What could the victim, a well-liked and respected member
of the club, have discovered that has led to his murder?
Langton and his colleague, Sgt.Harry Mills, soon find themselves
embroiled in the secrets and lies of the golf club members
in an effort to find out. And as the mystery deepens, the
threads of Langtons professional and private life become
inexorably woven together.
For Readers comments, see Reviews below
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Reviews
of `Death is a Member-
Dear Mr Evans
I have just read your first book, Death is a Member and
I must say it is the best book I've read for a long time.
It was the sort of book that I didn't want to put down but
didn't want to read too quickly as I didn't want it to finish.
I got my copy from my local library in Bromsgrove and assumed
it had only just been published as it was a brand new copy
and I had trouble booking it out as I was told it had only
just been put on the system. So it was with great surprise
that I have just read online that you have already published
your second novel. I have been on the library website and
have reserved a copy of Murder in the Ascendant already
and really can't wait to get my hands on it!
I was interested to read that you worked for TASCOS in stirchley
as I know the area well, I was born in Hollywood and lived
in Kings Norton for quite a few years, on your site you
say you had to cycle seven miles to work, and your delivery
round was six miles away, could I ask which area you lived
in and where your round was? (forgive me, I'm just nosey!)
Anyway, I just thought I'd drop you a note to tell you how
much I really enjoyed your first book and can I wish you
every success with any future publications.
Kind regards
David Coakes
January 6th.2009
Dear Mr Evans
I hope you don't mind me sending this e-mail, but I just
wanted to let you know that I have just finished reading
"Death is a member" and found it very enjoyable
and entertaining, and hope to start reading the next one
at the weekend.
I hope work is progressing well on the third book.
Tracy Kirby
Senior Library Officer, Stock Services
Darlington Library
Crown Street
Darlington
DL1 1ND
By armchairinterviews.com (Minnesota) -USA
Reviewer. Anne Gigi Chan. See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)
http://www.armchairinterviews.com/
.-
If you love British police work, this book is especially
for you, October 4, 2007
At thirty-three, Jim Langton was one of the youngest Chief
Inspectors on the Force. However, despite an outstanding
career, he has decided to resign and move to Australia to
start over due to obstacles and complications in his personal
life. Before he could leave, Langton had one more case to
settle: a body of a prominent and well-respected member
was discovered near the seventh fairway at East Ridge Gold
Club.
The moment Langton saw the body, he suspected foul play.
The plot thickened when Langton realized that someone from
his past just might be the next target. Along with his partner,
Sergeant Harry Mills, Langton dug deep into the secrets
and lies of the golf club's members to find out what the
motive was for the murder.
I was definitely impressed with the author's debut novel:
an intricate plot that kept me on my toes, well-described
characters and lively conversations that brought the story
to life... . It was especially a great achievement for someone
who decided to fulfill the dream of writing a novel at the
age of 81! The ending of the story left it wide open for
future adventures with Chief Inspector Langton and Sergeant
Mills. I can also see adapted version of this story (and,
hopefully, future installments) on TV.
Armchair Interviews says: Recommend this book to anyone
who is interested in British police procedurals
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5.0 out of 5 stars death is a member, 12 Nov 2008
By Michael Hands - See all my reviews
This is one of the most interesting and well written books
that I have read for many, many years. The characters are
interesting and portray the characters as the diverse bunch
of people that they are supposed to be, which makes this
tale the kind of story that one could accredit to real life
characters that we all know, making this detective/whodoneit
book the type of thriller that will keep the reader in suspense
until the very last page.
I would thoroughly recommend it to all lovers of good suspense
thrillers.
Mr,M,Hands. Shropshire
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Thank you for signing my book. I bought it as a part of
a Birthday Gift for my Daughter-in-law, a keen Golfer. I,
too played Golf for over 20 years.. I found the book easy
to read and it kept me on tenterhooks throughout . I have
a few questions to ask. Did you play Golf.and take part
in Club activities.? Is the main town of Abbottsford based
on Shrewsbury or Wrexham, which are all handy to Crew, Chester
and Manchester for a main-line to Euston Station in London?
Is the Golf Course imaginary or perhaps based on Shrewsbury
or Hill Valley at Whitchurch, or just a typical Course just
outside a Market Town.? Thank you for the good read. Good
luck with your next .
Brenda
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I have begun reading the transcript you sent me of the
first four chapters
of MURDER IN THE ASCENDANT. I absolutely love it & can
see I am going to be
begging you for the rest of the book! I can really identify
with Mr
Wainwright's feelings of some sort of evil presence in Callerton
Manor. I
have had such feelings myself.
It is great that you have kept the familiar characters introduced
in DEATH
IS A MEMBER & I like the way the foreword briefly outlines
what occurred in
the first novel. This means the second novel can stand in
its own if folk
haven't read DEATHIS A MEMBER. They don't know what they
have missed!
