Revenge is many years in the making. Eden’s End is a very expensive nursing home that only the very well to do can afford to live out their end of days. Violet Ross is just such one of these individuals. What’s makes Violet unique is that she is 100 years old and in good health. So except for her acerbic attitude to most others in the home, including residents and caregivers, it is expected that she will continue on living. So why would someone want to kill her? That is the mystery for DCI Jude Satterwaith and DC Ashleigh O’Halloran to determine. What secret is worth killing for and how many more will die? Author, Jo Allen, has written a book steeped in mystery from when Violet served in World War II.
The book held my interest, most of the characters were flawed and the ending was good. I received an ARC from Netgalley and the comments and review are my honest opinion.

This is the second in the DCI Satterthwaite series that features DCI Jude Satterthwaite and DS Ashleigh O'Halloran set in the Lake District. Worked very well as a stand alone and the author did a great job going over the history so none to be missed here.

The story begins when a not so seemingly alarming death occurs of a nursing care home resident Violet Ross, who at the age of 100 years old passes away. As a nurse, this really intrigued me and piqued my interest. Violet Ross was a well loved resident of this exclusive nursing care home and suspicions did arise on her sudden death.

I love an awesome police procedural story line and plot which uncovers the mystery slowly and keeps the intensity of the suspense just enough to keep those pages turning.

This was a great story line that has a solid plot, great cast of characters, enough tension between Jude and Ashleigh and their attraction for each other. I recommend this book for a good murder mystery that is enjoyable and entertaining.

Although Violet Ross' death is at first ruled natural, a series of questions from a nurse on duty leads to a murder investigation where it is revealed that Eden's End is not the safe care home it is advertised as.

Death at Eden's End reminded me of an old-style police series with its unprejudiced sergeants and bleak setting. The plot unraveled slowly with details which at first seemed insignificant but later showed to be relevant to the murder. The pace was steady throughout and the plot held my attention.

There are very few characters involved in the murder investigation which was disappointing as it narrowed down the suspects to only a few. I would have liked to see more minor characters introduced and weaved into the investigation as I guessed the murderer from around the midway point based on the few snippets of information provided and the remainder of the plot therefore seemed lackluster and much less exciting.

All major aspects worked well in sync to create an interesting murder mystery which I enjoyed reading. However, I found myself less interested after I had figured out the murder and would have preferred a much more complex plot and wider set of characters. Nevertheless I would recommend Death at Eden's End to anyone looking for a thriller with a solid plot and steady pace who enjoys following along a murder investigation until the end.

Death at Eden’s End

The Eden’s end in the title is in fact a nursing home. Home to 100 year old resident Dr Violet Ross. When she dies, it becomes apparent that it was not of natural causes, and DCI Jude Sattherwaite bad DS Ashleigh O’halloran investigate.

Who and why would anyone murder a 100 year old lady, for what end?

Alongside the murder investigation, there is the story of the relationship forming with Jude and Ashleigh , currently going through a messy divorce from her obsessive husband,

Well written with a strong plot, decent characters and lots of secrecy’s, a mystery steeped in history and with wartime elements, it will keep you guessing and reading,

A traditional and classic whodunnit, with the feeling of a poirot or marple


3🔥🔥🔥

Violet Ross was 100 years worth of cantankerousness when she died but when DCI Jude Satterwaite and DS Ashleigh O'Halloran are called, they discover there was more to her than most people knew. Honestly, why murder a 100 year old woman? Well, someone has a reason. The people at the care home where she lived have their own secrets, all of which trickle out as Jude and Ashleigh investigate. This is a nicely done procedural with good characters (although I didn't need the romance) and a plot that was just tricky enough. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This was a standalone for me and now I'm going to look for more from Allen.

I was hoping for a homey, old fashioned murder mystery when I read the title of this one. Once I read the synopsis I was sure I'd get a procedural. I was secretly hoping for a combination. And the underlying mystery was what I was hoping for. The 100 year old Violet dies quietly in her room at the very exclusive care home. And everyone is surprised. She was 100. Even so, one nurse starts an inquisition and it turns out she's right! Someone killed the old doctor.

Unfortunately, this was written like a Harlequin romance, old fashioned murder, police procedural. And I couldn't get into that. I sincerely hope that if I am ever murdered the cops assigned to solve it can take a second away from wondering about each other's bodies to wonder who may have wanted mine dead.

So this seemed like the new genre I like to call "murder for women". Everything has to be about relationships. Every time two women talk to each other, they are either being competitive and bitchy to each other or talking about a man. Even the friend who is supposedly asexual is constantly telling one of the main characters that she needs a man.

I just can't. This fails the Bechdel Test. Big time.

