(Reviewed by JD Jung)
“You should have got on with it.”
Those were the only words that twenty-five year old Thorton “Thor” Loxley remembered from his assailant. But that would not be the only attempt on his life.
Thor didn’t think he had any enemies. He just led a quiet life, working at the local pub. He had no money to speak of. His family lived in the village of Crook’s Hollow located between Manchester and Liverpool for generations, from 1751 to be exact. They were a family of farmers, except for Thor.
That was an issue. As the youngest brother of five siblings he was estranged from his father and most of his family. He inherited a small plot of land from his grandfather and due to his own stubbornness, let it lay fallow. This did not set well with the rest of the Loxleys.
It also didn’t help that he would sneak out to visit Roisin Crook in her trailer on her family’s property. The Crooks and the Loxleys had feuded for generations and were still at it strong.
Add to that, a developer had plans to build residential complexes in this town of only three thousand residents. Thor’s property was right smack in the middle. He wasn’t about to sell, again through his own obstinacy.
So he finally realized that maybe he did have enemies.
When another attempt was made on his life along with that of Roisin’s, it was the last straw. He realized that he loved and wanted to protect her. However, if you think this is another “Romeo & Juliet” type story, you are dead wrong. Not even close.
Crook’s Hollow is not dark and gritty like I prefer in my murder mysteries. It’s not really a “cozy” mystery either. It’s a page-turner with so many twists that I didn’t see coming. What I particularly enjoyed was a look at a changing Northern England—from weather to sociological make-up. This added depth to the story even if it wasn’t essential to the outcome.
If you’re looking for an enjoyable summer read, Crooks Hollow may be the one for you.
