The Merchant's House: The First Wesley Peterson Murder Mystery (The Wesley Peterson Murder Mysteries) - Softcover

Ellis, Kate

Softcover

ISBN 10: 074995275X ISBN 13: 9780749952754

Publisher: Piatkus Books, 2010

Synopsis

*THE FIRST MYSTERY IN THE WESLEY PETERSON SERIES*

A history of secrets and lies . . .

DS Wesley Peterson, newly arrived in the West Country town of Tradmouth, has his hands full when a child goes missing and a young woman is brutally murdered on a lonely cliff path. Then his old friend, archaeologist Neil Watson, unearths the skeletons of a woman and a newborn baby in the cellar of an ancient merchant's house nearby.

As they begin to investigate the murders, Wesley starts to suspect that these deaths, centuries apart, may be linked by age-old motives of jealousy and sexual obsession. And the pressure is on if he is going to prevent a further tragedy . . .

What readers are saying about Kate Ellis:

'A beguiling author who interweaves past and present' The Times

'Haunting' Independent

'I loved this novel . . . a powerful story of loss, malice and deception' Ann Cleeves

'I couldn't stop turning the pages... Something about this book just hooked me!' Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

'Unputdownable' Bookseller

'The chilling plot will keep you spooked and thrilled to the end' Closer

'A really good read... could not put it down. I bought the second book as soon as I finished this one!' Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

'A fine storyteller, weaving the past and present in a way that makes you want to read on' Peterborough Evening Telegraph

'Very well put together and still managed to surprise me at the end - highly recommended' In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel

'You'll fall in love with coastal England and find yourself walking the cobbled lanes in your imagination . . . Do not miss this series!' Amazon Reviewer, 5 stars

About this title

About the Author

Kate Ellis was born and brought up in Liverpool and studied drama in Manchester. She is the author of the Wesley Peterson murder mysteries, as well as the Albert Lincoln trilogy and the Joe Plantagenet mysteries.

In 2019 Kate was shortlisted for the CWA Dagger in the Library Award for the second time. She has also twice been shortlisted for CWA Short Story Dagger.

Visit her online at: www.kateellis.co.uk

From Kirkus Reviews

An engaging first novel introducing Detective Sergeant Wesley Peterson, who has just been transferred from London to Tradmouth, an ancient coastal town, has a degree in archaeology, and is black. His boss is D.I. Gerry Heffernan, an affable widower. Wesley and his teacher wife Pam have arrived at a stressful time in the village. Two-year-old Jonathon Berrisford has been missing for days and, almost as the Petersons arrive, the murdered body of a young woman is discovered by Dorothy Truscot on her daily walk to Little Tradmouth Head. A more cheerful event is Wesley's meeting with old friend and classmate Neil Watson, working for the County's Archaeological Unit on a nearby dig. He and his team have already unearthed two skeletons one infant, one adultfrom what was once the cellar of a 17th-century house. Meanwhile, Wesley and D.C. Rachel Tracey, searching for the identity of the murder victim, have settled on local model Karen Giordinountil she turns up very much alive after a trip abroad. There's more success when the name of Shirley Carteret surfaces and proves to be the one they're seeking. Why had she deserted her apartment in the house of elegant Mrs. Hughs? Where is the steady boyfriend who wears an earring? Who was paying into Shirley's bank account every month, and what was her connection with Mowbray Clinic and its Dr. Downing? A flood of questions with intriguing answersall made more meaningful by excerpts from a 17th-century journal heading every chapter. A lively, unfancy prose style, an absorbing story, and believable characters make for a praiseworthy debut. -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: Piatkus Books
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 074995275X
• ISBN 13: 9780749952754
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 256