In the second novel in the Fethering mysteries, Fethring's own amateur lady detectives must investigate a shocking murder in the shadow of the West Sussex Downs
Death on the Downs (Fethering Mysteries)
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Book Description
It wasn’t the rain that upset Carole Seddon during her walk on the Downs, or the dilapidated barn in which she was forced to seek shelter. No, what upset her was the human skeleton she discovered there, neatly packed into two blue fertiliser bags . . . Carole and Jude's enquiries take them to the small downland hamlet of Weldisham and there gossips quickly identify the corpse as Tamsin Lutteridge, a young woman who disappeared from the village months before. So why is Tamsin’s mother, a friend of Jude's, so certain that her daughter is still alive? As Jude sets out to find Tamsin, Carole digs deeper into Weldisham’s history and the bitter relationships simmering beneath the village’s gentle façade. 'Welcome return for Brett's lady sleuths . . . As crime gets a harder edge, it's refreshing to have an amiable light-hearted tale, which makes the most of wit and atmosphere' Yorkshire Post
About the Author
Simon Brett worked as a producer in radio and television before taking up writing full time. He is married with three grown-up children and lives in an Agatha Christie-style village on the South Downs. This is the second in the popular Fethering series. The latest novel Death under the Dryer, will publish simultaneously.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It would be a mistake to read this book without first reading The Body on the Beach in which amateur detectives and neighbors Carole Seddon and Jude (no last name) meet one another. If opposites attract, these two fiftyish women make that point. Carole is a retired Home Office bureaucrat who likes things tidy and prefers her distance from people. Jude is friendly, messy, and plunges right in. That contrast was well established in The Body on the Beach. In Death on The Downs, the two characters begin to develop other facets. But if you haven't read the first book, you'll miss the relevance of much of that character development.
Carole Seddon once again stumbles on evidence of foul play when she uncovers a human skeleton while seeking shelter from the rain in an old barn. The local police are very sympathetic and even offer her counseling. Carole learns that there's been a young woman missing for four months. Could that be the victim? When Carole shares her experiences and theory with Jude, Jude is floored. She knows the missing woman!
Carole begins to exploit her developing social skills to find out more about what's going on in Weldisham, where she found the bones. Jude uses her alternative therapy contacts (and a little blackmail) to check out other lines of inquiry.
Carole knows she's on the right track when she begins to receive threats. Before the story is over, she'll pay a high price for her curiosity.
Readers who enjoyed The Body on the Beach will find Death on the Downs to be an easier book to read, with more interesting action.
This series is well worth reading and I hope you enjoy it!
Carole Seddon once again stumbles on evidence of foul play when she uncovers a human skeleton while seeking shelter from the rain in an old barn. The local police are very sympathetic and even offer her counseling. Carole learns that there's been a young woman missing for four months. Could that be the victim? When Carole shares her experiences and theory with Jude, Jude is floored. She knows the missing woman!
Carole begins to exploit her developing social skills to find out more about what's going on in Weldisham, where she found the bones. Jude uses her alternative therapy contacts (and a little blackmail) to check out other lines of inquiry.
Carole knows she's on the right track when she begins to receive threats. Before the story is over, she'll pay a high price for her curiosity.
Readers who enjoyed The Body on the Beach will find Death on the Downs to be an easier book to read, with more interesting action.
This series is well worth reading and I hope you enjoy it!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Death on the Downs is Simon Brett's second book in the Fethering Mysteries Series.
This series has a familiarity to it; the same area, the same locations, the same characters and the same local sleuths; Carole Seddon and her neighbour Jude.
Carole comes across a bag full of human bones whilst out walking one wet miserable day. The shock of her find turns to intrigue as she (plus Jude) want to find out the truth about who these bones belong to and how they came to be so carelessly left where they could be found.
