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Stanley Messina Investigates #1
The Other Path
An inquest ruled it was a tragic accident, so why does somebody believe it wasn't?
In the depths of winter, a snowstorm descends upon the tiny Sussex hamlet of Littleworth. All roads are blocked. Nobody can get in. Nobody can get out.
That evening, the isolated residents gather at the local pub in an apparent display of community spirit and unity. But appearances can be deceptive. Because by the following morning, one of them will be dead...
An accident? Or something more sinister?
In a place where secrets abound and outsiders are viewed with suspicion, can Stanley Messina, private investigator, find a way to the truth?
The Other Path is a page-turning mystery that keeps readers guessing until the very end. It's the first in a series from British author, Jon Neal, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Richard Osman, JM Dalgleish, LJ Ross and Richard Coles.
In the depths of winter, a snowstorm descends upon the tiny Sussex hamlet of Littleworth. All roads are blocked. Nobody can get in. Nobody can get out.
That evening, the isolated residents gather at the local pub in an apparent display of community spirit and unity. But appearances can be deceptive. Because by the following morning, one of them will be dead...
An accident? Or something more sinister?
In a place where secrets abound and outsiders are viewed with suspicion, can Stanley Messina, private investigator, find a way to the truth?
The Other Path is a page-turning mystery that keeps readers guessing until the very end. It's the first in a series from British author, Jon Neal, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Richard Osman, JM Dalgleish, LJ Ross and Richard Coles.
216 pages, Paperback
Published January 5, 2023
About the author
Jon Neal
4 books5 followersJon Neal is a British novelist.
He is the author of the 'Stanley Messina Investigates' series. His first book, A Twin Room, was published in 2022 and reached number 1 in its Amazon category, selling copies around the globe.
Jon completed a Master of Arts in Writing whilst living in Australia. He also has a Music & Media Studies degree from the University of Sussex.
He came runner up in the 2010 Sydney Mardi Gras short story competition and has been shortlisted for other prizes. His poems have been published in numerous anthologies.
Jon grew up in Kent, but now lives with his partner in Sussex.
To keep up-to-date with Jon's news, please visit http://www.twitter.com/jon_neal_author or http://www.facebook.com/JonNealAuthor
He is the author of the 'Stanley Messina Investigates' series. His first book, A Twin Room, was published in 2022 and reached number 1 in its Amazon category, selling copies around the globe.
Jon completed a Master of Arts in Writing whilst living in Australia. He also has a Music & Media Studies degree from the University of Sussex.
He came runner up in the 2010 Sydney Mardi Gras short story competition and has been shortlisted for other prizes. His poems have been published in numerous anthologies.
Jon grew up in Kent, but now lives with his partner in Sussex.
To keep up-to-date with Jon's news, please visit http://www.twitter.com/jon_neal_author or http://www.facebook.com/JonNealAuthor
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 18, 2024
My interest wasn't caught until way past the midway point as I felt the investigative process got a little repetitive. The ending 'reveal' was unexpected - totally not who (or why) I had deduced as the killer. So overall, I'd be happy to try the next book in the series - 3.5 stars.
January 15, 2023
A private investigator is hired by an unknown client to investigate a suspicious death in a remote and (at the time of the death) completely cut-off village on the South Downs.
This murder mystery conforms perfectly to the genre. It's bang up to date (one of the characters has been bereaved in the Covid-19 pandemic) and yet it is classic: there are only eight possible suspects and many of them have secret back-stories that give them motives. The author is very good at offering tantalising hints and the plotting works so that the final solution is the only possible answer and yet a surprise: both the final twists caught me out, and the penultimate twist was brilliant. This makes it a thoroughly satisfying read.
The story is told in the past tense, and in a multi-person third person PoV, but is principally narrated by the investigator. There are suggestions that this main character might be developed.
The book, like most whodunnits, is primarily driven by the plot. The pacing is fast (the major turning points at exactly the right moments) and the writing economical. Despite this, the characters drawn are convincing (particularly the relationships between Joyce and Bridget, and between Ursula and Quentin) and the setting clearly drawn. These aspects make this novel one of the better in its genre.
This murder mystery conforms perfectly to the genre. It's bang up to date (one of the characters has been bereaved in the Covid-19 pandemic) and yet it is classic: there are only eight possible suspects and many of them have secret back-stories that give them motives. The author is very good at offering tantalising hints and the plotting works so that the final solution is the only possible answer and yet a surprise: both the final twists caught me out, and the penultimate twist was brilliant. This makes it a thoroughly satisfying read.
The story is told in the past tense, and in a multi-person third person PoV, but is principally narrated by the investigator. There are suggestions that this main character might be developed.
The book, like most whodunnits, is primarily driven by the plot. The pacing is fast (the major turning points at exactly the right moments) and the writing economical. Despite this, the characters drawn are convincing (particularly the relationships between Joyce and Bridget, and between Ursula and Quentin) and the setting clearly drawn. These aspects make this novel one of the better in its genre.
January 29, 2023
I really enjoyed The Other Path. It got me hooked from the first page. Its remote setting reminded me of classic murder mystery stories, but it also had a contemporary feel. I liked the interesting and intriguing cast of characters, and particularly enjoyed being introduced to Stanley Messina. Hopefully there'll be more from him the future.
I don't want to include any spoilers in my review, but let's just say that there are many twists and turns along the way. All of which were, with hindsight, plausible and in plain sight. The final revelations came as a complete surprise to me! The Other Path certainly kept me turning the pages.
I'd thoroughly recommend this book to readers of mysteries and cozy crime stories, and especially those who are looking for a little bit of escapism.
I don't want to include any spoilers in my review, but let's just say that there are many twists and turns along the way. All of which were, with hindsight, plausible and in plain sight. The final revelations came as a complete surprise to me! The Other Path certainly kept me turning the pages.
I'd thoroughly recommend this book to readers of mysteries and cozy crime stories, and especially those who are looking for a little bit of escapism.
July 7, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. A very clever and well written story which managed to keep me guessing until the end. Great characters, a few secrets and twists created a proper page turner. Surely this has to be the start of a series for Private Investigator Stanley Messina? Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews