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Roy Lewis
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ROY LEWIS
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THE SEDLEIGH HALL MURDER a gripping crime mystery full of twists (Eric Ward Mystery Book 1) Kindle Edition

by ROY LEWIS (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 5,583 ratings
Looking for a classic murder mystery from an acclaimed crime writer?

Discover Eric Ward, policeman turned lawyer. Enjoy a beautifully told story from a time before smart phones and DNA testing. Full of twists and turns, this will have you gripped from start to finish.

Please note this book was first published as A CERTAIN BLINDNESS

“Jolly good reading with a protagonist you’ll like.” Chicago Tribune

“Lewis skillfully ties up everything . . . smoothly written. Compassionate yet with plenty of force.” New York Times

“Well devised and moving. Lewis excels with a certain type of anti-hero, beset with problems, no longer young.” Financial Times

“Legal shenanigans explicable, whodunit finely spun . . . A nice piece of work, in fact.” Oxford Mail

“Lewis at his well-rooted best in this drama of bent solicitors and corrupt businessmen living high in the North East. Well worked out investigation, excellent characterisation and a tense climax against Northumbrian scenery. Highly recommended.” Sunday Telegraph

A SUSPICIOUS DEATH AND A LARGE INHERITANCE WITHOUT ANYONE TO RECEIVE IT.

Eric Ward thinks there is something odd about Arthur Egan's life and death. But Ward is a former police inspector, and trained to be suspicious.

Egan left a large sum. But Ward makes no progress tracing the dead man's offspring. A photograph of an unknown tombstone is his only clue.

He discovers Egan served a term for manslaughter, and that the evidence against him may have been planted. Why had he accepted his fate so meekly?

Despite warnings that he is wasting the firm's time, Ward persists in his investigations.

AND HIS PERSISTENCE LEADS TO MURDER.

And by the time he realizes why, he finds his life and career are both at risk.

AND WHAT IS THE CONNECTION TO LORD MORCOMB AT SEDLEIGH HALL?

This fast-paced mystery will have you enthralled from the start. Set in England in the late 1970s, this is the first book to feature Eric Ward. More coming soon.

DISCOVER YOUR NEXT FAVOURITE MYSTERY WRITER

Perfect for fans of Peter James, Ruth Rendell, P.D. James and Peter Robinson.

THE DETECTIVE
Eric Ward is forced to retire from the police when he discovers he suffers from glaucoma but qualifies as a solicitor (lawyer) and sets up his practice on the Quayside in Newcastle, where he deals with the seamier side of the law. When he marries a wealthy young woman she attempts to persuade him to settle in Northumberland and work with wealthier clients but he stubbornly refuses to give up his criminal practice in Newcastle. Although she draws him into the world of high finance he still insists on continuing at the Quayside—which causes tensions within his marriage, and lead to fatal consequences.

Roy Lewis is one of the most critically acclaimed crime writers of his generation.

ERIC WARD BOOKS
Book 1: THE SEDLEIGH HALL MURDER
Book 2: THE FARMING MURDER
Book 3: THE QUAYSIDE MURDER
Book 4: THE DIAMOND MURDER
Book 5: THE GEORDIE MURDER
Book 6: THE SHIPPING MURDER
Book 7: THE CITY OF LONDON MURDER
Book 8: THE APARTMENT MURDER
Book 9: THE SPANISH VILLA MURDER
Book 10: THE MARRIAGE MURDER
Book 11: THE WASTEFUL MURDER
Book 12: THE PHANTOM MURDER
Book 13: THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE MURDER
Book 14: THE TATTOO MURDER
Book 15: THE FOOTBALL MURDER
Book 16: THE TUTANKHAMUN MURDER
Book 17: THE ZODIAC MURDER

INSPECTOR CROW BOOKS
Book 1: A LOVER TOO MANY
Book 2: ERROR OF JUDGMENT
Book 3: THE WOODS MURDER
Book 4: MURDER FOR MONEY
Book 5: MURDER IN THE MINE
Book 6: A COTSWOLDS MURDER
Book 7: A FOX HUNTING MURDER
Book 8: A DARTMOOR MURDER
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  1. Book 1 of 17
    Eric Ward Mystery
  2. Print length
    170 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    21 May 2019
  5. File size
    863 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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There are 17 books in this series.
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In this series (17 books)

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Product description

Review

Lewis skillfully ties up everything...Smoothly written. Compassionate yet with plenty of force

-- " New York Times"

About the Author

Roy Lewis is a well-established crime writer with more than sixty novels to his name. He lives in the north of England, where he sets many of his books. He is a former college principal and Inspector of Schools who now runs business training programs and has business interests in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia. He has three children-all of them lawyers. He has also written books on law under the pen name J. R. Lewis.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07S5CGHGF
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Joffe Books classic crime and mystery (21 May 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 863 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 170 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 5,583 ratings

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4.2 out of 5 stars
5,583 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the storyline exciting and gripping, with a satisfying ending. They describe the book as an enjoyable read with well-written language that's easy to understand. Readers appreciate the interesting characters and great character development.

