Waterloo Sunset [Paperback]

Martin Edwards (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2, 2010

A notice announcing that Harry Devlin died suddenly on Midsummers Eve arrives at the office of his law firm one June day. Harry isnt happy to read it especially as Midsummers Eve is less than a week away. His partner Jim Crusoe treats the message as a joke, but Harry isnt so sure. From that moment on, his world starts to fall apart. Who is his unknown enemy? The list of people who might want rid of him lengthens, and soon someone close to him is savagely attacked and left for dead. Meanwhile, young women are being murdered in Harrys home city of Liverpool. When a friend who has asked to meet him becomes the latest victim, Harry is dragged into the investigation and becomes a suspect. He finds himself fighting for survival on two fronts. But even as he unravels the shocking secret behind the murders, the clock keeps ticking. Harry must discover and confront the enemy who wants him dead - if he is to live to see Midsummers Day. An atmospheric, fast-moving and intricate thriller, Waterloo Sunset features in Harry Devlin one of modern crime fictions most memorable amateur detectives in the deadliest case of his life.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

At the start of the impressive eighth entry in Edwards's Harry Devlin series (All the Lonely People, etc.), the Liverpool attorney receives a fake newspaper notice announcing his death on Midsummer's Eve. Subsequent threatening messages lead him to take the less-than-a-week deadline seriously. Given Devlin's penchant for sticking his nose where it doesn't belong, many people bear him murderous grudges. Devlin focuses on two suspects—Tom Gunter, a violent thug and a former client, and Aled Borth, a loner angered that the lawyer's best efforts didn't result in a charge of murder being brought against the nursing home where Borth's mother died. The addition of a serial killer who severs his victim's tongues might have proven too much for the plot to bear in a lesser writer's hands, but Edwards skillfully weaves the strands together. While some readers will guess the truth before Devlin does, all will enjoy this twisty whodunit. (Apr.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

When somebody circulates a notice that Liverpool lawyer Harry Devlin has died, Harry is a little miffed. He also wonders which of his numerous enemies might be planning to get even. After someone he knows is murdered, Harry realizes he might not have much time to figure out who is gunning for him—and whether the anonymous death threat has anything to do with a serial killer operating in the Liverpool area. The eighth Devlin novel is exactly like the ones that came before it, but that’s not a criticism: the series is known for its wit, solid plotting, and likable lead. --David Pitt --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 250 pages
• Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press; 1 edition (January 2, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590587782
• ISBN-13: 978-1590587782
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 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: #1,167,262 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Martin Edwards is an award-winning crime writer whose fourth and most recent Lake District Mystery, featuring DCI Hannah Scarlett and Daniel Kind, is The Serpent Pool, published in February 2010. Earlier books in the series are The Coffin Trail (short-listed for the Theakston's prize for best British crime novel of 2006), The Cipher Garden and The Arsenic Labyrinth (short-listed for the Lakeland Book of the Year award in 2008.) He has written eight novels about lawyer Harry Devlin, the first of which, All the Lonely People, was short-listed for the CWA John Creasey Memorial Dagger for the best first crime novel of the year. In addition he has written a stand-alone novel of psychological suspense, Take My Breath Away, and a much acclaimed novel featuring Dr Crippen, Dancing for the Hangman. The latest Devlin novel, Waterloo Sunset, appeared in 2008. He completed Bill Knox's last book, The Lazarus Widow. He has published a collection of short stories, Where Do You Find Your Ideas? and other stories; 'Test Drive' was short-listed for the CWA Short Story Dagger in 2006, while 'The Bookbinder's Apprentice' won the same Dagger in 2008. A well-known commentator on crime fiction, he has edited 16 anthologies and published eight non-fiction books, including a study of homicide investigation, Urge to Kill .In 2008 he was elected to membership of the prestigious Detection Club. In his spare time he is a partner in a law firm and blogs daily at 'Do You Write Under Your Own Name?'

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Waterloo Sunset, June 25, 2009

By 

Mrs. J. L. Gallagher "workthatwardrobe" (Liverpool, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Waterloo Sunset (Hardcover)

I first met Harry Devlin many years ago and enjoyed the maverick detective's escapades in my hometown.
I was delighted to read Harry's return. Although he is a little more scrubbed up and operating out of newer, swisher offices his approach is still the same and Martin Edwards takes us on an atmospheric adventure through 21st century Liverpool.
More, please!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent investigative thriller, April 19, 2008

By 

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

This review is from: Waterloo Sunset (Hardcover)

Liverpool attorney Harry Devlin is stunned when he receives a newspaper notice announcing his death; he assumes it is a practical joke albeit a poor one. However, over the next few days, someone sends him menacing messages. He knows his career has left him with many enemies, but he considers who would actually intimidate him and probably act on the desire to see him dead.

He narrows his focus to two unsatisfied former clients; violent prone Tom Gunter and easy to anger Aled Borth. Whereas vicious Tom blames Harry for failing to defend him; Aled holds the lawyer responsible for losing his homicidal negligence suit against the nursing home where his mother died. Regardless of who it is; Harry will do what he always does: confront this stalker face to face once he identifies the culprit.

Although Harry is a lawyer and his previous caper ALL THE LONELY PEOPLE a legal thriller, WATERLOO SUNSET is an excellent investigative thriller. The story line is fast-paced and at times over the top, but grips the reader as Harry puts his face into someone else's visage, quite often. Fans will enjoy this cat and mouse caper with Harry seemingly one step away from confronting his tormentor.

Harriet Klausner

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Murder mystery fans will relish this novel's many twists and turns, November 13, 2008

By 

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

This review is from: Waterloo Sunset (Hardcover)

Martin Edwards' WATERLOO SUNSET tells of a puzzling obituary notice that predates a death and involves one Harry Devlin in his own possible murder investigation just as young women are being murdered in his own home town. Finding himself both a suspect and a possible future victim, Harry must work doubly hard to save his reputation and his life. Murder mystery fans will relish this novel's many twists and turns.