The Merchant's House

The Merchant's House is the first book in a series featuring Detective Sergeant Wesley Peterson. I had not heard about this series until I read a review of a later book in the series, The Plague Maiden. Being the slightly crazy person that I am (must read a series in order!), I hunted up The Merchant's House to give this series a try. I did enjoy this book very much. It doesn't move particularly fast, but I'm partial to strong characterization and this book includes that. The combination of mystery, archeological tidbits, and a varied cast of quirky characters will send me hunting for the next in this series.

Well executed tale about Wesley Peterson, a black English detective in an interracial marriage, who moves his wife Pamela and his job from London to the English countryside. His first day on the Tradmouth police force presents Wesley with a gruesome murder and a seemingly unrelated case of a missing child. On the other side of town his long time friend and archeologist Neil (who happens to be Pamela's former lover) has unearthed an unidentified skeleton from what used to be a 17th century merchant`s house. Little does Wesley realize that the skeleton may be the key to solving his murder case, as well as the case involving the missing child. Also intriguing is the 17th Century diary of John Banized, the merchant whose home Neil is now excavating. We are greeted with excerpts from John's diary at the beginning of each chapter, and this creates a whole other story line that is just as compelling and suspenseful as the main plot.I was fascinated by the multi layers of this novel. Ellis very deftly draws the reader into two story lines simultaneously. The medieval plot of John Banized's infidelity and his ominous secret is unfolding just as rapidly as Wesley Peterson's missing child and murder cases. There is also a premise that evolves around children...infertility, greed and desperation. But I won't say too much about that here. Just suffice it to say that this is a very well written and enjoyable mystery with unrelenting suspense. I consider it one of those rare finds that you always look forward to discovering on a rainy day.Enjoy.

This story satisfied both my tastes for a great whodunit and a historical read. The characters are an interesting and believable mix. The plot is wonderfully woven, and the author keeps you guessing throughout the main story as well as throughout the historical insets, which were a great complement to the main story. I look forward to more "Wesley Peterson Mysteries" from Kate Ellis!

A most enjoyable murder mystery/historical novel which held the readers attention throughout. The characters were readily brought to life by the author's descriptive text, and the story was cleverly interwoven by the historical flashbacks. A really good read and can be highly recommended to all.

I found this book a most enjoyable read. A detective Novel with an interesting main charater, well structered plot, with an intriguing parallel and a satisfying conclusion- I wont say anymore - I'll spoil it. Don't just take my word read it yourself. You wont be dissapointed