A Detective at Death's Door

Harriet Martens #5

by H.R.F. Keating

If Detective Harriet Martens's husband John hadn't been reading an Agatha Christie classic while the detective herself was sunning by the side of the club pool, she would have been dead before this story began. Unbeknownst to either of them, a killer had dropped a highly lethal addition into Harriet's cold drink. Struck by surprise to see the very symptoms of poisoning he'd been reading about, John was able to act---immediately! Although he acted in time to save Harriet's life, she did not escape from the poisoning unscathed. She was bed-ridden for much too long a time before she was well enough to join in the search for her would-be murderer. But being imprisoned in bed gives one plenty of time to think, and Harriet soon realized that the attempt on her life was the initial move by an unknown who would soon earn the title of "serial killer." Even after there had been more murders, Harriet found it hard to convince her colleagues of this. They argued that the victims were too unrelated to each other; they did not know one another, had very different occupations, were widely apart socially and economically, and lived in neighborhoods scattered about the environs of the town. Except for the fact that they were English citizens, they had nothing in common. Or---correction! They had nothing in common that Harriet's fellow police officers could see. But no one can say that Harriet is not tenacious. Once she is able to go about in person, if a bit shakily, she comes up with some helpful ideas. All the while, in the back of her mind, she knows that the killer, ego bruised, must be aching to finish what he or she started.

Genres: Detective

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Henry Reymond Fitzwalter Keating was an English writer of crime fiction most notable for his series of novels featuring Inspector Ghote of the Bombay CID.

H. R. F. KEATING was well versed in the worlds of crime, fiction and nonfiction. He was the crime books reviewer for The Times for fifteen years, as well as serving as the chairman of the Crime Writers Association and the Society of Authors. He won the CWA Gold Dagger Award twice, and in 1996 was awarded the CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger for outstanding service to crime fiction.

Series:
. Inspector Ghote
. Harriet Martens

Series contributed to:
. Malice Domestic
. Perfectly Criminal

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one started out with an interesting premise. Detective Harriet Marten's has been poisoned while sun bathing by a pool. Someone slipped wolfsbane (nearly always fatal) into her drink as she lay dozing. Her husband returns and recognizes the symptoms because he has been reading an Agatha Christie novel in which "twisted wolfsbane" was the murder weapon.

The first section has poor Harriet hospitalized having undergone numerous procedures. The poison has had an effect on her memory and thinking processes, and she struggles to understand and to communicate. That portion was interesting, but Harriet disregards advice to remain in the hospital and pays no attention when informed that it will take months for her to fully recover. For me, the book began to be a little repetitious as Harriet repeated things and exerted effort to think clearly while neglecting common sense.

The poisoner has no specific target and as he or she continues to murder almost randomly by slipping poison into untended drinks, Harriet wants/needs to be part of the investigation.

NetGalley/Endeavor Press

Detective fiction/Mystery. 2005; 2015. Print length: 272 pages.

[Lisa the Tech · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've never read anything in the Harriet Martens series. Now that I've finished this one, I'm pretty sure I won't be reading anything else in the series. Too many red herrings. I prefer the Inspector Ghote series.

[Leyla Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a new twist on a detective mystery, I wasn't sure at first whether I liked it, but as I read on I really enjoyed it, a very personnel account, over of some months in the life as a detective deals with being a victim. There is mystery and the trailed is followed and the criminal found. All written in a very logical and believable style. I have read Keating before and I have found him very good, this book is no exception. a book that you wont put down easily until the end.

[Irene · Rating 2 out of 5]

Harriet, a DCI, finds herself in hospital, extremely ill and feels very sorry for herself. Even more so when she’s told she’s been poisoned. Is she just unlucky or are there anymore victims? This book had such an awkward and stilted style of writing and it was very off putting. It was “dated” but not in a good way. There was so much repetition in dialogue where the characters would keep repeating themselves. It sounded like something worth reading but sadly it wasn’t. I won’t be reading anymore of Harriet’s adventures! I was given this ARC by the publisher and Netgalley in return for an honest review.

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this hunt for a poisoner.

The writing style switched from first person to third but I am now used to Harriet's inner monologue and it does fit the genre, if unusual...it showed Harriet's character and why she does what she does.

It also demonstrated the evil humans do and the excuses for it.

This was part of a box set I have - engaging and entertaining.

[Judy Lesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, I have to say I didn't like this novel very much because of the style in which it is written. However, I positively had to finish reading it to find out how in the world the author was going to manage to get his main character out of the terrible repercussions she was suffering because of being given a dose of aconite poison. The premise of having a highly ranked police investigator be the victim who survived a poisoning was such an interesting prospect I couldn't resist reading the book. The recovery process turned into a very long, difficult ordeal for Harriet and yet she continued to go against the wishes of her husband, her colleagues, and her physician by trying to solve the mystery of her own poisoning which had subsequently been followed by other victims who didn't survive. Reading about her physical and mental battles to regain her normal health in both mind and body was a wearying experience. Because of her slow recovery and setbacks I had wondered how the crime would ever be solved. Maybe I shouldn't have been surprised when it wasn't solved in a satisfactory way at all.

Detective Superintendent Harriet Martens of Greater Birchester Police has spent much time investigating criminal cases, but never was she the focus of the investigation. To begin with, was she the intended victim because of her profession or not? Since being put on medical leave Harriet is not allowed to help in the investigation nor will her health allow it. As she begins to regain memory of when she drank the Campari soda by the poolside on that hot August bank holiday there are thoughts and impressions which she cannot clearly recall. Through her slow recovery she formulates theories and strategies which often prove to be impossible and unfounded. As someone accustomed to deal with fact, truths, and logic all of this is quite stressful for Harriet. It also leads to the investigators missing some valuable clues to finding the poisoner.

