Dead Secret: An Arnold Landon Mystery [Hardcover]

Roy Lewis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 10, 2001

What appears to be a simple land dispute turns deadly in this smart new mystery that takes archaeologist Arnold Landon to the ancient Pentire Woods in rural Northumberland and calls upon all his considerable intelligence and abundant knowledge of history before a baffling case of murder yields its solution. The announcement that the long unsullied and unpolluted Pentire Woods have been designated as the site for a highway bypass has already set a series of disturbing events in motion by the time Landon arrives. Two people adamantly opposed to a plan that will destroy the wood are the landowner himself and an archaeologist eager to explore the peat bog where the ancient, perfectly preserved body of the "Wolf Man" has been discovered. Summoned to assess the archaeological value of the site, Landon and his colleague, Portia, find themselves walking a tightrope between the developers, the politicians, the owner, and the inevitable protesters against ecological damage. When one of the protesters is found dead, Landon and Portia also find themselves dealing with murder. Their investigation ratchets up, as does the suspense, and much more is at stake in this adroitly crafted tale than the fate of the Pentire Woods.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Archaeologist Arnold Landon returns for his 13th suspenseful mystery from prolific British author Lewis (An Assumption of Death, etc.). The marshy peat bogs of Northumberland's Wolfcleugh Woods preserve dead bodies remarkably well. They also disgorge these bodies at an alarming rate. The latest grisly finding is dubbed the "Wolf Man" and draws journalists and historians to the woods at a time when building crews are also in attendance, poised to clear the area for a vacation complex. With the blessing of local landowner Steven Brand-Ruckley, New Age protesters led by the charismatic Nick Semmens take up lodging in the woods, causing trouble and halting construction. Meanwhile, more bodies surface. Landon, working for the department of museums and antiquities, makes the most disturbing fatal discovery the remains of Sally Burt, a relative of Brand-Ruckley's, a conquest for Semmens and a protester. Landon soon finds himself smack in the center of a romantic triangle, caught between affection for his attractive if distant boss, Karen, and his more lusty leanings toward his coworker Portia. This novel isn't exactly swimming in suspects, and keeping track of the provenance of the catalogue of pristine body parts fished from the peaty swampland is a full-time job. Nonetheless, the pacing is constant, and the revelations are placed with the kind of quiet precision this well-regarded author is known for. (June

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Carroll & Graf (May 10, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786708859
• ISBN-13: 978-0786708857
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,260,545 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Developers vs environmentalists = murder, May 25, 2001

By 

mschowell "mschowell" (Arleta, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dead Secret: An Arnold Landon Mystery (Hardcover)

Pitting profit and greed against research and ecology is a familiar backdrop to a well-written murder mystery. There's a lot of the "good guys" versus the "bad guys" stuff going on, but the author has provided plenty of motives and opportunities, and the convoluted relationships of the numerous suspects provide an entertaining evening of reading.

Set in northern England, Wolfcleugh Woods and the adjacent bog are a mysterious and colorful locale for the latest in the series that features archaeologist Arnold Landon. He and colleague Portia Tyrrell are assigned to evaluate the archeological significance of an area described in the prologue as shrouded in fear and superstition. The land is the center of a local controversy created by a group of greedy and callous developers eager to build a road to their latest luxury resort, tastelessly named Shangri-La. The landowner is playing reluctant host to a group of enthusiastic and ingenuous environmentalists who are determined to prevent the ruination of the forest. Equally adamant is the archeological team who have recently uncovered a well-preserved centuries-old "bog body" and want to continue undisturbed with their digging and research. The machinations of the developers, the politicians, and the Department of Museums and Antiquities who employ Landon are described in venomous detail, and all of the peripheral players live up to maximal stereotypes. Local policeman also live up to expectations, which includes the soon-to-be-retired but experienced DCI Culpeper pitted against the overly-educated wiseacre young colleagues and an intrusive and condescending superior officer. Violence predictably erupts as the land-related disagreements between the antagonists escalate. When other human remains are turned up and Landon himself stumbles upon a body of quite recent origin, both he and Culpeper must change their perspectives and concentrate on discovering the murderer.

Lewis has once again created a nicely suspenseful mystery with multi-dimensional lead characters in a colorful setting - an overall good read.

4.0 out of 5 stars Smart and Imaginative Archeological Mystery, July 29, 2002

By 

Christine "loves to read" (Setauket, NY, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dead Secret: An Arnold Landon Mystery (Hardcover)

Land developer Ken Stafford decides to build a highway access road through the ancient peat bog in Northumberland, much to the dismay of its owner, environmentalists, and several protestors. When a centuries-old body is discovered remarkably intact, many feel that more research and exploration of the area is warranted. Protagonist Arnold Landon, an archeologist, and his assistant Portia are summoned to evaluate the area when a more recent body (that of one of Stafford's most vocal opponents) surfaces shortly thereafter. Now Landon and Portia must also hunt a killer, in addition to hunting for the bog's archeological significance.

There are plenty of twists and mayhem in this story, including some personal conflicts which may raise a few eyebrows, but the story seems to lack a "pulse". It is interesting, believable and very well written, but not very exciting. Although this book did not quite tickle my fancy, I would definitely read another Roy Lewis novel without hesitation. His writing is flawless, and he places fascinating characters in unique plots.

4.0 out of 5 stars For the Mystery Buffs in All of Us, January 10, 2002

By 

Peter S. (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dead Secret: An Arnold Landon Mystery (Hardcover)

If you like mysteries, this an exceptional book to read. Dead Secret is a great mystery/archeological novel involving very realistic accounts of archeological facts. The best part about this book is the mix of law with the archeology. The use of justice in the novel sets you up for some great surprises as Landon (head of the Museum of Antiquities) finds himself knee deep in a sea of greed and misleading suspects. As Landon hunts the area of Wolfcleugh Woods trying to find more evidence of archeological findings; he gets swept up in the grasp of the greed monsters, Shangri-La enterprises, who need the land to make a back road for a new resort. With time running out, Landon is desperate to find evidence of ancient life, otherwise, he will help the money mad builders win the battle over the land. Of the many mystery books I've read, this book is definately the most attention drawing of them all, a wonderful book from beginning to end. Roy Lewis is definately the master of law and archeological works of fiction.