Kate Ellis – författare

Taking a short cut home beneath the ruined abbey in the Yorkshire city of Eborby, a teenage girl reports stumbling across a body. But with the body nowhere to be found, her inebriated state and troubled history leaves the police sceptical of her story. Only Detective Joe Plantagenet is inclined to believe her. Meanwhile, Joe finds himself caught in the midst of an investigation into a production of The Devils at the local Playhouse when a young girl is reported missing. Could the play, with its shocking religious and sexual violence, have something to do with her disappearance? And could it explain the mysterious sighting of the body beneath the abbey?

On a grey October morning, the strangled body of a teenager is found in the North Yorkshire city of Eborby, a mutilated doll lying by her side.Singmass Close, where the girl is found, has a famously sinister past. Reputedly haunted by the ghosts of children, it was the hunting ground of the Doll Strangler, a ruthless killer of the 1950s who was never brought to justice.With the recent disappearance of another young female and an escaped convict at large, this horrific murder stretches Detective Inspector Joe Plantagenet''s team to the limit. Is a copycat killer on the loose, or could the Doll Strangler really be back?As the bodies start mounting up and Joe''s questioning brings him closer to the real strangler, he comes to suspect a shockingly creepy connection between all three cases . . .

Praise for Kate Ellis . . .

''A beguiling author who interweaves past and present'' The TimesWhen Darren Hatman first reports his daughter missing, DI Wesley Peterson isn''t too concerned. Leanne Hatman is an aspiring model, keen to leave Devon for the bright lights of London.But Wesley realises something very sinister is going on when Darren is found murdered in the grounds of Eyecliffe Castle, the hotel where Leanne works. Could Leanne have met a similar fate to her father? But, if so, where is her body?Wesley begins to suspect a connection between recent events and the disappearance of two girls in the 1950s, at a mysterious ruin called the House of Eyes.As he tries to solve the puzzle, Wesley must face alarming revelations rooted in centuries of evil - as well as deal with a nightmare of his own . . .Whether you''ve read the whole series, or are discovering Kate Ellis''s DI Wesley Peterson novels for the first time, this is the perfect page-turner if you love reading Elly Griffiths and Ann Cleeves.PRAISE FOR KATE ELLIS:''I loved this novel . . . a powerful story of loss, malice and deception'' Ann Cleeves''Haunting'' Independent''Unputdownable'' Bookseller''The chilling plot will keep you spooked and thrilled to the end'' Closer''A gripping read'' Best''A fine storyteller, weaving the past and present in a way that makes you want to read on'' Peterborough Evening Telegraph

''A beguiling author who interweaves past and present'' The TimesWhen DI Wesley Peterson is summoned to investigate a killing, he assumes that the case is a routine matter. But soon dark secrets start to emerge from the victim''s past and Wesley realises that this cold-blooded murder is more complicated than he could have imagined.Archaeologist Neil Watson is meanwhile studying Sandrock, a ruined village from the First World War that tumbled into the sea. Neil cannot shake the feeling that something is missing from his explorations: a cryptic clue that might be able to help Wesley solve his case.As more victims fall prey to a killer, Wesley fears his precious family are becoming a target. Just like the fallen village of Sandrock, Wesley will have to stand tall if he is to withstand the coming storm.Whether you''ve read the whole series, or are discovering Kate Ellis''s DI Wesley Peterson novels for the first time, this is the perfect page-turner if you love reading Elly Griffiths and Ann Cleeves.PRAISE FOR KATE ELLIS:''I loved this novel . . . a powerful story of loss, malice and deception'' Ann Cleeves''Haunting'' Independent''Unputdownable'' Bookseller''The chilling plot will keep you spooked and thrilled to the end'' Closer''A gripping read'' Best''A fine storyteller, weaving the past and present in a way that makes you want to read on'' Peterborough Evening Telegraph

The first gripping historical thriller in the Inspector Albert Lincoln series by million-copy bestselling author Kate Ellis.1919. The Derbyshire village of Wenfield is still reeling from four years of war. Just when the village has begun to regain its tranquillity, a young girl, Myrtle Bligh, is found stabbed and left in woodland, her mouth slit to accommodate a dead dove - a bird of peace.When two more women are found murdered in identical circumstances, Wenfield is thrown into a panic.With rumours of a ghostly soldier with a painted face being spotted near the scene of the murders, Inspector Albert Lincoln is sent up from London to crack the terrible case - but with the killer still on the loose, who will be the next to die at the hands of this vicious angel of death?''Clever plotting hides a powerful story of loss, malice and deception'' ANN CLEEVES''Haunting'' INDEPENDENT''Kate Ellis has established a deserved reputation for ingenious whodunit plots'' MARTIN EDWARDS''A plot as devious as anything Agatha Christie devised'' PETER LOVESEY''Keeps you guessing all the way through to the final unexpected twist'' L. C. TYLER

