This is the latest in Martin Edwards' Lake District series. In this episode, three women are killed at a remote estate over the course of a century, all in the same way...by having their faces bashed in and then covered by a shroud, one five years ago before the current murder. The setting is well done as always with the lakes and fog becoming characters themselves.

I will say that I had a glimpse or two of the solution this time, which I don't usually do, a plot point that wasn't dealt with during the story, but that didn't impact my overall enjoyment of the story.

A good installment in a recommended series.britain library-book mystery ...more10 s John McDermott405 73

Combining one of my favourite genres - crime - with one of my favourite places on the planet - the English Lakes, I thought I would have been on a winner with The Frozen Shroud.
How wrong I was ! Dull writing , terrible dialogue and two of the most boring heroes in all of crime fiction !
Although, to be fair, one of the main character's - Daniel Kind - gets really tough and becomes a man of action and succeeds in cracking part of the case by visiting the Library!! Eh ! WTF!!!

The blurb on the cover proclaims that this book is chilling and creepy. Er no! The ivy in my garden is definitely creepy. This book, less so.
Supposedly full of larger than life suspects ,The Frozen Shroud just comes across as a sub-standard Midsomer Murders.
What a let down !put-ya-trousers-on-your-nicked3 s Sally Williams1 review

Obviously this author is pretty successful but I actually didn't finish reading this book. I found the plots and characters quite unbelievable and the dialogue very stilted - sort of a hybrid between Miss Marple and Midsomer Murders that just doesn't sound right in the 21st century. However I accept that others seem to love his work - just not me.4 s Bev3,036 314

DK: He was dying, and it mattered little to him whether the story came out in five years or fifty. He settled for leaving it to be dug up by a researcher who shared his academic interests and had the time and inclination to wade through his journals.
HS: It's taken a long time.
DK: Unravelling secrets of history often does.
~Daniel Kind, Hannah Scarlett (p. 257)

The Frozen Shroud is the sixth book in Martin Edwards' Lake District mystery series. And it's good enough to me wonder what I was doing with myself when the other five came out. Fortunately, although it might have been useful to have the back story on our leading characters--Daniel Kind and DCI Hannah Scarlett--it's not absolutely necessary to have read the previous five to enjoy this entry.

This time out, we're taken to Ravenbank, a secluded community in England's Lake District. Ravenbank, originally called Satan's Head, has been home to murder twice on Halloween. Just before World War I, a young, beautiful housemaid said to have been involved with the master of Ravenbank Hall was found dead with her face battered and a cloth shroud frozen to her wounds. Locals talk of her ghost, known as the Faceless Woman, walking restlessly through Ravenbank on the night of her death...searching for justice. Just five years ago, another beautiful young woman, Shenagh Moss, was beaten to death and left with a cloth covering her injuries. Her death was blamed on a jealous ex-lover who conveniently died before he can be questioned.

Daniel Kind and his sister Louise are invited to a Halloween party by the current owner of Ravenbank. Kind is a former television celebrity and a specialist in the history murder. He is told the story of the Faceless Woman and about the more recent murder and becomes interested--wondering whether the most obvious suspects, the unbalanced wife of the lord of the manor in the original and the jealous ex-lover in the most recent case, were truly to blame. But on the night of the Halloween party a third beautiful young woman dies--once again beaten and shrouded--and this one falls close to home.

The victim, Terri Poynton, was the best friend of DCI Hannah Scarlett, a police officer who has crossed Daniel's path on several occasions. Although not officially allowed on the case because of her connections to the victim, Hannah and Daniel manage to follow up clues that will lead to the resolution of not one murder....but three.

This is a well-plotted mystery with lots of red herrings and plenty of suspects. I've got to give Edwards credit--he had me changing my mind about the culprit with nearly every turn of the page. I should have stuck with my first thought....but that my own fault. The descriptions of the Lake District are lovely and I thoroughly enjoyed the interactions of all the characters. I look forward to turning to the beginning of the the series and seeing how the relationship between Daniel and Hannah has come about. In this novel they are just figuring out that what their friends have been saying to them just might be true--they're suited for each other. But I can tell there's a lot of water under those bridges and I want to find out where it came from. An excellent entry in what seems to be a very fine series. Four stars.

This was first posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.british-mystery cozy mystery ...more3 s Richard1,127 26

Mr. Edwards picked a tough subject to write about: three murders with the same appearance separated by 100 years from first to last.

Number 2 and 3 are both contemporary...they just don't make any sense, regular murder.

He gave us a good look at the tiny community where all this takes place, but the people are pretty much unexamined. I think he needed fewer characters and more characterization.3 s Avid Series Reader1,382 1 follower

The Frozen Shroud by Martin Edwards is the sixth book in the Lake District mystery series set in contemporary England. Historian Daniel Kind and his sister Louise are invited to a Halloween party in Ravenbank. He agrees to attend only because he's intrigued by the local story of a Faceless Woman ghost with two related murders: one woman was murdered in 1945, and one five years ago. In both cases, each prime suspect died soon after the murder, so the cases were considered resolved. A lengthy build-up to the Halloween party introduces many characters and their relationships; a bit hard to keep track.

