Death in the West Wind

by Deryn Lake

Book Overview

Devon sets the scene for the honeymoon of Apothecary John Rawlings and his new wife. But a host of colourful characters, a ghost ship and a murder soon puts paid to the romance. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0749005882
• ISBN13: 9780749005887
• Release Date: April 2001
• Publisher: Allison & Busby
• Length: 386 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 4.5" x 7.2"

Customer Reviews

Another very good book in one of my favorite series

First Sentence: A few miles beyond Exeter, the sea worked it usual magic and the wind changed, coming from the West. Apothecary John Rawlins and his bride, Emilia, have decided to stay in England for their honeymoon. One of their stops is bustling port of Taunton. They are invited to dine with Jan van Guylder, his son, Richard, and his clearly upset and willful daughter, Juliana. A few days later, John and Emilia are at the beach when they see a ship being towed to shore. There is no crew on board, but the raped and beaten body of Juliana has been draped over the ship's figurehead. I so enjoy this series. With each book I learn new things about herbs and medical remedies of the period. An added element in this book was the character of Old Saul who taught John, and us, about remedies he learned from American Indians and Eskimos. Lake blends the historical and fictional characters so well giving great authenticity to the story. I don't know his age, but John is still quite young and it shows in his vanity and somewhat fickle nature regarding women. Offsetting that is a dedication to his craft, perseverance in finding the killer and a wisdom which comes from seeing the harsher side of life. [John] "I think you are amoral, the whole damned bunch of you. [Peter] "Fun though." "Not for your victims," John answered and walked away." Emilia is wonderfully drawn with just the right amount of wisdom and impatience of a young bride. While I missed Lord John Fielding, I found it refreshing for the book to be set outside London and Rawlings working in cooperation with Joe Jago, the Flying Runners, the local constable and Emilia. Lake doesn't forget about her secondary characters but ensures they are fully dimensional and interesting. The story was very well plotted with ghost coaches, former lovers, a depilated mansion not completely uninhabited, and escalating suspense. In spite of having figured out the villain, there was a a very satisfying twist at the end. I loved that in my hardcover copy, Ms. Lake corrected and initialed three types missed by the editors. I am reading my way through this series in order and it is a pleasure so to do. DEATH IN THE WEST WIND (Hist. Mys.-John Rawlings, England-1759/Georgian) - VG Lake, Deryn - 7th in series Allison & Busby Ltd., 2001, UK Hardcover - ISBN: 0749005017