Brett introduces local characters to keep the red herrings and the story alive. Especially when the locals believe it is a missing woman who fell ill and seemingly disappears. Jude knows this missing woman and about her illness; but also knows that something is wrong, and her mothers' reactions to the bones being found is out of the ordinary. Even DS Lennie Bayliss's lack of detecting on the case and lack of concern about illegal activities in his village is strange.
Together Carole and Jude use the skills they have to finally reach the correct conclusion but not without some serious consequences along the way.
The second book builds on the two main characters Carole and Jude and we find more about their background d, especially Jude who though we see an insight into her life, still remains ever mysterious to use the reader and her neighbour Carole who just will not ask the right questions!
This series has a familiarity to it; the same area, the same locations, the same characters and the same local sleuths; Carole Seddon and her neighbour Jude.
Carole comes across a bag full of human bones whilst out walking one wet miserable day. The shock of her find turns to intrigue as she (plus Jude) want to find out the truth about who these bones belong to and how they came to be so carelessly left where they could be found.
Brett introduces local characters to keep the red herrings and the story alive. Especially when the locals believe it is a missing woman who fell ill and seemingly disappears. Jude knows this missing woman and about her illness; but also knows that something is wrong, and her mothers' reactions to the bones being found is out of the ordinary. Even DS Lennie Bayliss's lack of detecting on the case and lack of concern about illegal activities in his village is strange.
Together Carole and Jude use the skills they have to finally reach the correct conclusion but not without some serious consequences along the way.
The second book builds on the two main characters Carole and Jude and we find more about their background d, especially Jude who though we see an insight into her life, still remains ever mysterious to use the reader and her neighbour Carole who just will not ask the right questions!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Sam
Format:Paperback
The gentle murder mystery novel is often over looked for its darker and more violent crime cousins. However, this is a shame as Agatha Christie showed over many years that a good crime thriller can be all about people, yet still exciting. Simon Brett takes this sentimentality in his Fethering mysteries and `Death on the Downs' is a prime example. The book stars the odd couple Carole and Jude; one is a little stuck up, the other a free spirit. Between them they use their analytical skills and the village gossip to uncover whose bone were discovered when Carole was out walking.
I enjoyed the book, but like with many novels that surround amateur detectives the involvement of Carole and Jude felt a little crow barred in. The gentle gossip of the start soon becomes a little unbelievable as they continue to get privileged access into people's personal lives. I did like the slightly darker edge that the book had when compared to something like the Agatha Raisin novels, but at times it still felt fluffy. I also feel that the relationship between the two leads has yet to develop into something interesting as they are both too wary of one another. I imagine that as the series carries on their relationship will deepen and the books will benefit from this. In the end you get a decent murder mystery that entertains whilst it lasts, but will not stay with you for long.
I enjoyed the book, but like with many novels that surround amateur detectives the involvement of Carole and Jude felt a little crow barred in. The gentle gossip of the start soon becomes a little unbelievable as they continue to get privileged access into people's personal lives. I did like the slightly darker edge that the book had when compared to something like the Agatha Raisin novels, but at times it still felt fluffy. I also feel that the relationship between the two leads has yet to develop into something interesting as they are both too wary of one another. I imagine that as the series carries on their relationship will deepen and the books will benefit from this. In the end you get a decent murder mystery that entertains whilst it lasts, but will not stay with you for long.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Nicola F (Nic)
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
The second book in the Fethering Mysteries series finds Carol Seddon taking shelter in a barn whilst walking on the Downs and then much to her chagrin, stumbling across a human skeleton stowed away in some fertiliser bags. Carol and her neighbour, the mysterious Jude, decide to do a little bit of amateur sleuthing into this rather ominous discovery and soon realise that even the most proper of small English villages can hold their secrets...
With great character development and insight into life in small rural villages, this was a fun read. The mystery aspect is cleverly done with a few red herrings thrown in for good measure. It isn't quite a `cosy' mystery as some bits of the plot are quite ominous, but retains a nice traditional feel. I also like the friendship that is slowly but surely building between Jude and Carol who are complete opposites in personality. Jude is slowly letting down her guard and Carol is loosening up a bit more. I really look forward to seeing how this progresses as the books move on. There was also a little touch of romance in here for the rather self deprecating Carol which was lovely to see. Its nice reading books where the protagonists aren't gorgeous blonde twenty-something's and Carol has a bit of attitude and nosiness about her which is interesting and adds humour to the plot.
