Pirate Patty Reviews

An Alex Duggins Cotswolds Mystery

When two bodies are discovered within six weeks of one another, it would appear that a serial killer is at large in the sleepy Cotswold village of Folly.

DCI Dan O’Reilly is settling in to his new home with boxes still unpacked when a body is found on the old playing fields near the cricket club. The scene looks staged but no one saw or heard anything. Six weeks later another body is discovered in the tithe barn, which is used for plays now. This body is staged as well. It would seem a serial killer is at work.

In due course his investigation lands him at Alex’s pub, the Black Dog. Dan makes it clear to her and her partner, veterinarian, Tony, that he does not want them involved in his case. But have we ever known Alex to keep her cute little nose out of things?

Alex is the person everyone confides in when they don’t want to go to the police themselves. This time she may be on her own as Tony has just received an e-mail from his dead wife. Yes, a dead wife.

So, instead of finalizing their wedding plans, they are investigating murders and ignoring the dead wife.

When Tony himself becomes a victim, Alex forgets her promise to Dan and heads right into the killer’s lair.

This one had some seriously creepy characters in it. It’s always a mystery with this good series!

NetGalley/ Canongate/Severn  November 2nd ,2021