Book three in series. Excitement and tension begin on the first day of filming a Restoration drama on location at the historic Jacobean mansion, Ham House in Surrey.
Bloody Ham
Brian Kavanagh
A Belinda Lawrence Mystery
'The third adventure for Belinda and Hazel continuing the pace and humour that readers have come to acknowledge and appreciate. Excitement and tension begin on the first day of filming a Restoration drama on location at the historic Jacobean mansion, Ham House in Surrey when one of the leading players collapses and dies. With the death ruled non-accidental the director, producer and members of the cast are all suspects.
Excerpt
Cathy’s bangle-covered wrists stopped their clattering. She looked up sharply. "Do you think that’s wise?"
Belinda smiled. "Why not? It’ll be dawn soon. The sky’s already getting light in the east. I’ll just stroll along the towpath by the river –"
Agitated bangles jangled even more violently as Cathy’s hand shot out and grasped hold of Belinda’s shoulder. Belinda flinched and tried to brush the woman away. But the hairdresser’s fingers held firm.
"Not the towpath," she said. "Never the towpath at night."
"Why not?" said Belinda, eventually breaking free. She rubbed her shoulder. The woman’s grip had hurt her.
"Why the ghost, of course."
Belinda gave a sigh. She was too tired to put up with Cathy’s warnings of doom. "Not another ghost?"
Cathy nodded violently, eyes wide with alarm. "He walks there at night."
"Who?"
"They call him the Cavalier. Some say his appearance is the harbinger of death. They believe him to be someone from the house, one of the Duke’s servants. They say he got drunk and fell into the river and drowned. He walks the towpath searching for the way back to the house."
"If he opened his eyes, it’s right in front of him," said Belinda rather sharply. She was tired and wanted to go to bed and was not in the mood for a spook story. She turned to go.
"But now’s the time they walk. The spirits. Just before dawn." Cathy was becoming agitated.
"I’ll be well home before they start their performance," said Belinda, as she stepped out into the shadows.
Cathy, fingering a talisman she wore on a chain around her neck, stood at the caravan steps and watched as Belinda made her way diagonally across the knot garden towards the front of the house and the river.
(C) 2013 Brian Kavanagh
Professional Reviews
Another wonderful Belinda Lawrence mystery
**** B&N
Belinda Lawrence and Hazel Whitby are on their way to a film set at Ham House in Surrey. Hazel is supplying some antique silver table pieces for the filming of a period movie. Having recently returned from a trip to Australia, where she connected with an old friend, her relationship with Mark is shaky due to her reluctance to commit to marriage with him after three years. Hazel and Surrey seem to be the answer for her to think about her future.
When an actress dies early in the filming things become very different from the trip she'd planned for Belinda. When the new star arrives, Monica Page insists that Belinda be her stand-in for lighting and marks as her regular stand-in is ill. Belinda finds more to the film industry than she could have imagined.
Next the producer is murdered and Belinda's fingerprints are all over the weapon, she held it while standing-in for Monica Page, and she decides that she must find out who is behind the deaths to clear herself.
The third in the Belinda Lawrence series is as tight and well paced as the first two. The friendship between Hazel and Belinda is very believable and one that grows ever forward. Stories and legends about Ham House are deftly woven into the mystery and very enjoyable. I recommend this book for a great visit to an interesting place with fascinating characters.
Are you a movie fan?
**** B&N
Do you enjoy a good mystery? If so, this is one you won't want to miss. Belinda Lawrence and Hazel Whitby find themselves up to their ears in movie making and murder when Hazel rents out some of her valuable antique silver as part of the set for a historic movie. Belinda is drawn into the actual making of a film as a stand-in for one of the stars. And find themselves involved in a murder when Belinda's fingerprints are found on a murder weapon. Add to their worries over this, some romantic troubles and you have the perfect blend for a fun tale with ghost stories thrown in for extra flavor. Will Belinda actually be accused of murder? Does she have a motive? With a realistic look at how filming is done and a cast of characters whose antics will have you smiling at times or wondering just how dangerous some of them might be, this is a story you will enjoy. Talented author Brian Kavanagh keeps us on our toes as the plot quickens and thickens with personal agendas and motives for murder are acted out against a setting you can see. You'll wish you could be there. This is a book I'm happy to recommend as a fun read to any mystery buff or reader who enjoys a great tale. Enjoy. I sure did. BLOODY HAM Review by Anne K. Edwards 11/08/07 mysteryfiction.net
You've got to love the dialogue!
*****Liz Kingsbury McKeown
5.0 out of 5 stars You've got to love the dialogue!
Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2019
Verified Purchase
Bloody Ham is a mystery taking place during a film production in London. Since the movie Playing Boys is set in the 17th Century, it's easy for a murderer to tamper with the brown water masquerading as wine since the script calls for it. That's one way to stop a blonde bimbo from doing a nude dance to impress her new director boyfriend. Check out the dialogue. **Belinda shrugged, "I don't know. They're a pretty strange group of people".
"What do you expect? They make films".** Interesting, well drawn characters. A film industry mystery written by an insider.
The Reed’s faith, a mystery to some, will be tested like never before. Will it hold? Mark’s love for his wife and their intimate romance is shattered by Brandy, a barmaid.
