The Body on the Doorstep

A. J. MacKenzie

25 August 2016
9781785761201
288 pages

Synopsis

For fans of Antonia Hodgson's, The Devil in the Marshalsea, and M.J. Carter's, The Strangler Vine, The Body on the Doorstep is the first Romney Marsh Mystery by A. J. MacKenzie

Kent, 1796.

Shocked to discover a dying man on his doorstep - and lucky to avoid a bullet himself - Reverend Hardcastle finds himself entrusted with the victim's cryptic last words.

With smuggling rife on England's south-east coast, the obvious conclusion is that this was a falling out among thieves. But why is the leader of the local Customs service so reluctant to investigate?

Ably assisted by the ingenious Mrs Chaytor, Hardcastle sets out to solve the mystery for himself. But smugglers are not the only ones to lurk off the Kent coast, and the more he discovers, the more he realises he might have bitten off more than he can chew.
An enjoyable murder mystery with engaging characters, nicely observed historical detail and gentle humour.
A welcome addition to the genre... I know if the next book in the series had been published I would be reading that now. I'll have to look forward to it but in the meantime, I thoroughly recommend this to all
A gripping, atmospheric page turner... The plot itself is extremely clever...The Body on the Doorstep is fresh and exciting in addition to being skilfully written.