While I enjoy the premise of Nicholas George’s series, and I like the protagonist, there’s just something off about this latest book, A Lethal Walk in Lakeland. I was just disgusted with the over-the-top behavior of the Uptons, a family of Texans on the Rovers North walk in England.
Rick “Chase” Chasen is a retired San Diego police detective who enjoys walks in the English countryside. He signed up to walk a coast-to-coast trail in the Lake District to enjoy the countryside, the walk, and to provide some time with Mike Tibbets, a coroner Chase met earlier, a man he’s attracted to. But, before Chase can even join the Rovers North walking group, he hears from Mike that he’s caught up in a case, and won’t be able to join him. He’s disappointed, but he’s still going to spend time with his close friend, Billie Mondreau, a fellow Anglophile.
Unfortunately, it’s a small group of walkers. There’s Chase, Billie, a bird watcher, and the loud and obnoxious Upton family from Texas. They always seem to be fighting amongst themselves or causing a scene. Chase keeps an eye on them because the oldest doesn’t seem healthy, and there are family members who seem to rely on one drug or another. And, they’re keeping a secret as to why this group is really on an unlikely trip. But, when one of the group is murdered, it’s not the family member Chase would have expected.
As a former detective, Chase is welcome to work with the British police detective as he investigates the death. It’s not long, though, before a witness is murdered. Now, it could be anyone in the group as the killer or the next victim.
There’s a lot that makes me uncomfortable with this book, from the Upton family to the grand reveal of the killer. While the book has a wonderful atmosphere, it seems as if it has to pack Golden Age elements into a modern mystery. I enjoy the walking atmosphere in these books, but I may be finished with the series.
Nicholas George’s website is https://www.nicholasgeorgeauthor.com/.
A Lethal Walk in Lakeland by Nicholas George. Kensington, 2025. ISBN 9781496745293 (hardcover), 304p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I received a galley through NetGalley to review for a journal.
Lesa, I was finished with the series after reading the first one, A Deadly Walk in Devon. Couldn’t quite put my finger on why I didn’t like it though. Something about the tone of the whole book grated on me. I sure did like the cover though, and the same with this cover. They’re gorgeous.
I have a friend who said the same thing you did, Lindy. He started A Deadly Walk in Devon and couldn’t get through it. He’s a writer himself, and he had a lot of negative things to say about the first book.
Small coincidence: I just finished YOU ARE HERE, by David Nicholls, and it’s also about people doing the coast-to-coast walk that goes through England’s Lake Country and Yorkshire. I’d never heard of it before, and here’s a second book about it. And, by the way, when I reached the end I was ready to recommend YOU ARE HERE!
It’s a shame I didn’t read that book instead of Nicholas George’s mysteries, Kim. Thank you for the recommendation!
It’s funny. I read a book a while ago with that coast to coast walk, but I can’t remember what the book was. I was attracted to it because we’ve spent a lot of time in that area over the years – the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, etc.
But this series seems to have a lot of negative comments from people whose opinions I respect, so…pass. Too many books, too little time.
You’re right to pass, Jeff. I really wanted to like this series, but this book ended that for me.
I second both Lindy and Kim. I was excited to read A Deadly Walk In Devon (that Golden Age cover!) but something about it did not click. I’ll pass on a book 2 if there is one.
Also I thoroughly enjoyed the David Nicholls book You Are Here. It’s the first book I’ve read by Nicholls and found it a gentle, moving character based work. It’s a quick read and a nice story.
Well, I think we have a consensus here, Susan. Most of us aren’t going on with this series.
Oh good heavens. Now that I’ve had my morning cup of tea I realized that your review is for book number2. The covers are so similar I thought it was the book I read. None the less I’ll skip it.
I don’t blame you one bit, Susan.
I really like the cover art and had a hold on this one. But I did have that feeling while reading A Deadly Walk in Devon that the author was attempting to hit all the tropes. But why emphasize the obnoxious characters!
No idea, MM. But, this one just turned me off.
I think I made four or five chapters of the first book before I gave up. It just did not work for me though I did like the premise.
Terrific premise, isn’t it, Kevin? But, I don’t blame you for quitting.