DCI Hannah Scarlett, head of Cold Cases unit, faces severe budget cuts at the hand of her limelight-grabbing, highly political superior officer. Hannah will lose key staff members, and fears eventually the entire unit will be scrapped. In her personal life, she is trying to conclusively end a long-term relationship with bookseller Marc Amos, but he's obnoxiously pestering her to reconsider. Hannah vents her troubles with her best friend, and is mystified by the secret her friend isn't sharing just yet. In a funk, Hannah jeopardizes her professionalism, but her almost-fling is cut short by Marc, who then wrecks his car.

The Halloween party finally happens, and yet another woman is murdered. This time Hannah cannot be on the case. She and Daniel together research the past crimes, because they each sense that the murders were not actually resolved by the suspects' deaths. This is a story about relationships and their consequences; leisurely paced. Plenty of red herrings, but much more conversation than action. Hannah and Daniel are (very slowly) coming to realize they may be well suited to each other - as all their friends have been telling them for years.2018-backlist-reader-challenge 2018-celtic-coasts 2018-cloak-dagger-reading-challen ...more2 s Damaskcat1,782 4

Ravenbank is a small community on the shores of Ullswater in the Lake District. A faceless woman is reputed to haunt the place especially on Halloween. She was murdered a century ago but there was also a similar murder five years ago. Both crimes were apparently solved by the convenient deaths – one suicide and one accident – before the prime suspects can be charged. When history appears to repeat itself historian Daniel Kind, finds himself involved with both the past murders and the present one.

DCI Hannah Scarlett meanwhile, is dealing with her break up from long term partner Marc Amos and fears her successful cold case team is under threat in budget cuts. When personal connections drag her into the investigation into the current murder she comes into contact again with Daniel and starts to wonder about the possibility of a relationship with him.

I enjoyed this well written and atmospheric crime novel and I thought the author really brought the Lake District background to life. I both Hannah and Daniel as characters and I think the way their relationship is being built up slowly is very well done and convincing.

The plot is complex, blending past and present and showing that received versions of historical events are not always correct and sometimes the death of suspects isn’t the end of the story. If you crime stories which blend past and present and which have a well realised geographical background then try this series. This is volume six in the series. They can be read in any order but it is interesting to see the relationship developing between Hannah and Daniel if you read them in the order in which they were published starting with ‘The Coffin Trail.’
2 s David Marshall774 12

Excellent murder mystery in the Golden Age mould, combining a historian to research an old murder with a police offer looking into modern copycat killings.

http://opionator.wordpress.com/2013/0...2 s Les Wilson1,641 14 Read

I started to read this book yesterday "Halloween", picked at random I was suppressed it was set on the same day. The book itself brought back happy memories of this years holiday, and the time we spent in that part of the Lake District. To top it off, it was a good story, very well written.2 s Karen507

Book 6 in this ongoing series set in the Lake District. I have been reading a bit of easy crime of late thanks to a number of things going on in my life and this series fits the bill for me. It is generally well written, good character development and usually believable crimes both old/cold and new. I particularly the way Edwards brings the cold case and history into a modern situation and marries the events together.1 Nancy Adams91 13

I love this English series, which takes place in Cumbria, featuring DCI Hannah Scarlett. In this one, I had guessed the murderer about halfway through the book, but that in no way lessened my enjoyment. Can't wait for the next installment!1 Patricia487 13

Very, very enjoyable! Some sadness, but the ending was happy. I just love all of the regular characters in the Lake District mystery series! Looking forward to book #7...2 s Elizabeth90 6

Have read all of the series so far , this one felt a little long winded and took awhile for the case to start1 Lorne Strachan514 2

This is an enjoyable, middle-of-the-road mystery book set in the English Lake District. It’s not a cozy and it’s certainly not gritty. It’s an easy read in between the extremes. It isn’t a standout in this territory but it’s fun and might be even more so as I tackle more of Edwards’ books in the same series and get to know the characters. The book rates high on location, atmosphere, character and charming legends from the past. There’s a bit too much soap opera- attention to the relationships between the characters but this can be overlooked/skipped if necessary.

Death has come twice to Ravenbank, each time on Hallowe’en. Just before the First World War, a young woman’s corpse was found, with a makeshift shroud frozen to her battered face. Her ghost – the Faceless Woman – is said to walk through Ravenbank on Hallowe-en. Five years ago, another woman, Shenagh Moss, was murdered, and again her face was covered to hide her injuries. In both cases the suspected murderer was found dead shortly afterwards.

A specialist in the history of murder, becomes fascinated by the old cases, and wonders whether the obvious suspects really did commit the crimes. He spends Hallowe’en at a party in Ravenbank only to find death returning for a third time. The victim is a woman with her face damaged face beyond recognition and hidden under a shroud.

This murder is laid at the feed of DCI Hannah Scarlett, head of a shrinking Cold Case team, who must confront ghosts from their own past as well as the ghosts of old legends. The reader gets a strong sense of history, community and an obscured lurking menace. To keep it real amid this atmosphere of legends and ghosts, the author has given us a somewhat cliché police Chief Constable concerned only with cutting costs and advancing her own career. It’s a conventional tension but rendered well enough to keep it from spoiling the book.