I would suggest to read the first book in this series before trying this one however, merely because it establishes the characters of Jude and Carol from the start of their acquaintance, though it is of course not essential to do so as enough background is given here and Jude is something of an enigma anyway! If you enjoy well-written British mystery novels then I would suggest you give this a try.... Read more ›
With great character development and insight into life in small rural villages, this was a fun read. The mystery aspect is cleverly done with a few red herrings thrown in for good measure. It isn't quite a `cosy' mystery as some bits of the plot are quite ominous, but retains a nice traditional feel. I also like the friendship that is slowly but surely building between Jude and Carol who are complete opposites in personality. Jude is slowly letting down her guard and Carol is loosening up a bit more. I really look forward to seeing how this progresses as the books move on. There was also a little touch of romance in here for the rather self deprecating Carol which was lovely to see. Its nice reading books where the protagonists aren't gorgeous blonde twenty-something's and Carol has a bit of attitude and nosiness about her which is interesting and adds humour to the plot.
I would suggest to read the first book in this series before trying this one however, merely because it establishes the characters of Jude and Carol from the start of their acquaintance, though it is of course not essential to do so as enough background is given here and Jude is something of an enigma anyway! If you enjoy well-written British mystery novels then I would suggest you give this a try.... Read more ›
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
It's great when you find a new author !
I was so pleased to find a new author.
These are gentle easy read but somehow compelling.
It's great to be back into looking forward to reading a book.
These are gentle easy read but somehow compelling.
It's great to be back into looking forward to reading a book.
Published 2 days ago by A. S. CLEGG
5.0 out of 5 stars
Death on the Downs
I loved this book as I loved the previous one The Body on the Beach. It is just just lovely to read a classic who dun nit with red herrings and a bit of action !!
Published 4 months ago by Agatha Christie
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great read
I enjoyed the fact that there were more characters to think about in this book. Lots of strands to consider.
Published 7 months ago by A Bedford
5.0 out of 5 stars
Death on the Down
Finished this book this morning and I loved it. It is certainly better than The Body on the Beach as there is more conjecture and twists and turns. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Mrs. A. L. Maddocks
4.0 out of 5 stars
An interesting gentle thriller
This is an interesting gentle murder mystery in a "typical" English village. I enjoyed it and it kept me turning the pages.
Published 16 months ago by Ransen Owen
5.0 out of 5 stars
ANOTHER GOOD READ FROM SIMON BRETT ..
DEATH ON THE DOWNS ...
I really enjoyed this book, its the sort that you don't want to put down. Read more
I really enjoyed this book, its the sort that you don't want to put down. Read more
Published 22 months ago by MIDNIGHT
3.0 out of 5 stars
Death On The Downs
Carole and Jude investigate when Carole discovers two fertiliser bags filled with bones in a dis-used barn.
Hugely enjoyable rainy day/Sunday night TV whodunnit. Read more
Hugely enjoyable rainy day/Sunday night TV whodunnit. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Rich
5.0 out of 5 stars
Second book in the Fethering series
The second book in the Fethering series finds Carole on a wet day walking on the Downs taking shelter in a disused barn and finding some fertiliser bags containing what turns out... Read more
Published on 4 May 2011 by Sophia
5.0 out of 5 stars
SIMON BRETTS---DEATH ON THE DOWNS
ANOTHER GOOD MYSTERY FROM THE FETHERING SERIES. I LIKE THE BOOKS ALTHOUGH ITS A BIT HARD GETTING TO LIKE AGATHA HERSELF BUT IM WORKING ON IT. Read more
Published on 25 May 2009 by Gladys M. Zitz
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