I love the sound of the latest book in Alice Fitzpatrick’s Meredith Island Mystery series and am so disappointed that life has culled most of my reading time so that I haven’t been able to review.
However, Alice has kindly agreed to stay in in with me and chat about it so let’s find out more:
Staying in with Alice Fitzpatrick
Welcome to Linda’s Book Bag Alice and thank you for staying in with me. Tell me, which of your books have you brought along to share this evening and why have you chosen it?
I’ve brought A Dark Death, the second book in my Meredith Island Mysteries, set on a small Welsh island. This book continues the crime-solving adventures of historical novelist Kate Galway and her hedonistic artist friend Siobhan Fitzgerald whom we first met in Secrets in the Water.
A Welsh setting! My Welsh husband needs to read these I think… so are the books murder mysteries?
Not only do we get to join them in another murder investigation, but we explore a passion of mine—archaeology.
A huge fan of Time Team, I promised myself I’d include an archaeological dig in one of my books, and here it is. Luckily, my chiropractor’s first career was archaeologist, so I could run any questions by him as he worked on my back. While his career change may seem unusual, as he reminds me, it’s all about the bones.
That’s one way of putting it! Actually, I love archaeology too. So much so that Dr H once bought me a day’s dig as a Christmas present! I think A Dark Death is sounding more and more like a book I will have to fit in.
What can we expect from an evening with A Dark Death?
We can expect tea, traditional Welsh cakes, and murder. Two murders, in fact.
Now you’re talking my language. Tea and Welsh cakes and a book. There’s nothing better. Tell me more.
An archaeology professor and his students have arrived to excavate the remains of a medieval monk’s cell. To everyone’s surprise, they uncover evidence of a possible Roman temple. Also on the island is a psychic investigator who holds a séance in an abandoned nineteenth-century manor house.
The theme of science versus faith takes centre stage as the professor desperately wants to believe he has made the discovery of a lifetime, despite some dubious evidence, and the island minister suffers a traumatic experience at the séance.
Kate is struggling with the consequences of a past decision, and if that isn’t enough, when people she cares for becomes murder suspects, she must track down the real killer—or killers.
Wow. That sounds fabulous.
I promise you an evening of sexual intrigue, ghosts, a naked body, a high-speed chase, and strangely enough, knitting. We’ll have to take care not to spill our tea!
We most certainly will.
I’m not sure how you van follow the tea and Welsh cakes but what else have you brought along and why have you brought it?
I would love for there to be a real Roman temple on the island, so I’ve brought along my trowel in the hope that we can unearth some Roman artefacts. However Kate doesn’t share my enthusiasm. Hers is a community that values its privacy. If the existence of this temple proves to be true, the island will be overrun with government officials, historical organizations, and tourists who will expect a gift shop with souvenir keyrings, mugs, and tea towels.
I’ve also brought my Ouija board. The psychic investigator uses a similar device to become possessed by the original owner of the manor house, who shocks his listeners by revealing a dark secret linked to the ancestor of a current islander. If we can contact the departed owner ourselves, perhaps if we can learn the truth and put everyone’s mind at ease.
I’m not certain the Ouija board is going to put my mind at ease Alice! I think I might just stick to the tea and Welsh cakes.
Thank you so much for staying in with me to chat about A Dark Death. It sounds fabulous. Now, you set up the board and pour me another cuppa and I’ll give readers a few more details about A Dark Death.
A Dark Death
Kate Galway is looking forward to a quiet summer working on her latest novel at her home on Meredith Island. For a place hardly anyone has heard of, her sleepy Welsh island is attracting a lot of visitors, including a conman posing as a psychic and group of archaeology students who believe they’ve unearthed evidence of a Roman temple.
Part-way through the dig, however, the students make an even more startling discovery: a body ritualistically laid out in their trench.
While intrigued by the murder, amateur sleuth Kate decides to leave this investigation to the professionals. However, when she learns that both the island mechanic and her university friend’s son are prime suspects, she and hedonistic artist Siobhan Fitzgerald feel they have no choice but to get involved.
Published by Stonehouse on 1st June in the UK A Dark Death is available for purchase here. You can also purchase A Dark Deaths directly from Stonehouse Publishing as well as from Indigo and Barnes & Noble.
About Alice Fitzpatrick
Alice Fitzpatrick has contributed short stories to literary magazines and anthologies and has recently retired from teaching in order to devote herself to writing full-time. She is a fearless champion of singing, cats, all things Welsh, and the Oxford comma. Her summers spent with her Welsh family in Pembrokeshire inspired the creation of the Meredith Island Mysteries which include Secrets in the Water and A Dark Death. The traditional mystery appeals to her keen interest in psychology as she is intrigued by what makes seemingly ordinary people commit murder. Alice lives in Toronto but dreams of a cottage on the Welsh coast.
For further information about Alice, visit her website, find her on Facebook or follow Alice on Bluesky and Instagram.
English (US) · 