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slp82's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
lazygal's review
4.0
What is Booth doing with the relationship between Fry and Cooper? It's... befuddling. There's no way Ben's over Liz' death, and last book had them at loggerheads, but by the end of this they're sharing champagne? Ooookay.
As for the plot, it's Booth's usual mix of local knowledge/mythology/tradition and modern motivations and murder. Is the Corpse Bridge a massive red herring, or is there a reason the bodies fall along the corpse roads? The reason for the bridge and roads in the first place is important, and I wish there'd been a bit more about them (ditto the witch bowls). And as usual, Ben's ties to the local terrain and all that goes with it leads him in one direction while the others feel that perhaps he's heading down the wrong path.
At the end of the last book, I wasn't sure I'd stick with the series. After this one? Can't wait to see what happens next.
As for the plot, it's Booth's usual mix of local knowledge/mythology/tradition and modern motivations and murder. Is the Corpse Bridge a massive red herring, or is there a reason the bodies fall along the corpse roads? The reason for the bridge and roads in the first place is important, and I wish there'd been a bit more about them (ditto the witch bowls). And as usual, Ben's ties to the local terrain and all that goes with it leads him in one direction while the others feel that perhaps he's heading down the wrong path.
At the end of the last book, I wasn't sure I'd stick with the series. After this one? Can't wait to see what happens next.
diannel_04's review
1.0
I got to page 150 and, other than the murder, nothing has happened. The blurb talks about a cemetery being closed but that hasn’t been mentioned. Also, one of the main characters, Diane, is so obnoxious I want to throttle her on every page. Normally I would put this on my DNF shelf but I figure after reading half the book I can count it towards my challenge.
marystevens's review against another edition
4.0
DS Ben Cooper and DS Diane Fry police procedural in the Peak District. On November 1 the body of Sandra Blair is found in a stream in the woods by the Corpse Bridge over the River Dove which separates two jurisdictions. Several people were in the woods that Halloween night and they come forward with their bits of the truth. Then it appears that witchcraft afficiandos are connected with the case. The town is dominated by the estate and castle of the local Earl, Walter Manby whose plans for his property are not popular with the town folk, 300 of whom are his employees. Very complex and interesting mystery.
bucherca49's review
3.0
Ben Cooper seems to be moving on with life, and Diane Fry also seems to be changing. I continue to appreciate Booth's description of the Peak District and to be puzzled by his plot development. I have gotten used to the slow development.
kimb2's review against another edition
4.0
I always love the Cooper and Fry series. It's a little different now that Fry is part of a different department. Still, she finds ways to meddle in her old division, even if not by choice. It's also nice to see Cooper starting to get back to his old self.
Both does a good job of weaving character development with historical storytelling concerning the fictional tide of Edendale. It's almost like you are actually in the place.
I'm very intrigued by how this story ended and the possibilities going forward.
Both does a good job of weaving character development with historical storytelling concerning the fictional tide of Edendale. It's almost like you are actually in the place.
I'm very intrigued by how this story ended and the possibilities going forward.
amothersmusings1's review
5.0
You always feel comfortable and in safe hands with a Stephen Booth book. No unnecessary gory violence etc just a cracking storyline with brilliant characters that comes together in the end perfectly. Stephen has a way of describing the geography of the location and the beautiful scenery that you almost feel transported to the area yourself! The Corpse Bridge has a touch of mysterious supernatural to it that keeps you engrossed from start to finish. This is my 4th Cooper/Fry novel and won't be my last. Would recommend!
raven88's review
4.0
The Corpse Bridge marks the 14th outing in this Derbyshire set police procedural series featuring detective duo Ben Cooper and Diane Fry. Despite my preference for the more gritty or psychologically dark purveyors of crime fiction, this is a series that has remained firmly on my reading list. I find the experience of a new book from Stephen Booth is akin to pulling on a comfortable pair of slippers. His well crafted tales of murderous everyday Derbyshire folk are always entertaining, flecked with humour and, more importantly, expertly plotted.
Still visibly affected by events in the previous two books, DS Ben Cooper finds himself inveigled in the mystery of the Corpse Bridge. For centuries the bridge has been the route taken by mourners from outlying villages to a burial ground across the River Dove, now absorbed into the landscaped parkland of a stately home. When the landowner Earl Manby announces plans to de-consecrate the burial ground and turn it into a car park, bodies begin to appear once again on the road to the Corpse Bridge. Can they be linked to the Earl’s plans or is there a terrifying serial killer at work?
