A serious mystery develops when a rural small-town school's headmaster is found hanging from a noose in the playground during a Haloween party. The general consensus is that the wife did it, but did she? Jack Robson is the school's caretaker and long time friend of the headmaster's wife, and is convinced she's wrongly accused. He convinces his daughter to help him prove his case.

Inspector Ramsay joins the case and is also convinced the wife did it, until another body is found. Typical small town where everyone is in each other's business, and knows the history and gossip. Not many are sad to see the headmaster dead, but who had reason to kill?

As we follow the story, there are lies, adulatory and blackmail. I liked most of the characters well enough, but the pace of the book was quite slow for me. The boxes for a good mystery were ticked, but it didn't feel like it came together in a compelling way.

Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books and Ann Cleeves for the eARC.
Pub Date Mar 25 2025

This is the first in the Inspector Stephen Ramsay series, written before the Vera, Shetland, and Two Rivers series for which Cleeves is best known. This book was originally published in 1990 but is being re-released.

The events are set in Heppleburn, a pit village in Northumberland. Harold Medburn, the much-disliked headmaster of the local school, is murdered on Hallowe’en night. Many people disliked him so there are several suspects with possible motives but Medburn’s wife Kitty is soon arrested. However, Jack Robson, a retired miner and the school caretaker, is determined to prove her innocence. He enlists the help of his daughter Patty; the two uncover several instances of adultery and blackmail and eventually the identity of the murderer, though not before other deaths occur.

In a note to the reader at the beginning of the book, the author states that Ramsay “is on the periphery” and this is certainly the case. At the end, he still feels vague. There is some information about his personal life – his wife left him. Otherwise he is described as “the aloof, rather arrogant policeman” whose colleagues think “he’d lost his sense of proportion” because for him “there was little more to life than work.” He acknowledges that he is not sociable and “had never been particularly liked.”

The one trait expected of a detective is intelligence, but Ramsay doesn’t strike me as particularly intelligent. His investigative skills are not impressive; he carries out a less than comprehensive investigation and jumps to conclusions. Twice he is convinced he has identified the killer and twice proves to be wrong. It is Jack and Patty who really do the legwork and uncover the truth. As the investigation proceeds, Ramsay admits to “making up his own rules” and uses both Jack and Patty to estions for him. This appproah is not only unconventional but can also be viewed as unprofessional.

Patty’s reaction to Ramsay is interesting though perplexing: “From the beginning she had been attracted to him” and though she feels he is manipulating her, she agrees to do whatever he asks. She follows him around like a puppy dog and seeks opportunities to spend time with him, so much so that her husband is jealous. At one point Ramsay dismisses Jack as “an infatuated old fool” but I think Patty is as infatuated with the good-looking police detective. Cleeves mentions that Ramsay’s “character develops more in subsequent novels” so perhaps Patty’s positive feelings towards him will become more understandable.

In comparison to Cleeves’ other series, this one pales. Her storytelling has definitely improved with her later novels. For instance, there are unanswered questions. A woman married a man because she wanted privacy? A suicide occurs, but an explanation for the motive behind that choice is given as a fear of being released? Why?

This book will appeal to readers who enjoy a slow-paced novel. There are six books in the series so I may check out one more to see if Ramsay has a chance of becoming a detective like Vera Stanhope, Jimmy Perez or Matthew Venn, all of whose company I’ve come to enjoy.

A Murder Mystery In A Suspect Rich Setting

This novel starts in a manner I have not seen before. Most police procedurals I’ve read start with the crime or the police at the crime scene, but this novel begins with a long chapter of vignettes for each major character. Their spouses, children, and a few parents were also introduced. They are all associated with their small-town school in Northumberland. Most are on the Parents’ Association. One of the characters, Patty Atkins, has an idea and proposes to the next Parents’ Association meeting that they host a social evening for parents. Patty is not known for her organizational skills, so the school headmaster agrees only if Patty is in charge. The preparations for the event are the subject of the next chapter. The event was a success, but the headmaster did not attend. Everyone wanted him to show to see how successful the event was. Jack Robson, Patty’s father, decides to find him but finds his body. As the police are stationed in a neighboring town, the people here are suspicious and not as forthcoming. The lead detective, DI Stephen Ramsay, arrests the victim’s wife. Jack, with Patty’s help, decides to prove her innocence.