#DeathAtEdensEnd #NetGalley I hadn't read the first book in this series but it didn't really matter because any back 'issues' were explained in enough detail to keep the reader on track. An interesting story line and well written with a couple of twists to keep you guessing. I didn't really warm to the character of Ashleigh and found the romance between her a Jude a bit contrived but it didn't detract from the story. I hope in subsequent books that Jude rekindles his romance with Becca as they seemed much better matched!!

Death at Eden’s End is the second in a series set in the Lake District and featuring DCI Jude Satterthwaite (who I’d initially assumed after reading the synopsis was a woman, so it was a bit of a surprise to discover he was actually a bloke), and DS Ashleigh O’Halloran.

It doesn’t seem too surprising when care home resident Violet Ross passes away - after all, she’s a hundred years old. But it soon becomes apparent that Violet’s death is not due to natural causes, and she wasn’t the easiest person to get along with. With a range of suspects and possible motives, Ashleigh and Jude have their work cut out to uncover the truth. Care home manager Karen, Polish care assistant Klemmie and Violet’s niece Monica, among others, all come under suspicion.

As my work is largely in care homes, I’m always interested to read stories set in them, and find they are rarely accurately represented in fiction. Eden’s End wasn’t too bad in this respect, though I was a bit dismayed by the lack of compassion shown by some of the staff when Violet dies - yes, death is a fact of life, but I feel most people would at least pretend to be a little upset at the death of a woman they’ve been caring for for some time.

There’s a lot of sexual tension going on between Jude and Ashleigh - we’re told a lot how attracted they are to each other - which is not something I was overly interested in. Both of their ex-partners have roles to play, too.

It’s a well written story and I enjoyed the plot and the setting. I’d definitely read more in the series.

Death at Eden's End
(A DCI Satterthwaite Mystery Book 2)
by Jo Allen

Kindle Edition, 244 pages
Expected publication: December 12th 2019 by Aria




Goodreads synopsis:
A brand new DCI Jude Satterthwaite crime mystery from the bestselling Jo Allen.

When one-hundred-year-old Violet Ross is found dead at Eden's End, a luxury care home hidden in a secluded nook of the Lake District's Eden Valley it's tragic, of course, but not unexpected. Except for the instantly recognizable look in her lifeless eyes... that of pure terror.

DCI Jude Satterthwaite heads up the investigation, but as the deaths start to mount up it's clear that he, and DS Ashleigh O'Halloran need to uncover a long-buried secret before the killer strikes again...

The second in the unmissable, Lake District-set, DCI Jude Satterthwaite series.


***

5 Stars

This is the second book in the DVCI Satterwaite mystery series by Jo Allen.

What a great police procedural! I felt like I was watching my new favorite show on tv. Lots of drama in these pages. Midsomer Murders has nothing on this!

Even though there were few suspects, these few sure kept me guessing as to whodunit. It was like a wicked merry go round. Round and round she goes. Just when you think you have a handle on the killer… nope! Not that one. For a hot minute I even suspected Jude’s old flame who called in the initial complaint about the unusual death of 100 yr old Violet Ross. Shame on me! :)

I am so happy to have found this series in its infancy. I am sure this will go on for years with many installments of Jude & Co. I only wish there had been a bit more Jude/Ashleigh romance but I understand why it was so tame. Got to build into these things, right?

If you love police procedural, romantic suspense or detective fiction, definitely check this one out. You will not be disappointed!!

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

The second in the Lake District-set, DCI Jude Satterthwaite series, this book can be read as a stand alone book, thanks to the bits of background given by the author, that don't give away the plot of the original book in the series. This is an interesting mystery, as it starts out with what appears to be a normal death. But little things seem amiss, and when added together, make for a potential for murder. As Jude's team takes on the possible incident, things take a roll, and the mystery deepens. This is a new series to sink your teeth into, so don't miss it!

A 100 year old woman dies as unexpectedly as a 100 year old woman would. At first, it's called a natural death but then...it's quickly reported as a murder. DCI Jude Satterthwaite and DS Ashleigh O'Halloran start investigating the death...but before they can get too deep into their search, more deaths occur.

This is an exciting murder mystery that includes interesting WWII history.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is the second entry in the DCI Satterthwaite series, but the first one that I have read. Interesting characters, a great plot and a lovely setting make for a great mystery!

