J. M. Dalgliesh’s “One Lost Soul” was the first novel I have read by this author, but will not be my last. It is the first of a series.
This tale is set during the early spring along the coast of Norfolk, England with the discovery of the body of a 17 year old, Holly Bettany, just off the path along the cliffs of the Holkham nature reserve.
Mrs. Jane Francis discovered the body from a distance and saw Mark McCall, Holly’s friend who suffers with Asperger syndrome touch the dead girls leg and ran away seeing Jane approaching. Jane looked closely and was sure Holly was dead, but not knowing what to do called the ambulance.
This is an interesting murder mystery in a small town filled with gossiping busy bodies, flawed and interwoven characters of questionable morality.
Holly’s wealthy parents, Dr Coling Bettany and his wife, Dr Marie Bettany have a general physician practice just outside Burnham Overy. Madeleine “Maddie” Bettany is Holly’s 4 year younger sister.
In spite of her controlling fathers desire for Holly to follow in he and his wife’s footsteps and become a doctor, she wants to be an artist.
Ken Francis is a successful artist with his own studio. He has been the subject of several sexual assaults including a sexual relationship with Holly. Some think Ken’s wife, Jane is evil and would do anything to keep her family together. She knows about her husband’s infidelity, yet stays with him and defends him.
Fraser and Angela Harding are also wealthy, the former is contemplating retirement as a senior executive for a global oil company. Their daughter, Amelia was Holly’s close friend.
Mark McCall loved Holly, but understood that she saw him as a friend that she protected from bullies at school. Unlike the rest of his family, Mark does not lie. His disability make him a gullible and trusting soul. His father, two brothers, and sister are poor and do what they need to do to survive. His father Callum has been in and out of jail several times and has a reputation of being a low life criminal.
Young Eric Collet a Criminal Investigative Division (CID) Officer received the call concerning Holly’s death and notifies his senior officer of the CID, Detective Inspector Tom Janssen.
Janssen calls for a senior investigator following Holly’s autopsy by Norwich pathologist, James Collins’ determination that the cause of death was the result of manual strangulation and her late first trimester pregnancy. Deputy Chief Inspector Tamara Greave from. Norwich is assigned to be in charge of the investigation.
Greave, Janssen, and Collet use extraordinary investigating skills and the author superbly develops this enthralling mystery piecing together an intriguing tale that kept me guessing to the very end.
I recommend this novel to family, friends, and others who love a well written and developed murder mystery.
Enjoy!
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
Hard Rock apparel
Outerwear, tees, and accessories. Discover the rock shop.
More like One Lost Soul: A chilling British detective crime thriller (The Hidden Norfolk Murder Mystery Series Book 1)
Page 1 of 1Start overPage 1 of 1
Loading...
Popular Highlights in this book
Occam’s Razor kept repeating in his mind. The simplest conclusion that relied on the fewest number of assumptions would arguably win out.Highlighted by 331 Kindle readers- Once the initial passion of a relationship subsided, what remained were two people keeping each other company as they passed through life.Highlighted by 235 Kindle readers
- As much as your thoughts and feelings towards the world could be shaped by your peers, more often than not it was your family who nurtured your world view.Highlighted by 177 Kindle readers
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
