Death Holds the Key by Alexander Thorpe throws you straight into the action of trying to solve a murder — in a very Sherlock Holmes sort of way.
This book is cosy fiction that will be sure to keep your inner detective happy. Set in the 1920s in a small Western Australian town, the backdrop gives it a historical twist.
Land Owner Fred O’Donnell doesn’t have much of a fan club and many people seem to be unmoved by his murder. Just who managed to pull off the crime will have you guessing along with Detective Hartley and The Friar.
We find out his murder took place behind a locked door. But, how did the murderer manage to escape the room? Where was the gun that was used to kill the victim? This is where the mystery-solving starts to kick in.
There are so many twists and turns that you won’t be able to work out the “who” and the “why” until the end.
A very clever story that will keep you guessing. If you like this, make sure you check out another book from the same author, Death Leaves the Station.
A selection of our Beauty and Lace Club members are reading Death Holds the Key by Alexander Thorpe. You can read their comments below, or add your own review.
Im a Mum of 3 beautiful girls.
An avid reader that loves to travel but lacks the funds to venture far and wide constantly. A perfumeaholic with an addiction to beauty and skincare.
If not found with my head in a book or on a plane I can be found spending hours upon hour in Doctors and Hospital waiting rooms as part of my job as a Carer
Thank you Beauty and Lace for the opportunity to read Death Holds The Key by Alexander Thorpe.
I really enjoyed this murder mystery.
Set in the 1920’s is a farming family by the name of O’Donnell.
The head of the family Fred is found murdered and Detective Hartley is sent to investigate.
With a little help from a small mysterious man, he sets about finding the murder.
I loved this well written book that made me turn those pages to see who had done it.
Highly recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Death Holds the Key by Alexander Thorpe is a ‘who done it’ for all those who love a crime novel with a twist at the end.
Set in rural Western Australia in the 1920’s, the O’Donnell family patriarch is shot dead, his body found in a room locked from the inside and with the weapon nowhere to be found.
Detective Hartley is sent from Perth to investigate – his first case as a detective. With everyone who knew Fred O’Donnell seemingly having a motive and also an alibi, the case looks doomed from the start. But with the help of a nameless itinerant mendicant, things start to fall into place – or do they?
This is a page turner that will have you speculating and trying to work out who the killer is right up until the very end. I highly recommend this great read.
Thank you to Fremantle Publishing and Beauty and Lace for the opportunity to read and review this great book.
Death Holds the Key by Alexander Thorpe is a historical mystery novel set in the 1930s, primarily in Australia. The story follows former detective Isaac Quince, who becomes entangled in a murder investigation after the discovery of an archaeologist’s body. The plot is rich with intrigue, as Quince navigates a web of secrets, historical artifacts, and hidden motives. Thorpe crafts a well-paced narrative with a vintage feel, combining classic detective elements with a unique Australian backdrop. The book offers a mix of suspense and nostalgia, appealing to fans of traditional mystery fiction.
Thank you Beauty and Lace for giving me the opportunity to review this book and sorry for the delay in submitting my review.