Please please please keep writing! I look forward to reading
the rest of
MURDER IN THE ASCENDANT. I'm hooked! I'm sure the publishers
will be too.
Looking forward to hearing how you get on.
Take care
Helen Jones
{ Bewdley Bookshop. 20 Load Street. Bewdley Worcestershire..}
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Although I enjoy watching some television detective series
like 'Poirot '(with David Suchet) and 'Morse' both of which
I think are very well acted, I don't often read detective
novels. My reading tastes are usually historical type books
and sometimes science fiction. Probably the nearest I have
come to reading detective novels are those written by Lindsey
Davies whose chief character, Falco, is an 'informer' (a
sort of private detective) in ancient Rome.
However, I really felt that I needed to congratulate you
on your first novel - I was genuinely impressed with it.
I though that it was well thought out, well written and
really enjoyable to read - I am looking forward to the next
story!
Good luck with number two!
Richard Kane .Leighton Buzzard
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Not really my thing, murder mysteries but thoroughly enjoyed
this one. Death is a member was cleverly written but not
so much that i got completely lost as is so ofeten the case
in detective stories.
I could imagine this one being made into a film or a series
even.Jim Langton is very human, not too good to be true.
Doesn't matter if you are or your'e not into golf, the twists
and turns kept me hooked.
The most disappointing thing about this book was the fact
that it came to an end. Glad to hear that there may well
be more to come.
Stephanie Brett
---------------------------------------------------------
A genuinely good read, it's full of all the twists and
turns you'd expect from a detective novel and unless you
have a keen eye for detail this book will keep you guessing
until the end! This book is well-written with great relationships
between some really great characters, if and I'm sure you
probably have seen any of the many detective shows on TV
these days that keep you guessing who the murderer is and
who's gonna go next, then this is one of those kinds of
novels. The main character DCI Langton is a very realistic
kind of policeman as a character, but he certainly isn't
one of the stereotypical unhappy middle-aged detectives
you see in the TV programmes, he's more complex and yet
at the same time easier to relate to, it certainly makes
the book a more interesting read.
This is one of those novels that if you do look closely
and pay attention you may figure out who did it, but if
you don't get it right you may end up kicking yourself,
I couldn't believe I had it so wrong, especially if you
go back and have another quick read. It has the drama, suspense,
relationships and humour that make a good book.
If this genre isn't to your liking this book may not convert
you, but if it is then it's definately worth a look
Ross Evans ---WALES.
Was this review helpful to you? YesNo (Report this)
-------------------------------------------------------------
I finished your book just before going to Spain and, as
promise, I am sending a few lines to let you know my impressions.
Your book is very easy to read and keeps you attentende
all through. I found the first nine chapters a bit long
and in one occasion there is a whole dialogue which it is
repeated twice. I do understand that this would have happen
in real live but it is a bit annoying for the reader, From
chapter ten to the end the pace is very good and the story
line keeps one guessing practically to the end. In conclusion,
I enjoy very much reading your first novel and I am looking
forward to your second one.
Charo
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Saw your ugly mug in the Shropshire star which had been
sent to me,, so had to get the book. Liked it very much
although snatched off me by Freda at times. . I got the
wrong one half way through as you killed him off. A great
achievement my old mate, well written and the murderer well
hidden. Congratulations.
Den Mooney.
Cranborough. East Sussex.
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Because I have not read many detective or thriller fiction
books I decided,before reading your book,to read two or
three books of the same kind from the local charity shop
so that I could compare the quality of "our kid's book"
with the well known authors.
I found your book very readable.difficult to put down.For
what it is worth I considered it very well constructed.Liked
it very much.
Congratulations Des,I'm very proud of you & look forward
to reading your next book.
Regards Ron,-------
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This review above is from my older brother. so I guess
you can say he may be biased toward me. He is 86 and is
one of the busiest guys I know attending to the needs of
Pensioners for and on behalf of Age Concern in North Wales...He’s
nearly always older than those he is advising and assisting.
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I was dying to know whodunnit,kept me on the edge of my
seat
all the time. Well done,cant wait for the next one,.so email
me when it’s ready.
R.Roberts.----Crete.
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Like to congratulate the author on a well planned storyline.
The character of Jim Langton reveals himself as somone who
loves his work . I was not sure whether his sidekick, if
thats the correct term to use would fit in, as he is a much
older man, however I began to warm to him as the plot began
to unravel.I look forward to this relationship between Langton
and his sergeant in the next book which I understand is
due out later this month or in June. For me death is a member
is quite a good mystery which can lead you astray..
Phillip Medway
Uttoxeter
PS. I was also in Malta, but later than you. 1949.
