Book Review: A sudden blizzard strands a detective and murder suspects in a hunting lodge
State Trooper Franklin Warren, first introduced by author Sarah Stewart Taylor in 'Agony Hill,' is dispatched to investigate when 'Hunter's Heart Ridge' opens. The surviving members of the group speculate that Moulton died in a hunting accident or, perhaps, killed himself; but Warren promptly determines the man was murdered in a most unusual way. He was stabbed through the heart, and then someone fired a rifle shot through the stab wound as if trying to conceal the cause of death.
The group, like the rest of the nation, had been hotly debating the wisdom and morality of the war. However, it soon becomes evident that most of them had a variety of additional reasons to dislike Moulton. As Warren proceeds with his investigation, it becomes evident that nearly everyone is lying to him about one thing or another, although it is not clear whether what each of them has to hide is related to the murder.
Then a sudden, early season blizzard strikes, bringing down the telephone lines and stranding Warren with a house full of suspects, including members of the lodge service staff.
'It's like a movie, isn't it,' says one of the kitchen help. 'Or an Agatha Christie novel.'
Yes, except that the story's pace sometimes drags. A subplot involving Franklin's friends Alice and Sylvie builds on characters who played a role in 'Agony Hill,' but it adds little to the main story and will be lost on those who have not read the previous novel.
Nevertheless, the main plot is clever and suspenseful, and as usual in Taylor's novels , the settings are vividly drawn and the characters — especially an excitable teenage girl named Jenny — are quirky and memorable.
Bruce DeSilva, winner of the Mystery Writers of America's Edgar Award, is the author of the Mulligan crime novels including 'The Dread Line.'
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Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Book Review: A sudden blizzard strands a detective and murder suspects in a hunting lodge
In 1965, as the Vietnam War escalates, a small group of wealthy, powerful men gather at a Vermont lodge to drink and hunt deer. Shortly after they arrive, one of their number, William Moulton, a supporter of the war and a former ambassador to West Germany, is found dead in the woods. Book Review: A sudden blizzard strands a detective and murder suspects in a hunting lodge State Trooper Franklin Warren, first introduced by author Sarah Stewart Taylor in 'Agony Hill,' is dispatched to investigate when 'Hunter's Heart Ridge' opens. The surviving members of the group speculate that Moulton died in a hunting accident or, perhaps, killed himself; but Warren promptly determines the man was murdered in a most unusual way. He was stabbed through the heart, and then someone fired a rifle shot through the stab wound as if trying to conceal the cause of death. The group, like the rest of the nation, had been hotly debating the wisdom and morality of the war. However, it soon becomes evident that most of them had a variety of additional reasons to dislike Moulton. As Warren proceeds with his investigation, it becomes evident that nearly everyone is lying to him about one thing or another, although it is not clear whether what each of them has to hide is related to the murder. Then a sudden, early season blizzard strikes, bringing down the telephone lines and stranding Warren with a house full of suspects, including members of the lodge service staff. 'It's like a movie, isn't it,' says one of the kitchen help. 'Or an Agatha Christie novel.' Yes, except that the story's pace sometimes drags. A subplot involving Franklin's friends Alice and Sylvie builds on characters who played a role in 'Agony Hill,' but it adds little to the main story and will be lost on those who have not read the previous novel. Nevertheless, the main plot is clever and suspenseful, and as usual in Taylor's novels , the settings are vividly drawn and the characters — especially an excitable teenage girl named Jenny — are quirky and memorable. Bruce DeSilva, winner of the Mystery Writers of America's Edgar Award, is the author of the Mulligan crime novels including 'The Dread Line.' book reviews: /hub/book-reviews This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
India Today
31-07-2025
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The Son of Sam Tapes delves into a serial killer's sinister mindset
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Time of India
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Spanked women, made obscene comments: New Zealand top law firm Buddle Findlay's former partner who drunkenly groped people named
Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Mulligan apologizes Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Buddle Findlay reacts A lawyer, who faced suspension from practicing following charges of drunkenly grabbing at the genitals of a colleague and making obscene comments at a Christmas party in 2020, can now be named as Patrick Mulligan , reported news website Business Desk. Earlier in July 2025, Mulligan, who was a partner at one of New Zealand's top law firms, Buddle Findlay , was suspended by the Lawyers and Conveyancers for 15 name, however, was kept suppressed to give him time to appeal the decision. He was working with Buddle Findlay before the two cases of inappropriate behaviour at two parties run by the firm in 2020 the first, which occurred at the first party, he made comments about employees' genitalia and sex lives and also touched staff inappropriately, according to Business Desk. As far as the incident at the second party is concerned, he spanked a woman using a piece of wood. He also kissed her on the top of her head and danced in a sexualized interim suppression lapsed on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, and Mulligan issued a statement saying that 'after some reflection,' he had decided not to appeal it. According to Business Desk, the lawyer said, 'I wanted to again apologize to those affected by my behaviour at two staff Christmas events in 2020, while I was under the influence of alcohol. I remain embarrassed by my actions and their impact on my colleagues. That experience led me to take definitive steps to address my alcohol use and how I manage stress,' He said that at times 'we all make mistakes,' and he believed he had been held to stated that the disciplinary process had been a long one and the best approach. He said the disciplinary process had been a long one, and he believed the best approach was to accept the Mulligan was named in two cases, Buddle Findlay chief executive Philip Maitland also issued a statement in which he did not name the lawyer but said that he left the firm four years ago. He expressed 'deep disappointment' over Mulligan's actions and said that an immediate and decisive action was taken at that time.
