Death on the Holy Mountain
The seventh Lord Francis Powerscourt murder mystery begins in 1905 with the detective peer returning to his native Ireland to investigate a series of thefts from stately homes. The missing items are all ancestral paintings and their disappearances are accompanied by threatening letters. It would seem that these are no ordinary burglaries but the start of a new style of politically motivated campaign instigated by Irish Nationalists.
The thefts are closely followed by kidnappings, and then a body is discovered at the top of Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s Holy Mountain. Powerscourt needs to act swiftly to avert more bloodshed whilst, at the same time, his patriotism is called into question.
Death on the Holy Mountain is a rip-roaring period murder mystery with a good smattering of historical colour and plenty of political shenanigans. Lord Powerscourt himself is an appealing detective and the story is enhanced by some very vibrant characterisation. The reader is guaranteed several entertaining hours in the capable hands of David Dickinson.
