New Release!
Deadfall is book 6 in Aline Templeton’s DC Kelsey Stang series. Deadfall stands nicely on its own. I’ve not read any of the others and could see there were things that continued from those previous books, but nothing detracted from the story in this book. In fact, those things made me want to backtrack to those previous books in the series just for fun.
A word about developing character and setting—Do it! Templeton takes her time, lovingly describing the main players and the locale which is really another character in this mystery.
We are in Scotland near Inverness in Black Isle where dreary Drumdalloch Wood has a history. Templeton lets her characters tell the tales and develop the mystery surrounding the Wood and the family intrigue that will lead from tragedy to more tragedy. The build-up to murder is steady and rewarding. Then the investigation unfolds at a steady pace.
Some may criticize the pace, but I like the slow burn and the detailed development. If you enjoy British mysteries—lots of backstory and local color with a depraved murder somewhere along the line—you’ll like Deadfall.
As any of you who read my stuff already know, I am a sucker for a dark, brooding wood and violent deaths therein. Add family politics pitting sister against brother, powerful forces attempting to usurp landowner rights from a lone woman, and local gossip that may or may not be accurate, and a ruthless killer and I’m in up to the tops of my wellies.
Settle into a comfy chair with a cuppa and enjoy.