This novel consists of three main storyline threads. The first is the police investigation. As DI Ramsay is stationed in another town, the people here do not trust him. The second thread is a cozy-style investigation by Robson and Atkins. They are secondary protagonists. They are locals and make more progress. The third thread comprises numerous subthreads of interactions between the characters introduced in the first chapter. Many of them have pasts that they would rather keep hidden. Others use blackmail to exploit these lapses. This provides readers with valuable insight into these characters. Additionally, this creates a suspect-rich environment. All this captured my interest. When two more deaths occur, Ramsay’s Superintendent, after warning him, tells him that if the case is not closed this week, he will be reassigned. He changes his approach but still can’t solve the case himself.

Just as the start was different, DI Ramsay's background is minimal for the introductory novel of an eight-book series. I found only three facts about him while reading this novel. Even the author admits this in her “Dear Reader” section, which precedes the novel's start. The background is much more extensive for Jack Robson and his daughter, Patty Atkins. I felt that I knew these characters. The background aspect of this novel neither contributed to nor detracted from my enjoyment of the reading experience.

All readers should be able to read this novel. There are no intimate scenes. The usage of objectionable language can be counted using one hand. Violence is limited to one person being knocked out by a hit on the head. This is the first novel in the series, so there are no issues related to earlier novels.

My major issue is with the first chapter, which introduces twelve characters. This made the chapter choppy, and I didn't know where the novel was heading until the Parents' Association Meeting. Additionally, some characters are introduced without any context. This novel was published 35 years ago, making it an early work in Ann Cleeves’s writing career. All eight books of this series are being published in the United States on the same day. This novel was more enjoyable when read as a cozy-style mystery than a strict police procedural. By the end, all loose ends were tied up. There were many potential loose ends as most of the main characters had issues that needed to be cleared to remove them from the suspect pool. This novel’s flow is good. This novel was the quickest read for me of all her full-length novels. I already received a pre-publication version of her next novel.

I have read seven novels and three short stories from two different series from this author. She is one of my favorite authors. If the novel’s teaser interests you, do give it a try. I enjoyed reading this novel and recommend reading it. I have already received a pre-publication version of her next novel for my future reading. I rate this novel with four stars.

I received the free prepublication e-book version of this novel from Minotaur Books through NetGalley. My review is based solely on my own reading experience. Thank you, Minotaur Books, for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.

Nearly everyone in the village had reason to fear – or despise – the school headmaster. When he is found dead the night of the school’s Halloween party and the police zero in on a suspect almost immediately, caretaker Jack enlists his daughter’s help to prove them wrong.

Ann Cleeves is one of my favorite non-cozy authors, and I’ve been wanting to read some of her older series as well as the more recent ones I enjoy so much. This book was originally released nearly 25 years ago, and I have to wonder if anything was changed or updated for this year’s re-release. I suspect not, as many of the attitudes and opinions seem very dated, as well as the roles of many of the characters.

The murder victim was not a popular man, so there were plenty of suspects to think about. I didn’t really care for any of the characters in this book, not even the police or the sleuth, Jack. They were all hiding things, making it hard to figure out who might be the killer and why. I gave up trying to guess, but wasn’t surprised by the motive or the identity of the culprit.

As much as I like Ann Cleeves’ books, if future books in this series are re-released, I doubt that I will read them. I’d rather continue on with her newer series instead.

A Lesson in Dying by Ann Cleeves -need I say more? It's written by the esteemed and prolific author of the Shetland and Vera series, as well other outstanding novels. A Lesson in Dying is her first book, in the perhaps, not quite as recognized Inspector Stephen Ramsay series.. As with any Cleeves novel, the storyline and characters are well developed. While not an extremely long read, it is a finely crafted and taut suspense novel.. I look forward to reading the other releases in the Ramsay series. Thank you to NetGalley, St.Martin's Publishing Group and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of A Lesson in Dying. Simply said, it's a terrific book, don't miss it. 4 Stars.

Despite 1990 publication in the United Kingdom, the first book in the series, A Lesson in Dying, is only now available in the U.S. It’s a village mystery, with Ramsay only on the periphery of the story before he becomes the primary character in the five books that follow.

Heppleburn is a small village in Northumberland where everyone knows each other, and everyone fears Harold Medburn, the headmaster at the local school. Teachers, members of the Parents’ Association, anyone with secrets dislikes him. When he’s found hanging on the playground during the parents’ Halloween celebration, few people mourn him.