''A beguiling author who interweaves past and present'' The TimesMost assumed that literary legend Wynn Staniland stopped writing because of his wife''s tragic suicide. Yet writer Zac Wilkinson hopes to reveal the true story to the world in his upcoming biography of Staniland.When Zac is found brutally murdered, DI Wesley Peterson finds that Staniland is a link between Zac''s death and an unexplained poisoning of a couple in a local caravan park. He suspects that the killings are a grim re-enactment of the murder of Mary Field, which inspired Staniland''s best-known novel.As Wesley begins to unravel decades of deception, he discovers that someone close to him is involved - and the truth proves almost too much to bear . . .Whether you''ve read the whole series, or are discovering Kate Ellis''s DI Wesley Peterson novels for the first time, this is the perfect page-turner if you love reading Elly Griffiths and Ann Cleeves.PRAISE FOR KATE ELLIS:''I loved this novel . . . a powerful story of loss, malice and deception'' Ann Cleeves''Haunting'' Independent''Unputdownable'' Bookseller''The chilling plot will keep you spooked and thrilled to the end'' Closer''A gripping read'' Best''A fine storyteller, weaving the past and present in a way that makes you want to read on'' Peterborough Evening Telegraph

Secrets never stay buried for long . . . When archaeologist Neil Watson unearths a long-buried mechanical figure in a Dartmoor field, he is determined to discover the truth behind the bizarre find.Soon, however, the sleepy village becomes the focus of press attention for another reason when two people with no apparent connection to each other are found shot dead in nearby Manor Field, seemingly victims of an execution-style double murder.DI Wesley Peterson is called in to investigate, but the two murders aren''t his only problem. The daughter of a local MP has gone missing and the pressure is on to find her, especially when it''s revealed that she has a connection to one of the murder victims. And Wesley''s own life is thrown into turmoil when a woman he helped on a previous investigation finds herself subjected to a campaign of terror . . .Is there a link between the double murder and the accidental death of a young history student in Manor Field twenty years ago? And just what is the true identity of the Mechanical Devil?The compelling twenty-second mystery in the bestselling Wesley Peterson series, by acclaimed crime writer Kate Ellis: ''A beguiling author who interweaves past and present'' The TimesWhat readers are saying about The Mechanical Devil:''An excellent read with lots of interesting twists and turns and a historic mystery woven through it'' Amazon reviewer, 5 stars''Another superb story from Kate Ellis . . . One of my favourite writers'' Amazon reviewer, 5 stars''This series is my all time favourite - superb . . . Intelligent and exciting stories'' Amazon reviewer, 5 stars''Kate Ellis never disappoints'' Amazon reviewer, 5 stars''Brilliant book, thoroughly enjoyed it'' Amazon reviewer, 5 stars''I really enjoy the Wesley Peterson books . . . they keep you guessing right to the end . . . a fantastic series'' Amazon reviewer, 5 stars''One of my favourites . . . Incredibly skilled plotting . . . fans of Elly Griffiths and traditional murder mysteries will love this one'' Amazon reviewer, 5 stars''Fascinating historical plot line and twists and turns all the way through'' Amazon reviewer, 5 stars''Very entertaining . . . Another great book from my favourite author'' Amazon reviewer, 5 stars

Some paths lead only to the grave . . . Strangefields Farm is notorious for its sinister history ever since artist Jackson Temples lured young women there to model for disturbing works of art. Some of those girls never left the house alive.Now, decades later, Strangefields is to be transformed into a holiday village, but the developer''s hopes of its dark history being forgotten are dashed when a skull is found on the site. And when a local florist is found murdered in an echo of Temples'' crimes, DI Wesley Peterson fears that a copy-cat killer is at large. Especially when another brutal murder in a nearby village appears to be linked.As Wesley''s friend, archaeologist Dr Neil Watson, uncovers the secrets of Strangefields'' grisly past, it seems that an ancient tale of the dead returning to torment the living might not be as fantastical as it seems. And Wesley must work fast to discover who''s behind the recent murders . . . before someone close to him is put in danger.The latest gripping mystery in the DI Wesley Peterson crime series from Kate Ellis, the award-winning author of the 2019 CWA Dagger in the Library.What readers are saying about Kate Ellis:''A beguiling author who interweaves past and present'' The Times''Kate Ellis has got to be one of my favourite authors'' Reader review, 5 stars''I loved this novel . . . a powerful story of loss, malice and deception'' Ann Cleeves''The chilling plot will keep you spooked and thrilled to the end'' Closer''Another brilliant book that keeps you gripped'' Reader review, 5 stars''Haunting'' Independent''Kate has you spellbound'' Reader review, 5 stars''A fine storyteller, weaving the past and present in a way that makes you want to read on'' Peterborough Evening Telegraph''Unputdownable'' Bookseller

