Title: The Merchant’s House
Author: Kate Ellis
First published January 1, 1998
256 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780312205621 (ISBN10: 0312205627)
Rating: 3.89
Overview
In The Merchant’s House by Kate Ellis, Detective Sergeant Wesley Peterson is faced with a challenging case on his first day in South Devon. A young woman is found murdered on a cliff path, while a missing child case is underway.
Wesley’s friend, archaeologist Neil Watson, unearths the remains of a strangled woman and a newborn baby on the site of a seventeenth-century merchant’s house. As the investigation progresses, Wesley discovers a tragic link between the cases that spans centuries.
With motives of jealousy, sexual obsession, and desperate longing, Wesley must act quickly to prevent another tragedy as he uncovers the dark secret of the merchant’s house.
About the Author
Kate Ellis hails from Liverpool and studied drama in Manchester. Prior to her writing success, she held various roles in teaching, marketing, and accountancy.
Her love of crime and mystery stories, as well as medieval history and archaeology, are often reflected in her books. Kate currently resides in North Cheshire with her husband and two grown up sons.
In 2019, she was honored with the CWA Dagger in the Library award.
Editoral Review
The Merchant’s House by Kate Ellis is a historical mystery novel first published on January 1, 1998. Ellis is a British author and journalist who has written several successful mystery novels.
The Merchant’s House is part of her popular Wesley Peterson series of novels, which marries classic detective work with supernatural undertones. The series has been lauded for its well-crafted storylines, unique blending of genres, and vivid sense of setting.
The novel is set in the picturesque village of Tradmouth, which is filled with winding streets, ancient buildings, and a rich history. Tradmouth is a place of contradictions; it is both serene and eerie, modern and ancient, mundane and otherworldly.
Against this backdrop, the novel unfurls a layered and engaging mystery that keeps the reader on edge from start to finish. The story centers around the investigation of a centuries-old murder in Tradmouth.
When the body of a young woman is discovered in a merchant’s house, detectives Wesley Peterson and Gerry Heffernan are called in to solve the crime. Soon, they find themselves dealing with a web of clues that lead them deep into the village’s murky past.
Along the way, they encounter a cast of intriguing characters, including a mysterious psychic, a troubled artist, and a reclusive historian. One of the strengths of The Merchant’s House is its superb use of setting.
Ellis paints a vivid portrait of Tradmouth, conveying its beauty and its darkness in equal measure. From the cobbled streets to the misty coast, the village comes to life on the page, creating a sense of atmosphere that is immersive and haunting.
The characters in The Merchant’s House are also well-drawn and intriguing. Wesley Peterson is a sympathetic protagonist who is both dedicated to his work and grappling with personal demons.
Gerry Heffernan, his partner, is a rough-and-tumble detective who serves as a strong foil for Wesley’s more introspective nature. The supporting cast of characters, including suspects and witnesses, are all unique and compelling, adding depth and texture to the story.
Despite these strengths, however, The Merchant’s House has a few flaws. The pacing can be uneven at times, with some parts of the novel moving too slowly and others feeling rushed.
Additionally, while the supernatural elements of the story add an interesting layer, they can also feel somewhat tacked-on and arbitrary. Despite these limitations, The Merchant’s House is a highly enjoyable read, and one that will appeal to fans of mystery novels and historical fiction.
The novel’s blend of compelling characters, atmospheric setting, and intricate plot make it a standout in the genre. Overall, The Merchant’s House is a well-crafted mystery novel that is sure to leave readers hooked.
Therefore, for fans of mystery and historical fiction, The Merchant’s House is a must-read. It’s the perfect blend of classic and modern storytelling, with memorable characters and an immersive setting.
However, readers who are not fans of the genre or who are looking for a more straightforward mystery novel may find it difficult to get into. For these reasons, we rate The Merchant’s House 4 out of 5 stars.
