A Killing Tree: Detective Inspector Zig Batten 1 - Paperback

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by Paul Toolan (Author)

"One of the best murder mysteries I've read in years."

Escape to the country? Or escape to murder?
November, cider-apple time, and Inspector Zig Batten is regretting his enforced transfer from urban Yorkshire to not-so-sleepy Somerset. When hikers discover a dead body, propped against a tree on a lonely hill, Batten needs every grain of his Northern sarcasm to raise his spirits as he seeks out the killer.

Is it a coincidence the victim worked on the vast private estate of Wake Hall - home of a shifty horse-sales business run by a slap-happy Northern adversary? What exactly is in the horse-boxes that trundle into Wake Hall? And does the maverick Lady Wake know - or care?

Batten's delving is plagued by tensions within his new team, disappearing witnesses, self-doubt, poisoned guard dogs - and a shocking revelation. Then, as Christmas draws near, the human cost of crime begins to escalate...

From the Author

- A Killing Tree takes place in the real landscape of Somerset in the West Country of England - famous for its apple orchards and vintage cider-makers - and a killing...

- The sequel, A January Killing, begins with a 'Wassail' - an ancient winter ceremony using music and drumming to rid the orchards of evil spirits. Shotguns are then fired into the bare branches to spark a fresh crop of apples. But one particular shotgun has far more malicious intent...

- In An Easter Killing, the inhabitants of East Thorne wake on Good Friday morning to a heinous sight on Crown of Thorns Hill, which looms over the village...

- When, in The Killing of Queen Mab, a convalescing Batten asks why vicious hands slit the throat of the once-beautiful 'Queen Mab', his search for answers whisks him from Somerset to his native Yorkshire, to Cornwall and to the shores and mountains of Greece. And into danger...

Author Biography

Paul Toolan was born in northern England but now admits to being a southern softie living in rural Somerset. After a rewarding career as a teacher and senior manager in Further Education and Universities he wrote book/lyrics for successful musicals, before turning to crime writing. 'A Killing Tree' is the first novel in the Detective Inspector Zig Batten series, and the second, 'A January Killing', is now available. Like his protagonist, he enjoys walking, gardens, fishing and the occasional whisky. Unlike him, he enjoys cricket, the taste of mushrooms, and loves to travel- to Greece and Crete in particular.

Number of Pages: 364

Dimensions: 0.75 x 9 x 6 IN

Publication Date: March 29, 2015