An Unhallowed Grave

An Unhallowed Grave by Kate Ellis is the third entry in her Wesley Peterson series which mixes detective fiction with archaeology. When a middle aged woman is found hung from a yew tree in the churchyard, it is at first suspected to be suicide, but further investigation leads to a verdict of murder.

Pauline Brent is the quiet, well-liked doctor’s receptionist and the police are stymied as to who could have killed her and why. It is only when Pauline’s past comes to light that the police find they have numerous suspects. Meanwhile Wesley’s friend, archaeologist Eric has uncovered a skeleton in a nearby Medieval excavation whose history seems remarkably similar to Pauline’s. Only by following both these cases, Wesley and his boss, show more DI Gerry Heffernan are able to put all the pieces together.

This was an intricate mystery with plenty of atmosphere. The author gives the reader enough twists and turns to keep us guessing as she neatly links the past to the present. I would like to see Police Sergeant Wesley Peterson be given a little growth and emotional depth, but overall this is a solid police procedural series. show less

A woman is found hanging from a churchyard tree but the autopsy shows she was strangled before being strung up. DS Wesley Peterson investigates while his archaeologist friends are excavating land due for development nearby.

I'm enjoying these, but I notice there are 22 in the series. I can't help but wonder how long it will be before the characters notice the pattern of Neil's archaeological and historical discoveries parallelling Wesley's cases and use that information.

A Unhallowed Grave by Kate Ellis
Wesley Peterson series book #3
3.5★

I really like this series and this author. There is always two stories in these books...one that requires an archaeologist and one that requires the skills of a detective...both are provided by Ms. Ellis. I found the parallels presented by the two murders that were separated by 500 years a bit too coincidental to ring true. Never the less it was a very entertaining read and a great addition to this series.

These books were made for my pre-slumber reading.

A little 'historical note' sets the scene for each chapter giving the reader extra information to associate it to the present day murder and you always feel on the edge of cracking the mystery. You know that you have it sussed, just before Wesley Peterson provides the answer which, is always a side step away from your solution!

GREAT!!!

Book 57 of the 60 book challenge.
An Unhallowed Grave.
Kate Ellis.
Apparently my 16th book was by the same author and I wrote "I won't be seeking out Kate Ellis again"....) If only I had remembered. Just not gritty enough for me. A bit light, frothy and a bit old fashioned. If I am reading a murder or a thriller I like it to much more powerful.
38 days to go.
5/10

When the body of a middle-aged woman is found hanging from a yew tree in Stokeworthy churchyard, the police suspect foul play. But the victim is an unlikely one. Pauline Brent was the local doctor's receptionist and well-liked. She seems to have had no real enemies. And yet someone killed her.
The case is investigated by Detective Sergeant Wesley Peterson, his boss, Inspector Gerry Heffernan, and archaeologist Neil Watson, who is excavating on the site of a proposed holiday development nearby when he discovers an ancient corpse.
Local legend has it that many centuries ago a young woman was hanged from the yew in the churchyard. Has Neil discovered her body buried at the crossroads in an unhallowed grave? Why was she hanged? And why is show more she sharing her last resting place with a set of rare medieval statues? It seems an unlikely coincidence - two women hanged from the same tree many centuries apart.
Wesley is forced to consider the possibility that the killer also knows the tree's history. Has Pauline Brent been "executed" rather than murdered? And if so, for what crime?

I have read another book from this series and remember thinking at the time that I should read more. I enjoyed my re-acquaintance with amateur archaeologist Detective Sergeant Wesley Peterson and those he works with. The relationships between characters are well explored and there is a historical thread running throughout. show less

A solid mystery and a good addition to the Wesley Peterson series. In this novel, the “dishy” and intelligent, dark-skinned detective investigates the murder of a middle-aged doctor’s receptionist. Like in all the other tales of this series, as the story of the victim’s life unfolds, it shows parallels with another mystery, the one a local archeologist and Wesley’s friend Neil Watson is working on at the nearby dig – the story of an unhallowed grave.
The multitude of repeat characters makes reading this book akin to meeting old friends.
Very satisfactory.