e-book Raw Material: A European Crime Mystery (The Beatrice Stubbs Series Book 2)

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The reader is often made to feel very worried about Beatrice, and at the same time in awe of her persistent, and intelligent, pursuit of justice.

The story is skilfully paced, with lovely, atmospheric descriptions of the Spanish town of Vitoria, as well as the food and wine Beatrice manages to consume in spite of the intensity of her investigations. Having read the previous two in the series, I can confirm that this one keeps up the high standard set by J J Marsh.

The descriptions of food and wine are enough to make anyone drool and long to hop on a plane to Vitoria, while the tensions of the plot are gripping enough to take the mind off whatever comestibles happen to be on the table right now. Complex characters, sumptuous descriptions and a nail-biting finale. Marsh is an excellent story-weaver.

The plot twists and turns, the suspense is compelling. All the characters, major and minor, are well drawn and believable. Good intentions, social inhibitions, thwarted wishes are all in Cold Pressed. Marsh excels with her richly patterned, perfectly nuanced, cleverly plotted stories which grab the reader from the very first page.

And let me tell you, I have never been disappointed. Time spent with a dreamy German detective while dodging her nemesis boss and running a side investigation into an ultra-conservative convent add to the fun. With the inevitable bumps and scrapes, Beatrice juggles it all while relentlessly searching through her emotions and guarding her hard-won mental health.

Expect an ending that will elicit a gasp of surprise and a rush of tears for any true Stubbs fan. Beatrice is very human, nippy if she feels the situation requires it but supportive and empathetic. She is also smart and hardworking. Adrian is extremely fearful in the novel and his reactions are well depicted but despite this his inate kindness and optimism shine through. I really enjoyed Human Rites and read it in one sitting so I have no hesitation in recommending it as an excellent read.

While each book in the series can be read as a stand-alone novel, to fully appreciate this quirkily flawed and deeply insightful Scotland Yard DI, it may be best to head back to Behind Closed Doors, the first book in the series. In Human Rites, Beatrice Stubbs has made it quite clear that she is looking forward to retirement in Devon with long-term partner Matthew, and is not a contender for the promotion her outgoing boss Hamilton seems intent on pushing on her.

Of course, she is aware that he has been under a considerable degree of stress, starting his own own business and having post go missing from his home. After all, he has no reason that the two things are linked. However, he jumps at the opportunity for a weekend of art, Christmas markets and good food, never imagining that trouble will follow him. Despite his references to Sherlock Holmes, he reminds me of gentlemen detectives, like Lord Peter Wimsey, from the golden age of crime.

Raw Material

I, for one, would love to see Adrian develop into a series character. May 18, Catriona Troth added it. Second in a series by my Triskele stablemate, J. It also introduces two of the best sidekicks in detective fiction since Bunter and Lugg hung up their hats.

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As for her flamboyant neighbour, Adrian, I fell in love with him from the first moment he appeared on the page. Left Second in a series by my Triskele stablemate, J. Raw Materials displays the same wit, intelligence and compassion as the first book in the series, Behind Closed Doors. Dec 05, H. Raw material is an excellent crime novel full of humour and horrors. I was hooked from start to finish by the plot, the rising tension and looming menace, and the many-faceted personalities—even minor characters leap off the page.

Beatrice Stubbs is my new favourite detective, but amateur Adrian is a close second. May 12, Teresa Lavender rated it it was amazing. Won this on goodreads. Great characters - I now find that I have to get the first book to see what I have missed. Love a good thriller and this definitely qualifies. Sep 12, Diana rated it it was amazing. The lead characters were very flawed; very likable; very detailed. Beatrice - bipolar with hints of a prior suicide attempt, Detective Inspector for the Metropolitan Police; her husband Matthew and neighbor Adrian.

The plots were edgy, suspenseful and detailed; very character-driven. I really felt a part of the locations.

The Beatrice Stubbs Boxset

I liked the back and forth of the murder scenes and the current investigations. It helped set the tone and especially the personalities of the victims. A seemingly innocent set of photographs from a beach holiday turn into the basis for a major investigation. The descriptions - of foods, wines, vineyards, wineries, Spanish cities and towns, people - were superb. The plot was very well-paced which I liked. I liked these mysteries so much that I ordered the next 3 titles in the Beatrice Stubbs series. I like to move around in a book and often reread passages or confirm details.

This is nothing to do with the writing, but a glitch or problem with the format. Aug 10, Sue rated it liked it. Much better than the first instalment. Better pacing and character development. Still a bit messy with multiple story lines happening at once. I do give the author credit for creating a police lead who is a-typical of the genre.

The Reaper.
Trayendo a Joy al Perdón (Spanish Edition).
Synthesizing Quantitative Evidence.
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A good read overall, but not overly memorable. Feb 25, MeWriter rated it really liked it. Thoroughly enjoying this series! Wonderful writing, lots of action with twists and turns to an excellent ending. Mar 05, Dawn Gill rated it it was amazing. All the characters are convincing and well rounded. This is the first JJMarsh novel I have read, but it won't be the last. Two lines of enquiry, both gripping. I wanted to stop everything else to keep reading.

Particularly joyful to have a novel filled with strong and realistic women NB - I downloaded this as part of a package, in the hope of discovering a new author I could read all the back catalogue of. Happy to say that was a result! Jan 30, C. Lesley rated it it was amazing Shelves: One sunrise, Beatrice Stubbs is taking a break from her high-stress job on the Metropolitan Police by frolicking on a deserted beach near Cardiff with her long-time love, Matthew.

Within minutes, Beatrice's bag is snatched, and by the end of the day someone has broken into her house, yet the local police see nothing beyond a heedless lad kicking over the traces. Beatrice suspects more, but she can't stay to investigate, because her boss summons her back to London to deal with the disturbing case One sunrise, Beatrice Stubbs is taking a break from her high-stress job on the Metropolitan Police by frolicking on a deserted beach near Cardiff with her long-time love, Matthew.

Beatrice suspects more, but she can't stay to investigate, because her boss summons her back to London to deal with the disturbing case of a flasher who stalks young, vulnerable women. But behind Beatrice's back, Matthew and Adrian, her downstairs neighbor, decide to help out with the investigation in Wales. Too bad they have just enough sense of what cops do to get them into serious trouble.

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So refreshing to find a heroine as fabulous and flawed as the rest of us. The scene contains more than just cliffs and seagulls, and someone wants those pictures destroyed. A little less punchy in pace than the first book, but still equally as brilliant in style. And when you think about feigning a bad stomach to back out of dinner with your friends to get back to bed with Beatrice Stubbs; just do it. Marie rated it really liked it Oct 23, All victims of the same serial offender.

Now Beatrice has to find a way to keep them safe at the same time as she stops the flasher before he turns to rape Another smart, twisty mystery from a writer to watch. Aug 16, Jessica Bell rated it really liked it. Fabulous sequel to Behind Closed Doors. A little less punchy in pace than the first book, but still equally as brilliant in style. One thing I just noticed in this book which was probably done in the first book too, but I was too stupid to not pick it up was that Beatrice always gets her idioms wrong, for example, "mutton dressed as ham" instead of "mutton dressed as lamb.

The female of the species reigned supreme. The Barcelos cockerel tells an ancient tale of false accusation and vindication. Colourful, mythical and a symbol of truth, this Portuguese emblem carries associations of integrity and honour in the face of suspicion.

Solved Behind Closed Doors

Which makes it rather heavy. Many people are unaware of its rich nutty spices and summery citrus hints. People who ask questions end up dead. The village of Porthgain is built around a Pembrokeshire cove and the perfect place to watch the sunrise.