Kate1,960 1 follower

"On Halloween, just before the First World War, a young woman's corpse was found with a makeshift shroud frozen to her battered face. Her ghost -- the Faceless Woman -- is said to walk through Ravenbank each Halloween. Just five years ago, Katya Moss was killed, her face also covered to hide her injuries.

"The old and seemingly related cases fascinate Daniel Kind, a specialist in the history of murder. Then, while he is attending a Halloween party in Ravenbank, a third murder occurs. Once again, the corpse's face is shrouded from view. This can't be a coincidence.

"It all presents DCI Hannah Scarlett, head of the Cold Case Review Team, with the toughest challenge of her career. Hannah and Daniel, reluctant to acknowledge their mating dance, team up professionally. But before they can solve the shocking murder puzzle, both of them must confront ghosts from their own past, as well as the ghosts of lonely, lovely, and mysterious Ravenbank."
~~front flap

This book is part of a series, set in the lovely Lake District in England, which is what drew me to this series. The plot seems convoluted and difficult until the end, and then everything falls into place and makes sense. The characterization is rich and compelling, as is the angst that both Hannah and Daniel are battling.england hiu mysteries ...more Cheryl445 8

It's an interesting and evocative setting, with lots of foggy nights and red herrings. I often had the impression that I was reading a slightly old-fashioned crime novel, along the lines of Sherlock Holmes or Miss Marple, with lots of discussions instead of big action. The scenes leading up to the party and the final murder introduced a lot of characters and I found it hard to keep track of who was who - I'm not sure if these characters have already appeared in previous novels or if they are all new ones. It's an interesting novel though and I would definitely look out for other titles from the series.

Complete review on my blog : https://madhousefamily.blogspo... Nicky Warwick411

Book #6 in the DCI Scarlett series is a sad waste of a story.
It could have been good but it felt half the book was taken up with her love life - now not just the will they/won't they get together of her relationship with Daniel Kind but also drunken fumbling with her DS & her ex turning into a stalker.
This, coupled with the amount of Lake District info (which at times makes it read a tourist information booklet), sadly leaves very little space for the cold case investigation that should have been the prime focus & what there was of it was often repeated. Shame as I had enjoyed the other 2.
Note to Mr Edwards - if you've run out of decent ideas for the cold case investigations stop writing until you get one. Jane Irish Nelson2,849 17

One hundred years ago a murder occurred on the isolated Ravenbank peninsula — but was the woman who claimed responsibility really guilty? As he learns more about it historian Daniel Kind begins to wonder.

Five years ago another murder, with an uncanny resemblance to the first, occurred. The prime suspect died almost immediately, so the case was closed. But was he guilty. When a third, similar murder occurs, also on Halloween, once again there is an obvious suspect. But is the obvious answer the correct one? The investigating detectives aren't so sure.

This is a fascinating, atmospheric mystery, that will keep you pinned to the edge of your seat. Highly recommended.contemporary mystery Kathy KS1,175 4

This one didn't hold my attention at times, so I just found it ok. To be honest, this might be because I listened to the novel. I've discovered that some books/authors are great as audiobooks and I feel they hold my attention. Others, especially new series, complex plots with lots of characters, etc., just don't. Sometimes I switch to print and I'm fine. This may be because it's easier to back track if you want to be reminded who characters are or what happened previously.

So, to be fair, this book may be much better than I feel now. Another issue is that it's the sixth book in the series and maybe I needed to read the earlier ones to follow everything better.england hoopla listened-to ...more Peter Moyes170

The Lake District is alive in this book. Ullswater is the scene, a favourite of mine and I'm happy to say that I recognised much of the descriptions. I also recognised the murderer when two deaths follow a pattern set in the early years of the 20th century. There is the usual angst of the detective swirling around in their own troubled life and the assistance of an amateur looking back with the historian's eye with potential for more than just friendship. A good read but not one that stretched me too much. Matthew Ogborn333 3

This Lake District series has been a real treat, especially for someone me who knows the Lakes well and revels in the diverse cast of core characters Edwards has created to carry each story forward. The twists and turns in this particular tale were expertly woven, while the characters unique to this plot were great fun whether the gay acting couple with secrets or Oz Knight and his long suffering wife. Best in the series thus far for me with the dialogue taken to another level and the suspense excellent. Monica950 36

Another one of my favorite mystery series - taking place in the Lake District, historian Daniel Kind and DCI Hannah Scarlett work together to solve both a current and cold case murder...both linked to a historic murder. Where are the ties? How are they linked? Even though it's a little easy to guess what's going on, Edwards is good at spinning a tale that makes his books an indulgent pleasure to read. Mike Mason476 8

Hmmm found it difficult to get absorbed in this book. Perhaps coming into a series at book 6 didn’t help. But to be fair I normally come into series in the wrong chronological order. I couldn’t feel for the characters. The Lakeland setting didn’t appear much in the frame. The resolution of the murders didn’t carry me either. In the end I just wanted to finish the book and start another. Perhaps the last Garcia Marquez spoiled me
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