‘A Nye of Pheasants’ by Steve Burrows

Published by Point Blank,
8 February 2024.
ISBN: 978-1-86154-177-5 (PBO)

Canadian Detective Chief Inspector Domenic Jejuene’s boss Detective Superintendent Colleen Shepherd informs him a new man will be joining the team. His name is Detective Noel Summer, and he has been out of the force for two years after causing an incident which led another officer to be paralysed for life. He is being brought in to replace another officer and friend of Jejuene’s, Danny Maik who has gone to Singapore.

News then reaches the team that Danny has been arrested for killing a man. He is to be charged with manslaughter.

Jejuene is then called to investigate the death of Abigail Cleve who lived at the large estate called the Nye. She ran a business rearing pheasants for a nearby shoot. When Jejuene arrives, it seems obvious that she committed suicide as her wrists had been slashed.

We then go to Singapore where Danny is being questioned by his lawyer, Selena Lim. It seems now that he is being charged with murder as evidence has been  uncovered that he planned the death, and if found guilty he will be facing the death penalty. Danny insists he only attacked the man because he had a knife and threatened him.  However, his lawyer tells him that no knife was found.

Back in Norfolk, Jejuene is now sure that Abigail did not commit suicide. A murder case is opened, and suspicion falls on a number of people as pheasant rearing for shooting is unpopular with many of the locals.

When Jejuene hears Danny is about to be charged with murder he contacts his brother Damian, who is on a walking and birdwatching trip in the Himalayas. He agrees to fly to Singapore and help Danny prove his innocence. With all his worry about Danny Maik, Colleen is concerned Jejuene is not concentrating enough on Abigail’s death. He certainly is not his normal thoroughly investigative self.

Meanwhile Summer is finding it difficult to settle in, memories of what happened two years ago keep coming to the fore, especially when he comes face to face with the man whose paralysis he caused.

With so much going on can Jejuene end up being any help to anyone?

Another fascinating and highly recommended “Birder Murder Mystery” from Steve Burrows. He has a beautifully descriptive way of writing and when he describes the waves on the beach, the scene comes alive. I could smell the sea air.  
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Reviewer:  Tricia Chappell

Steve Burrows has pursued his birdwatching hobby on five continents. He is a former editor of the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society Magazine and a contributing field editor for Asian Geographic. He was winner of BBC Wildlife magazine’s ‘Nature Writer of the Year’. Author of the Birder Murder series set in Britain’s prime birding county of Norfolk and featuring Canadian DCI Dominic Jejeune. Steve now lives with his wife in Oshawa, Ontario.

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.