I really don’t read thriller/murder mysteries any longer as I find that they keep me from sleeping – with a few exceptions. The Doyle and Acton series from Anne Cleeland include two of my favorite characters and the books are always welcome. Murder in Misdirection is the latest installment and Ms. Cleeland sent me a copy at no charge for my honest review.
About Murder in Misdirection:
It was a bit puzzling, that Chief Inspector Acton hadn’t mentioned the body they’d discovered in the burnt-out church, even though he must have known that Doyle would find it of great interest. Was the arsonist caught up in her own fire, or was there a deeper, more sinister tale told by the blackened rubble? Although she was sidelined on maternity leave, Detective Sergeant Kathleen Doyle was fast coming to the realization that her husband hadn’t told her, because he was masterminding some scheme—a scheme that may-or-may-not involve arson, blood money, and the ducks of St. Petersburg.
About the Author:
Anne Cleeland writes a contemporary Scotland Yard series that features detectives Acton and Doyle, and she also writes a historical series of stand-alone books set in the Regency period. A member of International Thriller Writers, The Historical Novel Society, and Mystery Writers of America, she lives in California and has four children. www.annecleeland.com; @annecleeland.
My Opinion:
I do enjoy the Doyle and Acton partnership; it is unconventional, full of humor and just a little dark. As with any of the books in the series, Murder in Misdirection can be read as a stand alone tale but it is far richer for having read what came before. As with any series, all of the detail you glean from knowing the full story just makes anything new all the more nuanced and deep.
This book sees Doyle in the eighth month of her first pregnancy and on maternity leave. Acton would like her to do nothing much more than take a few walks now and then and rest on the couch. But given her inquisitive nature and ability to find herself in the middle of trouble she is not going to rest easy until the birth of her first child.
Acton is still trying to clean up the corruption problems at New Scotland Yard and there are the usual murders to be dealt with as the matter of course. As Doyle tries to figure out what her husband is up to she also worries as to whether she will be a good mother or not. Plus she is having ghostly visitations – as she is wont to do.
It’s all part of what makes these books so entertaining. There is nothing ordinary or rote about them. They are full of engaging characters and intriguing mysteries. They are excellent diversions and a wonderful afternoon’s reading. I will anxiously await the next one – I do sincerely hope there is a next one as I think it will be vastly entertaining to see Acton as a father.
Rating:
4
OTHER BOOKS BY ANNE CLEELAND:
MURDER IN RETRIBUTION
MURDER IN ALL HONOUR
MURDER IN THRALL
MURDER IN CONTAINMENT
Murder in Shadow
THE BARBARY MARK
TAINTED ANGEL
DAUGHTER OF THE GOD KING
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