Jack Robson, a widower, school custodian, and councillor finds the body. But, when Inspector Stephen Ramsay points the finger at Medburn’s wife as the primary suspect, Robson disagrees. He recruits his bored daughter, Patty, and the two question their fellow residents, looking for someone else who could have killed Medburn. Robson feels triumphant when there’s another death, knowing Kitty Medburn couldn’t have killed the victim. His triumph is short-lived, and he’s willing to give up, but doesn’t want a killer to find success in the village.

A Lesson in Dying introduces Ramsay, recently divorced, unpopular and aloof at work. He’s a little too quick to jump to judgment in this book, but Cleeves’ introduction says he’s developed more as a character in the future books.

This one is her successful effort to write a “contemporary novel with a Golden-Age feel.” It’s a village mystery with secrets and mistakes. Filled with secrets and mistakes that lead to murder.

Let’s hope it won’t be long before the next Inspector Ramsay mystery is released in the U.S.

This is actually an older story from Ann Cleeves; however, it's finally having its US print release. Readers get to meet Inspector Ramsay, who is very different from Vera Stanhope, Jimmy Perez, or even Matthew Venn. This story is also significantly shorter than others from Ann Cleeves; it only comes in 227 pages in length.

I say all of this because if you have felt that Ann Cleeves had too slow of a pace based on other books, I'd highly recommend giving this story a chance. Inspector Ramsay is in the series, but the story doesn't focus so much on him (vs her other series), and things move fairly quickly. I read this in one sitting and found myself thinking it's likely one of my favorites from the author.

Our story starts with a parent group at a local school. The headmaster, Harold Medburn, is a terror. Everyone seems to be terrified of the man and how he'll manipulate people and situations to get his way. But when he's found hanging at a Halloween party, secrets start coming out of the woodwork. Inspector Ramsay has his work cut out for him, and it's partially helpful, and unhelpful, when Jack Robson and his daughter, Patty, keep meddling in the investigation. This story has the twists and turns that Cleeves is known for, but again, the pacing moves quickly.

I would highly recommend this book. It was exciting to meet a new character from the author, and the pacing made this an easy, and fast read. I could not put it down and was satisfied by the conclusion as well.

As a fan of Ann Cleeves work, I was excited to see the reprint of a previous series that I wasn’t aware of, seems it’s never been release in the US. While I only discovered Cleeves about a year or so ago, I am now a committed fan to her Two Rivers and Shetland Island series.

The book summary is pretty vague and just introduces the primary storyline of Jack, a school caretaker, and his daughter, Patty, start investigating the murder of Harold, who was pretty much despised by everyone. However, it’s Harold’s wife, Kitty, that Jack is more concerned with; Kitty is arrested and jailed for her husband’s murder. There is a secondary storyline of Jack’s motivation being derived from his infatuation for Kitty, whose feelings are not mutual.

There is a boatload of suspects that wanted Harold dead, which is typical for a character that is despised by everyone. The storyline meanders all over the place and with the story flipping back and forth mostly between Jack and Patty, with some excerpts from Harold’s mistress, Angela, and Det Ramsay. Fortunately, it’s a short story and the end comes to a satisfying finale, even if it wasn’t a shocker or even a twist.

In short stories like this, there isn’t much character development for the MC’s and most of the others were basically just talking heads. The pacing was kind of slow, but it did pick up towards the end. Once again, the storyline was …………… not sure what else to say about the storyline or about the writing. However, I do want to say that Cleeves talent in writing and storytelling has certainly grown quite a bit over the years, which isn’t really that unusual to see between an author’s early work and later work.

I’m looking at an overall rating of 2.7 that I will round up to a 3star review. I want to thank NetGalley, St Martin’s Press for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #StMartinsPress #ALessoninDying

What an absolute treat to have a whole new series to devour from a queen at the top of her game. And as it turns out, she's always had the chops and been at the top of her game, even 30 plus years ago.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book in exchange for my honest review. I’m a fan of Ann Cleeves and I have loved the books I’ve read in her other series so I was intrigued by this book because it was originally published in 1990. I had not read any books in this series before now. Reading this series gives you more insight into the great author Ms. Cleeves has become. The storyline is a little thin and the characters aren’t as intriguing as in her other works but you can see how good the author is at weaving a mystery together around flawed characters and a rustic small town setting. Even though I only gave this book three out of five stars, I still want to read the next books to see how the main character evolves.

