Paul Worthington just confessed to a murder that never happened.
Magdalene Lynton died forty years ago: a vivacious teenager who fell victim to a grotesque, accidental drowning. The coroner’s office issued a verdict of death by misadventure and filed her case. The farming commune she’d lived within, splintered apart. Her body was left behind in a small, private cemetery encircled by acres of … encircled by acres of fallow ground.
Until Paul Worthington confessed to her murder.
Magdalene’s case lands with Ngaire Blakes, a Maori detective recovering from a brutal stabbing. After fighting for the resources to investigate, Ngaire discovers that Paul’s confession doesn’t fit with the facts of Magdalene’s death. The trouble is, neither does the original verdict.
Together with her partner, Deb, Ngaire digs deeper into the case to uncover inconsistencies, lies, and mortal danger.
The Three Deaths of Magdalene Lynton is the first book in a new series of mystery novels set in the deep shadows of New Zealand. If you savor tightly raveled mysteries, strong female leads, and psychologically unsettled minds, then you’ll enjoy Katherine Hayton’s opening story in a compelling new trilogy.
Buy The Three Deaths of Magdalene Lynton to unravel the mystery today.
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Poorly written and difficult to get into. I started it but couldn’t get through the first chapter.
An enjoyable read. Lots of twists without stretching one’s credulity.
For my taste this was too involved a story that left a sad, sick taste in my heart and mind.
In-depth characters, realistic dialogue, and a well-paced, interesting mystery mark this crime drama set in Christchurch, New Zealand. The only negative is that the action descriptions were hard to follow.
Loved this book! It wasn’t your usual predictable murder solved by detective story. The characters were great, the storyline intriguing and I couldn’t put it down! I’m definitely reading more of this author’s books.
interesting read about life in New Zealand
Interesting plot and character development. The lead character nearly took a back seat to the other character’s because the development of their stories was so interesting. They were real people.
Interesting plot and characters, but there seemed to be gaps in the story telling. It was as if the author would have to clue the readers in to something we must have “missed” when we stepped out of the room for a bit. It was odd and didn’t help the overall flow of the book for me.
This book was enjoyable reading with interesting characters. A little slow to start, but the pace picked up and it kept you engaged.
Although it seemed clear “who done it” from the beginning, it turned out not to be so obvious. A good character sketch of Detective Blakes, which will most certainly be used in the next book of the series. The only thing that I did not like was the last statement, gratuitously denigrating the Bible. Not necessary and I did not see how it was even relevant.
Was a bit slow here and there at the start but then took off. Enjoyable read.
An interesting twist on a really cold case when a dying man makes a surprise confession. But is he really the guilty party?
Struggled to get through a third of this book. Could not finish it.
Quit after 1st chapter. Not my style.
If you are fascinated with religious cults then you will enjoy this mystery.. I liked the women detectives and found their relationship convincing but the story is told through the eyes of Ngaire. The narrative takes you behind her eyes into her subconscious. The psychological stress she is living through is like a wave that ebbs and swells throughout the book until it finally crashes through at the end. The story is told with sensitivity as the reader learns more about Ngaire’s tragic past. A satisfying read.
It was an interesting plot, and the characterizations were good.
There were multiple plots that took the reader through personal tragedy and a tragic death from years prior. The reader is absorbed into both plots and taken on a great journey.
Over long for the story line & predictable outcome.
Not my kind of book, sorry.
This story makes you think below the obvious. I like the twists this author writes into this book!