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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Review at BK Walker Books, June 13, 2010
This review is from: Merryll Manning: The Health Farm Murders (Paperback)
The Health Farm Murders by John Reid was fantastic. For any murder mystery fan, this title is sure to keep you guessing until the very end.
Merryll Manning is going on holiday. In need of a break, and time to relax he heads to the Health Farm, for some much needed rejuvination.
On the train he meets some others heading to the same place. While Merryll is ready to start to relax, that is the last thing that he will be granted as a series of murders take place.
As a Sergeant on the police force, he must take command and help local police solve these murders. The problem is, it could be any one of the guests staying at the Health Farm.
Local police want to point the finger at a know "bad boy" of the community, only Merryll is sure it's not him. Merryll must prove his innocence and find the real killer before "Jimbo" Punter meets his demise.
Reid did a fantastic job writing The Health Farm Murders. Action packed and sure to keep you guessing until the very end. With a surprising twist you will definitely want to add this to your murder/mystery collection.
I give The Health Farm Murders ***** (5) Stars, BK Walker, [...]
BK Walker Books - All Rights Reserved
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Vaunted Sleuth Returns, June 3, 2010
This review is from: Merryll Manning: The Health Farm Murders (Paperback)
When Miami police sergeant Merryll Manning travels to his mother's homeland of Australia, he looks very much forward to a week of rest and relaxation on a health farm, where he also plans to gain some helpful pointers about overall healthy living. What he gets instead, though, is thrust in the middle of a quickly unfolding murder mystery involving a rash of different victims. Surrounded by a host of likely suspects - all of whom seem to have something to hide - not to mention the growing suspicions of local law enforcement, Merryll soon realizes that he has his work cut out for him if he aims to solve the mystery - and preserve his own life - before it's too late...
The second installment in the Merryll Manning mystery series, The Health Farm Murders picks up right where its predecessor left off. Through the masterful combination of vivid, lifelike characters and genuine, compelling suspense, author John Howard Reid has crafted another riveting murder mystery sure to captivate the reader's interest until the very end. Further enhancing the tale are Reid's striking descriptions of the wondrous Australian countryside, providing a lush backdrop for the equally compelling action of the story.
With more than its fair share of surprising twists and turns, The Health Farm Murders is a gripping mystery thriller on par with the likes of Christie, Cornwell, et al. An engaging suspense thriller.
Josee Morgan
Apex Reviews
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Those who love a great whodunit will be hooked on Merry, February 18, 2010
This review is from: Merryll Manning: The Health Farm Murders (Paperback)
Miami Police Sergeant Merryll Manning is on vacation at a health farm in Australia after answering an ad that promises a return to health and happiness. Just what he needed, or so he thought. Merryll's hopes for rest and relaxation are quickly dashed when a fellow guest is found dead.
Available for the first time in North America, this is the second of twelve Merryll Manning books first published in Australia in 1985 by author John Howard Reid. Despite being a sequel, the book reads well as a stand-alone, and there is no need to read the prequel to become accustomed to the character.
Sister Susan's Health Farm is set in fictional Happy Valley, based on Blackheath, in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney, Australia. Author Reid introduces a large cast of intriguing characters, each of whom have retreated to the farm for their own unique reasons. His protagonist is no stereotypical detective; Merryll (Merry) Manning is a sophisticated, eccentric policeman rather than the macho, ego-driven cops so common in the mystery genre.
When a retired film exhibitor is found dead and the local police arrive, there is immediate friction between Merryll and police sergeant George Lambert. Lambert's police skills appear limited and Merryll questions the sergeant's ability to solve a homicide. Lambert points the finger of guilt at local thug James "Jimbo" Punter. Merryll suspects the sergeant has a personal bias against Punter and learns Jimbo once had an affair with Lambert's wife.
Another guest is found dead. Merryll turns up clues that put nearly every one of the twelve vacationers, and even the proprietress Susan Delaflore, under suspicion at one time or another in the story. An enormous police manhunt for Punter begins in the vast valley. Meanwhile, the survivors of Sister Susan's farm set out on the final hike of the visit to Pulpit Rock Lookout. The hike is vigorous and dangerous as the author brings all the players together for an epic confrontation, but keeps the reader guessing the true identity of the killer until the final pages.
The author has a knack for scene-painting narrative. His vivid descriptions of the mountain scenery and the simple accommodations of the farm effectively put the reader right in the scene, watching the drama unfold. Mr. Reid has penned a captivating, soft-boiled detective story with a strong main character, a terrific supporting cast, and a plot with twists, turns, and plenty of red herrings. He treats the reader to a tale filled with tension, conflict, and quirky humor. The violence is minimal and there is no foul language.
I highly recommend Merryll Manning: The Health Farm Murders. This is an intelligent, old- fashioned-styled mystery that won't disappoint. Those who love a great whodunit will be hooked. Merryll is a superb hero and this is sure to be an entertaining, enjoyable series.
More "Merry" mysteries please!
John Howard Reid
[...] (September 16, 2008)
978-0557010066
Reviewed by William Potter
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