In a small, close knit Northumberland village, no one would have expected the All Hallow’s Eve party near the local schoolhouse to have turned deadly. The dramatic murder of the school’s headmaster is shocking even though he was thoroughly disliked by almost every resident in the village. What’s even more surprising is the audacity of the school’s caretaker Jack and his daughter Patty when they decide they are the only ones suited to solve the mystery and find the murderer. While the village appears to be tranquil and unchanging, there are many secrets, lies and some deceitful people. Inspector Ramsey is hoping to follow procedure and solve the crime but his slow paced approach leaves lots of room for Jack and Patty to insinuate themselves into the questioning of witnesses and suspects. This entanglement of activity leads to the possibility that someone else may be killed if Inspector Ramsey doesn’t identify the murderer fast.

I have read quite a few of Ann Cleeves' books and enjoy her work. [book:A Lesson In Dying|18491160] is the first book of her new Inspector Ransey series, and I do love to get in at the beginning to test the waters and see if I like the character. So here I go starting yet another series...

Description:
Heppleburn, once a Northumberland pit village, has always been close-knit, friendly and safe - until the murder of headmaster Harold Medburn. Suddenly, the village seems unfamiliar, uncomfortable.

The school caretaker and his daughter pursue their own route of investigation, which should have made Inspector Ramsay's job a little easier. But hampered by false leads, powerless to pre-empt the killer's next move, and overshadowed by the evil atmosphere of All Hallow's Eve, Ramsay finds his own reputation is on the line...

My Thoughts:
I think Inspecor Ramsay is going to be a good character for a series. He has some flaws and doesn't seem to be the best investigator, but has a good value system and cares about what he does for the community. jack Robson dug up most of the investigative information with his determination that Kitty Medburn is innocent of her husband's murder. The setting of the book is in a small town that lent a bleak atmosphere to the story. There are some quirky characters that provide some interest and a little humor. This was a fairly short book, less than three hundred pages, so I read it rather quickly. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys mysteries.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.

A Lesson in Dying is the first book in the Inspector Ramsay series by Ann Cleeves. It was copyrighted in 1990 in the United Kingdom and this is the first time it’s been made available to US readers.

Since this book was written more than thirty years ago, I expected it to feel somewhat dated. But, I really didn’t notice that. Perhaps it’s somewhat like Agatha Christie’s books in that the intriguing mystery is the key element, along with a well-drawn cast of characters and an outstanding setting. And, as a result, the book is interesting and enjoyable no matter how old it is.

Ann Cleeves is a superb writer and her mysteries are always well-done. A Lesson in Dying is no exception. The mystery revolves around the murder of an unlikable headmaster and there’s more than several people who are likely suspects. Inspector Ramsay is an interesting character and utterly human. The story is told from several points of view, including the Inspector’s, and for the most part, the story flows smoothly. It’s easy to keep track of the various players and the investigation is well-conceived.

I enjoyed the first book in this series and I’m looking forward to reading more. NetGalley provided an advance reader copy.

Ann Cleeves kicks off her Inspector Ramsay series with A Lesson in Dying, a more relaxed, easily going mystery that’s a bit of a departure from the heavy vibes of her Vera Stanhope and Shetland Island books. We’re plopped into Heppleburn, a made-up Northumbrian village, where Harold Medburn, a headmaster everyone loves to hate, gets strung up in the school playground during a Hallowe’en Party. It’s a proper whodunit setup—Inspector Stephen Ramsay’s got his eye on the guy’s mysterious wife, but Jack Robson, the school’s gruff caretaker, and his feisty daughter Patty aren’t buying it. They start poking around, and soon the village’s prim-and-proper mask slips, showing off a messy web of lies, cheating, blackmail, and some downright wild secrets.

If you’re hooked on Cleeves’ later stuff, this one’s a different vibe. No deep, dark soul-searching like Vera, or flipping between viewpoints like Shetland. This 1990 gem feels more like a *Murder She Wrote* episode with a Northumbrian twist—simple, cozy, and easy to sink into. The plot’s tight, the small-town feel is spot-on, and the characters are quirky but real. It won’t blow your mind if you’re craving her more intense style—some might even call it a tad “corny”—but it’s got a charm that’s hard to resist.

Ramsay’s a bit of a weird one. He’s standoffish, kinda blunt, and knows he’s rubbish at the whole people-skills thing. His wife’s bailed, his coworkers aren’t fans, and you can tell he’s wondering if he’d crack cases faster (and maybe not be so lonely) if he could just soften up a bit. But honestly, he’s kinda dull here—Jack and Patty totally steal the show. Jack’s this rough-around-the-edges caretaker with a sharp mind, and Patty’s a bored housewife with a knack for sniffing out the truth. They’re the real sleuths, giving Ramsay’s slow-and-steady style a fun shake-up. Oh, and there’s Hunter, Ramsay’s cocky sergeant, who’s all swagger but not much sense—fun, but no game-changer.

