logo
Mysteries: ‘Marble Hall Murders' by Anthony Horowitz

Mysteries: ‘Marble Hall Murders' by Anthony Horowitz

Fans of the inventive English author Anthony Horowitz have reason to celebrate the arrival of 'Marble Hall Murders,' the third entry in a terrific series started in 2016. This book, like the earlier two, is partly narrated by Susan Ryeland, a London editor who had coaxed the crime writer Alan Conway—a bitter, malicious man who was eventually murdered—through a popular series of detective novels set in the 1950s. After adventures in marriage and hotelkeeping on the Greek island of Crete, Susan is back in London, solo, working for another publishing house and helping a young writer named Eliot Crace continue the series Alan started.
Alan based his characters on real-life people in ways meant to expose their most shameful secrets. This led to his death and, for Susan, near-fatal injuries. Eliot is the grandson of Miriam Crace, a phenomenally successful children's author whose books are available in 47 languages, 'including Latin and Welsh.' Contrary to her public image, Miriam, who recently died of an apparent heart attack, was a despicable matriarch who ruled her extended family with an iron claw. Susan detects that Eliot, in his work-in-progress, is mimicking Alan's method of depicting real crimes and scandals. The editor foresees big trouble for Eliot and herself: 'When was I ever going to learn?' she wonders.
Few other writers combine suspense and satire as smoothly as Mr. Horowitz, a writer who specializes in clever literary devices. As with its predecessors, 'Marble Hall Murders' is told half in Susan's first-person voice and half in the third-person voice of the manuscript under her purview. Thus we get two separate mysteries, twice the surprise—and double the payoff.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Talking parrot and prison phones: Drug gang led by inmate jailed for 103 years
Talking parrot and prison phones: Drug gang led by inmate jailed for 103 years

Yahoo

time14 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Talking parrot and prison phones: Drug gang led by inmate jailed for 103 years

A man who ran a drugs line from prison, and the 14 people who worked for him have today (August 4) been jailed for a total of more than 103 years, following an investigation into the supply of class A drugs in Blackpool. Adam Garnett, who was already a serving prisoner, had a number of mobile phones and Wi-Fi routers discovered in a cell search. Following enquiries after this find, Garnett's second-in-command people were identified as Dalbir Sandhu, Shannon Hilton and Jason Gerrand. Searches of their home addresses found large quantities of drugs, cash, and phones all linking the gang to one another. The gang operated between February 2023 and July 2024 in the Blackpool area. Cash, heroin, crack cocaine, ketamine and cannabis, plus mobile phones were seized. These were forensically matched to the defendants. As part of the searches of the phone belonging to Shannon Hilton, Garnett's girlfriend, a number of videos were found. These videos included evidence of video calls between Hilton and Garnett, videos of what appear to be kilo blocks of cocaine, with music including the lyric 'cocaine' over the top, and footage of her teaching her pet parrot to say 'two for 25', a phrase picked up as part of common language used by the organised crime gang, in front of a child. The video also showed the parrot playing with money which was gained through their illegal activities. Upon searching Sandhu's phone, it was found that Garnett often directed people to the trusted key member of the OCG. He was found to have researched and sent links to stories discussing county lines to his contacts and kept a record in the notes of his phone of his dealings, including price lists and records of transactions. County lines are run by 'line holders' and the runners, often vulnerable people, deliver the drugs. It was discovered that Garnett, as the leading member, and despite being in prison, was involved in the orchestration of moving evidence so that police could not find it and had communication channels with practically all the members of the organised crime group he controlled. A number of videos were also found on Gareth Burgess' phone, including one which showed him walking through Blackpool, carrying a significant amount of cash, and rapping about his criminality. 15 people were arrested, and following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, charged with offences. They all pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court. Adam Garnett, 35, of no fixed abode was charged with two counts of conspiring to supply class A drugs. He was sentenced to 19 years and six months, which he will have to serve consecutive to his existing 15 year prison term. Shannon Hilton, 29, of no fixed abode was charged with two counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and possession with intent to supply Class B drugs. She was sentenced to 12 years. Dalbir Sandhu, 41, of Chesterfield Road, Blackpool, was charged with two counts of conspiring to supply class A drugs and possession with intent to supply class A drugs. He was sentenced to 10 years . Jason Gerrand, 50, of no fixed abode, was charged with two counts of Conspiracy to supply Class A drugs . He was sentenced to eight years and three months. Gareth Burgess, 45, of Clayton Crescent, Blackpool, was charged with two counts of conspiring to supply class A drugs. He was sentenced to seven years and seven months. Dean Baker, 33, of Norfolk Avenue, Thornton Cleveleys, was charged with two counts of conspiring to supply class A drugs. He was sentenced to seven years and four months. Thomas Bird, 31, of Bolton Street, Blackpool, was charged with two counts of conspiring to supply class A drugs. He was sentenced to eight years 9 months for the conspiracy with an additional 6 months for activating a suspended sentence totalling nine years and three months. Chloe Stott, 24, of Langdale Road, Blackpool, was charged with two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. She failed to appear at court for sentencing but was sentenced to seven years and seven months in her absence. A warrant is now out for her arrest. Jack Faryniarz, 22, of Dickson Road, Blackpool, was charged with two counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and burglary. He was sentenced to eight years and nine months. William Ogden, 21, of Spencer Court, Blackpool, was charged with two counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and possession with intent to supply. He was sentenced to eight years. Ryan Black, 27, of Jameson Street, Blackpool, was charged with two counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs. He failed to appear for sentencing, but was sentenced to five years in his absence, and a warrant is now out for his arrest. Rachel Johnson, 34, of Brock Avenue, Fleetwood, was charged with two counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs. She pleaded Guilty to assisting an OCG and was sentenced to 15 months suspended for 12 months and will have to complete 80 hours of unpaid work. Jamie Robinson, 22, of Airdrie Place, Blackpool, was charged with two counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs. He pleaded Guilty to being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and was sentenced to two years, suspended for two years. He will also have to complete 120 hours of unpaid work. Jadene Grady, 26, of Onslow Road, Blackpool, was charged with two counts of conspiring to supply a class A drug. She pleaded Guilty to assisting an OCG at Preston crown court, and was sentenced to 15 months, suspended for 12 months and will have to complete 80 hours of unpaid work. DS Anthony Alves of our West Targeted Crime Team said: 'These people ran a sophisticated operation to supply class A drugs across Blackpool. 'Garnett continued to run his operation whilst in prison, communicating with the members of his organised crime gang through illegal methods. 'I welcome the sentences handed down today following the lengthy and complex investigation. I want to thank my team, the Crown Prosecution Service and our prosecution barristers Sarah Magill and Holly Nelson for their work in bringing these people to justice. 'Enquiries are ongoing to locate Chloe Stott and Ryan Black, who both failed to appear at court today. If you see them, or know where they may be, I would encourage you to let us know. 'We will continue to dismantle these gangs, whether they are operating behind bars or otherwise.' Operation Warrior is Lancashire Police's response to tackling serious and organised crime in Lancashire, supported by Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw. It aims to target the individuals and gangs involved in crime, as well as associated issues such as violence and intimidation, large scale drug supply, exploitation, and fraud, all of which can cause serious harm to local communities. Clive Grunshaw, Lancashire police and crime commissioner said: "Successful outcomes like this demonstrate officers' tireless work to protect the public and show that Lancashire is taking a relentless approach to tackling organised crime. "I remain fully committed to supporting the Chief Constable, ensuring our officers and staff have the resources they need to dismantle criminal gangs, drive offenders out of our communities, and deliver justice." If you believe that someone may be involved in drugs activity in your area, please do the responsible thing and report it. You can call 101, or report anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. If someone is in immediate danger, or a crime is ongoing, please always call 999.