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10 customers mention ‘Storyline’10 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline. They find it exciting, interesting, and gripping. The ending is satisfactory, keeping readers interested.

"...A fantastic and unusual plot. Wonderful wordsmith. A surprising ending. I will definitely buy more books from this author." Read more

"...Plus it’s completely clean in language and love and quite thrilling as answers are uncovered while death hovers too close for comfort." Read more

"It was a quite interesting book a bit different to police procedural which I prefer. It held my attention tot the end of the 8" Read more

"A good mystery yarn with interesting characters. Developping to a very satisfactory ending...." Read more

8 customers mention ‘Readability’8 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find the plot enjoyable and well-crafted.

"I couldn't put this book down. A fantastic and unusual plot. Wonderful wordsmith. A surprising ending...." Read more

"...Not to be missed. Plus it’s completely clean in language and love and quite thrilling as answers are uncovered while death hovers too close for..." Read more

"I thought it was a good read, I didn’t work it out until late in the book. I’ll definitely give his other book a go...." Read more

"This is another great, well written whodunnit from Roy Lewis. It kept me guessing right to the end." Read more

5 customers mention ‘Language’5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's language. They find it well-written, easy to read, and clean.

"I couldn't put this book down. A fantastic and unusual plot. Wonderful wordsmith. A surprising ending...." Read more

"...Not to be missed. Plus it’s completely clean in language and love and quite thrilling as answers are uncovered while death hovers too close for..." Read more

"...The first was The Spanish Villa Murder which I really enjoyed. Well written and hard to put down...." Read more

"I liked the settings. The writing was stilted." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Character development’3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the well-developed characters in the book. They find the characterisations balanced and interesting.

"...presented in this story are very good and balanced, well with great characterisations of all the people involved...." Read more

"A good mystery yarn with interesting characters. Developping to a very satisfactory ending...." Read more

"I liked the suite of characters too and will read more." Read more

Top reviews from Australia

  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Riveting story
    Reviewed in Australia on 5 January 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I couldn't put this book down. A fantastic and unusual plot. Wonderful wordsmith. A surprising ending. I will definitely buy more books from this author.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Toots Sullivan
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very good
    Reviewed in Australia on 6 June 2021
    Verified Purchase
    The plot and puzzles presented in this story are very good and balanced, well with great characterisations of all the people involved. Its really quite clever and so well thought out and planned, taking the reader on a very interesting journey of discovery. Not to be missed. Plus it’s completely clean in language and love and quite thrilling as answers are uncovered while death hovers too close for comfort.
    Helpful
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  • Pam C Kindle Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars Sedleigh Hall Murder
    Reviewed in Australia on 22 August 2019
    Verified Purchase
    It was a quite interesting book a bit different to police procedural which I prefer. It held my attention tot the end of the 8
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A very good read
    Reviewed in Australia on 10 June 2021
    Verified Purchase
    A good mystery yarn with interesting characters. Developping to a very satisfactory ending. Well described settings in the North of England,sTyneside area.
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  • Stephen
    4.0 out of 5 stars A good page turner
    Reviewed in Australia on 8 February 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I thought it was a good read, I didn’t work it out until late in the book.
    I’ll definitely give his other book a go.
    The disappointing thing was that it wasn’t long enough.
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  • Kentuck
    5.0 out of 5 stars Not the first
    Reviewed in Australia on 17 June 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This was not the first 'Eric Ward' book by Roy Lewis I read. The first was The Spanish Villa Murder which I really enjoyed. Well written and hard to put down. Ten days later I am about to start the fourth Eric Ward book, and my enjoyment has grown with each book. Like Mr. Lewis I to was raised in the Rhondda Valley.
    I realized after reading the second book that he must have a
    'Legal' background. I too have an interest in the Law but from that of a Cartoonist. I am looking forward to reading the rest of his books during the Australian Winter, where I live now.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kimberley Cartledge
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great storyline
    Reviewed in Australia on 24 January 2020
    Verified Purchase
    A little to much description right through the book but great storyline
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  • Peter the constant reader
    5.0 out of 5 stars Superb
    Reviewed in Australia on 30 June 2019
    Verified Purchase
    There are some things that are timeless and a good murder mystery is one of them. I've read three Roy Lewis books and this is the best by far. I look forward to more but will space them out as they are a finite quantity.

