The Shroud Maker: Book 18 in the DI Wesley Peterson crime series (Wesley Peterson Series)

I don't know how Kate Ellis does it. The Shroud Maker is the eighteenth-- and one of the best-- in her consistently high-quality series. I'd no more miss one of these books than I'd forget to put my glasses on when I get up in the morning. Ellis knows the perfect way to combine a present-day murder investigation with a fascinating bit of history.The chapters in the book begin with either an excerpt from a biography of John Palkin or a letter written by the biographer's wife. It is a very effective way of allowing readers to form their own ideas as to what's happening because-- as it usually does in a Wesley Peterson mystery-- history is having a decided effect on the present day. However, Peterson's investigation is hampered by the Palkin Festival because it's bringing in all sorts of criminals, making it difficult to match the right crime with the right bad guy.Ellis always has a fascinating combination of crime and archaeology, but her characters are what make this entire series shine. Through eighteen books, these characters have grown and changed, and I've been witness to many of their life-changing events. The Shroud Maker is no exception. Wesley's wife Pam seems to have grown into the role of policeman's wife. One of Wesley's detectives, Rachel, is suffering from pre-wedding jitters, and Wesley's boss, Gerry Heffernan, is worried about his headstrong daughter, Rosie.If you have the slightest interest in British police procedurals that combine strong mysteries with archaeology, history, and a fine cast of characters, I urge you to sample one of Kate Ellis's Wesley Peterson novels. You can read them as standalones with little or no confusion, but what's the fun in that? Do what I did and begin with the very first book, The Merchant's House!

This is the 18th Wesley Peterson and contains many of the usual characters and themes. Wesley’s wife, Pam, has a very small part in this book but there is the resurrection of Wesley’s awkward relationship with his colleague Rachel. As in all Kate Ellis books, the various ups and downs of the police officer’s relationships are as important as the mystery.The plot of The Shroud Maker involves two missing girls, one of whom is found dead early on in the book. Wesley and Gerry are certain that the disappearances/murder have something to do with a mysterious online game called Shipworld. They track down both the creator of the game and its illustrator early on but can’t connect them to either the murder or the disappearance. Things become more bloody when another body, this one of a middle aged man, is found floating in a caravan site pool.I found both Wesley and Gerry moved a bit slowly in this book. Wesley himself admits this about 3/4 of the way through the book when he says to himself that he had missed some important clues. Once he does figure things out, however, things come to a rather quick—I think too quick—end. The ending is a bit complex and confusing because,in my opinion, Ellis, doesn’t really lay the ending out properly.All in all, it’s a standard Wesley Peterson mystery, not the best, not the worst.

I was really caught up in this one as is usual with this series. I got to the end and couldn't believe there weren't more pages. A guilty party is confronted by Wesley and then an enigmatic statement about the Shroud Maker is made. Boom! The end. Unless that character is continued in the next book and then I'll revise this review. I hate to be left hanging like that. Yes, the main murderer was caught several pages before in a satisfactory manner but what the heck happened to the person who pushed another character to evil and then committed murder? I guess they got away with it but I'm not sure one way or the other. Ellis usually ties her story threads up pretty neatly. Not this time.

Although the main characters are a bit stereotypicalIt and predictable it’s a good read because of lessons in each story.. First, people capable of evil are out there and it is wise to be situationally aware. Likewise, evil persists when citizens are unwilling to speak out and take action. These stories are loaded with this kind of person that enables evil to persist! Of course, there is the absurdity of an unarmed police force and Council Housing borne of a misguided society. Similarly, the silliness of people that are too immersed in their jobs to be acceptable parents or functional partners. All valuable lessons.

As with all the books I have read in the series, the villain is the last person to expect. I enjoy the strands of the plot coming together at the end in a satisfying manner considering the twists and turns along the way.

I’m continuing to eat up the Wesley Peterson series, and getting a little history lesson in the mix. It really is great the way Karen Ellis interlaces history with a contemporary plot line.

Once more Wesley Peterson and his friend, archeologist Neil Watson, solve parallel cases: Wesley's in present day Tradmouth and Neil's in medieval Tradmouth. Young women with long red hair are disappearing at an alarming rate. Wesley must deal with Rachel's doubts about her upcoming wedding, and one member of the force is shot by the perpetrator. Kate Ellis weaves modern and middle ages together in tales that reveal the character (or lack thereof) of man never changes.

I hate the endings. Great plot very intricate. Fantasy and realism battling for the upper hand. A very good mystery with characters you will hate. Enjoy!

This story woven with fantasy and historical fiction was absolutely brilliant. From every aspect this one book builds a fascinating tale. Humanity, reality and fiction bound up and printed. You must read this!

Always a good read from Kate Ellis. You always learned some history from her books. Love the archeology references. Ms. Kelly keep you reading wanting more.

once again a wonder book to loose yourself in. intelligent writing and interesting plots

2 dimensional characters and the plot and atmosphere of the book are flatlines rather than peaks and dips. As for character development, there isn't any!

This as most of the other books in the series is a good read always interesting with the addition of the little snippets of other plots or story lines