Tommy Robinson arrested over alleged assault at London train station
Tommy Robinson arrested over alleged assault at London train station

Yahoo

time14 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Tommy Robinson arrested over alleged assault at London train station

Far-right activist Tommy Robinson has been arrested over an alleged assault at St Pancras' train station in London. On Monday, British Transport Police said: "Officers from BTP have tonight arrested a 42-year-old man from Bedfordshire in connection to an assault at St Pancras station in London on July 28. "The arrest took place at Luton Airport shortly after 6.30pm, following a notification that the man had boarded an incoming flight from Faro. "The man had been wanted for questioning after leaving the country to Tenerife in the early hours of August 29 following the incident at St Pancras. "He was arrested on suspicion of GBH (Grievous Bodily Harm) and will now be taken to custody for questioning." More to follow...

Teenager arrested in Paris on suspicion of murder as Met continue investigation into shooting of Keanu Harker
Teenager arrested in Paris on suspicion of murder as Met continue investigation into shooting of Keanu Harker

Yahoo

time14 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Teenager arrested in Paris on suspicion of murder as Met continue investigation into shooting of Keanu Harker

A teenager has been arrested in Paris on suspicion of murder as police continue to investigate the killing of Keanu Harker in north London. The 18-year-old was found with gunshot wounds on Great Cambridge Road in Southbury, Enfield on the evening of June 26. Sadly, despite the best efforts of medical professionals, Mr Harker later died in hospital from his injuries. On Sunday, an international arrest warrant was issued for a 17-year-old boy, who has not been named by authorities. The Metropolitan Police said extradition proceedings "will commence in due course" following his arrest. That same day, an 18-year-old girl was arrested at London St Pancras International station on suspicion of assisting an offender. Scotland Yard added that the female suspect remains in custody. Several other arrests have been made relating to Mr Harker's alleged murder, with two people charged in connection with the investigation. A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested on June 29 and charged the following day with murder. Eliezer Mbike, 25, of Oulton Road, Tottenham, was arrested and charged on June 30 with perverting the course of justice. A trial will commence at the Old Bailey in May. A 39-year old man was arrested on July 24 on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. However, he has since been bailed to return in September pending further inquiries.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store