Books

Laurence Anholt

Solstice of Death

Imprint

Constable

Solstice of Death

Laurence Anholt

Formats & Editions

- Book Hero
- BookHub
- Paper Plus
- The Nile
- The Warehouse
- Unity Books
- Whitcoulls
- Book Hero
- BookHub
- Paper Plus
- The Nile
- The Warehouse
- Unity Books
- Whitcoulls

A dazzling dawn breaks over the Stonehenge midwinter solstice, where the assembled new-age revellers are horrified to discover a green-painted human hand dangling from beneath a mound of snow, high on one of the stone lintels.

Leading the investigation into this peculiar death is DI Shanti Joyce and her partner, Vincent Caine. To Shanti's chagrin the pair have become known as 'the go-to team for weird stuff in the West Country' and this festive fatality is the mother and Father Christmas of odd and ritualistic crimes.

Amidst the swirling flurries of Salisbury Plain, the unlikely duo discover that the deceased is none other than Hector Lovell-Finch, the eccentric Earl of Lovell Court, known to all as 'Finch' - and who also happens to be the father of the notoriously right-wing MP, Quentin Lovell-Finch.

It is no secret that relations between father and son have become decidedly frosty since Finch's acrimonious divorce from Quentin's mother, his conversion to environmentalism, and second marriage to an indigenous Brazilian environmentalist half his age. Now there is the icy issue of who will inherit the ancient Lovell-Finch Estate.

To make things more complicated, single mum Shanti has faithfully promised her son, Paul a magical Christmas with all the trimmings. Can this most knotty of English murders be untwined in just five days? And will the unlikely detective duo celebrate the season with merriment, mindfulness and mistletoe?

Praise for Solstice of Death

'Quirky, engrossing and can be devoured at any time' Devon Life

Praise for Laurence Anholt

'A super start to the series' Frances Brody

'An entertaining murder mystery . . . witty' L C Tyler

'This quirky, fast-paced crime mystery is magically entertaining' Dundee Courier

'Quirky, compelling and thoroughly enjoyable' Kate Ellis

My Freaky Family: Brave Bruno

Laurence Anholt

Seriously Silly: Scary Fairy Tales: Ghostyshocks and the Three Mummies

Laurence Anholt

Seriously Silly Stories: Snow White and The Seven Aliens

Laurence Anholt

Seriously Silly Supercrunchies: Cinderboy

Laurence Anholt

Seriously Silly Supercrunchies: Daft Jack and The Bean Stack

Laurence Anholt

Laurence and Catherine Anholt live and work in a house and studios on top of a hill above the sea in Devon. They started making picture books in 1984 when their first daughter was born. Since then they have made more than 200 classic picture books, which are published all over the world in more than 30 languages.

Their titles range from their Orchard picture book series which include Babies Love Books and Billy and the Big New School; to Laurence's self-illustrated Anholt's Artists series, an introduction to great artists for young children, which include Camille and the Sunflowers. Laurence also collaborates with his friend, the illustrator, Arthur Robins on the bestselling Seriously Silly Stories, which include the NestlA Smarties Gold Award winner Snow White and the Seven Aliens.

The Anholts' books have won many awards and are frequently featured on television and radio. Babies, Babies, Babies is listed in The Sunday Times 100 Modern Classics. Laurence was included in the Independent on Sunday's Top 10 Children's Authors in the UK and was described as 'one of the most versatile authors writing for children today'.

Laurence was brought up mainly in Holland where he developed a lasting passion for art. He then went on to study Fine Art for eight years, finishing with a Master's Degree from the Royal Academy of Art in London.

The Anholts have been closely involved with a number of literacy schemes such as the UK Government funded Bookstart scheme, which encourages parents to share books with babies from the earliest possible age. Their work has taken them inside Buckingham Palace and Downing Street on many occasions. Recent projects include a full-scale stage musical in Korea.

Laurence and Catherine have three grown up children: Claire works for the UN in New York, Tom Anholt is a painter living in Berlin and Maddy is an actor based in London.

Laurence's favourite things include, 'my lovely family, travelling to wild places and anything to do with art'. The best way to relax? 'A long soak in a warm book.'

More about Laurence Anholt

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Solstice of Death

Laurence Anholt

Formats & Editions

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Solstice of Death

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Formats & Editions

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Laurence Anholt

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