    Eric Ward has been forced out of the police with glaucoma and is now learning law. One of his matters is an estate of a convicted murderer but there are many anomalies as to why a quiet and gentle man would commit the crime which come to light as Eric tries to track down possible heirs.

    The other case is the tax affairs of a local land owner. As this matter proceeds it becomes apparent that the two matters are linked. More murders occur. Eric will be tested but is encouraged by the land owner's daughter.

    Its not too hard to work out what it takes Eric a long time to work out. The story is not straightforward so it certainly keeps the interest. The only slight disappointment is the last paragraph. But these were different times. I look forward to more of Roy's work.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars The lord of the law
    Reviewed in Germany on 14 May 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoy the time period, the slimplicty of the narrative the ebbs and flows of the story. Really good the blend of lawyer ans ex policemen.
    Report
  • R. Hall
    5.0 out of 5 stars Unusual hero
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 January 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed this book because the hero, Eric, is presented with interesting features: an older man, with useful experience, in a new job as a subordinate. He is vulnerable in having a serious health problem, but in spite of these disadvantages he is intelligent, brave, has integrity, and wins respect from others. I liked him, and would like to read more of his adventures. This story was engaging because it threw up interesting legal issues and had a surprise at the end.
    Report
  • ANDRIA M
    5.0 out of 5 stars No dramatics, forensics or cell phones.... but a hauntingly good read
    Reviewed in Canada on 5 August 2019
    Verified Purchase
    A Northumberland setting, which I love, intelligent characters and a blend of aristocracy, byker and the relationship with the law makes for a compelling read. Would love more in the series.
    Report
  • Kindle Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars Lacking
    Reviewed in Spain on 16 June 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Lacks that certain something
    Report
  • Kupciher
    5.0 out of 5 stars Above all, entertaining
    Reviewed in the United States on 5 June 2021
    Verified Purchase
    The Sedleigh Hall Murder is the first book in Jeff Lewis’s Eric Ward trilogy. Ward, who left the Force because of a chronic case of glaucoma, but not before finishing law school while still a policeman, as the story gets its start, clerking for Paul Francis, the son of the patriarch and co-founder of the law firm Francis Shaw & Elder, in Newcastle. Ward hopes to complete the required clerkship to stand for the other conditions to become a solicitor.
    Francis junior is a rather lazy and superficial professional who is quick to shop off the preparation of complex cases to his law clerk. In contrast, Ward is very thorough, pedantic, and paying attention to the smallest of details. Unfortunately, however, he has periodical bouts with severe flare-ups of his illness, which makes him debilitated for hours, sometimes even overnight.
    Paul assigns two cases in succession to Ward to work on. One is relatively straightforward, the disbursement of the earthly assets of Arthur Egan, who just passed away, among his possible, yet unidentified, heirs. The other, much more complicated, and work-intensive case is legal advice to the firm’s prime client, Lord Morcomb, who owes a substantial sum of death (inheritance) tax to Inland Revenue.
    With the Egan case, Eric finds out that on top of advertising in the local papers the inheritance, there is very little to go on. The responses to the adverts are from obvious crackpots, and no others come to claim their share. Ward discovers rather early, however, that 20 years ago, Arthur Egan was convicted of manslaughter, bargained down from murder, for which he served six years as the guest of Her Majesty’s prison system. What puzzles Ward with his initial looking into the case is that the viciousness and seeming irrationality of the murder is 180 degrees opposite with Arthur’s character and history.
    As the adage goes (not really, I just rephrased one), you can take the policeman out of the Force, but you cannot take the Force out of the policeman. The contradiction in character forces Eric to look deeper under the Egan case than what is open and shut on the surface.
    As all mysteries/whodunits, as a matter of their nature goes, there is much more there than meets the eye. Furthermore, as Eric gets more obsessed with finding the truth about Eagan, he realizes that the two cases, Egan and Morcomb, are inosculated.
    Of course, Eric solves the mystery, but his ultimate observation of the two cases is rather sad:
    “. . .as Ward stared at the old man {Lord Morcomb, my addition] slumped in the chair, weighed down by the guilts brought home to him, he recognized that there had been a certain desperate inevitability about it all. The people who had lived out those days, all those years ago, could have acted in no other manner than the way they did.”
    This is gloomy, although reflective observation on a society that was (perhaps, still is) a hostage of many centuries of tradition and customs that supersede justice and fundamental human rights.
    The book is beyond well-written. The language is charming, the plot is interesting, and Lewis never for a moment leaves you bored. One attribute to a book, among other few, that it is entertaining. The Sedleigh Hall Murder for sure is, and it gets my five stars.
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