‘The Blood Pit’ by Kate Ellis
Published by Piatkus.  ISBN 987-0-7499-0853-9

The Blood Pit is the twelfth book in the Wesley Peterson series.  Once again, there is killer loose in Tradmouth (a fictionalised Dartmouth.) DI Wesley Peterson is called out to a murder scene where he finds that the body has been drained of blood. This first victim of a serial killer was an unpleasant man described by some as ‘evil’ and there is a long list of suspects. The next man to die is the opposite, a well liked and respected local Vet. Yet there is evidently a link between them and the police must find it.

Meanwhile, Wesley’s archaeologist friend Neil Watson receives a string of anonymous letters about events in the past to do with blood letting.

A skeleton found in nearby woodland, possibly that of a sex offender who disappeared twenty years before. Wesley's investigation takes an unexpected twist when a third body is discovered many miles away. Could there be a connection between all these deaths and Neil's letters?

In this book the chapters begin with modern writing, rather than historical, which makes a refreshing change. All the usual ingredients of an Ellis novel are here in this book, although she does kill off a familiar character. A thoroughly enjoyable piece of work, if you are a Kate Ellis fan you will love this book.

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Sue Lord