A deadly walk in Devon

Rick "Chase" Chasen, a retired police investigator, joins his friend Billie on a guided group walking tour of Devon, hoping to work through his grief over the death of his partner. Last to arrive at the country inn that will be their base for the walks is the brash, self-centered Ron Gretz, owner of a chain of nursing homes in the U.S., and his younger, attractive wife. When Chase intercepts a pickpocketing attempt, Gretz declares someone is after him. Then, on a foggy day, as the group is making its way along a precipitous path to a coastal lookout, Gretz disappears. Chase and Billie spot his body at the foot of the bluff. No one is sorry Gretz is dead, but when the chief inspector instructs them all to stay put in their inn, the secrets emerge. The CI draws Chase into the interrogations, which leads to his meeting the attractive medical examiner, Mike. This appealing, first-in-a-series debut is a variation on the closed-house mystery, with distinct character personalities hiding deep enmities.

This winning debut and series launch introduces grieving retired police investigator Rick "Chase" Chasen. Six years after the death of his romantic partner, Doug, Chase heads from San Diego to a small coastal town in Devon, England, for a reunion with his old friend, Billie Mondreau. Concerned about the continuing depths of Chase's despair, Billie thinks a tour organized by the Wanderers hiking group might provide a necessary distraction. On the trip, disgruntled Wanderer Ronald Gretz--who's aware of Chase's police background--approaches him for help. Gretz is confident that someone in Devon is trying to kill him, an assertion potentially backed up by a spate of threatening emails and a few disturbing instances of verbal conflict Chase observes on the tour. When Gretz falls off a cliff to his death one foggy afternoon, Chase teams up with Billie and a local detective to investigate various Wanderers. Chase's firm sense of justice and relatable romantic wounds make him a remarkably endearing protagonist. Readers will be eager to strap on their walking shoes for the investigator's next case. Agent: Michelle Hauck, Storm Literary. (Apr.)

DEBUT Retired San Diego police inspector Rick "Chase" Chasen is still mourning the death of his longtime partner and tries to alleviate his depression by traveling to England for a walking tour of Devon with the Wanderers, a group of fellow Americans. He's eager to catch up with his old friend, a retired librarian, and meet new ones. Their tour guide is new to the company, and the travelers on the tour are excited to see north Devon. Business tycoon Ronald Gretz is the one exception, and his complaints soon get on everyone's nerves. As small accidents occur, Gretz, who has received threatening notes, accuses someone in the group of trying to kill him and begs Chase to watch out. But there's nothing Chase can do when Gretz is finally killed. The local chief inspector has little experience with murder, so he welcomes Chase's help to investigate. They learn that everyone is lying and that some of the Wanderers have reasons to hate Gretz. VERDICT A fresh concept for a new series that offers readers the chance to see the English countryside. Those who enjoy Steve Burrows's birding mysteries may want to try this nature-heavy cozy.--Lesa Holstine

A bewildering murder draws a retired sleuth back into the saddle. As retired San Diego detective Rick "Chase" Chasen looks forward to a vacation in his beloved England with his pal Billie Mondreau, he wistfully remembers multiple previous visits to England with Doug, his partner in business and in life, who passed away six years earlier. Chase and Billie join the Wanderers, a colorful tour group led through Devon by "walk leader" Sally and "walk manager" Howie. It's a chirpy group of tourists except for tycoon Ronnie Gretz and his wife, Summer, who arrive in a thundering Bentley. Summer's graciousness does little to take the edge off the sour mood of her husband, who immediately declares that "someone is out to get me." Chase and Billie's empathy make them natural confidants of the troubled duo. Some suspicious incidents that may indicate a legitimate threat against Gretz increase Chase's vigilance. A walk near a cliff turns eerie when a fog descends. The fog lifts to reveal Gretz's corpse. Chief Inspector Teddy Kilbride and his sidekick, Detective Constable Darren Bright, arrive to investigate. Chase, latching on to the detective, introduces the likelihood of murder. The previously amiable party turns more prickly and altogether more interesting as restless murder suspects are forced to pause their adventure in short chapters featuring headings that pinpoint location and time. George's series debut is crisply written, laying a solid groundwork for further whodunits featuring an unconventional pair of sleuths in Chase and Billie. A middling mystery with some offbeat elements and a detecting duo both vital and venerable. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Rick Chase Chasen, a retired police investigator, joins his friend Billie on a guided group walking tour of Devon, hoping to work through his grief over the death of his partner. Last to arrive at the country inn that will be their base for the walks is the brash, self-centered Ron Gretz, owner of a chain of nursing homes in the U.S., and his younger, attractive wife. When Chase intercepts a pickpocketing attempt, Gretz declares someone is after him. Then, on a foggy day, as the group is making its way along a precipitous path to a coastal lookout, Gretz disappears. Chase and Billie spot his body at the foot of the bluff. No one is sorry Gretz is dead, but when the chief inspector instructs them all to stay put in their inn, the secrets emerge. The CI draws Chase into the interrogations, which leads to his meeting the attractive medical examiner, Mike. This appealing, first-in-a-series debut is a variation on the closed-house mystery, with distinct character personalities hiding deep enmities. Copyright 2024 Booklist Reviews.

DEBUT Retired San Diego police inspector Rick "Chase" Chasen is still mourning the death of his longtime partner and tries to alleviate his depression by traveling to England for a walking tour of Devon with the Wanderers, a group of fellow Americans. He's eager to catch up with his old friend, a retired librarian, and meet new ones. Their tour guide is new to the company, and the travelers on the tour are excited to see north Devon. Business tycoon Ronald Gretz is the one exception, and his complaints soon get on everyone's nerves. As small accidents occur, Gretz, who has received threatening notes, accuses someone in the group of trying to kill him and begs Chase to watch out. But there's nothing Chase can do when Gretz is finally killed. The local chief inspector has little experience with murder, so he welcomes Chase's help to investigate. They learn that everyone is lying and that some of the Wanderers have reasons to hate Gretz. VERDICT A fresh concept for a new series that offers readers the chance to see the English countryside. Those who enjoy Steve Burrows's birding mysteries may want to try this nature-heavy cozy.—Lesa Holstine

This winning debut and series launch introduces grieving retired police investigator Rick "Chase" Chasen. Six years after the death of his romantic partner, Doug, Chase heads from San Diego to a small coastal town in Devon, England, for a reunion with his old friend, Billie Mondreau. Concerned about the continuing depths of Chase's despair, Billie thinks a tour organized by the Wanderers hiking group might provide a necessary distraction. On the trip, disgruntled Wanderer Ronald Gretz—who's aware of Chase's police background—approaches him for help. Gretz is confident that someone in Devon is trying to kill him, an assertion potentially backed up by a spate of threatening emails and a few disturbing instances of verbal conflict Chase observes on the tour. When Gretz falls off a cliff to his death one foggy afternoon, Chase teams up with Billie and a local detective to investigate various Wanderers. Chase's firm sense of justice and relatable romantic wounds make him a remarkably endearing protagonist. Readers will be eager to strap on their walking shoes for the investigator's next case. Agent: Michelle Hauck, Storm Literary. (Apr.)