The Poison Pen

by Marjorie Owen

Detective Chief Inspector Richard Hayward had just started his vacation with his pregnant wife when the call came. Another murder had interrupted the town's peaceful existence, and the murderer won't stop at just one victim. Richard will need all of his expertise if he's going to find the killer lurking among the town's only department store. But when the Chief Inspector gets too close to the truth, his ongoing search places his wife and the life of his unborn child in jeopardy. It's a killer's warning. Back off or pay the consequences. Never one to back down, Richard must find the murderer before more lives are taken, but most importantly, he will do whatever it takes to protect his family.

210 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 21, 2014

Reviews

[Ferne (Enthusiastic Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book from ‘cover-to-cover’! Detective Chief Inspector Richard Hayward is introduced in the 1st sentence of the novel and as I continued to learn about his character he reminded me of the character of newspaperman Jim Qwilleran as created by Lilian Jackson Braun. Although Jim Qwilleran is a bachelor and Richard Hayward is married, the personal qualities of each character are equally charming and endearing. In this case, the setting is Wall’s Department Store, one of the few remaining independent department stores in the country (U.K.). Or as Richard says, “Straightforward enough…That’s the overture, I suppose. Let’s have the rest of it.” The author then draws you into the mystery to question each new character as a possible suspect and the reader wants to find out “whodunit” and “whydunit”. Absolute intrigue and fun for a mystery lover! Absolute fun!

I later learned that “The Poison Pen” was not the 1st introduction of this character by the author but a second mystery of the “Richard Hayward Series” and originally introduced in the novel “The Ladies of Class”. As a former librarian and cataloger of books, following a ‘read’ of a novel, I enjoy looking and reading other parts of the book (i.e. copyright page, dedication, about the author, back cover, etc.). I was very sad to read on the copyright page of this novel – “Written permission has been obtained by Michael Owen on behalf of the Estate of Marjorie Owen, via her last will and testament, for the publication of this work.” With this information, it became clear that more titles in the series would be of limited availability and I had to investigate more about this author. I am so grateful as a reader to Michael Owen for pursuing the course to bring his Mother’s writing to publication to share with the world. If you normally don’t take the time to read the “About the Author” pages, please take the time to read about Marjorie Owen. It truly sounds as though she was a phenomenal woman that I would have loved to have met in person and listened to her life story and/or the advice that she might have shared.

I was lucky enough to receive a pre-publication copy of this title as an “Early Reviewer” from Library Thing.

[Devi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Source: Views She Writes - WordPress Reviews

It is with a very heavy heart that I started reading this book. Just after I finished the previous book, I got to know that the author of this wonderful series is no more. So that means this is the last book of Richard Hayward that I will be reading. And I seriously have not had enough of him. I wanted more – so much more. But then, I still had a book to read and a review to write, and I cannot be emotional right now. So I set forth on yet another wonderful journey with Richard Hayward, Jim Fenton and their family and friends.
The rating given on Goodreads speaks for itself about the quality of the story. Very few books might have received 4.62 stars average, with almost everyone rating it 5 stars. Even if you are very skeptical, not so many people can go wrong about a story. And yes, the story is yet another awesome murder mystery.
Richard Hayward is stuck in a murder investigation of a person who everyone hates and has no friends. The more he gets to know of the victim, the less victim he appears to be. And all the while, half of his mind is at home with his pregnant wife. However, very soon the investigation hits home when his family is threatened by the killer and yet another murder happens.
The way the story twists and turns is truly an art of brilliance in place. You can read the book and get the feeling very similar to that when you are appreciating an intrinsic work of art. The brilliance of Richard Hayward and the loyal dedication of Jim Felton is something to be read and believed. The romance between Richard and Kate, and Jim and Lucy is very refreshing and kept well within limits. The focus is kept entirely on the mystery and these romance does not take away the focus. Instead they give a humane touch to the story,which is very much appreciated.

There is no flaw, none at all. I cannot get enough of praising the book. Anyone who loves Dame Agatha Christie and Sir Conan Doyle must read this book. You will definitely not be disappointed.

[Barbara Oliverio · Rating 5 out of 5]

This follow-up to Marjorie Owen’s debut novel “Ladies of Class” takes us back to the fictional village of Burshill and lets us continue the tales of Dectective Chief Inspector Richard Hayward, fresh from his recent case. DCI Hayward literally steps back from vacation with his attractive wife Kate into investigating a curious death at the local department store. Was the death of manager Mr. Berwick a suicide or murder? Who would have wanted to kill such a non-descript man? As DCI Hayward peels back the layers of the case, taking only brief moments out to check on his pregnant wife, and to keep tabs on the burgeoning romance between her sister and his own assistant Jim Findon, he discovers that Mr. Berwick may not have been as mild-mannered as originally thought and that the shop itself holds many secrets.

I reveled in this throwback to an era where a mystery needed to be solved using wit over Wikipedia and good old sensibility over social media. Sit back with a cup of brewed tea and enjoy.

[Marjo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was asked to review "The Poison Pen" by Marjorie Owen, and it is a shame that the author will never know that I enjoyed her mystery story as I am sure many others will too. I only found out after finishing the well written intrigue that Marjorie has passed away, and like me simply wrote as a pass time. She had talent and I am sure that if she were alive today she would be very happy to see her work in print. She definitely would have something to be proud of. I am glad that her novel is being made available (don't worry, permission to publish was given during her last will and testament) and recommend it to anyone who likes light mysteries. I found the romantic side story interesting as well.
I rate this book 5 out of 5
http://author-chantal-bellehumeur.web...
Author Chantal Bellehumeur

[Judith Ingram · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE POISON PEN introduced me to Detective Chief Inspector Richard Hayward in an intriguing whodunit that is swiftly paced and delightfully British in flavor, reminiscent of Elizabeth George's Lynley tales. The author sets out the murder of a particularly nasty victim and then parades suspects and clues enough to keep the reader guessing until the final pages. As if solving the puzzle weren't enough, a romantic subplot shows a softer side of the steely eyed detective that offsets his cold genius for solving cases and earns him the reader's sympathy. I enjoyed the author's clean literary style, wry humor, and deft handling of plot twists that left me wanting more when I'd turned the last page.

[Barbara Heckendorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantastic cosy mystery set in a little town near London. The manager from a department store was found murdered with arsenic. DCI Richard Hayward and his team have to solve the puzzle. It isn't an easy task because the dead man has been hated by everybody and therefore everyone was quite happy about his death and aren't very forthcoming in helping the police. DCI Hayward has his own method of solving a mystery which isn't always acceptable with his surrounding.
Next to the professional business he has also some familiar matters to struggle with. His young wife is due to deliver their first child and his DS is hopelessly fallen in love with his sister-in-law.

[Arialas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Poison Pen was a pleasant little mystery to read. It was a very smooth read that wasn't full of complicated details to bog down the reader. While I cannot call it one of the best mysteries I have ever read, it was a good read that held my attention. The information provided about the author, Marjorie Owen in the e-book was also quite fascinating in its own right. Overall I would say this bit of mystery was an enjoyable uncomplicated read.

[Marjo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14119701