Sometimes I find I need to read a little of a book to find its rhythm, usually once found, the read becomes easy and the book becomes a real pleasure, this was the case for me with Death at the Auction.
The story is set in the Georgian town of Stamford, the action starts in the sales room of one of its auctioneers.
Grant’s, is a family-owned business; Felicia Grant is the unfortunate auctioneer confronted with the last-minute addition to the auction, the lot of a cupboard. However, it is the cupboard’s contents which start the search for a murderer.
Felicia finds herself drawn into the investigation. Initially she is at odds with the local police in the shape of Detective Sergeant Pettifer and Detective Inspector Heavenly but as the body count increases she eventually finds herself collaborating with them.
Stamford is somewhere local and to a degree familiar, a place I keep meaning to visit more often and for longer. It is an ideal setting for this book.
The story is well crafted and an excellent who dunnit, the outcome is unpredictable.
Death at the Auction is available from Amazon or any good bookshop
Fenlandphil's Blog 
Posted by Cathy Cade on March 3, 2024 at 12:49 pm
Thanks for the warning. Although I’m conditioned to soldier on anyway… there weren’t many books in our house when I was a child and I’d soon read them all. Only recently have I been able to give up on a book that isn’t gripping me.
I liked Stamford when I used to take a friend there on market days (except for not beig able to park anywhere). Lately , I’ve only driven through on the way to the hospital. I may read this one and see if I recognise any of the location.
Posted by fenlandphil on March 3, 2024 at 1:24 pm
When I was at school I am not sure now whether it was at junior school or just after starting secondary school we had to read Oliver Twist. For a good few pages I could not get on with it but then I turned another page and clicked with Mr Dickens, from that point on I could not put it down. There are some books I have lost patience with and they remain unread, some I wish I hadn’t bothered to soldier on with.
Posted by purplesandyh on March 3, 2024 at 1:02 pm
Sounds interesting Phil. We like Stamford, especially the charity shops. Went to a friend’s wedding there two years ago.
Posted by fenlandphil on March 3, 2024 at 1:27 pm
I like Stamford, too Sanrda, I think the last time we had a look around the town itself was when my daughter had a hospital appointment.
Posted by purplesandyh on March 9, 2024 at 2:09 pm
Have now bought both in the series for my Kindle…
Posted by fenlandphil on March 9, 2024 at 2:47 pm
I hope you enjoy them, Sandra.
Posted by Y3 Story Chat #12: “Home Ship Home” by Amanda Forestwood – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write on March 19, 2024 at 7:15 pm
[…] Fenland Phil’s Blog […]
Posted by Marsha on March 19, 2024 at 7:17 pm
There are books that I don’t bother to finish, and others I read more than once. Great review, Phil. Thanks for stopping by Story Chat. No advice for the author?
Posted by fenlandphil on March 19, 2024 at 7:45 pm
In my experience, a first book is seldom an author’s best work, Although the Ipcress File, is probably an exception, Marsha. I read Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths and could see where I thought it might be improved but like anything, it is only an opinion. I went to a book launch where Elly was introducing the world to her new book, I didn’t buy the latest book but the next one in the series after Crossing Places. I am reading it at the moment it is really good and although I enjoyed Crossing Places I like, The Jason Stone even more.
Posted by Marsha on March 19, 2024 at 8:39 pm
You are quite a reader, Phil. I don’t think I can even hold a candle to you!
Posted by fenlandphil on March 19, 2024 at 10:36 pm
I don’t read as much as I used to Marsha, one or two books a moth now, at one time forty years ago it was one or two a day some weeks. I’m sure read as much as I do now.
Posted by Y3 Story Chat Summary #12: “Home Ship Home” by Amanda Forestwood – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write on April 2, 2024 at 4:00 pm
[…] Fenland Phil’s Blog “What a very moving story. I have found, as have many of my fellow Whittlesey Wordsmiths, that writing can be very cathartic. Is this the case with this story, Amanda? Whittlesey Wordsmiths is our local u3a writing Group. We have published 6 collections of short stories, individual members have written and published novels, a memoir, short story collections of their own, poetry and limerick collections.” […]