Maureen Jennings crafts compelling narratives deeply rooted in her connection to Victorian England and her academic background in philosophy and literature. Her work delves into the psychological complexities of its characters, exploring the darker aspects of society with a keen analytical eye. Through her distinctive prose, she brings the past to life with vivid descriptions and an immersive atmosphere. Jennings' writing is celebrated for its insightful portrayal of human nature and its intricate plotting.
Set in the fall of 1936, Charlotte Frayne takes charge of a detective agency while her boss is away in Europe. She is soon hired by the determined Mrs. Jessop to investigate her son's suspicious death, initially ruled a suicide by the police. As Charlotte delves into the case, she uncovers deeper truths surrounding the life of the disfigured war veteran, challenging the conclusions drawn by authorities and revealing the complexities of grief and justice.
It's late 1942; the war is still raging and DI Tom Tyler is settling into his placement in Ludlow, Shropshire, a small town full of Italian PoWs from a nearby internment camp, brought to work the land. Fraternizing is forbidden but, as Tyler knows only too well, the human heart has a way of crossing boundaries. Then a old man is found murdered, and Tyler suspects that the two evacuee children who found the body are not telling him the whole truth...
Set in a post-war world grappling with the aftermath of global conflict and a devastating pandemic, the story follows Stephen Lucas, who holds crucial information that has the potential to change history. As he navigates the challenges of a society in turmoil, the narrative explores themes of power, responsibility, and the impact of secrets on individual lives and broader societal outcomes.
Set against the backdrop of Depression-era Toronto, this fourth installment follows Private Investigator Charlotte Frayne as she navigates the challenges of her time while solving a captivating mystery. The story intertwines themes of resilience and social struggle, showcasing Charlotte's determination to uncover the truth amidst the hardships of the era. With rich historical context and engaging characters, readers are drawn into a world where every clue could lead to danger or revelation.
This TV tie-in edition features the beloved Inspector Murdoch series by Maureen Jennings, which inspired the successful show The Murdoch Mysteries on CBC. The book offers fans a chance to delve deeper into the intriguing mysteries and rich character development that have captivated audiences.
In 1858, a young woman on her honeymoon is abducted, taken across the border
to the US and sold into slavery. Thirty-eight years later, the owner of one of
Toronto's livery stables has been found dead. The investigation endangers
Murdoch's own life - and reveals how harms committed in the past can erupt
fatally in the present.
The Reverend Charles Howard sat in judgement on the poor, assessing their
applications for the workhouse. But now he is dead, stabbed and brutally
beaten in his office. Has some poor beggar he turned down taken his vengeance?
After thirteen-year-old Agnes Fisher faints at school, her teacher is shocked
to discover salacious photographs of the girl in her desk. When Agnes doesn't
show up at school the next day, her teacher takes the photographs to the
police. Murdoch, furious at the sexual exploitation of such a young girl,
resolves to find the photographer.
Di Tom Tyler has made a new start in Ludlow, where on the outskirts of town
stands a hospital for war victims. When a double murder is discovered in the
grounds, Tyler must figure out how it could have occurred, when most of the
patients are unable to walk or see. Then he starts receiving letters
recounting terrible crimes.
Dolly Merishaw is a midwife and an abortionist in Victorian Toronto, and although she keeps quiet about her clients, her contempt and greed leaves them resentful and angry. It comes as no surprise to Detective William Murdoch when she is murdered, but Murdoch isn't sure if he's hunting one murderer - or two.
The story revolves around the suspicious circumstances surrounding the apparent suicide of police constable Oliver Wicken, who leaves behind a grieving mother and an invalid sister. While the coroner declares the case closed with evidence pointing to suicide, Detective Murdoch uncovers troubling new information that suggests a more sinister truth may lie beneath the surface. As he delves deeper, the investigation reveals layers of complexity surrounding Wicken's death, challenging the initial conclusions drawn by authorities.
November, 1940. Tom Tyler, Detective Inspector is asked to help out in an
inquiry into an explosion in a munitions factory that has killed several of
the young women. At first, it seems more than likely the explosion was an
accident, but as Tom talks to the employees of the factory, the cracks begin
to appear.
In 1940, England is desperate and fearful. The threat of a German invasion is
real. When a young woman is found murdered on a desolate country road, Tom
Tyler, a detective inspector, finds himself drawn into an uneasy alliance with
one of the Prees Heath internees, a psychiatrist, who is an expert on the
criminal mind.
"In the late 19th century, Toronto city police Detective William Murdoch investigates the murder of a young girl found drugged and strangled in an alley in the red light district. The autopsy reveals the girl was pregnant but Murdoch doubts she was a doxie. Murdoch faces the challenge of investigating prominent members of Toronto society when she is identified as Therese Laporte, a chambermaid working for a wealthy family. When a possible witness to the murder is also killed, Murdoch learns that Therese was seen voluntarily getting into a carriage, as if she knew the occupant. With another witness in danger, Murdoch must stop the killer before he strikes again"--Publisher.
Vivere l'incubo peggiore per una maestra è il destino di Amy Slade. Quando la piccola Agnes sviene in classe, l'insegnante nota lividi scuri sui polsi e una tumefazione sul viso, in parte mascherata dai capelli. Brutto segno. Poi, nascoste nel banco della ragazzina, quattro fotografie. Non fotografie innocenti. Immagini spaventose. Come quella di un bambino morto, con parole irripetibili scritte sul retro. O quella che ritrae l'alunna stessa, un vero pugno nello stomaco. Poi Agnes il giorno dopo non si presenta a scuola. Ce n'è abbastanza per chiedere aiuto a William Murdoch, della polizia di Toronto. Alla vista di quegli scatti esecrabili, l'indignazione e il disgusto spingono il detective a promettere giustizia per la troppo giovane vittima. Ma la caccia al loro ignoto autore potrebbe riservargli spiacevoli sorprese, intrecciandosi a un'altra indagine su un sergente accusato di comportamenti riprovevoli. E questo è ancora niente, davvero niente, al confronto dell'abisso di orrore pronto a spalancarsi davanti ai suoi occhi.