If you are one hundred years old you should have the right to expect to die peacefully probably sooner rather than later. Unfortunately for Violet Ross, a resident at the Eden's End Care Home, there was nothing peaceful about her death nor the aftermath. DCI Jude Satterthwaite and his team are called in when the local district nurse, who happened to be on the scene, thought there was something suspicious about the old lady's passing.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and thought it had a hint of an older style mystery which was very welcome. Jude is an interesting character, strong willed, principled and loyal to his team, he is easy to like and want to succeed. His new sergeant, Ashleigh O'Halloran, is more sympathetic to those involved in the crimes she investigates than Jude would like, sometimes, in my opinion, misguidededly. There were hints in this story of where things will go next and I will definitely be on the lookout for the third book in a series which deserves to be successful.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an unbiased review and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a classic whodunnit especially if they read the first book and wants to know what happened next.

I enjoyed this novel of murder and mystery surrounding everyone at the care center. Not gripping but enjoyable

I’d like to thank Aria and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Death At Eden’s End’ by Jo Allen in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

When Violet Ross is found dead in her room at the exclusive nursing home called Eden’s End it’s presumed she’s died of old age given that she’s one-hundred years old. Klemmie the care assistant and Becca, district nurse and old flame of DCI Jude Satterthwaite’s, find her and although the manager Karen Grant doesn’t think a post-mortem to be necessary Becca’s not happy and calls Jude for advice. It’s soon discovered that death isn’t from natural causes and Jude and DS Ashley O’Halloran take over the investigation.

Set in the picturesque Lake District, ‘Death At Eden’s End’ is the second in the DCI Jude Satterthwaite series and is, I think, a vast improvement on the first. The characters of Jude and Ashley have been fleshed out giving us a better understanding of their personal lives as well as how they work as a team. As well as the main plot there are three separate threads running throughout which add intrigue to the story. There’s a lot of excitement, drama and suspense, a number of possible suspects, twists and turns, ending with a surprising and unexpected conclusion. I enjoyed reading this thriller and have no hesitation in recommending it.

One-hundred-year-old Violet Ross is found dead in her care home. Due to her age, it shouldn't raise any suspicious but when a post mortem is conduced it reveals that Ross was killed in her sleep. So DCI Jude Satterthwaite and his partner DS Ashleigh O'Halloran are on the case to uncover who might want to harm a "little old lady."

However, Ross turns out to be anything but a little old lady. Her past is riddled with misfortunes, scandals of the time, and secrets. The further they dig into it, the more motives and suspects start to appear ...

The murder case in "Death At Eden's End" is what drives the plot and you follow the two detectives, alongside some side characters which leaves you wondering how exactly they are involved in it.

This takes you along on the ride but when I packed up my book, left the train and headed home, I never had an urge to continue reading at home. The book can be laid aside at almost any point, with the notable exception of the ending. I really thought that this had been well written and made you turn the pages.

Furthermore, the characters are more diverse than just straight. Ashleigh is bisexual but rather dislikes the label and simply says that if she likes someone, she likes that person regardless of gender. Meanwhile, her roommate Lisa is an aromantic asexual. Neither of those facts are part of the plot or defining for the characters.

"Death At Eden's End" is the second part of the "DCI Satterthwaite Mystery Series". As it is with most crime series', you do not need to have read the first part. When past topics are mentioned, they are quickly explained to the reader. In fact, I had not even realised that this was a multi-part series and assumed that the author had taken the time to give their characters fully fleshed out backstories. Thus, I am happy to announce that is not necessary to have read the first part in advance.

In the end, I hadn't really been able to get into this mystery. It is not a bad story but neither does it crawl much above average. You can pick it up and lay it aside at any moment. It is going to keep you entertained on your train ride to work but you won't be spending any time at work thinking about the novel.

This book was fast paced. Hard to put down. It flowed well and it was very well written. It caught hold of me and had me hooked from the start . I was literally on the edge of my seat reading this book.

An easy read with few characters, hence the perpetrator could be guessed. Four stars for maintaining the interest of the reader with the fast pace. Overall recommended for a beach read.

Dr Violet Ross, a 100 year old resident of an exclusive care home has been murdered. Why ? Investigation reveals Violet has had a most interesting life that she has kept private from family and friends. Perhaps her death is retaliation from something in her past. She also has a niece who is desperately in need of her promised inheritance. The care home manager is obviously rattled, the head nurse has skeletons in her closet, suspects are plenty. I thought the story and the characters were good, however I thought too much of the beginning of the book was devoted to Jude and Becca’s relationship and it was an unnecessary distraction. I was totally surprised by the ending.
Thank you to netgalley and Aria books for a copy in return for a review.

This was my first introduction to the author and won't be my last venture into her work. The plot tells of a death at a care home - a 100 year old woman's death is hardly suspicious, right? Wrong! 

I really liked the characters of Jude, Becca and Ashleigh. I didn't guess the ending but I did have a gut feeling that all was not quite right with one of the characters and was pleased to see my gut feeling was correct. I can't wait to read more of the series.