This was my first novel written by H. R. F. Keating so I don't know if this novel matches the style of his other works but I was surprised to find rivalry between segments of the police force to such an extent as withholding the results of a postmortem by the team sent in from London. What would have been the point of that? Also the completely implausible way Harriet found the identity of one person just didn't ring true at all. I think probably I will not be tempted to tackle another Keating novel, but this one, which seems to have been re-issued from 2004, was one that kept me reading just so I could see how the criminal was caught.

I received an e-ARC of this novel through NetGalley.

[Keri Phillips · Rating 2 out of 5]

This novel begins with Harriett Martens waking up in the hospital and discovering she was poisoned in a very Agatha Christie fashion. Someone slipped aconitine in her drink. The only reason she lived is because her husband, being a great Agatha Christie fan, was reading Twisted Wolfsbane, where someone happened to be poisoned with Aconitine. As the story progresses, several other people are poisoned in similar fashion, but all of these poisonings are fatal. As she is still on leave recovering from the poisoning, Harriett decides to take on this case herself. Of course, the poisoner is discovered in the end.

The problem I had with this book is the character development. I actually almost stopped reading this book 20% of the way in because she seemed extremely child-like and not at all like a detective. I actually read the first part of the book twice trying to discover her age, not provided, her appearance, not provided, and any other details. I know she has 2 twin boys in university, so I am assuming she is middle-aged.

I also didn't feel the dialogue of these characters were very realistic. If you are a detective working on a murder case, I just don't think you would say things the way they do. I felt they should've been "harder".

I did read the whole book because I wanted to see how and why the poisonings were happening. The end felt very abrupt. I really didn't enjoy this book that much, and won't be reading another Harriet Marten novel soon.

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Julie Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really enjoyable series and this was probably my favourite of the one's I've read so far. As I've mentioned about the other books, one of the great features in how it's written is the contrast between the third person perspective of the 'tough' 'hard Detective' Harriet Martins contrasted with her inner thoughts. It lends such depth to her character & also shows her vulnerability.

These books are quite Agatha Christie-ish in tone though still very modern.

In this book, harriet is especially vulnerable because she is trying to solve the murder while a) getting over being poisoned and b) on leave from work. She has to contend with physical and even mental barriers she has never had to face before.

The mystery itself is extremely gripping.

Some fine comedic moments with Agatha Christie references. Well done! Very enjoyable.

[Angel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I might try another of these mysteries, but I was put off a bit by the seeming here-we-go-round-the-mulberry-bush thoughts and re-thoughts and turn arounds of the main character and the others reacting to her.

Poison is the crime here. Officious busybody NCS officers who are of course, on the wrong track also seemed a bit over the top...but it fit in with the story. I found myself wondering if they and the FBI are really like they are characterized in detective stories and tv as playing rough shod over the local authorities. But that's not the point of the story. It's a who dunnit and while somewhat unbelievable in bits, the main detective wins the day.

[JodiP · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stumbled across this looking for something to listen to. I'm very glad I did. It's a late entry into this series starring Harriet Martens, in which she is nearly poisoned to death and left fairly weak. Keating pays much homage to Christie, which I thought charming. I appreciated how the narrative slipped from third person, to hearing what was going on in Harriet's head as she grappled with the after-effects of poisoning and solving the mystery. I liked it enough I've ordered the first in the series for my Kindle. It's an easy, not-too-taxing read, and no gore. I think I've tried to read Keating's Inspector Ghote series, but didn't get into it. I may have to try again.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Harriet Martens, an English detective is poisoned but is fortunately saved by her husband. Although still alive she has a long road to recovery but can’t resist the urge to try to solve the crime especially after several other people who have absolutely nothing in common, including a young child, are also poisoned. Unfortunately I found none of the book’s characters engaging which impeded my enjoyment of what could have a been a good read.

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a difficult with this book. I just couldn't get into the storyline. Some of the characters were confusing, some were weak. It doesn't help that it was book5 of a series.

I would like to thank the author/publisher/Netgalley for the opportunity to read the book in exchange for a fair and honest opinion.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harriet Martens is is a likable detective who becomes involved in solving the case of her own near-fatal poisoning. This is a whodunit by a prolific author and there are a number of others in the series. A "safe" read for lovers of Agatha Christie type mysteries.

[R.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is told in a first person, third person POV and it's pretty good. I think the author researched the monkshood poison really well as the person poisoned made it through many of the terrible symptoms of the poison while trying to figure out who the poisoner was.

[ROBERT TASHER · Rating 1 out of 5]

A most bizarre farrago; as if a police procedural had been written by Barbara Pym. The poverty of writing style, the shallowness of character and the banality of plotting makes Agatha Christie seem like Tolstoy.

[Elizabeth]

5-19-13 Read this again. Even though I was aware of this from almost the beginning of the book, nothing in it was at all familiar.

[Kate Zimmerbaum · Rating 2 out of 5]

Only OK. I found the prose rather annoying and the attempts at stream-of-consciousness made me really dislike the main character.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice writing, not a very compelling mystery.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

good read. Kept me on my toes

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very, very good read.
A week body, does not mean a week mind.
This is a good one.
Read it now.