Book Review: Rules of Murder

Drew Farthering loves a good mystery, although he generally expects to find it in the pages of a novel, not on the grounds of his country estate. When a weekend party at Farthering Place is ruined by murder and the police seem flummoxed, Drew decides to look into the crime himself. With the help of his best friend, Nick Dennison, an avid mystery reader, and Madeline Parker, a beautiful and whip-smart American debutante staying as a guest, the three try to solve the mystery as a lark, using the methods from their favorite novels.

Soon, financial irregularities at Drew’s stepfather’s company come to light and it’s clear that all who remain at Farthering Place could be in danger. Trying hard to remain one step ahead of the killer–and trying harder to impress Madeline–Drew must decide how far to take this game.

JULIANNA DEERING has always been an avid reader and a lover of storytelling, whether on the page, the screen or the stage. This, along with her keen interest in history and her Christian faith, shows in her tales of love, forgiveness and triumph over adversity. A fifth-generation Texan, she makes her home north of Dallas with three spoiled cats and, when not writing, spends her free time quilting, cross stitching and watching NHL hockey. Her new series of Drew Farthering mysteries set in 1930s England debuts with Rules of Murder (Bethany House, 2013) and will be followed by Death by the Book (Bethany House, 2014).

My Impressions:

Rules of Murder by Julianna Deering is a great book for fans of classic mysteries. Filled with period settings and cultural references, the novel is just what I needed to satisfy my craving for a good puzzle. The characters ring true, the murders are truly mysterious and the style of the book will appeal to those who like Christie or Sayers. All in all, Rules of Murder is the perfect accompaniment to the long nights of winter.

Drew Farthering, a young English gentleman, is plunged into a mystery just days after returning home from a holiday. An extremely disagreeable person has been murdered during an evening party, and Drew is determined to find out just whodunit. But the bodies continue to pile up and the suspect list grows. With the help of his childhood friend and confidante and a young American woman, Drew endeavors to help the local police solve the case before any more murders occur.

The Rules of Murder gets its name from the famous Father Knox Decalogue, a list of 10 things mystery writers should never include in their novels. Deering has fun breaking every rule, and provides the reader with an amusing and intriguing mystery. Deering also adds a wonderful faith thread to the story — Drew’s search for truth is not confined to the details of murder alone. Witty dialogue and fast action speed this novel to its final twisting conclusion. You may guess at just who the murderer is, but the details may have you wondering to the end. I am looking forward to more Drew Farthering Mysteries.

Recommended.

(Thanks to Bethany House for a review copy. The opinions expressed are mine alone.)

To purchase a copy of this book, click on the image below. The Kindle version is currently only $2.99!