Tragedy at Two (Lois Meade Mystery) [Hardcover]

Ann Purser (Author)

Book Description

Series: Lois Meade Mystery | Publication Date: December 1, 2009

From the author of Warning at One--another Lois Meade mystery that proves there's no good time for murder.

Lois Meade's daughter was admittedly considering leaving her partner, Rob-but she never expected him to be found badly beaten and left for dead in a ditch by the side of the road. When Rob tragically dies from his injuries without regaining consciousness, Inspector Cowgill has a murder investigation on his hands, and once again he engages the assistance of the woman he respects above all others-Lois.

Suspicion quickly falls on the traveling gypsies who are camped out on Alf Smith's property. There is strong prejudice among many in the village who consider the gypsies no better than tramps and thieves. Lois must follow a twisted path that leads to arson, local delinquents, secret assignations, and blackmail-before she can discover who's been tinkering with the truth...

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ann Purser was born in Leicestershire, and has lived most of her life in villages. She has turned her hand to many things, including journalism, keeper of hens and donkeys, art gallery manager, clerical assistant in a village school, Open University graduate, novelist, mother of three, wife of Philip Purser, critic and writer. She is an avid reader of detective stories.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Hardcover; 1 edition (December 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425230066
• ISBN-13: 978-0425230060
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #718,189 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun British Cozy Series, July 7, 2010

By 

S. Collier - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tragedy at Two (Lois Meade Mystery) (Hardcover)

Unlike Purser's "Warning at One" she does a wonderful job of sticking to the plot of "Tragedy at Two" and not leaving any loose ends (with the exception of I'd still like to know what happened with Mark Brown and the Tollervey-Jones girl). I was thoroughly entertained with this book and enjoyed the twists and turns that kept me guessing!

When Josie Meade's partner Rob is beaten to death, all eyes in the town of Long Farnden turn toward a traveling group of Gypsies. Not wanted in the town, except by one resident who claims to have Gypsy ancestry, everyone is anxious to pin the death on them. However, there is the question of motive and opportunity. Purser weaves a complicated tale involving adultery, death and betrayal that leads to a surprising ending and leaves Lois Meade, her daughter Josie and Inspector Cowgill guessing as to who might have killed Rob, up until the very end of the book. I enjoyed learning more about the residents of Tresham and Long Farnden in this installment of the Lois Meade series and there certainly is more to be told in future novels.

I would recommend this series to anyone who likes M.C. Beaton, Agatha Christie and other British cozy series.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars entertaining English village whodunit, December 4, 2009

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tragedy at Two (Lois Meade Mystery) (Hardcover)

In Long Farden Josie Meade is considering ending her relationship with her partner Rob. When they have fight leading to his accusing her of an affair with a cop, he runs out and goes to the pub where he gets drunk and acts violently out of character. That night he is found on the road severely battered. He is rushed to the hospital where he lingers for a few days before dying. Josie feels guilty.

Detective Chief Inspector Cowgill leads the investigation in which many of the townsfolk believe gypsies camped nearby killed Rob. Josie's mom Lois, owner of New Brooms cleaning firm and amateur sleuth consultant to Cowgill thinks otherwise having met the group's matriarch Athalia Lee. Although this case is personal and her husband Derek the electrician wants her to stay out of the inquiry, Lois assists the DCI by "ferretin".

This is an entertaining English village whodunit that is very personal for the heroine; so much so Cowgill is hesitant to use Lois as a resource. Much of the first half of the story line focuses on family dynamics inside a small village in which everyone knows everyone so secrets are difficult to conceal, but if the hidden is achieved it becomes more shocking when revealed. Fans of the Lois Meade amateur sleuths will enjoy a deep look at the heroine, her friends and neighbors when a Tragedy at Two occurs.

Harriet Klausner

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fine survey packed with satisfying twists and turns of plot and perfect for any mystery library, February 21, 2010

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tragedy at Two (Lois Meade Mystery) (Hardcover)

TRAGEDY AT TWO provides a fine Lois Meade mystery and the second in a series revolving around a working-class wife and mother who is also part amateur sleuth in a small English village. A fatal beating, a murder investigation, and Lois' involvement in clearing her own daughter makes for a fine survey packed with satisfying twists and turns of plot and perfect for any mystery library.