When the Old Man Died

Richard Patton #8

by Roger Ormerod

Libro usado en buenas condiciones, por su antiguedad podria contener señales normales de uso

Genres: Mystery

207 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Roger Ormerod was born in Wolverhampton, Staffordshire. He worked as a county court officer, an executive officer in the Department of Social Security, a postman, and a shop loader in an engineering factory.

Reviews

[Debbie Binnersley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't realise until I'd finished that the book was originally published in 1991 and I assume set around the same time. Once I understood this a couple of things made more sense.

Although this is the eighth book in the series, it was pretty easy to read without having known the background. However, I'm still wondering how Mary fits into things.

The characters were well developed and the story was good. Initially I had no idea who was behind the murder. However I did guess eventually but there were still enough twists to hold my interest.

The ending didn't blow me away like I initially thought it would. That's not to say I didn't like it, I just expected a little more.

All in all a good detective novel.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Endeavour Press for the opportunity to review this book.

[TheCraftyLass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review
We are introduced to retired police detective Richard Patton as the book opens and it is immediately clear that he is most definitely not the sort of character who can sit by and allow everyone else to investigate a possible miscarriage of justice 10 years prior.
As the story unfolds, the supposed murderer approaches Patton for help in clearing his name. Patton is an honourable man and decides he will try to (re)solve the case despite being warned off by the present Detective Superintendent, who believes that a deathbed confession of tampering with evidence is only the tip of the iceberg. The waters are further muddied when the widow of this detective appears, demanding that Patton help prove the guilt of the previously incarcerated Caine.

Through various twists, we are introduced to a web of characters, whose stories intertwine at various points. This leads to many possible suspects and motives, all the while the real killer is around….

By halfway through the book i had decided on who the killer was, but there are enough twists to keep you guessing.

The characters are very three-dimensional and I found myself rooting for Patton and his longsuffering wife.

The story itself is fast-paced and kept me interested, I read it in two sittings (only broken as i had promised OH that i would watch a movie with him!)

Ratings & recommendations

I rate this book a total 4 out of 5 stars



I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good old-fashioned who-dunnit, and would describe it as more of a mystery than a crime thriller.