A Painted Doom by Kate Ellis

A Painted Doom (Wesley Peterson) (DI Wesley Peterson) (A Wesley Peterson murder mystery)

by Kate Ellis

'A beguiling author who interweaves past and present' The Times

Teenager Lewis Hoxworthy discovers a disturbing painting in a medieval barn; a find which excites archaeologist Neil Watson, who is excavating an ancient manor house nearby.

But when a man is found shot through the head in Lewis's father's field and Lewis himself goes missing, it is Neil's friend, Detective Inspector Wesley Peterson, who faces one of his most intriguing cases yet.

It seems that the Devon village of Derenham is full of secrets, both ancient and modern. As Neil uncovers the story of Derenham's medieval past, it becomes clear that the Doom, a 500-year-old painting of hell and judgement, holds the key to the mystery. And as events reach a terrifying climax, Wesley has to act swiftly if he is to save a young life . . .

Whether you've read the whole series, or are discovering Kate Ellis's DI Wesley Peterson novels for the first time, this is the perfect, gripping mystery if you love reading Elly Griffiths and Ann Cleeves.

Reviewed by wyvernfriend on

3 of 5 stars

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I like the concept of the series, but sometimes the parallels feel a bit stretched and I found myself almost shouting at the book for the cops to check out who it turned out to be the killer. It was just obvious to me and I was quite annoyed at them for it.

An ageing rock star is found dead in the place he came to holidays in the past, a place he was going to return to live in, it turns out that there are twists and turns in what is going on.

Not bad, could do better.

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  • Started reading
  • 30 July, 2014: Finished reading
  • 30 July, 2014: Reviewed