Capable of Murder (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: Miss Lawrence, Capability Brown, Inspector Jordan (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

A fun read written by talented author Brian Kavanagh who introduces us to a cast of characters not soon forgotten. -- Anne K. Edwards Mysteryfiction.net

"It owes much to the classic English village mystery, with its reclusive older resident and the suspicious cast of characters, -- Barbara Franchi, Reviewing The Evidence

"Kavanagh managed to do what - MC Beaton, does so well, incorporate humor within the confines of a credible mystery -- Mary Lynn, author of 'Dear Cari'

"Splashes of excellent local color and descriptions. The writing is very visual.There are some very good descriptions and metaphors. -- eBook Reviews Weekly

"The story winds its way toward its startling conclusion. This is a must-read book. It is definitely recommended." -- Nancy Madison, author of 'Clues to Love'

Believe me when I tell you that with Capable of Murder, Brian Kavanagh has written a master piece! -- Euro Review

The reader quickly finds him or herself in the same situation as Belinda, wondering if a crime was actually committed. -- TCM-CA

Product Description

An excellent example of a time-honoured English village murder mystery with a lively young heroine pitting her intellect against an evil killer, both bent on solving the riddle of an ancient garden.     An inventive puzzle glazed with wit and the first of the Belinda Lawrence series.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: Bewrite Books (August 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1905202105
• ISBN-13: 978-1905202102
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #425,012 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping mystery, December 6, 2005

By	A reader - See all my reviews

A spellbinding mystery that held me from the first page. Set in a small English village it has a cast of characters, each of whom are well drawn and each is under suspicion of being a murderer. That is the dilemma facing Belinda Lawrence when she inherits her aunt's cottage. Written visually, Capable of Murder leads the reader along with Belinda as she encounters each new danger. There is humour and the title itself is a clue. Highly recommended for those who enjoy a well-written and entertaining puzzle.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read Book !, August 10, 2005

By	New books "Reader" - See all my reviews

CAPABLE OF MURDER- REVIEW

Expatriate Belinda Lawrence returns to England after an adolescence spent in Australia. She visits her Great Aunt Jane in a tiny village near Bath and receives a chilly welcome. After that visit, her great-aunt and she have minimal contact,just exchanging cards at Christmas time.

Years pass then Belinda is surprised to receive a note from Great Aunt Jane asking her to visit. Again Belinda takes the train to Bath and the little village where her reclusive great-aunt lives. En route, a fellow passenger bothers her.

At her great-aunt's dismal stone residence, Belinda thinks the house's deserted until she stumbles over Aunt Jane's body at the foot of the stairs. The police coroner informs the shocked Belinda that her relative has been dead for days. The ruling by the court is "accidental death."

A few days later,Belinda receives a letter from her great-aunt's solicitor asking her to visit his office at her convenience. She again takes the train from London to the village and this time hears quite pleasant news, her great-aunt has left her the house and property plus a sizable sum of money.

The pleasant woman who lives next door with her sibling befriends Belinda. The woman's younger brother surprisingly turns out to be Belinda's troublesome fellow traveler on the train. He is a landscape gardener who is most interested in restoring Aunt Jane's garden. For some reason Aunt Jane would never let him.

Tired of city life, Belinda decides to move to the village and live in the house her great-aunt has left her.

The great-aunt's death has been a shock, but Belinda's not prepared for what is coming. Danger encircles her and she senses she's threatened but has no idea why or who wants to harm her.

With interesting characters,Brian Kavanagh's well-crafted, seductive tale,Capable of Murder lulls the reader into a false sense of security then attacks when least expected. There are many twists and turns as the story winds its way toward its startling conclusion.

This is a must-read book. It is definitely recommended.

Review by Nancy Madison,author of Clues to Love, Never Love a Stranger and What the World Needs Now. ([...])

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Capable of Murder, August 30, 2007

By	Anne K. Edwards "AKE" (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

Belinda Lawrence discovers the body of her reclusive great aunt on the floor of her home and becomes an heiress as the old lady's death is labeled an accident by the police. But Belinda can't stop the niggling doubt at the back of her mind. The problem was who would kill an old woman and why. There seemed to be nothing missing in the house.

Belinda learns there are great differences from living in the lights of the city and the darkness that descends on the unlighted streets of the village once she claims her inheritance with the intention of living in the house.

It isn't long before an antiques dealer turns up looking for old furniture and a realtor wants to sell the house for her. The only people who seem friendly are her closest neighbors.

A break in at the house, another murder in the house keep the action in this well crafted story moving forward as Belinda has to decide who to trust among the people who have taken an interest in her new home. Why did the lawyer who wrote her aunt's will disappear? Why does the neighbor feel so strongly about the overgrown garden?

These and other questions will keep the reader turning pages as they try to identify the villain of the tale and solve the mystery before Belinda does. Recommended as a fun read written by talented author Brian Kavanagh who introduces us to a cast of characters not soon forgotten. A story with a surprise in store for the reader.

I am pleased to recommend this book to any mystery fan. Enjoy. I did.