Detective Chief Inspector C.D. Sloan
7 primary works
Book 17
Gertrude Powell led a very full and exciting life - perhaps too full in someone's eyes. Because now she has been murdered....No one was too surprised when octagenerian Gertrude Powell was found dead at Almstone Manor, a retirement home for former members of the Fearnshire Regiment. She had, after all, been very ill. But on the morning of the funeral, her son Lionel receives a disturbing letter - from his mother. In it, Gertrude states that someone is trying to kill her....For every fact Detective Inspector Sloan learns about Gertrude, there seems to be a mystery too. Why, for instance, would she never reveal the name of her second husband? And just what is the Pragmatic Solution she was so fearful of in her letter?
Book 18
An Inspector Sloane mystery'A new crime classic' PETERBOROUGH EVENING TELEGRAPHIt had seemed such a simple removal job for Wetherspoon and Wetherspoon, Furniture Removers - to clear the Whimbrel House of its contents following the death of Colonel Caversham. Only one item proved a little difficult to manoeuvre - the heavy lead coffin containing an Egyptian mummy that was now the property of Mr Fixby-Smith, Curator of the Greatorex Museum. But little does Sidney Wetherspoon know that the coffin he is carrying does not contain the remains of Rodoheptah, but the body of a young lady who has only been dead for a couple of weeks. When the horrifying discovery is made at the museum, Inspector Sloan is called in to find not only a two thousand year old corpse, but also a ruthless killer . . .
Book 19
The new Detective Inspector Sloan mystery from the mistress of cosy English crimeTidying up the famous yew hedge maze at Aumerle Court was never Peter Carter's favourite job. He liked it even less this Monday morning when he reached the exact centre of the maze - an allegory for death since the time of the Minotaur.He is supervised as ever by the redoubtable Miss Daphne, chatelaine of the Court, who is surveying the maze from an upstairs window, as the ladies of the house have done since Tudor times. She, too, realizes that death is in their midst.Detective Inspector Sloan soon arrives at Aumerle Court, with Detective Constable Crosby in tow. Together they begin an investigation that will prove to have more twists and turns than the maze itself . . .'Catherine Aird is as clever a detective writer as Margery Allingham.' Times Literary Supplement
Book 20
When flirtatious golfing beginner Helen Sewell, goes in search for her wayward golf ball in the dreaded 'Hells Bells' bunker she is not prepared for the horrible surprise that lies buried under the soft sand. When a body is discovered by two lady golfers buried in the steepest bunker on the course Detective Inspector Sloan and Detective Constable Crosby are called in to solve a murder mystery, with more twists and turns than a golf course. This is a gentle and finely constructed murder mystery set on Berebury golf course in the fictional county of Calleshire. The Sloan and Crosby series have been beloved by fans and lauded by critics for their wonderful comic touch, intricate plotting and literate charm.
Book 21
The dramatic theft of an 18th Century painting is discovered just moments before the old manor house uniquely depicted in the background of the portrait is set alight; coincidence? Does the reputation of the Baronet, the subject of the painting, as a hell-raiser and member of the Crustacean club have any connection to the fire? Events become decidedly more complex as a grisly spectacle is sighted in the blazing inferno moments before the roof collapses.
The pile of bones spotted in the burning room only deepens the mystery which Detective Inspector Sloan and Detective Constable Crosby have to piece together, a puzzle which has its roots deep in Berebury's history. Although Tolmie Park has had a somewhat chequered and mysterious past there are those in the community who would fight to preserve it. There are also a number of factions within the area who have differing plans to develop the property, shrouding the blaze in further suspicion. It is up to the team to sift through this assortment of characters and illuminate the truth; in this close knit village of Berebury somebody must have answers.
The pile of bones spotted in the burning room only deepens the mystery which Detective Inspector Sloan and Detective Constable Crosby have to piece together, a puzzle which has its roots deep in Berebury's history. Although Tolmie Park has had a somewhat chequered and mysterious past there are those in the community who would fight to preserve it. There are also a number of factions within the area who have differing plans to develop the property, shrouding the blaze in further suspicion. It is up to the team to sift through this assortment of characters and illuminate the truth; in this close knit village of Berebury somebody must have answers.
Book 22
Josephine Short was clearly a very practical woman but it also appears she was a woman with a secret or two. When her great-nephew's wife, Janet Wakefield, gets a call from the Berebury Nursing Home, she's somewhat taken aback. Not only does it come as a surprise to hear that her husband's estranged great aunt has passed away, but more surprising is the fact she had been living locally for some years. Janet is sure that her husband Bill was the last of Josephine's close family, so imagine her surprise when a handsome young man approaches her at the funeral and introduces himself as Josephine's grandson. Janet has never even heard of a child, never mind a grandchild. Detectives Sloan and Crosby find themselves assigned two rather puzzling cases. First, there's the young woman's body which has been discovered in the River Alm. And then there's the mysterious break-in at Berebury Nursing Home. To be precise, it's Josephine Short's room at the Nursing Home that's been entered, although nothing seems to be missing. What could the intruder have been after? It becomes apparent to Sloan and Crosby that the two cases are connected - but who can the killer be?
Book 23
When Jack Haines reports a break-in at his greenhouse, the motive of the intruder is unclear. Other than the destruction of some expensive orchids, no damage has been done and nothing seems to be missing. But Detectives Sloan and Crosby sense something sinister, and soon their suspicions are confirmed. Similar reports are multiplying and sabotage is the word on everyone's lips. The pair are drawn into an equally perplexing case when the mysterious Miss Enid Maude Osgathorp goes missing. Investigations begin at her deserted abode, Canonry Cottage, where the detectives soon discover that the house has been raided. Shattered glass is found in the larder and traces of blood bespatter the floor - a disturbing event has taken place, but the identity of the perpetrator is unknown. It soon becomes clear that the cases are linked, but will this provide the clues necessary to solve the mystery? Detectives Sloan and Crosby aim to find out ...