The Poison Pen by Marjorie Owen
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About the Book
There’s never a dull moment for the employees of
Walls Department Store in the small town of Burshill, England. Detective Chief Inspector Richard Hayward and
his wife Kate just returned from a second honeymoon in Paris, discovers that
life is not going to be as quiet and easy at the station as he would like. Once again, DCI Hayward’s expertise is called
upon to solve the most heinous crimes committed in the once sleepy little town.
Who would believe what was happening behind the doors
of the old fashioned, hundred year old store.
Innocent shoppers have no clue, as they browse and buy, of the murderous
intent that exists in some of the staff.
Yet the people in the store and town are soon to discover the
extraordinary lengths those who have secrets will go to hide them.
About the Author
Marjorie Grace
Patricia Bridget Owen.
Was born on September 11th
1911 in England and endured the bombardment of World War II. She was born
out-of-wedlock with an Irish Lord for a father and a Russian princess as her
mother. Although her life before working is somewhat sketchy, her career, as a
major London department store clothing buyer, was long and interesting. Members of the Royal family were amongst some
of her more famous clients. Marjorie
found time to write many short stories and four novels ranging from romance to
mystery. She did not attempt to publish
any of her writings. We can only surmise
that she wrote for the joy and did not wish to seek out any recognition or
fame.
Marjorie passed away on March 28th
2004, after a very full life, at the age of ninety-three.
A few of Mum’s
stories were accepted for publishing by online magazines and were published
without pay. But exposure is important. The first book of Mum’s was published
in March 2008. “Ladies of Class” at Vintage
Romance Publishing. Mum’s second book,
‘The Poison Pen’, sequel to ‘Ladies of Class’ is to be published April 30th
2014. We are really happy and hope
that both books will be a success and lead to further books and stories being
published. The blog for Mum’s writings is http://bookread-mumswritings.blogspot.com/
The Poison Pen Snippet
“The thing is, sir, we’ve
had a murder!”
“Well, don’t sound so
disgustingly pleased about it.” Richard reproved him. For a fleeting moment he
recalled a conversation he’d had with a Scotland Yard friend of his a few
months previously. They’d just solved a murder case in Burshill—the first for
many years in the town—and Richard had said life would seem very tame to his
young sergeant.
Geoffrey Breed had commented that wherever
Richard was trouble followed. It looked as if the chap was right.
Reviews
I was asked to review "The Poison
Pen" by Marjorie Owen, and it is a shame that the author will never
know that I enjoyed her mystery story as I am sure many others will too.
I only found out after finishing the well written intrigue that Marjorie has
passed away, and like me simply wrote as a pass time. She had talent and
I am sure that if she were alive today she would be very happy to see her work
in print. She definitely would have something to be proud of.
I am glad that her novel is being made available (don't worry, permission
to publish was given during her last will and testament) and recommend it to
anyone who likes light mysteries. I found the romantic side story
interesting as well.
I rate this book 5
out of 5
Chantal
Bellehumeur
I just spent four evenings with “The Poison
Pen,” a Richard Hayward Mystery and I have to say it was an enjoyable read.
What a ride, and what a tangled web of clues! Everyone loves a good mystery and
this one certainly kept me wondering. The cast of characters are real and, for
the most part, fascinating. The author knows how to create an aura of interest
around each and every one. You either like them or not. Oh yes, the way this
story and the characters are presented certainly evoke emotion.
I especially like the way the author weaves
a light-hearted, humorous thread through this complex and multifaceted murder
mystery. The perfect book to read over a rainy weekend or a day on the beach.
5 Stars
Patricia Fry
This follow-up to Marjorie Owen’s debut
novel “Ladies of Class” takes us back to the fictional village of Burshill and
lets us continue the tales of Dectective Chief Inspector Richard Hayward, fresh
from his recent case. DCI Hayward literally steps back from vacation with his
attractive wife Kate into investigating a curious death at the local department
store. Was the death of manager Mr. Berwick a suicide or murder? Who would have
wanted to kill such a non-descript man? As DCI Hayward peels back the layers of
the case, taking only brief moments out to check on his pregnant wife, and to
keep tabs on the burgeoning romance between her sister and his own assistant
Jim Findon, he discovers that Mr. Berwick may not have been as mild-mannered as
originally thought and that the shop itself holds many secrets.
I reveled in this throwback to an era
where a mystery needed to be solved using wit over Wikipedia and good old
sensibility over social media. Sit back with a cup of brewed tea and enjoy.
5 Stars
Barbara
Oliverio
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