Dr Cody Wilder is a woman with a sharp tongue. An acknowledged expert on the life of William Wordsworth and his sister, Dorothy, and Cody has chosen their beloved Lake District to reveal her new findings on their private lives. Not one to mince words the doctor has a tendency to gain as much negative attention as positive and it's down to the local police force to offer protection should it be necessary.
When her young assistant is found hanging from a beam in the kitchen of the house they shared DCI Jude Satterthwaite knows his life just got a whole lot more complicated than usual. However even he can't imagine how much worse things are about to get and, as the body count begins to rise, his team find themselves drawn into a very dangerous world.
This is a lovely series, not the usual description of a set of crime novels, but true nonetheless. There is a gentleness and humility about Jude which makes him sympathetic but not a walk over. His team is small but vital to his successes and wellbeing, able to work with him while working alone and, as this is the third book, there is a familiarity about the main protagonists which is central to the story but never overwhelms it. He is well aware they can all still surprise him and definitely keep him on his toes! This isn't to say the books aren't topical or steer clear of sensitive issues, in fact they confront them head on, but with a care and consideration which fits both Jude and his main allies.
Cody Wilder is a great character and I can see the author had great fun with her. Always in the thick of the action her acerbic approach to life hides a great many secrets she has struggled to keep hidden over the years but as she realises what is happening she begins to wonder if they could have finally caught up with her. There is a depth to those on the periphery of the case which show an enviable attention to detail every author should emulate. I sincerely hope there will be a fourth book in this series as they keep get better and better with every indication of them continuing to do so.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an unbiased review and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys this series, Lake District mysteries or a slightly gentler murder novel, this is a definite 5 star read.