The Northumberland setting, with its coal-mining roots and tight-knit vibes, really brings the story to life—it’s like the village itself is whispering clues. The twists and turns keep you guessing, even if you might clock the killer early. What’s cool is how Cleeves plays around with her usual recipe, keeping it lean and breezy with just the good stuff: a solid plot, great characters, and that cozy atmosphere.

Jack’s the real star for me—he makes this book pop, while Ramsay’s still warming up in the background. I’m hoping Cleeves gives her detective some room to grow in the next ones, maybe letting him figure himself out a bit more—that’d be awesome to see. *A Lesson in Dying* isn’t as moody or layered as her big hits, but it’s a nice, easy read with a cozy kick. Perfect for a lazy afternoon with a cuppa. If you’re into lighter mysteries or just wanna check out early Cleeves, give it a go—just don’t expect Vera-level grit. Can’t wait to see what’s next for Ramsay!

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced digital copy in exchange for a review.

First there was the Vera, Shetland, and Venn series. Now, there is the Ramsay series, which was. Cleeves’ first detective series, but wasn’t published in the US until now.

This book, first published in the 1990s, features two men Stephan Ramsay and Jack Robson. Both men want to find the killer of a much-hated Northumberland grade school principal. Ramsay, the detective assigned to the case, believes he’s found his killer, but Robson, the school’s janitor, disagrees and vows to find the real killer.

The story is less about Ramsay and more about Robson, a bumbling, insecure man who is nearing retirement age. Ramsay quickly arrests a local woman and charges her with murder. With the help of his daughter, Robson begins his own investigation. He quickly finds first one alternative then another and another until he finds the killer and almost becomes a victim himself.

The story is slow moving and saggy in the middle. Cleeves wasn’t able to build the tension needed to keep readers reading into the wee hours of the morning - perhaps because of her lack of featuring her main character, Ramsay, and focusing, instead, on Robson. Her characters lack any real development so they remain amorphous throughout the book.

If you’ve enjoyed the series for which Cleeves is famous, you may be disappointed in this series. Some readers may enjoy this book because it clearly shows how much Cleeves has been able to hone her craft over the years.

My thanks to NetGalley for an eARC.

A Lesson in Dying is the first Inspector Stephen Ramsay book. This book was first published in the UK several years ago, but has just been republished for U.S. readers. Ann Cleeves wrote this series well before the Shetland and Vera Stanhope series that she is best known for.

This book is centered around a village school in Northern England. Everyone is surprised when Harold Medburn, the surly headmaster, approves a Halloween party for the parents. Medburn had a lot of enemies so when his body is found hanged in the schoolyard, Inspector Ramsay has many suspects to investigate. He gets help from two of the village residents who are able to find out things that he can't. The author's note at the beginning of the book says that Ramsay's character is developed more as the series progresses and that this book concentrates more on the parents and staff of the school.

From what we do learn about Ramsay, he is distinct from any of the author's newer detectives. However, I saw aspects of Vera's personality in two different residents of the village, and the way one of the older teachers looks after a younger one reminds me of Vera's friendship with Joe Ashworth.

Since so much of the story is focused on the village, a lot of characters are introduced so the book gets off to a slow start. Things do pick up and once I was able to keep track of everyone, I enjoyed getting to know the main characters. There is a surprising solution to Medburn's death and the book has a strong finish. I'm definitely interested in reading more books in this series and getting to know Ramsay better.

I received an advance copy of this ebook from St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for review consideration. My review is voluntary and unbiased.

This is the first book in the Inspector Ramsay series. The US release is scheduled for March 2025 though this series was originally published in the 1990s. I was excited to dive into this early series of one of my favorite authors for British mysteries. I was curious if her early books would captivate me the way her latest releases have been doing for the last few years. I went into this novel with the idea in my head that this was an early novel by the author and not to expect the polished expertise of a seasoned writer and I think tempering those expectations led to a pleasant result for me.

The story is told through multiple characters and follows the investigation of the murder of a school headmaster in a small village in Northumberland. The community in the village is filled with the usual characters from small town gossips and judgmental busy bodies to the standoffish secretive types. While not quite as atmospheric as later novels, I found the community to be what I have come to expect from Cleeves. And just when I was wondering if there would be a second act murder… The mystery had me guessing until the last minute, but I did actually figure it out in the end without the help of the Inspector.

