Hidden on the Moors

DI Joanna Piercy #7

by Priscilla Masters

Something is amiss at the local village school.

A man is seen lingering outside the gates — and parents and teachers are getting worried . . .

Joshua Baldwin doesn’t think he’s doing any harm. With no family of his own, he just gets a bit lonely.

Piercy tracks him down and warns him off. He’s definitely weird. But harmful? She doesn’t think so.

Then five-year-old Madeleine Wiltshaw goes missing.

It’s the last day of term before Easter. No one saw her disappear in the playground at the end of the day. What if Baldwin was a threat after all?

The team start up a desperate search for the little girl, but Madeleine could be hidden anywhere on these moors.

The clock is ticking. Can Detective Piercy find Maddie before it’s too late?

Originally published as Endangering Innocents

Genres: Crime, Ebooks, Audiobook

Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Priscilla Masters' writing career started in 1987 when she published Mr. Bateman's Garden, a children's book set in Biddulph Grange Gardens belonging to the National Trust. After that she created Inspector Joanna Piercy and has now also written a number of Medical Mysteries.

Priscilla Masters lives in Shropshire, England. She works part-time in Staffordshire as a practice nurse.

Reviews

[Andy Plonka]

Though a well used plot, that of abducting children, the ending is anything but predictable. Not recommended for those who are sensitive about physical child abuse.

[Cidney]

Well it was a good story but I didn't warm to the main lead. DI Joanna Piercy has to go and speak to a man who is sitting in his car outside a primary school on a regular basis, then soon after a 5yr old girl goes missing from the school at home time. Needless to say they arrest him. From there on it just gets a little tedious as Piercy has problems at home with her doctor boyfriend, he left his wife and daughter to come and live with her, but now she is pregnant he wants to keep the baby and she doesn't. I think you can see where their relationship is heading.

And Piercy basicaly ignored a woman who came up to her at a christening party to say that she has concerns about a child in her school. Joanna tells her to contact social services. The missing child is that very one. I did get to the end but I began to lose interest if I'm being honest.

[Michael Cordery]

Perhaps I have had an overload of DI Piercy but I laboured reading this book. The characters are hard to warm to. DI Piercy has a dinosaur for a DS (Korpanski) who is quick to make conclusions most of which prove wrong. He should have been put back on the beat 5 books ago!!! Piercy is caught up with a narcissistic Doctor/Pathologist whose marriage she managed to help break up and I'm tired of reading "tousled honey coloured hair" every other chapter. Overall the characters are all seriously flawed which in this book had fatal consequences. I believe there are 15 DI Piercy books but I will stop at 7. It's hard to imagine that DI Piercy will ever become DCI Piercy or in her wildest dreams DCS Piercy.

[Mike]

Thoroughly enjoyed this read only then due to my wife wi meeting pricsilla masters was meant to be a speaker at meeting.

To start its s well written book and takes in local spots which if you live in Staffordshire helps you get in to story.
Di joanna piercy is a complex character and i look forward to reading more.

The story was good young maddie so much in such a short life. It has a good plot characters are easy to follow through story with a good ending. So give it s go definitely worth reading.

[Julie Powell]

Although a disturbing subject, this was a good British crime thriller set in the 1990s.

The main theme is child abuse, but that can be seen from many angles. This story is a sad reflection on human behaviour and poor parenting.

It was fast-paced and the characters suited the plot. The personal lives of the police detectives mix the professional, which highlights many facets and reasoning.

An engaging and a worthwhile read.

[Sylvia Dinnage]

Hidden on the moors

This is a great book in a great series I have enjoyed everyone of the books and the detective Joanne Piercy along with Koblenski work together well her relationship with Matthew goes up and down fraught with disaster if you have t read these books by Pricilla Masters give them a go .

[Laura Poppenwimer]

This is the end of the available books in this series. It was on par with the others, interesting plot and character development. A fast read that keeps you engaged. There is an 8th book in the series but it is out of print and seem to be very difficult to get. I will keep an eye out for it at a reasonable price.

[Eirlys]

A Very good read

Another fantastic book from Priscilla Masters, featuring Detective Joanna Piercy. A missing five year girl, an apparent suspect, and her mother, along with her partner. Nothing is straightforward, but full of twists and misdirection. This has characters who are skilfully manipulated, in order to make the tension exponentially increase.

[Campbell, c]

Me me disappear!

A little child’s wish to disappear dredges up old wounds and disappointments in many lives. As Jo Piercy hunts for the little girl she faces many unwelcome truths about the mother, her partner, the clown, and eventually herself! Sad but compelling to read more!
Great author.

[Emily]

outcome was a surprise, and it wasn’t a surprise

I went back and forth on who or what was responsible. I did not choose only one of the book’s characters. Did I dislike any of the characters. Oh yes, I did. I know there are children like Madeleine in the world, without hope. It is just too sad.

Nonetheless, this was a good read And a cautionary tale at the same time.

[Tommy Mann]

Interesting plot, but…

The plot is a good one, but the narrative reads more like an actor emoting the script of a dramatic documentary than an author telling a story. It doesn’t help that the principal character is extremely unlikeable.

[Wendy Biden]

good read

As I’ve said before, Jo and Matt are not good for each other. She wants her career and he wants herb to be a good little wife. I bet he wouldn’t give up his career for her. As for the story line, I thought it would have a better result, but I’m just the reader!

[David Stimpson]

I have to say .I was starting to like our Lead Detective in this Series .But in this Adventure She really does turn into a Very selfish and unlikeable person .and I felt the story takes a dip because of it

[Lynne]

Enjoyed another edition in this series. Enjoyed the character development. Story didn’t end so well, quite abruptly I thought after the death. I’m not sure what would have helped but it did feel like something was missing. Lost a star for this reason.

[Mick Porter]

Very good story covering a tricky subject, but done with great feeling. Not the expected ending carn't wait to see what the outcome will be.

[M R B Davis]

A terrible mistake

A child with a poor home life goes missing and as a result of a series of misfortunes dies. This has a big impact on Piercy and Matthew,s relationship.

[Saadia]

tragic search for a missing youngsters

Again it is through learning about the main characters that the detective is able to puddle out the sequence and solve the case.

[Teresa]

I just didn’t like DI Piercy.

[R.L.]

A sad but believable story. I think a couple of times I questioned the "smarts" of the detectives. Seriously.

[Joanne M Brunelle]

Good mystery read, lots of potential suspects.

[Kirk]

Excellent reading.

Joanna Piercy is an amazing character. Dedicated to her career, determined to close her cases, she’s a cop’s cop! Worth reading!

[Dilys Myhill]

Not as good as as previous novels in this series but hopefully the rest of series will pick up.

[Jules Barraclough]

Great book

[Susan]

great story, really tough case...

[Sharon]

Priscilla Masters is in my opinion one of the best crime writers we have in the UK. Why she is not better known is a mystery to me. Joanna Piercy is a flawed but very likeable lead character.

The subject matter of this book deals with child cruelty and murder, but is covered with tact and delicacy.

This is the 7th book in the series.

[Kate]

I love this detective. The books are refreshingly short--sometimes you just want a good plot!--and go down like a cool drink of water. Wish her books were available in the U.S. Are you listening, publishers?

[Carol]

A sad story of the abuse and murder of a little 5 year old girl. It just makes you realize how much our children need protection and concern sometimes even from their own parents.

[Gary Van Cott]

I can't say I care much for books where the victim is young and/or innocent. More drama in Piercy's personal life.

[Lisa]

The first book I have read by this author. It was very good, a compelling read with twists. I will be looking for more in this series!