Murder in thrall

Format:

Book

Title:

Murder in thrall

Author:

Cleeland, Anne.

ISBN:

9780758287915

9780758287922

9781734431629

Publication Information:

Physical Description:

282 pages ; 24 cm.

Series title(s):

Acton and Doyle Scotland Yard mystery ;

New Scotland Yard mystery ;

Number in series:

General Note:

An Acton and Doyle Scotland Yard mystery.

Contents:

Hardback -First-year Detective Kathleen Doyle is a plucky Irish redhead. Chief Inspector Michael Acton is a British lord turned cop. He's tall, handsome and enigmatic ... to a fault. Acton selects Doyle out of the newbie squad to partner with him on a series of investigations because she always knows when someone is lying -- a trait that comes in handy when interviewing suspects and witnesses. Acton and Doyle are sent to investigate the murder of a trainer at a racetrack. Soon, new killings related to the first start unfolding, dragging the two into ever more perilous situations. But the real danger is the unlikely attachment that develops between the ultra reserved aristocratic Chief Inspector and his plucky working class sidekick ... a relationship that will raise plenty of eyebrows-and hackles-among their colleagues at the Yard.

Summary:

From Anne Cleeland comes the first in a captivating new mystery series, following the perilous exploits of two Scotland Yard detectives as they track down London's most elusive killer. . . First-year detective Kathleen Doyle and Chief Inspector Michael Sinclair, Lord Acton, are a most unlikely pair. An Irish redhead of humble beginnings and modest means, Doyle is the antithesis of Acton, the British lord who has established himself as a brilliant but enigmatic figure with a knack for solving London's most high profile homicides. But Acton senses something exceptional beneath Doyle's awkward naivet and taps her to help him with his investigations. And her spot-on intuition is just what he needs to solve a chilling string of murders.

Personal Subject:

Acton, Detective Chief Inspector (Fictitious character)-Fiction.

Doyle, Kathleen, Detective Sergeant-Fiction.

Corporate Subject:

Great Britain. Metropolitan Police Service -- Fiction.

Great Britain. Metropolitan Police Office

Subject(s):

Great Britain. Metropolitan Police Service -- Fiction.

Murder -- Investigation -- England -- London -- Fiction.

Racetracks (Horse racing) -- England -- Fiction.

Geographic Term:

England

England -- London

Genre:

Detective and mystery stories.

Thrillers (Fiction)

Detective and mystery fiction

Fiction

Mystery fiction.

Detective and mystery fiction.

Holds:

Available:*

Library	Call Number	Status
Searching... Willamina Public Library	MYS CLEELAND	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Monmouth Public Library	Fic (m) Cleeland, A. 2013	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Silver Falls Library	MYS CLEELAND	Searching... Unknown

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

First-year detective Kathleen Doyle is a plucky Irish redhead. Chief Inspector Michael Acton is a British lord turned cop. He's tall, handsome and enigmatic - to a fault. Acton selects Doyle to partner with him on a series of investigations because she always knows when someone is lying. Sent to investigate a murder, the pair are dragged into ever more perilous situations - but the real danger is the unlikely attachment that develops between them, raising hackles among their colleagues at the Yard.

Author Notes

Anne Cleeland , a member of the California State Bar, has worked as a research attorney for both federal and state court judges and is a guest lecturer at the University of California, Irvine and Cal State Fullerton. She also writes historical fiction set in the Regency period, contemporary romantic suspense, and the occasional inspirational novel. A member of the Mystery Writers of America and the Historical Novel Society, she lives on Balboa Island, California, and has four children. Visit her at annecleeland.com.

