It's Oh So Quiet: a killer lurks behind the calm

Ted Darling #17

by L.M. Krier

England's green and pleasant land. A peaceful haven on the edge of the metropolitan sprawl.

Or is it?

DCI Ted Darling is called out to consult when a body is found at the foot of a waterfall. A simple accident? Or something more sinister?

When post-mortem examination confirms that the victim was murdered in an unusual way, Ted finds himself with too many possible motives and potential suspects.

The case is taking longer than usual and Ted's coming under pressure from the top brass. Especially when the press get hold of a new lead.

What's the connection with missing farmer Fred Burrows? And what is the significance of the mysterious site, The Stones?

Another gripping, twisting case in the popular Ted Darling Crime Series.

296 pages, Paperback

Published July 13, 2021

About the author

Retired journalist, freelance copywriter and copy editor Lesley Tither writes under various pen names for different genres. Already well known for travel memoirs as Tottie Limejuice, Lesley also writes crime fiction under the name L. M. Krier. Her first children's fiction book, adventure/crime, The Dog with the Golden Eyes, is published under under the pen-name L M Kay.

Writing as L M Krier, Lesley has published twenty-two crime fiction books in the popular Ted Darling Crime Series: The First Time Ever, Baby's Got Blue Eyes, Two Little Boys, When I'm Old and Grey, Shut Up and Drive, Only the Lonely, Wild Thing, Walk on By, Preacher Man, Cry for the Bad Man, Every Game You Play, Where the Girls Are, Down Down Down, The Cuckoo is a Pretty Bird, Dirty Old Town, The End of the Line, It’s Oh So Quiet, A Woman’s Heart, No Way to Say Goodbye
Everybody Hurts Sometime, Sweet Little Lies, Not To Tell.

'Sell the Pig' is the first in a series of travel memoirs describing how Lesley, writing as Tottie Limejuice, decided to make the move from the UK to France to start a new life, taking with her an 89-year-old mother suffering from vascular dementia. The story continues in three further books, 'Is That Billinge Lump?' 'Mother, Was It Worth It?' 'Biff the Useless Mention', and 'Angling Bumateurs'. There's an additional standalone prequel to the series, Trot On!, about her time running a holiday riding centre in Wales, before her move to France.

Lesley is also the not-so-secret writer behind the pen-name of Carl Granger. The book Looking for Lulu is darker crime fiction.


Lesley is a former journalist, working as both a criminal court and coroner's court reporter. She also worked as a case tracker for the Crown Prosecution Service, and for a firm investigating irregularities in offshore finance. Her other jobs have included owning and running a holiday riding centre and acting as a 'charity mugger', lying in wait to sign up shoppers for a wildlife charity.

Lesley's interests centre around nature and wildlife and encompass dogs, wild camping and organic gardening. She lives in the Auvergne region of Central France and holds dual French/British nationality. Her current dogs are two rescued border collies

Want to chat with Lesley? You'll find a Tottie Limejuice Chat Group on Facebook, with lots of photos of the Auvergne.

Reviews

[PaperMoon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a little underwhelmed, all things considered. The bucolic-themed plot (complete with animal rights activists) didn't much grab my attention. I was mildly amused when Ted's superior demanded to know (after a request for aerial terrain scanning/surveying):
'So, what's next with the farm frolics? Who are you proposing to arrest today and what back-up do you need? A platoon of Marines? The SAS?'
The best thing about this read was the subplot regarding one of my more favorite secondary characters - DC Ellis - being given a chance to regain his self-agency and implement retributive justice. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really don't know how L. M. Krier does it but this is one of the most consistently good series I have read. I love the characters of Ted and his team, and of course the delightful Trev. It was good to see the return of Steve Ellis and to have his unfolding story as a background plot thread. I always like the way there are several plot strands cleverly woven together. It makes for a gripping tale! If you think nothing happens in the country, think again! I could hardly put this down and read it over two sittings. Always topical, always exciting and always worth waiting for. I hope it’s not too long before book 18.

[Sharon Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this series by L.M. Krier and It's Oh So Quiet is an excellent addition to the Ted Darling Series. The book is well written, well paced and thoroughly entertaining. The book was a very quick read for me - only because I did not want to put it down. I love watching Ted and Trev together and I adore Adam. He doesn't appear often but you know it when he is there.
Reading those final words of Trev's made me think that he has cursed the trip. My motto is you never tempt the gods. I can see two storylines for the next book and I'm wondering just what Ted is going to have to investigate next.

