The Murders at Fleat House
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by Lucinda Riley
Publication Date: May 26, 2022
Publisher: Blue Box Press
Hardcover: 344 Pages
Publisher Description
The sudden death of a pupil in Fleat House at St Stephen’s – a small English private boarding school in deepest Norfolk – is a shocking event that the headmaster is very keen to call a tragic accident.
But the local police cannot rule out foul play and the case prompts the return of high-flying Detective Inspector Jazmine ‘Jazz’ Hunter to the force. Jazz has her own private reasons for stepping away from her police career in London but reluctantly agrees to front the investigation as a favour to her old boss.
Reunited with her loyal Sergeant, Alastair Miles, she enters the closed world of the school, and as Jazz begins to probe the circumstances surrounding Charlie Cavendish’s tragic death, events are soon to take another troubling turn.
Charlie is exposed as an arrogant bully and those around him had both motive and opportunity to switch the drugs he took daily to control his epilepsy.
As staff at the school close ranks, the disappearance of young pupil Rory Millar and the death of an elderly Classics Master provide Jazz with important leads but are destined to complicate the investigation further. As snow covers the landscape and another suspect goes missing, Jazz must also confront her own personal demons…
Then a particularly grim discovery at the school makes this the most challenging murder investigation of her career. Because Fleat House hides secrets darker than even Jazz could ever have imagined…
Review
The Murders at Fleat House by Lucinda Riley is a gripping mystery novel that follows Detective Inspector Jazmine ‘Jazz’ Hunter as she investigates the death of a pupil at a small English boarding school.
The case takes a turn when it becomes clear that foul play may be involved, and Jazz must contend with a cast of suspects, including staff and students at the school.
As she gets closer to the truth, Jazz must also confront her demons, making this the most challenging murder investigation of her career.
***
The brand-new standalone by Lucinda Riley is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a fast-paced mystery novel that will keep you guessing until the end.
Detective Inspector Jazmine ‘Jazz’ Hunter is a compelling protagonist- she’s smart and tenacious, and I loved watching her grow and develop throughout the novel as she came to terms with her past. The supporting cast of characters is also excellent, and the suspects she must contend with are diverse and intriguing.
The suspense is palpable, making it a truly gripping read. Lucinda Riley was a master of the mystery genre, and even if The Murders at Fleat House is her only murder mystery, it represents a brilliant example of her skill as a storyteller. This book is an excellent gift for all Lucinda Riley’s fans to enjoy another fantastic story penned by a great novelist we will miss.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions in this review are entirely my own.
About the author
Lucinda Riley was born in 1965 in Ireland, and after an early career as an actress in film, theatre and television, wrote her first book aged twenty-four. Her books have been translated into thirty-seven languages and continue to strike an emotional chord with all cultures around the world. The Seven Sisters series specifically has become a global phenomenon, creating its own genre, and there are plans to create a seven-season TV series.
Read more about Lucinda ON HER WEBSITE