I’m curious to find out more about Inspector Ramsay as I explore this series. I didn’t quite feel the affinity for him that I have for Vera or Jimmy Perez, but perhaps that will take time. This book did follow the investigation from the more amateur father/daughter duo of locals Jack and Patty, so I feel like I had a better feel for their characters. It’s not quite as complicated and complex as her later novels. You can tell that she’s grown as a writer, but it also carries a lot of her trademark features that you can expect from a Cleeves novel from the community with secrets and support to the second act death.

For seasoned readers of Ann Cleeves, I think you will enjoy this early mystery and characters if you go into it with the mindset that I did. I would probably recommend the Shetland or Vera series to readers new to the author.

Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for a copy provided for an honest review.

Despite Ann Cleeves being one of my favorite authors, I had not yet read her Inspector Ramsay series and was excited to check out one of her earlier books.

Set in a small Northumberland village where things are not as they seem, and a suspicious death sees not just the local inspector, Ramsay, investigating the murder but also the school caretaker, Jack, and his daughter, Patty, lending a hand as well.

It was interesting to compare Cleeves earlier work to her better-known series. Her sense of place is better developed in later books, but it is also good here. I felt transported to this small village, which is not what it seems on the surface. There was quite a bit of build-up before the suspense started, and most of it focused on the world-building and characters, which makes sense as this was the first in the series.

The characters are interesting, particularly Jack and Patty, although there are a lot of characters to keep straight initially. Inspector Ramsay was a quieter character, but one I would like to get to know better.

This wasn't as much of a procedural as Cleeves's later series, as the amateurs do most of the sleuthing, but it's not quite a cozy mystery either. It is a bit darker and grittier than that. The plot was intriguing, although the pacing was slower in the first half. I did predict the culprit, but I still enjoyed the red-herring-filled reading to learn if I had guessed correctly. Overall, it was an enjoyable read, and it was fun to read a favorite author's early work!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press Minotaur Books and Netgalley for the gifted ARC!

*3.5 rounded up

"Before Shetland and Vera, Ann Cleeves wrote the Inspector Ramsay series featuring a talented, brilliant detective - now in print for the first time in the US.

Who hung the headmaster in the playground on the night of the school Halloween Party?

Almost everyone in Heppleburn either hated or feared the viper-tongued Harold Medburn. Inspector Ramsay is convinced it was the headmaster's enigmatic wife but Jack Robson, school governor and caretaker, is determined to prove her innocence.

With the help of his restless daughter Patty, Jack digs into the secrets of Heppleburn, and uncovers a cesspit of lies, adultery, blackmail and madness..."

First time in the US unless your mother made you order them from England for her. Just saying...

A Lesson in Dying by Ann Cleeves is being republished by Minotaur Books this spring. First written in 1990, it shows how far Cleeves has come as a writer. Whereas her later books had a great sense of place, this one did not. And while it’s the first in the Inspector Ramsey series, he truly is a minor character in the story.
The headmaster of a local primary school is found hung during a Halloween dance. He was an unlikeable man and the list of those with a reason to kill him is long. However, Ramsay immediately arrests the wife. The local councilman and custodian of the school fancies the wife and launches his own investigation to prove her innocence. He even draws his daughter, Patty, into helping him. Cleeves did a good job with the characters and they felt fully developed. But the plot felt clunky at times and the first 60% of the book moved at too slow a pace. As much as I have loved Cleeves’ other three series, I won’t be bothering to read the rest of this one.
My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for an advance copy of this book.

A Lesson in Dying is book 1 in Ann Cleeves’ Inspector Ramsay series, and was my first Ann Cleeves novel but won’t be my last. I’m surprised it has taken me so long to pick up one of her books because I love most of the series’ based on her books.

Note that this is a rerelease of a book that was first published in 1990, so may seem dated to some readers. Personally, the time period felt a bit nostalgic for me, so I rather enjoyed it.

In this first novel, Inspector Ramsay is mostly absent from the novel for at least the first half. Instead the first part of the story is told, in third person, through the eyes of many of the villagers who knew the victim.

A Lesson in Dying was relatively slow paced, but was very interesting, and kept my attention throughout, so it didn’t feel like it dragged at any point.

The ending, when it did come, was quick and suspenseful, and kept me on the edge of my seat.

I would recommend A Lesson in Dying to any fan of traditional mysteries.