription on a stone slab shown to them in a cafe in town. Throughout this fast-paced adventure, they face the wrath of the family that owns the stone that sends both men on a quest to discover the truth and the truth comes out in the end.
January 28, 2021
No spoilers
What an absolutely delightful book! Between the mystery and the wonderful writing I enjoyed every page!
The two main characters are skillfully presented, well fleshed-out and yet there is room to add to their personae in future books. I appreciated the descriptions of the rural area where this tale took place; it was presented with few words, but was on-the-nose scene building.
It is not often a mystery is not built around a murder yet succeeds
in the mystery genre. There is a Doyle feeling underlying the enjoyment which this tale brings, but it would be amiss to label this a Sherlockian type of entertainment. This author has his own style and his atmospheric writing suits his characters quite well.
I look forward to reading more of Camplings’ books in the future. This was a gem!
What an absolutely delightful book! Between the mystery and the wonderful writing I enjoyed every page!
The two main characters are skillfully presented, well fleshed-out and yet there is room to add to their personae in future books. I appreciated the descriptions of the rural area where this tale took place; it was presented with few words, but was on-the-nose scene building.
It is not often a mystery is not built around a murder yet succeeds
in the mystery genre. There is a Doyle feeling underlying the enjoyment which this tale brings, but it would be amiss to label this a Sherlockian type of entertainment. This author has his own style and his atmospheric writing suits his characters quite well.
I look forward to reading more of Camplings’ books in the future. This was a gem!
January 31, 2021
A Good Short Mystery
🎈 Book Review 🎈
🕯An ancient legend, a coded message on a stone slab, and a secret concealed in a country manor house: these are the clues that take Dan on a journey into the past, delving deeper into a hidden history.
But reputations are on the line, and there are those who want the mystery to remain unsolved.
Uncovering the truth might give Dan the confidence to rebuild his life, but if he fails, there’s no going back.
🕯A study set in Stone is a short story with two main characters, Dan and his neighbour Allen. They go to a cafe and find a code on the wall and decide to decipher it.
🕯Alan and Dan tend to bicker and banter with each other but there isn't a lot of character development. I would have like the book to have been longer to have this development.
🕯In whole the book was a good short read and the mystery was quite good.
🎈 Book Review 🎈
🕯An ancient legend, a coded message on a stone slab, and a secret concealed in a country manor house: these are the clues that take Dan on a journey into the past, delving deeper into a hidden history.
But reputations are on the line, and there are those who want the mystery to remain unsolved.
Uncovering the truth might give Dan the confidence to rebuild his life, but if he fails, there’s no going back.
🕯A study set in Stone is a short story with two main characters, Dan and his neighbour Allen. They go to a cafe and find a code on the wall and decide to decipher it.
🕯Alan and Dan tend to bicker and banter with each other but there isn't a lot of character development. I would have like the book to have been longer to have this development.
🕯In whole the book was a good short read and the mystery was quite good.
March 30, 2021
Dan and Alan meet by chance. It was evening, becoming dark, and Dan was trying to unlock the door of his sister's house in Devon and not having any luck. Alan was a neighbor and he had seen enough guests trying to unlock the door to direct his latest acquaintance around to the back. Dan's already jangled nerves did not give Alan a good greeting. Here are two people as unlike as Holmes and Watson, but subsequent actions prove them as competent as they work through a problem. Dan never seems to pull any punches. It's as if he has no filter or any way of softening his opinions or findings. Alan seems to be really determined to be friendly to this most unfriendly man. I found their quest quietly exciting and I loved that they found all the answers they needed. I think you will love this book too.
March 29, 2021
Unlike most mysteries there are no current murders or thrills a minute. This is a traditional British mystery which looks for clues a step at a time!
A stone slab has caught the attention of two unlikely friends while visiting a restaurant because that particular place had the best coffee! It does not make any sense-nor does the story the proprietor tells them. They have to get to the bottom of this.
How they manage this takes a bit of driving around, reading up on the internet and a bit of luck as well.
They do uncover the truth but you will have to read this to find out what it is!
A stone slab has caught the attention of two unlikely friends while visiting a restaurant because that particular place had the best coffee! It does not make any sense-nor does the story the proprietor tells them. They have to get to the bottom of this.
How they manage this takes a bit of driving around, reading up on the internet and a bit of luck as well.
They do uncover the truth but you will have to read this to find out what it is!
May 1, 2021
An unlikely pair of neighbors, both educated men with an obvious love of studying details, team up when an artifact in a tea room begs their attention. Practically strangers, they bond over ciphers, and realize they are on the verge of a mystery.
This is a mystery that is historical, part genealogy and part military history. It was fascinating to read as they uncovered details and found a very surprising conclusion. Although this is not the type of mystery I normally choose, I thoroughly enjoyed it and was transported to the small village in England in search of an excellent cup of coffee. A captivating book!
This is a mystery that is historical, part genealogy and part military history. It was fascinating to read as they uncovered details and found a very surprising conclusion. Although this is not the type of mystery I normally choose, I thoroughly enjoyed it and was transported to the small village in England in search of an excellent cup of coffee. A captivating book!
March 20, 2021
I enjoyed this book , and found the geographical details helpful it helped me visualise the area. The developing friendship between Alan and Dan shows improvement. Unlike some readers I don’t mind Dan’s grumpiness. I like the banter . Alan will put up with so much then puts his foot down. He’s quite an easy going character, a good foil to Dan who wants everything done yesterday. Dan is slowly becoming more relaxed away from his pressured life in London. I liked the story meandering along . We all need a change of pace at times .I’ll be reading more of the series definitely.
September 7, 2021
"A cozy mystery"
No harm, no foul, I guess. This wasn't designed to be a complex, psychological thriller. Perhaps the reviewers who debunked it as ordinary should have paid more attention to the synopsis. No, this was a simple tale, reasonably well told, that filled several hours of reading in the garden. It's the sort of tale that I imagine the author was brought up on, in the days when blood, guts, and sex weren't so graphically portrayed in literature. It's aimed at the cozy mystery audience and should find plenty of readers who enjoy the escape to a more genteel world.
No harm, no foul, I guess. This wasn't designed to be a complex, psychological thriller. Perhaps the reviewers who debunked it as ordinary should have paid more attention to the synopsis. No, this was a simple tale, reasonably well told, that filled several hours of reading in the garden. It's the sort of tale that I imagine the author was brought up on, in the days when blood, guts, and sex weren't so graphically portrayed in literature. It's aimed at the cozy mystery audience and should find plenty of readers who enjoy the escape to a more genteel world.
March 1, 2020
This was the perfect little mystery. I truly enjoyed A Study in Stone.
Dan and Alan just meet and suddenly they are solving a puzzle together. Once they solve a coded message they will not stop until they have all they answers.
As we read learn about Dan and his struggle to over come the loss of his job. Dan and Alan begin as strangers but they build a friendship.
I look forward to more Cozy Mystery stories.
Dan and Alan just meet and suddenly they are solving a puzzle together. Once they solve a coded message they will not stop until they have all they answers.
As we read learn about Dan and his struggle to over come the loss of his job. Dan and Alan begin as strangers but they build a friendship.
I look forward to more Cozy Mystery stories.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 207 reviews