‘The Two Deaths of Ruth Lyle’ by Nick Louth

Published by Canelo,
2 May 2024.
ISBN: 978-1-80436717-9 (PB)

Detective Inspector Jan Talantire is out on a date when she receives urgent texts. An elderly lady has been stabbed to death in a cottage in Ilfracombe.

When Talantire arrives there, she is met by Inspector T. P. Carnegie. The scene is horrific, the woman lies on the kitchen table impaled by a crucifix through her chest. A neighbour said she had heard arguing two days ago and hadn’t seen the lady since. Today she could get no answer when knocking on her door and had called the police. The dead body is identified as Ruth Lyle.

Checks are made and it is revealed that exactly fifty years ago to the day last Thursday when the murder was thought to have taken place, a young girl of the same name was killed in the same place in the same way. The only difference being she was found laid out on the altar as the building was a church back then.

A very baffling case ensues, all the records match, seemingly it is the same woman who died fifty years ago. Even the dates of birth are exactly the same, but how can a person die twice?

Tests prove the crucifix is even the same one used in the first murder, plus weirdly, DNA tests on the present crucifix also match up with the first murder!

So, begins an in-depth investigations into the death fifty years ago. However, Talantire finds she is thwarted on all levels. Many records of the time seem to have “disappeared”, leading the team to realise someone in authority is hiding their involvement in the past.

It is revealed that a young man was charged with the original murder but was placed in a secure hospital rather than jail. However, he was released a few months ago and given a new identity. Could he really be responsible again? No matter how hard they try, Talantire and her team cannot find his whereabouts. They get no help from the Home Office either who want to uphold his new identity.

Further investigations also prove that the recent Ruth Lyle is not all that she seemed to be.  Even the hardened police are taken aback. Another puzzle is who or what is “the dark angel of the Lord” mentioned several times by the first perpetrator?

This is certainly the strangest and most unsettling murder case D. I. Talantire has had to deal with to date.

A very clever, weirdly fascinating murder story. I thoroughly enjoyed it and there were even some laugh aloud moments to lighten the mood. Plus, there is a tantalising hint on the last page that another book may follow – I do hope so.

Really highly recommended.
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Reviewer: Tricia Chappell

Nick Louth is a best-selling thriller writer, award-winning financial journalist and an investment commentator. He self-published his first novel, Bite, which was a No. 1 Kindle best-seller. It has sold a third of a million copies and been translated into six languages. Freelance since 1998, he has been a regular contributor to the financial Times, Investors Chronical and Money Observer. Nick is married and lives in Lincolnshire.

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.