Recent Events

Friday, 8 February 2019

‘Lessons in Cracking the Deadly Code’ By Charlie Cochrane


Independently Published,
5 November 2018.
ISBN: 978-1-73077675-5 (PB)

It is late January 1911 and the weather in Cambridge is bitterly cold, with snow and ice making any journey, however short, miserable and potentially hazardous. Despite this, St Bride’s College is gearing up to celebrate St Bride’s day, an old festival that had been abandoned but is now being reinstated at the suggestion of a new fellow of the college, Dr. Burns.

Jonty Stewart and Orlando Coppersmith are expecting to do their best to support the celebrations but are called on to do more than they anticipated when a series of strange pranks plague the college. The incidents all seem minor and probably harmless, although somebody climbing on the chapel roof three nights in succession is liable to lead to a nasty accident and the theft of a key to the library has greatly concerned the librarian. However trivial the matter, Jonty and Orlando are always happy to have a chance to investigate a mystery. Also they are glad to assist their friend, Mrs Sheridan, who is helping to organise the celebration. It becomes apparent that the unknown perpetrator is hunting for something that is concealed in the college, but what starts as a fascinating treasure hunt becomes increasingly sinister and turns very nasty indeed when it leads to violent death. Not for the first time, Jonty and Orlando’s investigation places them in danger of meeting a very nasty end.

This novella is part of the series featuring the Cambridge Fellows, Jonty Stewart and Orlando Coppersmith, and it is an interesting adventure with impeccable period detail. Not only are Orlando and Jonty thoroughly engaging protagonists, the warm and supportive characters that surround them are full of vitality and very likeable. This is an extremely enjoyable book, perfect for a relaxing read.
------
Reviewer: Carol Westron  

Charlie Cochrane couldn't be trusted to do any of her jobs of choice—like managing a rugby team— so she writes. Her favourite genre is gay fiction, predominantly historical romances/mysteries.  A member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, and International Thriller Writers Inc, Charlie's Cambridge Fellows Series, set in Edwardian England, was instrumental in her being named Author of the Year 2009 by the review site Speak Its Name.



Carol Westron is a successful short story writer and a Creative Writing teacher.  She is the moderator for the cosy/historical crime panel,
The Deadly Dames.  Her crime novels are set both in contemporary and Victorian times.  The Terminal Velocity of Cats the first in her Scene of Crimes novels, was published July 2013. Carol recently gave an interview to Mystery People. To read the interview click on the link below.


To read a review of Carol latest book Strangers and Angels click on the title.






No comments:

Post a Comment