With his knowledge and manipulation of local folklore, and by setting the book around Halloween, the author heightens the feeling of sinister forces at work. Cooper knows that he must overcome his own personal demons to take control of the case, and navigate the class barriers that are fueling the local disharmony and protests. The wonderfully spiky detective Diane Fry, about to move back to the big city having been released from the chains of rural policing, is on hand to torment Cooper further. The unresolved tensions of their personal and professional relationship come to the fore.
Despite my long held affection for Booth’s novels, The Corpse Bridge has a frustratingly slow central plot line. Tension arises from Earl Manby’s suppression and abuse of the local serfs, but the development of this narrative is a little pedestrian and the outcome less than satisfying. On the plus side, the dispensing of one particular character may bring enormous cheer to someone with working class sensibilities, and the local folklore and superstitions are both central to the plot and enjoyable. Booth’s presentation of the Peak District is as heartfelt and beautifully realised as ever.
What I would focus on more is Booth’s superb characterisation of both Cooper and Fry, his police protagonists, which never fails to entertai. Having followed the peaks and troughs of their turbulent relationship for many years, I love the way that each book drives this peculiar relationship forward with a wink and a tease. I think the portrayal of Cooper’s road back from trauma, and the innate prickly, unforgiving character of Fry, are pitch perfect. Another highlight is the wry humour of this book. I may be wrong in labelling Booth a bit of a grumpy old man, but I always enjoy the little side-swipes at certain aspects of popular culture and modern living that he comes up with. They’re light relief beside the more serious issues that he addresses.
Whilst exhibiting the normal endearing characteristics of his series so far, in both the realms of location and characterisation, I think that any perceived weakness in the plot can be overlooked, although it does raise some interesting issues of class and exploitation in this rural community. Tinged with both the darkness of local folklore, and lifted by the lightness of Booth’s comic touch, The Corpse Bridge offers much to entertain new and old readers alike.
Still visibly affected by events in the previous two books, DS Ben Cooper finds himself inveigled in the mystery of the Corpse Bridge. For centuries the bridge has been the route taken by mourners from outlying villages to a burial ground across the River Dove, now absorbed into the landscaped parkland of a stately home. When the landowner Earl Manby announces plans to de-consecrate the burial ground and turn it into a car park, bodies begin to appear once again on the road to the Corpse Bridge. Can they be linked to the Earl’s plans or is there a terrifying serial killer at work?
With his knowledge and manipulation of local folklore, and by setting the book around Halloween, the author heightens the feeling of sinister forces at work. Cooper knows that he must overcome his own personal demons to take control of the case, and navigate the class barriers that are fueling the local disharmony and protests. The wonderfully spiky detective Diane Fry, about to move back to the big city having been released from the chains of rural policing, is on hand to torment Cooper further. The unresolved tensions of their personal and professional relationship come to the fore.
Despite my long held affection for Booth’s novels, The Corpse Bridge has a frustratingly slow central plot line. Tension arises from Earl Manby’s suppression and abuse of the local serfs, but the development of this narrative is a little pedestrian and the outcome less than satisfying. On the plus side, the dispensing of one particular character may bring enormous cheer to someone with working class sensibilities, and the local folklore and superstitions are both central to the plot and enjoyable. Booth’s presentation of the Peak District is as heartfelt and beautifully realised as ever.
What I would focus on more is Booth’s superb characterisation of both Cooper and Fry, his police protagonists, which never fails to entertai. Having followed the peaks and troughs of their turbulent relationship for many years, I love the way that each book drives this peculiar relationship forward with a wink and a tease. I think the portrayal of Cooper’s road back from trauma, and the innate prickly, unforgiving character of Fry, are pitch perfect. Another highlight is the wry humour of this book. I may be wrong in labelling Booth a bit of a grumpy old man, but I always enjoy the little side-swipes at certain aspects of popular culture and modern living that he comes up with. They’re light relief beside the more serious issues that he addresses.
Whilst exhibiting the normal endearing characteristics of his series so far, in both the realms of location and characterisation, I think that any perceived weakness in the plot can be overlooked, although it does raise some interesting issues of class and exploitation in this rural community. Tinged with both the darkness of local folklore, and lifted by the lightness of Booth’s comic touch, The Corpse Bridge offers much to entertain new and old readers alike.
yowlyy's review
4.0
Another good one in the series. There's something about Cooper and Fry that I've been wondering about for a while now... let's see what happens in the next in series.
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