Inspector Trave and Detective Clayton Books In Order
- The Inheritance (2010)
- The King of Diamonds (2011)
- Orders from Berlin (2012)
Novels
- The Stepmother (2002)
- No Man’s Land (2016)
Inspector Trave and Detective Clayton Book Covers
Novels Book Covers
Simon Tolkien Books Overview
The Inheritance
A complex mystery of deception and betrayal that follows the court case of a young man set to hang for the murder of his father When a famed Oxford historian is found dead in his study one night, all evidence points to his son, Stephen. About to be disinherited from the family fortune, Stephen returns to home after a long estrangement and it happens to be the night his father is shot to death. When his fingerprints are found on the murder weapon, Stephen’s guilt seems undeniable. But there were five other people in the manor house at the time, and as their stories slowly emerge along with the revelation that the deceased man was involved in a deadly hunt for a priceless relic in Northern France at the end of World War II the race is on to save Stephen from a death sentence. Everyone has a motive, and no one is telling the truth. Unwilling to sit by and watch the biased judge condemn Stephen to death, an ageing police inspector decides to travel from England to France to find out what really happened in that small French village in 1945 and what artifact could be so valuable it would be worth killing for. Author Simon Tolkien received rave reviews for his first legal thriller, The Final Witness. Now, in The Inheritance, Tolkien sharpens his craft even more, deftly weaving psychological suspense and family drama to create a mystery steeped in memories, betrayal, and the long shadow of the past. Part courtroom drama and part historical thriller, The Inheritance is a dark, dynamic thriller that tests the strength of blood ties, loyalty, and revenge.
The King of Diamonds
A sophisticated mystery layered with dark secrets from the past and slowburning suspense from the acclaimed pen of Simon Tolkien With the publication of The Inheritance, Simon Tolkien was acclaimed as a naturally gifted storyteller who possesses a terrific command of language and a unique perception into the darker sides of human nature. The grandson of J.R.R. Tolkien, with whom he had a very special relationship, Simon Tolkien’s writing is set firmly in this world and is informed by his career as a barrister in England specializing in criminal justice. Building upon themes of his last novel, Tolkien delves deeper into the human psyche with The King of Diamonds, exploring the depths of human depravity, and the overwhelming power of forgiveness. It s 1960, and David Swain is two years into his life sentence for murdering the lover of his ex girlfriend, Katya Osman. In the dead of night, David escapes from prison, and that same night Katya is found murdered in her uncle s home. Inspector Trave of the Oxford Police heads a manhunt for David, even though his suspicions lead him to Katya s uncle, a rich diamond dealer, and his sinister brother in law who has gone to great lengths to hide his ties with the Na*zis. But when unseemly details regarding the diamond dealer and Trave s wife come to light, Trave s motives themselves are suspect, and a newcomer to the Oxford Police, Inspector Macrae, is eager to exploit Trave s weaknesses. Once David is captured and put on trial for his life, Trave is willing to risk everything to uncover the truth. Simon Tolkien has once again written a gripping and nuanced thriller laced with historical detail, treachery, and his signature writing style a uniquely suspenseful blend that the Los Angeles Times called half Christie and half Grisham.
The Stepmother
The grandson of J.R.R. Tolkien makes a thrilling debut as a novelist in this suspenseful courtroom drama that will have you guessing to the very end. Don t let the author’s last name confuse you, for there are no Hobbits in this debut novel by the grandson of J.R.R. Tolkien, only a wonderful story of family, relationships, and suspense…
. Part English cozy, part family saga, part courtroom drama, this genre bending work of fiction is touching and enchanting. Booklist starred review The book is fast paced and crisply plotted, with Tolkien elegantly piecing together the different perspectives and introducing unexpected twists. Publishers Weekly Tolkien s skill as a storyteller is worthy of notice in this taut, well paced legal thriller. The excellent courtroom drama and well drawn, believable characters make this a good choice…
. With an easily recognizable surname, a formidable Oxford education, and a successful career as a London barrister, the grandson of the author of The Lord of the Rings is bound to create a stir with this debut novel. Library JournalOne summer night, two men break into an isolated manor house and kill Lady Anne Robinson. Her son, Thomas, convinces the police that his father s beautiful personal assistant sent the killers, but Thomas is known for his overactive imagination, and he has reasons to lie. Thomas s father, Sir Peter Robinson, the British minister of defense, refuses to believe his son. Instead, he marries his assistant, Greta Grahame, and will be giving evidence for the defense at her trial. He will be the final witness. Author Simon Tolkien successfully combines legal suspense and psychological tension in this sharply etched portrait of four people whose lives are changed by a murder. Alternating between the trial in London s Central Criminal Court and private moments among the characters, Tolkien expertly describes the art of the trial, the clash between Britain s social clas*ses, and, most notably, the complexity of family relations. Who is telling the truth the new wife or the bereaved son? What will Sir Peter tell the court? With tantalizing ambiguity, Tolkien keeps readers guessing about the true motivations of these characters until the final witness.
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