Death at Chateau Peveril by Russell Wate

Death at Chateau Peveril (DCI Alexander McFarlane Crime Mystery, #3)

by Russell Wate

When Viscount Peveril is found dead at his chateau in France, his children instantly suspect foul play. But with his demise being registered as ‘death by natural causes’, they must seek the assistance of DCI Sandy McFarlane to uncover the truth.

Against his superior’s wishes, Sandy travels to Bordeaux and Saint-Émilion, and swiftly concludes that something is not quite right with the circumstances of the Viscount’s death. Enlisting the help of an old friend, DCI Rich Singh, Sandy embarks on a complex and intriguing murder investigation.

With medical intrigue at its heart, this is no classic ‘whodunit’, and is the third book in the popular DCI McFarlane crime series.

Reviewed by annieb123 on

4 of 5 stars

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Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Death at Chateau Peveril is the third DCI McFarlane procedural mystery by Dr. Russell Wate. Released 24th Oct 2023 by Cranthorpe Millner, it's 327 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This is a meticulously written and developed procedural with loads of atmosphere and good characterization. The author has very good technical expertise with descriptive prose, and the dialogue is deliberate and methodical. The courtroom scenes are carefully plotted and really realistic (the author has vast experience from his decades as a major crimes investigator at a high level). 

The plot is self contained to this volume, but this is the third book, so if read out of order, there will be minor spoilers for the earlier books. Despite being the third book in the series, all necessary back-story is provided in context, so it could be read as a standalone. It would also make a good binge/buddy read.

Four stars. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

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Reading updates

  • 3 August, 2024: Started reading
  • 3 August, 2024: Finished reading
  • 3 August, 2024: Reviewed