The Coffin Trail A Lake District Mystery by
Martin Edwards
pbk out October 05
(Allison Busby)
at £6.99
The start of a news series for Edwards, who already writes the Harry Devlin stories
featuring a Liverpool based lawyer, as well as penning stand-alone titles, non-fiction
books and editing many crime anthologies. The new format should be a winner as it
brings together the much-loved English landscape of the Lake District with the
potential for mysteries with roots in the past and more than a smidgeon of love
interest.
Oxford historian Daniel Kind relocates to the Lakes (scene of family holidays) with
partner Miranda. The idyllic cottage they buy was home to loner Barrie Gilpin, the
prime suspect in the brutal slaying of a tourist, whose body was laid out on the pagan
site up on the fell. Daniel knew Barrie when the two were young and finds it hard to
believe in his guilt - Barrie died up on the fells too so there was never a trial. Daniel
shows an interest in the case - he knows his late, estranged father, a policeman, was
involved and he soon hooks up with his father's colleague, Hannah Scarlett who is
reviewing unsolved murders in the area. But there are plenty of people who would
rather leave the past buried and the truth hidden. A satisfying tale with evocative
descriptions of the countryside and characters I look forward to meeting again.
(
Cath Staincliffe
author of the popular Sal Kilkenny mysteries and the series creator of TV Blue Murder)
The Coffin Trail A Lake District Mystery by
Martin Edwards
