Utterly Fuelled

Utterly #2

by Pauline Manders

Illegal fuel gangs, murder, stray bullets and a macabre discovery catapult three apprentice carpenters into action as old scores are settled around them. Throw in a Vespa scooter, a canary yellow car, a mysterious medallion and hints of romance into the mix and you have another witty tale from Pauline Manders. The heady events culminate in a blazing Guy Fawkes evening....Once again Pauline Manders sets her crime novel in the Suffolk countryside, now suffused with the colours and sounds of Autumn. The action moves between Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket, Woolpit and Hadleigh, Needham Market and Wattisham. Main characters previously encountered in 'Utterly Explosive' return and DI Clive Merry becomes established.

328 pages, Paperback

First published February 11, 2013

About the author

Pauline Manders was born in London where she went on to train as an ENT surgeon. She moved to East Anglia with her husband and two children, where she worked for over 30 years before retiring from the NHS. She lives in rural Suffolk in a converted barn and gains inspiration for her crime novels by walking in the countryside with her Weimaraner, Otto. Since retirement, she has had time to write, pursue her shared interest with her husband in classic cars, and also attend a local carpentry group. She is still working on carving three diving ducks as legs for a small table - some projects are more of a challenge than others!

Reviews

[Julia Blake]

Utterly Fuelled is the second book in the cosy mystery series based around three students who attend Utterly College in the heart of the beautiful Suffolk countryside. I was attracted to these books because they are based in and around my hometown of Bury St Edmunds. It always gives me a thrill to know the places the characters are talking about.

Nick, Chrissie, and Matt are carpentry apprentices, so life should be calm for them, but trouble always seems to find them. This time, it’s rival gangs of fuel-stealing locals who are engaged in a turf war that’s escalating fast – less tractor boys, more diesel heads. When Nick, Chrissie, and Matt accidentally stumble into the thick of it the bullets start flying thick and fast.

Nick is still confused about moving on to a new relationship. Chrissie is confused about her growing feelings for hunky DC Clive. And Matt? Well, Matt’s just confused. With sparky one-liners and lovely dialogue, this series goes from strength to strength.

[Libraryliz]

Ok

[Corrin]

3.5* still thoroughly enjoyable, but I preferred the first books storyline

[Claire G]

A great read, the story is thrilling yet believable, you will look at the quiet countryside differently after this!

Loved the sub-plots (especially the romance). The voice of each character really speaks to you from the page, you remember them fondly post-read.

Highly recommended.

[Andrew Hixson]

disappointing