A Death in the Dales: A Kate Shackleton Mystery (A Kate Shackleton Mystery, 7)
A Death in the Dales: A Kate Shackleton Mystery (A Kate Shackleton Mystery, 7) book cover

A Death in the Dales: A Kate Shackleton Mystery (A Kate Shackleton Mystery, 7)

Hardcover – February 14, 2017

Price
$25.87
Format
Hardcover
Pages
384
Publisher
Minotaur Books
Publication Date
ISBN-13
978-1250098825
Dimensions
5.75 x 1.26 x 8.43 inches
Weight
1 pounds

Description

"Frances Brody matches a heroine of free and independent spirit with a vivid evocation of time and place. [A] Death in the Dales is a novel to cherish."― Daily Mail (UK)"An excellent British cozy..." ― Kirkus Reviews This, the seventh in Brody’s Kate Shackleton series, offers classic, English-countryside,cozy-mystery enjoyment…. Brody vividly portrays village life, with its narrow-mindedness and willingness to hide unpleasant truths, and ties up the many strands in a surprising, satisfying way.” ―Historical Novel Society“It felt so different, so fresh and so clever, a story written with a lot of subtlety and gentleness, and also with a great dose of humor. Even though the plot was complex...it was still a very neat, logical read, and the characters were brilliant representatives of this age...I really can’t wait for more.”― On My Bookshelf on A Death in the Dales “Cozy it may be, but this story is also convincing, compelling, and clever…Once you’ve met Kate Shackleton, you’ll want to read more of her!” ― Crime Review on A Death in the Dales “Brody has the style of the classic British cozy down pat.” ― Kirkus Reviews on Death of An Avid Reader "Frances Brody has made it to the top rank of crime writers." ― Daily Mail (UK) on Death of an Avid Reader "This is a well written, engaging story, easy to read and positively breathing the atmosphere of its setting and time.”― Crime Review on Death of an Avid Reader It's very difficult to recommend further reading which comes up to the standard of the Kate Shackleton books. ― The Bookbag A mash-up of "Masterpiece" series "Indian Summers" and "Downtown Abbey. ― New York Post on Murder on a Summer's Day "Frances Brody knows how to hold the reader attention and make them continue reading into the small hours of the night."― The Press (UK) on Murder on a Summer's Day "Reminiscent of Dorothy L. Sayers and Agatha Christie with a thoroughly likeable protagonist and a plot that held me to the end."―Mignon F. Ballard, author of the Miss Dimple Kilpatrick Mystery Series on Dying in the Wool "A winning heroine, a fresh and fascinating setting, richly detailed and well-woven into the plot, and a mystery that twists and tightens and twists again..." ―Catriona McPherson, author of Dandy Gilver and the Proper Treatment of Blood Stains on Dying in the Wool “The 1920s are a fascinating and under-used period for new crime fiction, so it's a particular pleasure to have Frances setting her story at that time. Kate Shackleton is a splendid heroine … I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!” ―Ann Granger on Dying in the Wool FRANCES BRODY lives in Leeds in the North of England. Before turning to crime with her first book in the Kate Shackleton series Dying in the Wool , she wrote historical sagas, winning the HarperCollins Elizabeth Elgin award for most regionally evocative debut saga of the millennium. Other Kate Shackleton Mysteries include Death at the Seaside , A Death in the Dales , and Murder on a Summer's Day .

Features & Highlights

  • An intricate plot set in the 1920s English countryside and Frances Brody's "refreshingly complex heroine" (
  • Kirkus) Kate Shackleton make A Death in the Dales
  • an absorbing 7th installment in this mystery, perfect for fans of Jacqueline Winspear and Agatha Christie.
  • A murder most foulWhen the landlord of a Yorkshire tavern is killed in plain sight, Freda Simonson, the only witness to the crime, becomes plagued with guilt, believing the wrong man has been convicted. Following her death, it seems that the truth will never be uncovered in the peaceful village of Langcliffe...
  • A village of secrets
  • But it just so happens that Freda’s nephew is courting the renowned amateur sleuth Kate Shackleton, who decides to holiday in Langcliffe with her indomitable teenage niece, Harriet. When Harriet strikes up a friendship with a local girl whose young brother is missing, the search leads Kate to uncover another suspicious death, not to mention an illicit affair.
  • The case of a lifetime
  • As the present mysteries merge with the past’s mistakes, Kate is thrust into the secrets that Freda left behind and realizes that this courageous woman has entrusted her with solving a murder from beyond the grave. It soon becomes clear to her that nothing in Langcliffe is quite as it appears, and with a murderer on the loose and an ever-growing roster of suspects, this isn’t the holiday Kate was expecting...Frances Brody's Kate Shackleton returns in
  • A Death in the Dales
  • with another mystery that's sure to "hold the reader attention and make them continue reading into the small hours of the night" (
  • York Press
  • , UK).

Customer Reviews

Rating Breakdown

★★★★★
30%
(238)
★★★★
25%
(199)
★★★
15%
(119)
★★
7%
(56)
23%
(182)

Most Helpful Reviews

✓ Verified Purchase

This one is her best so far!

This is her best work so far, I enjoyed all her Kate Shackleton books but somewhere around the publication of Death in the Afternoon she kind of lost her way, however this mystery restores my confidence and I look forward to the next one called Death at the Seaside, I prefer the "homely" or English Cozy type mysteries with female sleuths set in England in the time period 1920 thru WWII with good character development. Maisie Dobbs books by Jacqueline Winspear are also very good, and the out of print Miss Silver mysteries by the late Patricia Wentworth are excellent, wish Sir Julian Fellowes would make a TV series about them.
1 people found this helpful
✓ Verified Purchase

Kate investigates an old murder that brings up secrets from the past

This is the 7th book in the series. Kate is taking a holiday with her niece Harriet, who is recuperating from diptheria. They are staying in a cottage that belonged to the aunt of Lucien, the doctor who has been courting Kate. While there, Kate is pulled into an old mystery. Aunt Frieda witnessed a murder from her window and was convinced that the wrong man was convicted. Kate is asked to look into the case to see if she can find out the truth. As she digs into the past, she has a more recent investigation when Harriet’s new friend, who is an orphan and is working at the mill, cannot find her young brother who has been sent to work at a farm. The investigations draw up several secrets from the past and the cases become intertwined. Kate must also start thinking about if she wants a life as a doctor’s wife. As she learns more about Frieda’s life, she comes to a startling conclusion that will change everything.
✓ Verified Purchase

Loved This Book

“A Death in the Dales” is the first book by Frances Brody that I have read. I wasn’t sure that I would like a British mystery, especially because the colloquial speech of Britain is so different. Phrases and words were foreign to me and forced me to search for the meaning of the words, foods, and other jargon that was new to me. I loved it! Because this book is set in one of my favorite time periods and is full of murder and mystery, I am determined to read more books by Frances Brody. I found that the story line was not as important to me as what I learned about British life in the 1020’s. I read because I love to read, I am twice blessed when I read a book and learn so many new things.

The character of Kate Shackleton, private investigator, is a strong woman, but still feminine. Her insights in dealing with suspicious characters are very revealing of her intellect. I especially enjoyed the minor characters in this novel. They were quite charming in their own way. I thought that the way they were presented gave me more suspects for the misdeeds and made the book much more interesting.

I would like to thank NightOwlreviews.com for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free print copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone.
✓ Verified Purchase

Frances Brody's Excellent Mysteries

I love the Kate Shackleton novels by Frances Brody. If you like historical mysteries, try this series. All the books are well-written, with interesting stories and well-drawn characters.