A skeleton discovered. A murder to be solved . . . On a stormy night in December, a tree is blown down on an isolated Devon farm. When the fallen tree is dragged away, a rucksack is found caught amongst the roots - and next to it is a human skeleton.The discovery of the body and the rucksack revives memories for DI Wesley Peterson. A young hitchhiker who went missing twelve years ago was last seen carrying a similar backpack. Suddenly a half-forgotten cold case has turned into a murder investigation.Meanwhile, in the nearby village of Petherham, a man is found dead in suspicious circumstances whilst staying at a local guesthouse. Wesley''s friend, archaeologist Neil Watson, is studying Petherham''s ancient mill and uncovering the village''s sinister history. Could the string of mysterious deaths in Petherham over a hundred years ago be connected to the recent killings? As Wesley digs deeper into the case, it seems that the dark whisperings of a Burial Circle in the village might not be merely legend after all . . .Whether you''ve read the whole series, or are discovering Kate Ellis''s DI Wesley Peterson novels for the first time, this is the perfect, gripping mystery if you love reading Elly Griffiths and Ann Cleeves.PRAISE FOR KATE ELLIS:''A beguiling author who interweaves past and present'' The Times''I loved this novel'' Ann Cleeves''Haunting'' Independent''Unputdownable'' Bookseller''The chilling plot will keep you spooked and thrilled to the end'' Closer''A fine storyteller, weaving the past and present in a way that makes you want to read on'' Peterborough Evening Telegraph

''Haunting'' Independent''A powerful story of loss, malice and deception'' Ann Cleeves''A splendidly macabre thriller'' Andrew Taylor1920. Scotland Yard detective DI Albert Lincoln is still reeling from the disturbing events of the previous year when he''s called away from London to a new case in the North West of England. Before the War he led the unsuccessful investigation into the murder of little Jimmy Rudyard in the village of Mabley Ridge. Now a woman has been murdered there and another child is missing, the sole witness being a traumatised boy who lives in a cemetery lodge. Albert is determined that this time him he will find the truth . . . and the missing child.When Albert delves into the lives of the village residents he uncovers shocking secrets and obsessions. Then, as more bodies are discovered, he realises that his young witness from the cemetery lodge is in grave danger, from somebody he calls ''the Shadow Man''.As Albert discovers more about the victims he finds information that might bring him a step closer not only to Jimmy''s killer but to solving a mystery of his own: the whereabouts of his lost son.The second historical thriller in the Albert Lincoln series by award-winning crime writer Kate Ellis. An atmospheric, spellbinding mystery set in the aftermath of the Great War.What readers are saying about The Boy Who Lived with the Dead:''Outstanding'' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars''A fantastic read which kept me guessing right until the last few pages'' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars''Superb!'' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars''Compulsive reading . . . very cleverly constructed with plenty of twists'' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars''Hard to put the book down'' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars''[Kate Ellis] must be a genius'' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars''Excellent'' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

''A beguiling author who interweaves past and present'' The Times''A powerful story of loss, malice and deception'' Ann Cleeves1921. When a Member of Parliament goes missing in a small Derbyshire village, Scotland Yard detective Albert Lincoln is sent up North to investigate. This isn''t Albert''s first visit to Wenfield. He once solved a traumatic case there at great personal cost and now, two years later, it seems that darkness still lurks in the village. The naked body of a man has been discovered, mutilated beyond recognition, by an ancient stone circle called the Devil''s Dancers.The local police assume the body is that of the missing politician, but when that identification proves false and more strange deaths occur, Albert realises his case is far more complex than a simple disappearance. But, as he reawakens ghosts from the past, will he be able to solve the mystery surrounding Wenfield once and for all? The third and final historical thriller in the Albert Lincoln series by award-winning crime writer Kate Ellis. An atmospheric, spellbinding mystery set in the aftermath of the Great War. Praise for Kate Ellis:''Haunting'' Independent''Fascinating, with a characteristically clever twist'' Martin Edwards''The chilling plot will keep you spooked and thrilled to the end'' Closer''A splendidly macabre thriller'' Andrew Taylor''Extraordinarily powerful'' Peter Lovesey''This could be an instant classic'' L. C. Tyler