[Joyce Rigg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story about the amazing characters led by the wonderful, but really too good to be true, DCI Ted Darling. If you haven't met him before then you need to start with the first in the series because they run together. They are all stand alone but there is always some small thing which carries through to the next book. I am hoping there will be a number 18 soon as I am looking forward to (hopefully) find out the final outcome of Ted's mother's case. I really hope number 18 will be soon.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner for me. It's nice to see Ted settling into his new role and allowing others to do their jobs too. I had no idea through most of the book who the killer was and was a bit surprised to tell the truth, but then thought of clues that the author laid out throughout the book and I said to myself "Ah Ha" Definitely recommend and I am now waiting on Book 18. Great to have such a good book to read on US holiday.

[Mary F. Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfection

Never ceases to amaze me with plots and resolutions. The title was perfect. Cover astounding. Not giving away the storyline. This is another in this series that carries you though the lives of the characters while never deviating from the storyline. ++++++++++++++++++++++

[Gillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, until the last chapter, I got really upset about the way the story was concluded. It left so many questions unanswered, which is why it only got 4 stars. Normally I would recommend to anyone who enjoys reading mysteries read this book, but I can't.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hurrah, another great Ted book.

As always, a nice juicy crime, well written with some nice threads, twists and turns in the story. Character developments are continuing nicely and I really didn’t want this book to end, I was enjoying it very much…really, I wanted to go on holidays with Ted and Trev! A thoroughly enjoyable read and looking forward to the next one.

[Ann Studd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the book but I thought the ending was rather inconclusive! Ted has grown into his new role so no nifty martial arts moves. Not as exciting as previous outings but still looking forward to no. 18.

[Karen Corcoran · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, first rate

I would recommend that readers read the whole series of Ted Darling books, however this book can still be enjoyed as a standalone episode. Anyone who enjoys police procedural whodunnits will enjoy this book.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story line

I really enjoyed all this series and can't wait for the
next one. The story shows the problems the rural police have being stretched over a large area. I think it's really interesting how the author shows all the different outlooks

[Kandy Wiggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ted Darling is my favorite

Lesley you have done it again. Excellent book. I love how Steve got redemption for himself. Keep them coming!! # Die hard Ted Darling Fan.

[mrs a richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

The usual superb read

Once again, a fantastic read. I have thoroughly enjoyed every one of this series so far. It's serious, funny , sad and a bit romantic. Next please!

[MOZELLE PRUITT · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic Ted Darling mystery. Loved Steve finally coming into his own man. Enjoyed the change from city crime to rural crime. Looking forward to Ted 18.

[Tina Jopling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous read, love the Ted Darling crime series, can't wait for No 18

[stevenschebler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, SO Good!

Another exceptional "who done it" in the Ted Darling series. I wish there were more than 5 stars to rank this book . LM Meier cannot write the next one fast enough.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Number 17 in the series and still great plots couldn`t put it down.
More adventures of Ted and Trev, love seeing how they develop can`t wait for more.

[Jenny Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would love to meet Ted and Trev

I've been reading all the Ted Darling books and wait impatiently for next one. Well written and grammatical. Good proof reader I think. Next please!

[susan bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darling

Read all of the books loved the characters and story lines the writer was so in depth of policing , absolutely loved them all brilliant cannot wait for more

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this series waiting for next book

[Marie Knee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read

[Pauline Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good to see Ted out and about doing what he does best. Cracking story as usual.

[Maria Landrelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Could not put it down.

I found the Ted Darling series 2 years ago when a waitress at my local club mentioned the series.

I then read the first book and was hooked and then went on to read all 13 written at that point in time in two weeks.

Since then I eagerly anticipate each new book.

I always feel like I am catching up with friends over a coffee and finding out what has happened since we last chatted (so proud of young Steve) as well as the new crime to be solved.

This crime story did not disappoint with many twist and unexpected turns.

I wanted to finish (which for me was then at 2am), but at the same time I didn’t want to book to finish.

[Paul Kaplan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ted …book 17

I chose to purchase and read this book as I have read them all in order so far and have been waiting for this last book…I love Ted Darling …his team…and hope Trev never lets Ted down as I would be disappointed if he did…I know…I know it is only a story and these characters are made up…but….I feel I know them personally !! thank you for writing a different type of crime…