Four stars for Four Stars for Danger
Four Stars For Danger by John Burke Endeavour Press Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date 24 Feb 2017
Review
Four Stars for Danger is a pretty good thriller with just a touch of the gothic. It is important to realize that this is a reprint of an older title, otherwise you might be a bit put off by the chauvinism. Ellen Sawyer may be the lead character, but it is her male support who manages to solve all the intellectual aspects of the puzzle as well as guides her out of the physical danger. In her sphere of reviewing restaurants and hotels, she is independent but that gets overshadowed whenever she is with Mark. Once you put that aside, it is easy to like this light thriller with just a touch of romance. It reminded me of Agatha Christie’s stand alone espionage stories (though the women were stronger in those).
Ellen Sawyer is traveling the country, recording how women are treated at various restaurants and inns across Britain. In Wales, she tries to visit a country manor recommended by a coworker. Despite it being the height of the season it is closed and the main road is blocked off. Her curiosity is aroused when a geologist, one of the owner’s private guests, is found dead. Her curiosity is shared by Mark, a traveling map maker but they only start actively investigating when Mark is in an “accident”.
The story is a good one and stands the test of time remarkably well. It has a believable plot with just the right amount of romance. There is no graphic sex or violence. If you like romantic thrillers, particularly older ones, Four Stars for Danger is a good choice.
4 / 5
I received a copy of Four Stars for Danger from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
-- Crittermom
Description
The path for the truth can be treacherous… Writer Ellen Sawyer is travelling round Britain for her investigation into how un-escorted women are treated in hotels. On the recommendation of a co-worker, Ellen visits a grand guest house in Wales, only to find it has shut its gates at the height of the season. If that wasn’t unusual enough, a geologist is then found dead in a boat belonging to Commander David Parr – the owner of the establishment. Soon it becomes apparent that something is very wrong as a conspiracy begins to unfold. Ellen finds herself swept along in a dangerous adventure as she attempts to discover who is responsible and what has happened…but she is not alone in her desire for the truth… Four Stars for Danger is a fast-paced mystery that will both thrill and delight in equal measure.
