Mandrill Press announces the publication of:
A Just and Upright Man
by
R J Lynch
It is 1763. James Blakiston, overseer of Lord Ravenshead’s estate and a newcomer to the Durham parish of Ryton, is determined to solve the mystery of old Reuben Cooper’s murder – but he has no idea how to go about it. As enclosure threatens to make the poor even poorer, Blakiston follows one misguided hunch after another. The only thing that he can really be certain of is his love for the beautiful and spirited Kate Greener – a love he is determined to resist, for Kate is the daughter of a penniless labourer and Blakiston has in any case not recovered from being thrown over by the woman he believed loved him. The mysterious Joseph Kelly, an Irishman who is not an Irishman, falls under suspicion. But Kelly cannot be found. Then Matthew Higson flees to America, leaving his boyhood love Catherine Robinson behind in his headlong rush to be gone, and the mystery is solved. Higson was the murderer. But when Higson is found, not fled but murdered in his turn, Blakiston’s search resumes. As he builds a picture of the history of the murderous Cooper family over three generations, a missing coat also begins to occupy his mind. How did it get from where it was to where it is? And why? A chance remark by Lady Isabella Claverley opens the door to the murderer at last. And Blakiston rejects love. But will love let him go?
Reviews for the eBook version of A Just and Upright Man
**** Four Stars from The Kindle Review: Detection and Romance
It is 1763, County Durham, England and there is a murder to solve and romance on the horizon. I really enjoyed the sense of time and place that Lynch created for this novel. From the gentry to the poor there is great characterisation. There are quite a number of characters and locations but these combined with the themes of detection and romance make for a great read, it makes you think, concentrate, and want to read on. I loved the cover of the book and thought it was perfect for the story. There are very detailed descriptions and the dialogue is believable and worked well within the novel. It is a compelling read and at just over 300 pages not a quick read but very satisfying. It is the first novel in the James Blakiston Series and I look forward to the rest of the collection. A recommended read.
**** Four Stars from Rebecca Clark: Great historical mystery!
I’m a big fan of historical fiction and this book doesn’t disappoint! I truly enjoyed reading it and the characters were intriguing. All in all, a great read and I will be looking at the next book.
A Just and Upright Man is the first in the five book James Blakiston Series; the second, Poor Law, is scheduled for publication in February 2014.
ISBN: 978-0-9927320-5-9 (Paperback) and 978-0-9927320-0-4 (eBook)
No comments yet.