Is a serial killer on the loose in Eborby (aka York)? Two naked victims have been found dead in churchyards, one female and one male. Joe Plantagenet is the police detective investigating.

The creepy atmosphere due to the slight supernatural element in parts of the book (Is Carmel's flat haunted? What are the would-be Satanists up to?) is very well done. Similarly the author generates a high level of tension towards the end as we wonder if Carmel is going to be the next victim. I was all ready to proclaim this as even better than the author's already excellent Wesley Peterson series until we got to the solution, which ruined my enjoyment and left a very bad taste in my mouth. ( )

This is the first book in a series that introduces some interesting characters and an intriguing plot. Carmel Hennessey begins a new job in Eborby, North Yorkshire, a town where a killer is on the loose, tying up and asphyxiating victims before leaving their bodies in churchyards. When she begins to receive threats, she contacts DI Joe Plantagenet, former partner of her father and the man in charge of the new case. He and his boss, DCI Emily Thwaite are having problems seeing the connection between the victims who seem to have nothing in common. As Plantagenet continues to investigate, he begins to wonder if there isn't an occult connection.

The author adds a bit of paranormal to a straightforward mystery but not so much that it becomes a paranormal themed book. Although I had a hunch as to the identity of the killer, it didn't spoil my enjoyment of this book at all. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in series. ( )

Joe Plantagenet is newly transferred to the police dept of Eborby. He gave up his post in London after the death of his long-time partner and friend and has come to Eborby for a calmer life.

However, life in Eborby is anything but safe at the moment as a serial killer -- the Resurrection Man -- is on the loose. The killer binds and asphyxiates his victims before leaving their naked bodies to be found in isolated church graveyards.

The book was well-written with a fast pace and interesting characters. Our group identified the killer fairly early on but even that didn't spoil the read.

Rating: 4 Stars ( )

[Seeking The Dead] by Kate Ellis
Joe Plantagenet Series Book #1
4.5★'s

From The Book:
When Carmel Hennessy begins a new job in North Yorkshire, she finds the historic city of Eborby gripped by fear. A killer is on the prowl - a killer who binds and asphyxiates his victims before leaving their naked bodies in isolated country churchyards. The press are calling him the Resurrection Man.

Tragic events from the past link Carmel with new-kid-on-the-block DI Joe Plantagenet, who, with his new boss, DCI Emily Thwaite, faces the unenviable task of identifying the killer before he claims another victim. The victims appear to have nothing in common but the manner of their deaths, but as Joe's investigations lead him to a pub with a sinister history, he is forced to consider that the case may have occult connections. Then Carmel becomes aware of a malevolent presence in her new flat and, when she starts to receive mysterious threats, it is Joe she turns to first. And that is when Joe is forced to get into the mind of a cunning and scarily ruthless killer.

My Thoughts:
I've been a long time fan of Ellis's Wesley Peterson series and had only read one or two from this one. I do believe that I have enjoyed this series as much or more than the Peterson series....which came as a bit of a surprise to me. The characters seem to have more substance and the plots moves along at a quicker pace. The structure of the plot is interesting and we learn of events from a number of different characters, including the killer. We are taken along parallel paths until events slowly start to merge and the killer is more easily identified. Great series and I would recommend it to all Kate Ellis fans or just someone that enjoys a good who-done-it. ( )

4.5 Stars. This is the first book in a new series and by a new author for me, but it won't be the last. I found the book to be very enjoyable and very readable with plenty to hold your interest and get you involved in the story. The lead character, Joe Plantagenet, was training to be a priest before he dropped out and became a police man. He makes for a good detective and I look forward to getting to know him better in future books in the series. It is pleasing to see an author that gives you enough details to get you involved in the story and to give you a real chance of working out who is behind the serial killing in this book. I thought the whole plotting was very good and I like the way everything was pulled together in the end. If I had one constructive piece of advice I'd like to see a bit more in depth questioning in the book at times, at least in my humble opinion. That said I would heartily recommend the series and author and look forward to continuing the series. ( )