MoMoBookDiary

My review

The Coat of Arms Killer is the twelfth installment in the Detective Inspector Jack Dawes Mystery series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. 

Having not read any of Frances Lloyd’s previous books, I found it simple enough to dive straight into this mystery without feeling lost.

The story revolves around the wealthy and influential Fitzwarren family, whose power dynamics are as tangled as their many secrets. At the center of it all is Lady Beatrice, the formidable matriarch, who has held control over the family since her husband’s tragic boating accident. But when a portrait of the late Lord Fitzwarren is unveiled at Lady Beatrice’s seventieth birthday celebration, the event takes a shocking turn—the painting has been defaced with a dagger lodged in the subject’s chest, and beneath it, the word “Killer” is scrawled in blood-red paint.

Detective Jack Dawes, who happens to be present, finds himself pulled into the investigation. With Lord Hugo—Lady Beatrice’s son and heir—suspiciously missing, tensions run high, and the family’s well-guarded secrets begin to unravel. But the Fitzwarrens aren’t exactly forthcoming, making Jack’s job all the more difficult as he races to uncover the truth before more than just paint is spilled.

While the mystery itself kept me engaged, I wouldn’t necessarily describe the characters as likeable. The Fitzwarrens, in particular, seem more concerned with wealth and status than with each other, which makes it no surprise that their family is rife with hidden betrayals. Their cutthroat nature added an intriguing layer to the story, but it also made it hard to truly root for any of them. That said, I enjoyed the way the secrets slowly unraveled, and the mystery was well-paced, keeping me guessing throughout.

Overall, The Coat of Arms Killer is an intriguing whodunnit with a compelling mystery at its core. While the characters may not be the most sympathetic, their complex relationships and the eerie atmosphere of their ancestral home make for an entertaining read.