Reviews (4)

Publisher's Weekly Review

More romance than mystery, this middling series kickoff from Cleeland (Tainted Angel) introduces aloof Scotland Yard Chief Insp. Michael Acton and the novice he has plucked from the ranks to assist him in homicide investigations, Constable Kathleen Doyle. Doyle has a "talent for sorting out the truth," but her inexperience shows in such acts as entering a tack room in search of evidence in a horse trainer's murder before a witness, allowing him to lock her in and escape. That error does nothing to lessen her in Acton's eyes. Creepily, each chapter begins with his thoughts about his subordinate (e.g., "He was on a precipice, painful and pleasurable. He could sense she was not indifferent; he had only to risk it"). Risk it he does, and the focus on their burgeoning relationship puts the investigation into several murders, including one with a personal link, too much in the background. Agent: Jane Dystel, Dystel & Goderich Literary Management. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Kirkus Review

An unlikely pair of detectives bond over a case as complex as it is dangerous. Scotland Yard newbie Kathleen Doyle can't understand why Chief Inspector Michael Acton, hereditary peer and public school graduate, chose her of all people to help him solve the murder of a trainer at Kempton Park racetrack. Fresh from Limerick, Doyle has a reputation for being able to spot a liar. Her youth and inexperience, however, get her into trouble time and again. First, she bashes two unmarked cars, forcing her to commute to work by subway. Then, an informant named Danny Capper lures her into a tack room and bolts, shutting the detective constable inside. When she comes unglued at the scene of an apparent murder-suicide, she's sure she'll get the sack. But Acton soon reveals that it's not just her intuition that appeals to him; it's also that little mole at the nape of her neck. Pretty soon, he's showing her moves that aren't included in the CID handbook. Doyle is overwhelmed by his interest but makes it clear that she doesn't want to jeopardize her job. Clearing up the Kempton Park case, as well as the other murders that flow from it, seems the surest way to keep her career on track. But what connects the trainer's murder to the killings of Capper's mistress, a couple in Somers Town and a forensic pathologist? And will her possessive chief inspector let her take the risks that are necessary to solve the crime? Cleeland's series debut focuses on the unorthodox love story. Here's hoping that detection catches up with passion as the Acton and Doyle series moves on.]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Booklist Review

Chief Inspector Acton of Scotland Yard, a British lord, and his protegee, first-year Detective Constable Kathleen Doyle, an Irish redhead of humble origins, definitely rate readers' attention. Doyle's gift for reading people makes her invaluable to the veteran inspector, yet she struggles to keep her coveted entry position and build on her meager education by using multisyllabic words she's researched and practiced to enlarge her vocabulary and impress Acton. Their growing bond is deftly depicted by Cleeland as Acton quietly offers a loan to Doyle, who is trying to make ends meet. From pride and professionalism, she declines, but the telling incident lingers powerfully for her, just as this entertaining pair will linger in readers' imaginations, making them want more. Their first venture in a planned series involves a racecourse trainer, possibly involved with dangerous underworld types, whose murder is quickly followed by his girlfriend's. Hopefully, the sequel will follow quickly, too.--Scott, Whitney Copyright 2010 Booklist

Library Journal Review

In this series launch by Cleeland (Tainted Angel), first-year DC Kathleen Doyle can't believe her good luck when her gift for interrogation lands her a spot working with exalted CI Michael Acton, who also happens to be a lord. By all accounts-including those of her jealous coworkers-Doyle has no business working with the seasoned investigator. But the oddball pairing gets results. Doyle, who admires Acton but feels inadequate due to her modest Irish upbringing, is completely taken aback when he suddenly proposes marriage as if it is the most sensible thing in the world. The duo's relationship progresses awkwardly as they investigate a series of murders that, while they appear completely unrelated, have one important similarity: all of the victims are Irish. Acton's feelings for Doyle raise the stakes as he becomes increasingly concerned she may be in the killer's sights. VERDICT The detectives' investigation is secondary to the story, with the real hook being the relationship between Acton and Doyle. Female mystery readers may appreciate the chemistry between the lead characters; however, some may find the pace and situation surrounding the relationship implausible.-Vicki Briner, City Coll. Lib., Fort -Lauderdale, FL (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.