Cold Wrath

In which the gentle reader and our Mr. Hennessey are reminded to never underestimate the devious mind, allusions to “HMS Pinafore” can be made, decisions in life can have very sad consequences, and what’s up with the new guy?

Peter Turnbull has been writing the Hennessey and Yellich series for a long time. He has a particularly singular style that he uses in doing so, one that newer readers may find takes some getting used to. But if you are a new reader with this book, persevere, please. Mr. Turnbull’s descriptive skills are in full force from the very first page. Readers are faced with a victim immediately -- one Anthony Garrett, the mysterious homeowner, found by his self-proclaimed “donkey gardener,” or general labourer who works at the estate. Our Detective Chief Inspector George Hennessey recognizes an old lag when he sees one, and he becomes a suspect. This gardener is the first in a series of unique individuals who populate the pages of “Cold Wrath.”
The victim is found to be a bad ‘un -- and he’s left many victims in his wake. Soon there’s no surfeit of suspects. Even the police aren’t sorry he’s dead. Perhaps too glad? Hennessey and Yellich have to deal with that prospect, because the shooting was cool and professional. Angels and demons both become a possibility in the plot.

Did you know that the word mouth comes from Old High German and gob is of medieval English origin? You will, if you read “Cold Wrath.” Peter Turnbull is renowned for having his characters impart these little tidbits of wisdom. And as in others in the series, we are treated to finding out how to pronounce Detective Sergeant Somerled Yellich’s first name. It’s what makes a Turnbull book feel like it’s passing along information from an old friend. But never forget that you are also getting a lesson in human psychology. It may make you feel a little disconcerted, with many little “wiggle uneasily in your seat” moments. That’s what Turnbull does masterfully, too, taking something straightforward and twisting it to illustrate how easily it is to turn from good to evil, and something in between. Or from evil to good; witness the scenes with Carmen Pharaoh and our “donkey gardener,” as she tries to have him understand that he does not have to see the world in the way he is seeing it. Does she convince him? You’ll have to read the book to find out. These are the stories underlying the main story that make Hennessey and Yellich books so delightful to read.

The finish comes softly, the denouement worthy of an American soap opera. You can’t do this kind of stuff and get away with it, unless you’re Peter Turnbull and your gentle readers love you for the Hennessey and Yellich world you’ve created. So find a comfortable chair, maybe a large dog (or a cat), settle in with a cup of tea topped off with a drop of Laphroaig and follow along as Peter Turnbull explains how a very bad man finds out that you can run, but you can’t hide.

Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for a copy of this book ahead of publication, in exchange for this review.

Cold Wrath by Peter Turnbull is #25 in the series featuring Detective Chief Inspector George Hennessey and Detective Superintendent Somerled Yellich. However, it reads well as a standalone. On a summer morning, in the village of Millington, a gardener finds his employer Anthony Garrett shot dead in his home named The Grange. It falls to Hennessey and Yellich to solve the murder of the secretive and reclusive victim. What stood out for me in this murder mystery is the old-fashioned style of writing: the wordiness used to especially describe all characters involved. I found it to be charming and interesting. This being my first experience with this series, I look forward to reading more books by Peter Turnbull. Thank you to Severn House and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Cold Wrath is the twenty-fifth novel in the DCI George Hennessey and DS Somerled Yellich series, set in beautiful York, and here, the team investigate the mysterious execution-style murder of a quiet, reclusive member of the community. Each instalment can be read as standalones. Once again, Turnbull delivers an intriguing and utterly charming mystery. If I'm honest the writing style does take a little getting used to but don't let that put you off as it's well worth your time; I particularly enjoy the trivia the author sprinkles throughout the story as I'm a sucker for learning interesting, oddball information.

It's a well written, quick, easy read, however, it won't be for everyone. These books are rather wordy and descriptive, which suits me, but if you like straightforward, unflowery prose it may not be your bag. All in all, it contains some nicely plotted reveals and twisty surprises. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

Many thanks to Severn House Publishers for an ARC.

When Miles Law reports the death of his employer, Anthony Garrett, DCI Hennessey and DS Yellich are called in to investigate.

Garrett was a reclusive, a shut-in, who kept everyone at a distance. Each of his employees had a different knock when they came to his house ... and no one entered without knocking.

He had one neighbor, an elderly woman who states that the man had company the morning he was shot and killed .... three young women, identical in looks and dress. One of the women entered without knocking ... the other two women stood as sentinels outside, one of each side of the door. Moments later, the one comes out of the house, intertwines arms with the other two and calmly drives away.

Who are these women? How do they know the victim? What do the detectives know of this man's past?

The detectives are soon hunting for a ruthless, efficient killer.

Peter Turnbull is a much respected author of superior crime fiction. This one did not disappoint. I confess I have not read the entire series, but COLD WRATH is easily read as a stand alone.

The book is well written, the mystery builds from the very first page and the ending is almost eerie The characters are finely drawn and true to their natures.

Many thanks to the author / Severn House / Netgalley for the advanced copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.