‘Murder at the Willows’ by Jane Adams

Published by Joffe Books,
15 February 2023.
ISBN: 978-1-80405715-5 (PB)

Rina Martin was at one time a well-known TV sleuth and for some time now she has been helping solve crimes for real. She is quite pleased with herself, having recently completed a comeback with a Christmas Special for television as her old character Lydia Marchant.

When an old acquaintance of hers, a famous artist named Jean Hammond is found dead sitting under a tree in her garden, the police assume she died of natural causes. She had after all had a heart condition and was ninety-five years old. However, several things about the way she was found are “a bit off”. She never walked outside without her stick, but there was no sign of it. She was sitting down under a tree – she never sat on the ground as she could not get up. Also why were there crushed dried flowers in her hand?

Jean had been made guardian to Cal, who found her body and he tells Rina about the strange anomalies. She decides to ring her friend Detective Inspector McGregor, known as Mac. So begins a proper police investigation when similarities are found to two previous murders.

Ursula a young girl of eighteen whom Rina has known since she was a child, worked for Jean as a cleaner and became very close to her. Jean had instructed her that on her death, Ursula should open an envelope to be found in her art studio and do what is necessary. The contents reveal connections to many years ago – and someone is bent on revenge, but who? More intriguing, what has Jean’s death got to do with a seemingly unrelated murder of a whole family also years ago?

To add to the puzzle, valuable paintings Jean created are stolen from her studio, they are worth hundreds of thousands of pounds. The theft is obviously connected to her death, but it will take all Mac and his team’s investigative powers – along with Rina’s of course to try and get to the truth.

Then there is another murder. Is anyone safe?

Another intriguing murder mystery for Rina to help solve. I do so like her character and her following of friends. Thoroughly recommended.
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Reviewer: Tricia Chappell

Jane Adams was born in Leicestershire, where she still lives. She has a degree in Sociology and has held a variety of jobs including lead vocalist in a folk rock band. She enjoys pen and ink drawing; martial arts and her ambition is to travel the length of the Silk Road by motorbike. Her first book, The Greenway, was shortlisted for the CWA John Creasey Award in 1995 and for the Author's Club Best First Novel Award. Jane writes several series.  Her first series featured Mike Croft. Several books featuring DS Ray Flowers. Seven titles featuring blind Naoimi Blake, and six titles featuring Rina Martin. Her most ret series is set between the two World Wars and featuring Detective Inspector Henry Johnstone and his sergeant, Micky Hitchens. Jane has also written several standalone novels. She is married with two children.

Tricia Chappell. I have a great love of books and reading, especially crime and thrillers. I play the occasional game of golf (when I am not reading). My great love is cruising especially to far flung places, when there are long days at sea for plenty more reading! I am really enjoying reviewing books and have found lots of great new authors.