Hemlock Bay
From the 'true master of British crime writing', a chilling and twisty Golden Age mystery
Published on 8. May 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
400 pages
978-1-0359-0981-0 (ISBN)
Description
A CRITIC CRIME BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024 RUNNER UP
'Martin Edwards is a true master of British crime writing' RICHARD OSMAN
'Combines all the things I love most about crime fiction: atmospheric settings, twisty plots, intriguing characters and an unforgettable protagonist' ELLY GRIFFITHS
TEST YOUR WITS AGAINST RACHEL SAVERNAKE!
A CLUEFINDER AT THE BACK OF THE BOOK HIGHLIGHTS 47 HINTS IN THE TEXT TO THE SOLUTION OF THE INGENIOUS PUZZLES.
Basil Palmer plans to murder a man called Louis Carson. The problem is Palmer doesn't know anything about his victim, including where to find him.
After learning that Carson resides in a place called Hemlock Bay, Palmer travels there, posing as Dr Seamus Doyle and plotting murder along the way.
Meanwhile, after hearing a psychic has predicted a murder will take place in Hemlock Bay, amateur sleuth Rachel Savernake sets off, determined to discover the serpent that has slithered into this idyllic Eden.
When murder does occur at the resort, and after meeting a mysterious doctor called Seamus, Rachel finds herself entering a maze of intricate mysteries - just where she likes to be...
The fifth ingenious Rachel Savernake Golden Age Mystery, which can be read in any order, for fans of Ann Cleeves, Sophie Hannah and AK Benedict.
'Superbly satisfying... Golden age murder, subtly subverted period, clues galore and a hint of Gothic' KATE GRIFFIN
'Rachel Savernake is a hero to cherish' NICOLA UPSON
'Martin Edwards is a true master of British crime writing' RICHARD OSMAN
'Combines all the things I love most about crime fiction: atmospheric settings, twisty plots, intriguing characters and an unforgettable protagonist' ELLY GRIFFITHS
TEST YOUR WITS AGAINST RACHEL SAVERNAKE!
A CLUEFINDER AT THE BACK OF THE BOOK HIGHLIGHTS 47 HINTS IN THE TEXT TO THE SOLUTION OF THE INGENIOUS PUZZLES.
Basil Palmer plans to murder a man called Louis Carson. The problem is Palmer doesn't know anything about his victim, including where to find him.
After learning that Carson resides in a place called Hemlock Bay, Palmer travels there, posing as Dr Seamus Doyle and plotting murder along the way.
Meanwhile, after hearing a psychic has predicted a murder will take place in Hemlock Bay, amateur sleuth Rachel Savernake sets off, determined to discover the serpent that has slithered into this idyllic Eden.
When murder does occur at the resort, and after meeting a mysterious doctor called Seamus, Rachel finds herself entering a maze of intricate mysteries - just where she likes to be...
The fifth ingenious Rachel Savernake Golden Age Mystery, which can be read in any order, for fans of Ann Cleeves, Sophie Hannah and AK Benedict.
'Superbly satisfying... Golden age murder, subtly subverted period, clues galore and a hint of Gothic' KATE GRIFFIN
'Rachel Savernake is a hero to cherish' NICOLA UPSON
Reviews / Votes
Very good... the teasers pile up * Daily Mail * 'Superbly satisfying, Hemlock Bay is the fifth in the Rachel Savernake series by absolute master Martin Edwards. It has everything! Golden age murder, subtly subverted period, clues galore and a hint of Gothic. Also, most importantly, it has Rachel!' * Kate Griffin * 'The way that Martin Edwards honours crime fiction's rich past to create something new and distinctive is a joy. Rachel Savernake is a hero to cherish.' * Nicola Upson * This new title from the master of British crime writing is a cracker * Manx Independent * The latest of Edwards' impressive Rachel Savernake series... the writing is arresting but it is the plot that carries us along * The Critic * Riveting * The Sunday Post * Perfect for anyone who loves a puzzle mystery created in the Golden Age tradition... a proper old jape * Crime Fiction Lover * A very clever novel indeed... [a] tour de force of plotting * Promoting Crime Fiction * A game between author and reader... if you like Golden Age novels you'll love it * Historical Novel Society * A wholly satisfying Golden Age-style whodunnit, fully and fairly clued, and with every revelation followed by another twist * Morning Star *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Dimensions
Height: 193 mm
Width: 126 mm
Thickness: 28 mm
Weight
284 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-0359-0981-0 (9781035909810)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Martin Edwards
Hemlock Bay
From the 'True Master of British Crime Writing', a Chilling and Twisty Golden Age Mystery
E-Book
09/2024
1st Edition
Apollo
€6.99
Available for download
Person
Martin Edwards has won the Edgar, Agatha, H.R.F. Keating, Macavity, Poirot and Dagger awards as well as being shortlisted for the Theakston's Prize. He is President of the Detection Club, a former Chair of the Crime Writers' Association and consultant to the British Library's bestselling crime classics series.
In 2020 he was awarded the Diamond Dagger for his outstanding contribution to crime fiction. Follow Martin on Twitter and Instagram (@medwardsbooks) and Facebook (@MartinEdwardsBooks).
In 2020 he was awarded the Diamond Dagger for his outstanding contribution to crime fiction. Follow Martin on Twitter and Instagram (@medwardsbooks) and Facebook (@MartinEdwardsBooks).