Death in the Setting Sun: A John Rawlings Mystery [Paperback]

Deryn Lake (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 29, 2005

John Rawlings has never been happier. His apothecary business is doing well and he is blissfully content with his charming wife and adorable little daughter. Little does he know that his settled life is soon to be tragically shaken off course . . .

An evening out at an illustrious theatre party at Gunnersbury House, hosted by Princess Amelia, ends in tragedy when a guest is discovered murdered. Suspicion falls upon John Rawlings when he is found crouched over the inert figure. Despite his protestations of innocence, many at the scene, including the royally powerful Princess Amelia, believe John is the murderer and he is forced to go into hiding. John and his closest friends desperately try to delve through the layers of deception to uncover the truth, whilst struggling to come to terms with their own grief.

Countless adventures teach him it is not always easy to tell friend from foe and there are far more late night dealings at Gunnersbury House than he at first expects. But somewhere the vicious figure of the murderer is lurking and it is up to John to determine their identity before they strike again . . .

Editorial Reviews

Review

Meticulously researched, this is a series that brings the past to colourful life -- The Guardian

With history this colourful and a mystery this baffling, the result is delicious. --The Good Book Guide

About the Author

Deryn Lake is the pseudonym of a well-known historical novelist who joined the popular ranks of historical detective writers with her gripping John Rawlings Mysteries. Deryn Lake lives near Hastings, East Sussex.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Allison & Busby (December 29, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0749082909
• ISBN-13: 978-0749082901
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,127,628 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Tenth Book in the Series, January 31, 2008

By 

J. Chippindale (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Death in the Setting Sun: A John Rawlings Mystery (Paperback)

Deryn Lake is a pseudonym of a well know historical novelist. Among the books she has written are the popular John Rawlings Mysteries, Death in the Peerless Pool, Death at the Apothecaries' hall, Death at the Devil's Tavern and others. As all of the titles are preceded by the word death, (unusual to say the least), this is a pretty good indication regarding the contents of the books and very good Georgian historical murder mysteries they are. `Deryn Lake' live near Hastings, in East Sussex

The character of John Rawlings has grown into an old and trusted friend and the author's clear and concise writing style makes the pages fly by. The books are good, well researched historical murder mysteries. They are easy reading and a welcome change from the crash, bang wallop of many of the books being published today. Good escapism for the reader, away from the bumps and grinds of everyday life

In this book John Rawling's loses his wife to a brutal killing, while they are both at a country house, where a play is taking place in which John's wife is taking part. Immediately following the play John goes out into the grounds to meet his wife, only to find her lying beneath a tree with a fatal stab wound. While he is cradling her in his arms other people arrive on he scene and immediately jump to the conclusion that John is the killer.

Rawling's is forcibly removed and locked in the cellar of the house but makes good his escape with the help of a young woman. After fleeing from the house and going to a place of safety for a few days john Rawlings dons a disguise and with the help of a lady friend returns to the scene vowing to find the perpetrator of the murder that his has left him a widower and his little girl asking for her mother . . .

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Bit Disappointing, October 18, 2006

By 

V. Geller (Ithaca, New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Death in the Setting Sun: A John Rawlings Mystery (Paperback)

I've read and enjoyed all of Ms Lake's series about John Rawlings but, to me, this was the weakest. I knew someone very close to Rawlings would be killed in this book so I had been anxious to read it. However, I figured out the entire plot, including the murderer and the motive, before I had completed the first 20 pages. That never happened when I read any of her other books. It reads a little too much like a romance novel as well. So, although I didn't dislike this installment, I have to admit is was my least favorite.