The Serpent Pool by Martin Edwards, a Mysterious Review.

Review: DCI Hannah Scarlett and her former boss Daniel Kind must work together when a cold case intersects with a current one in The Serpent Pool, the fourth Lake District mystery by Martin Edwards.

Aspiring writer Bethany Friend drowned in Serpent Pool six years ago. The cause of death was never explained, accidental or intentional, with the coroner recording it as an "open verdict". As head of the Cold Case Review Team, Hannah wants to reopen the case. But before she can do so, George Saffell, a rare book collector dies in a blazing fire on his boat where he shelved his extensive collection of first editions. Was it suicide … or murder?

Hannah is currently living with Marc Amos, a seller of rare books, who had sold many editions to the dead man and his business partner, Stuart Wagg. Complicating matters just a bit is that Stuart is living with Daniel Kind's sister, who claims the partners had recently been arguing. Daniel calls on Hannah to help find Stuart, who has inexplicably gone missing. Also in this tangled weave of characters is Hannah's new sergeant, Greg Wharf, who is spending a lot of time with her on casework causing Marc to turn to his assistant, Cassie, for comfort and understanding.

The Serpent Pool is a superb mystery, from both a plot, replete with classical literary references, and stylistic perspective. The characters are delightful and well drawn, the Lake District setting beautiful and charming. Even the various romantic elements, including those simmering just beneath the surface, play an important role here. As dark and disturbing secrets come to light, answers to questions of murder or suicide, past and present, are finally established in the thrilling conclusion to this exciting suspense novel.

Special thanks to guest reviewer Betty of The Betz Review for contributing her review of The Serpent Pool.

Acknowledgment: Poisoned Pen Press provided an ARC of The Serpent Pool for this review.

Waterloo Sunset
Poisoned Pen Press (Hardcover), April 2008
ISBN-13: 9781590584415; ISBN-10: 1590584414

The Frozen Shroud
Poisoned Pen Press (Hardcover), April 2013
ISBN-13: 9781464201059; ISBN-10: 1464201056

The Serpent Pool

A Lake District Mystery by Martin Edwards