The Death of Lucy Kyte - (Josephine Tey Mysteries) by Nicola Upson (Paperback)

About the Book

In this atmospheric, intriguing historical mystery brimming with psychological tension, an unexpected inheritance plunges beloved British mystery author Josephine Tey into a disturbing puzzle of dark secrets eerily connecting the present and the past.

When Josephine Tey unexpectedly inherits Red Barn Cottage from her estranged godmother, the will stipulates that she must personally claim the house in the Suffolk countryside. But Josephine is not the only benefactor a woman named Lucy Kyte is also in Hester s will.

Sorting through the artifacts of her godmother s life, Josephine is intrigued by an infamous death committed on the cottage s grounds a century before. Yet this old crime dubbed the Red Barn murder still seems to haunt the tight-knit village and its remote inhabitants. Is it just superstition, or is there a very real threat that is frightening the locals? Could the truth be related to the mysterious Lucy Kyte, who no one in the village admits to knowing?

With a palpable sense of evil thickening around her, Josephine must untangle historic tragedy from present danger and prevent a deadly cycle from beginning once more."

Book Synopsis

In this atmospheric, intriguing historical mystery brimming with psychological tension, an unexpected inheritance plunges beloved British mystery author Josephine Tey into a disturbing puzzle of dark secrets eerily connecting the present and the past.

When Josephine Tey unexpectedly inherits Red Barn Cottage from her estranged godmother, the will stipulates that she must personally claim the house in the Suffolk countryside. But Josephine is not the only benefactor--a woman named Lucy Kyte is also in Hester's will.

Sorting through the artifacts of her godmother's life, Josephine is intrigued by an infamous death committed on the cottage's grounds a century before. Yet this old crime--dubbed the Red Barn murder--still seems to haunt the tight-knit village and its remote inhabitants. Is it just superstition, or is there a very real threat that is frightening the locals? Could the truth be related to the mysterious Lucy Kyte, who no one in the village admits to knowing?

With a palpable sense of evil thickening around her, Josephine must untangle historic tragedy from present danger and prevent a deadly cycle from beginning once more.

From the Back Cover

An unexpected inheritance plunges beloved British mystery author Josephine Tey into a disturbing puzzle of dark secrets connecting the present and the past in this intriguing historical mystery brimming with psychological tension.

When Josephine Tey unexpectedly inherits Red Barn Cottage from a godmother she barely knows, the will stipulates that she must personally claim the house in the Suffolk countryside. But Josephine is not the only benefactor--a woman named Lucy Kyte is also in Hester's will. Sorting through the artifacts of her godmother's life, Josephine is intrigued by an infamous murder committed on the cottage's grounds a century before. This old crime--dubbed the Red Barn murder--still haunts the tight-knit village and its remote inhabitants. Is it superstition, or is there a very real threat that is frightening the locals? And is the truth related to the mysterious Lucy Kyte, whom no one in the village admits to knowing? Surrounded by the shadows of obsession, abuse, and deceit, with a palpable sense of evil thickening around her, Josephine must untangle historic tragedy from present danger to prevent a deadly cycle from beginning once again.

Review Quotes

"[A] blithely spirited debut. . . . Upson clearly knows her way around pre-World War II London and the grimy backstages of Covent Garden, and delivers an ending shot through with palpable surprise and emotion." - Los Angeles Times on An Expert in Murder
"One of the most original mysteries I've read in ages. Upson's novel has beautifully rendered the modernist atmosphere of Britain between the wars. Her characters are developed richly, each one drawn from a real person who populated the London theater of the 1930s, and her plot is a lovely layered puzzle." - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"A highly entertaining blend of fact and fiction. . . . This debut mystery is written in a straightforward and assured style, similar to Tey's own." - Mystery Scene Magazine
"A well-crafted, suspenseful homage to the great Tey." - Linda Fairstein
"Upson...possesses great skills in creating character-driven novels that evoke a strong sense of place, spins this sad but seductive story with grace and intelligence." - Richmond Times-Dispatch
"Upson's fifth book in the Tey series skillfully weaves a plot of intrigue, deceit and obsession." - National Examiner
"This excellent entry in this highly recommended series provides all the classic detective components with a contemporary kick. The case is intricate and surprisingly intimate, weaving in and out of two historical periods and featuring that Upstairs Downstairs class element." - Library Journal on Two for Sorrow
"Excellent. . . . Upson upsets readers' expectations with a surprise that keeps the suspense high to the satisfying conclusion. Puzzle fans as well as admirers of psychologically rich crime authors such as Ruth Rendell will find a lot to savor." - Publishers Weekly (starred review) on Two for Sorrow
A "carefully crafted tale of heartbreak and haunting.... The contemplative tone and historical detail yield their own rewards, along with a couple of clever surprises." - Kirkus Reviews
"Lyrical prose...and subtle plotting make Upson's fifth novel featuring real-life mystery writer Josephine Tey a worthy successor to Fear in the Sunlight, a PW Best Mystery of 2013.... Upson...amply rewards her readers' patience with a satisfying resolution that feels true to life rather than pat." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Upson's fifth Tey mystery is a hauntingly atmospheric story based on fact with personal reverberations for Josephine herself. A worthy addition to this intriguing series starring a real-life mystery writer and set in between-the-wars England." - Booklist
"Upson, who possesses great skills in creating character-driven novels that evoke a strong sense of place, spins this sad but seductive story with grace and intelligence as she explores the ways in which the crimes of yesteryear can be visited on future generations." - Richmond Times-Dispatch
"Mystery writer Josephine Tey makes a convincing sleuth." - Publishers Weekly
"In Upson's deft hands, the Golden Age is recalled to life with authenticity and civility." - Richmond Times-Dispatch
"Lovely; for fans of the British puzzle mystery." - Boston Globe
"No classic detective fiction aficionado will want to miss Upson's compelling sequel to 2008's An Expert in Murder. . . . The psychological sophistication will resonate with Charles Todd fans." - Publishers Weekly on Angle with Two Faces
"Brilliant Cornish scenery and village atmosphere." - Booklist on Angle with Two Faces
"As befits a tribute to the golden age of Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers et. al., there are plot twists, plot turns and red herrings aplenty." - Time Out London