Yvonne‘MURDER IN LITTLE SHENDON‘ by A.H. (Angela) Richardson
Chapter One – ‘A Killing In The Bygone Era’
Bartholomew Fynche leaned over his desk, adjusted his pince-nez and peered down at the document on his desk. He gave a series of grunts, which culminated in a long “Hmmm”.
He scratched a brief note on the pad in front of him. He always used a pen and ink because he did not approve of ballpoint pens and regarded them as signs of an uncivilized society.
Mr. Fynche turned his attention to the small jade horse in front of him, running his fingers over it gently, almost lovingly. He frowned, took a deep breath, and removed a key from around his neck. He unlocked a drawer to his desk, placed the small statue inside and carefully locked it again.
He glanced at the French Ormolu clock on the wall before consulting his watch, and pursed his lips together in annoyance. He didn’t like people who were not punctual. Time was money, and his time was particularly precious.
…
Clicking on the book’s title will link you directly with it’s Goodreads listing.
Check out Angela’s great guest post for more details about both book and author.
…
WHAT IS ‘BOOK BEGINNINGS’?
Would the first few lines of your book make you want to read on?
If so, would you like to share them with us, (without revealing too many spoilers of course) ?
Visit your host, Gilion @ ‘Rose City Reader’
You can then leave a link to your own book beginnings post, or just browse for some great reads, there are always plenty of new authors and titles to be discovered.
Don’t forget that Gilion and all the other contributors to this meme love to hear from you, so why not leave a comment or two at the same time?
I can’t wait to do a little blog hopping myself and check out all the great Book Beginnings you have!
 …
I agree. Punctuality is vital to any relationship. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Bev,
For me personally, punctuality is a sign of good manners, whether I am meeting someone for the first time, or catching up with friends or family. I guess this trait is simply another manifestation of my slightly OCD nature and I am therefore more than a little early for just about every appointment and occasion! An annoyance I’m sure, for the many more laid back and spontaneous of my close circle of acquaintances, but not a habit I am ever likely to break now at this stage of my life!
Thanks for stopping by and I hope that you have a great weekend 🙂
This begins in a style exactly as I would expect, given what I know about it from your earlier posts. I’m glad it’s waiting in my Kindle. Now if I can just catch up enough to get to it! 😀
Hi Kelly,
I am also not in any way disappointed with those opening few lines. In fact I am more than happy if they set the tone of the narrative and the style of writing for the rest of the story. I think that if there is any criticism to be levelled at all, then it might be the cover art, which does seem a little out of step with the time frame.
As for the waiting list on my Kindle … That, along with just about all my other stashes of books which are in ‘waiting’ mode, need a serious overhaul and reassessment, as there is just no way that I am ever going to get to read them all … But what’s new 🙂
I’m wondering at the time frame? Fountain pens are still being used but ballpoint pens have been invented. Hmm. 1900? 1910? My Friday Quotes
Hi Anne,
I haven’t started reading the book yet, so I am not really sure about the exact timeline for this story. The premise describes it as being set in a bygone age, however I am guessing it to be possibly late 1940s / early 1950s. Apparently the first patent for a biro pen was issued way back in 1888, however their updated and common usage didn’t really begin until after the Second World War.
Your interesting comment set me off on a whole new train of thought and research, which was really interesting, so thanks for the welcome diversion 🙂
Sounds like an interesting person. This week I am featuring Her Dark Half by Paige Tyler. Happy reading!
Hi Kathy,
Interesting at first glance, maybe – but then, that is the power of words!
If I were to offer a little reveal (much more is shared in the book’s premise) and tell you that Mr. Fynche is disliked by just about everyone who knows him and that he doesn’t feature in the story for very long, then perhaps you can work out exactly what is going to happen in the next few pages!
Thanks for taking the time to comment this week and ‘Happy Reading’ to you 🙂
This sounds like an interesting read! I’m definitely heading over to Goodreads to find out a little more about this one.
Hi Katherine,
In her recent guest post, author Angela Richardson talks about being weaned on the writing of Agatha Christie. I therefore have high hopes that the language and narrative she adopts for ‘Murder In Little Shendon’, will be true to the timeline of the story, whilst she still manages to add some flavour all of her own, to make this a unique Angela Richardson reading experience.
I hope that you decide to add this one to your own list and many thanks for stopping by 🙂
This sounds interesting. I wonder what’s up with the jade horse? Enjoy and happy weekend!
Hi Naida,
All the premise gives away, is that Mr. Fynche is not a very well liked shopkeeper, but what his shop sells and the relevance of the jade horse, is I guess, only going to be discovered when I start reading!
Given that the first lines extract also mentions a French Ormolu clock, perhaps he is an antiques dealer?
Thanks for stopping by and ‘Happy Reading’ 🙂
Hmm, I’m definitely intrigued! 🙂
Hi Lauren,
Even those few short opening lines are setting an image in my mind about the grumpy sounding Mr. Fynche. I can definitely see why he may not have been liked in life, but without giving anything away, as it reveals the facts of the case in the premise, I wonder if he really deserves to be murdered?
Thanks for stopping by and I hope that you enjoyed your holiday weekend 🙂