Murder at the Cathedral
(Sarah Vane Mysteries Book 6)
by Alice Castle
The vaulted ceiling of Canterbury Cathedral has echoed many sounds over the centuries. But none more harrowing than the scream of ‘Murder!’ ringing out across the nave.
Sarah Vane is enjoying a leisurely day in the small town of Merstairs when she spots her friend – and renowned artist – Simone Benz walking into the cathedral. Sarah follows her inside the ancient sanctuary. But she’s utterly shocked to find Simone’s lifeless body, propped against a stone wall in the cloisters, spattered with crimson from a fatal stab wound.
Sarah feels an aching sense of loss when she thinks about Simone, especially when she learns she may have been Simone’s only friend in town. A feud between Simone and her neighbour, a vindictive ex-husband and a set of mysterious initials in her diary set Sarah’s inquisitive mind racing.
But events take an even more harrowing turn when Sarah finds the dead body of the cathedral dean bathed in the reds and blues of the stained-glass windows in the nave. Will Sarah solve the mystery before the killer strikes again?
A brilliantly cozy and utterly gripping murder mystery, perfect for fans of Faith Martin, J.R. Ellis and Clare Chase.
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My Rating:
Favorite Quotes:
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She and Dumbarton had come a long way since their early encounters, Sarah realised, but she still felt as though she was leaving a small child unattended with a tray of knives when she left him to it.
Alas, she was not one of those women who cry beautifully, with artistic teardrops glistening on their eyelashes. Her face was red, puffy and blotchy, her nose looking as though a layer of skin had been flayed off it.
If you mean Tweedledum and Tweedledee, Mari, those two couldn’t find their own reflections in a mirror…
Charles said, using the special, extra-careful tone he reserved for his ex-wife, as though he were about to wade through a minefield wearing clown shoes and a blindfold.
She’d once been told by her grandmother that horses sweat and women glisten. She was pretty sure anyone looking at her would wonder where her hooves and tail had got to.
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My Review:
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Reading an Alice Castle book is always a fun treat; I greedily grab nab them whenever I see a new one pop up. Her murders are unpredictable mysteries and her engaging writing style is amusing, entertaining, and peppered with sneaky wry humor. I still miss her pixie-booted heroine from her previous series, but am enjoying Dr. Sarah just as much.
And as a bonus, I have picked up a new item to add to my Brit Words and Phrases list with “Fill your boots,” which Mr. Google has informed me means to make the most of a good chance and help yourself without limits.
About the Author
Before turning to crime, Alice Castle was a UK newspaper journalist for The Daily Express, The Times, and The Daily Telegraph. Alice is an avid reader of crime fiction; her favorite stories are cozy crimes with a strong sense of place. When she couldn’t find a series about her beloved South London, she decided to write her own – and single mum amateur sleuth Beth Haldane was born. Alice also writes twisty psychological thrillers for HQ Digital under the name A.M. Castle. The Perfect Widow was a top-selling audiobook in 2019, and The Invitation hit the top 50 on Amazon UK in 2021. Alice lives with her two children and two cats, and if she isn’t writing or reading a whodunit, she’ll be watching one on telly.