Paul Toolan

A Killing Tree Paul Toolan

"One of the best murder mysteries I've read in years." Escape to the country? Or escape to murder? November, cider-apple time, and Inspector Zig Batten regrets his enforced transfer from urban Yorkshire to not-so-sleepy Somerset. When hikers discover a dead body, propped against a tree on a lonely hill, Batten needs every grain of his Northern sarcasm to keep his spirits up. Is it a coincidence that the victim worked on the vast private estate of Wake Hall - home of a shifty horse-sales business run by a slap-happy Northern adversary?What exactly is in the horse-boxes that trundle into Wake Hall? And does the maverick Lady Wake know - or care? Batten's search for the killer is plagued by tensions within his new team, disappearing witnesses, self-doubt, poisoned guard dogs - and a shocking revelation. Then, as Christmas draws near, the human cost of crime begins to escalate... Editorial Review- "A glorious tale of murder, peppered with grit and wit."- "Beautifully written - acutely observed people and places...funny, moving, heart-warming, complex - I was surprised and indeed shocked at some points."- "Intricate murder mystery - with lyrical passages that would grace a classic novel."From the Author- 'A Killing Tree' takes place in the real landscape of Somerset in the West Country of England - famous for its apple orchards and vintage cider-makers.- The sequel, 'A January Killing', begins with a 'Wassail' - an ancient winter ceremony in which music and drumming are used to rid the orchards of evil spirits. Shotguns are then fired into the bare branches to spark a fresh crop of apples. But one particular shotgun has more malicious intent... And look out for book 3, An Easter Killing. The books can be read in series or independently.