Synopsis (from
the publisher):
DCI Hannah Scarlett is determined to uncover the truth behind Bethany
Friend’s mysterious drowning in the Serpent Pool. But
Hannah’s distracted by a new sergeant with a troublesome
reputation, a new house, and new cause to doubt her partner--second
hand bookseller Marc Amos. One of Marc’s best customers has been
burned to death in the converted boathouse filled with priceless books.
Then Hannah meets Louise Kind, sister of the historian Daniel Kind, who
has just returned from America to work on a book about Thomas De
Quincey and the history of murder. How are all of these elements
related?
— ◊ —
— ◊ —
The Serpent Pool
A Lake
District Mystery
Martin
Edwards
Poisoned Pen Press (Hardcover)
ISBN-10: 1-59058-593-3 (1590585933)
ISBN-13: 978-1-59058-593-1 (9781590585931)
Publication Date: February 2010
List Price: $24.95
— ◊ —
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 and to Poisoned Pen Press for providing an ARC of the book for this review.
Review Copyright © 2010 — Hidden Staircase Mystery Books — All Rights Reserved
Have you read The Serpent Pool? How would you rate it?
Mysteries in this series …
The
Coffin Trail
Poisoned Pen Press (Hardcover), October 2004
ISBN-10: 1-59058-129-6 (1590581296)
ISBN-13: 978-1-59058-129-2 (9781590581292)
The
Cipher Garden
Poisoned Pen Press (Hardcover), November 2005
ISBN-10: 1-59058-206-3 (1590582063)
ISBN-13: 978-1-59058-206-0 (9781590582060)
The Arsenic Labyrinth
Poisoned Pen Press (Hardcover), January 2007
ISBN-10: 1-59058-328-0 (1590583280)
ISBN-13: 978-1-59058-328-9 (9781590583289)
The Serpent Pool
Poisoned Pen Press (Hardcover), February 2010
ISBN-10: 1-59058-593-3 (1590585933)
ISBN-13: 978-1-59058-593-1 (9781590585931)
Omnimystery keywords for The Serpent Pool ...
Location(s) referenced: England's Lake District.
