Joshua Widcombe and Kaya Trent were the golden couple of Abbeyford’s School of Art and Drama; good-looking, popular and from loving, stable families. So why did they kill themselves on the grassy stage of the college’s outdoor theatre?
Detective Chief Inspector Anderton thinks there might be something more to the case than a straightforward teenage suicide pact. Detective Sergeant Kate Redman agrees with him, but nothing is certain until another teenager at the college kills herself, quickly followed by yet another death.
Why are the privileged teens of this exclusive college killing themselves? Is this a suicide cluster? As Kate and the team delve deeper into the case, secrets and lies rear their ugly heads and Abbeyford CID are about to find out that sometimes, the most vulnerable people can be the most deadly…
Creed is the seventh in the bestselling Kate Redman Mysteries series, by crime writer Celina Grace.
I’ve been trying to get published as a writer since…. um… er…um…see, it was that long ago I can’t remember. A long time. I make it fifteen years and counting….
I’ve also been writing for as long as I can really remember. I wrote my first story, The Blue Ruby, when I was about seven (if I can find that deathless prose scribbled in an exercise book somewhere, I might upload it here for a bit of light relief). Throughout college and university, I experimented with screenplays and scripts (I was studying Film and English at the time at the University of East Anglia), as well as other more short stories. In my twenties, I started my first novel, finished it, then my second, then my third. In my thirties, I was slightly side-tracked by the birth of my son but, leaving aside that trifling distraction, managed to write my fourth..
I didn’t bother trying to get the first novel published as I saw it as more of a practise run at this business of being an author. With the second, I entered the 2004 Lit Idol competition and got to third place. That was my ticket to publication, I thought, surely? Hah! Just the first in a long line of disappointments, of which every writer must be familiar… hopes built up to then be smacked down again. I had an agent approach me after the competition and on their encouragement, I finished, edited and polished the manuscript, sent it off to them with happy hopes – to be told months later that they didn’t think it was quite right for them..
Gutted, but enthusiasm relatively undimmed, I started on a new novel, inspired in part by the dramatic events of 2005 – the London bombings. I also wrote a short story at the same time on the same subject – it was on my mind a lot that summer (unsurprisingly. Freedom Fighter is the story – available on Amazon as part of The Mourning After short story collection). This novel The House on Fever Street (written under my maiden name Celina Alcock) was shortlisted for the 2006 Crime Writers’ Association Debut Dagger Award. Aha, I thought, a fairly prestigious and industry recognised award. This will get me published. Did it? Did it buggery!.
The House on Fever Street was also longlisted in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award of that year, which garnered me some nice reviews and a much needed ego boost but didn’t advance my career as a published author much further..
So what next for our doughty heroine? She ups and writes her fourth novel, gains an agent and thinks now, now I have finally made it as a published author! And she waits. And waits. And waits some more. And then waits a bit more. And a bit more. Finally, for variety, she waits a bit more..
So, after two years of waiting, reading about self-publishing on Amazon and other platforms, I believe a phrase that ends in ‘…for a game of soldiers’ passed my lips and I decide to publish myself. So I did. And here I am on Amazon, making sales. No publisher. No agent. Just me..
Ideally one reviews books in a vacuum, where that book stands alone.Unfortunately I am not ideal and reading this book immediately after The Night Stalker /book/show/2... , and Echo (KR#6) /book/show/2...
The book opens at Kate's friend's wedding. Kate is again depressed, filled with self loathing and now drinking heavily. She is still upset about her estranged mother's death, 2 months earlier. She is still involved with Tin but is again dancing around her boss who she once slept with. Oh dear, oh my. There's a suicide at a local school which will turn into a cluster of suicides at a local school.
Kate's team and the new copper Fliss are on the job. Kate doesn't like Fliss, Kate doesn't like other women. Kate needs intensive inpatient therapy. A bunch of stuff happens and then magically or uncannily Kate cracks the case, but doesn't tell anyone. Almost gets herself killed and finally goes to see her therapist.
One of the things about the book that REALLY annoyed me was the way all of her coworkers wanted to get her to talk about her mother's death. In my professional life when a coworker or colleague lost a parent you said "sorry", chipped in for the flowers and moved on.
This is the lowest "score" I've ever given in this series of books and it's because it's so horrendously presented for some reason. A proofreader is mentioned but I'm afraid she's done a pretty bad job as there are heaps of errors. In fact, I'd have packed this in if it wasn't part of a series I really enjoy and by a preferred author. That says a lot...... The story itself is another faultless one so Ms. Grace should get hold of someone to do the editing part properly as it just means reviews like mine, otherwise, which isn't right ! The very first mistake I spotted always costs any author 1* from me and that's spelling your OWN character's name wrong. In this instance writing Tin as Tim !! And further in it was done again, adding insult to injury, altering Collins' to Colin's ! There were a few dropped commas and fullstops, we had puling and not pulling, smiled not smile, usually not unusually, imaging not imagining and approach not approached, then a missed question mark for a bit of variation. Too many sentences lost words like see/a/her/as/the/she/got/a again and that is a LOT of sentences reading wrong, trust me. It's really not good enough, let alone indicative of a book that's been properly proofread. There's a surfeit of weather reports in this story, too. I know it's set over here but there were too many, I found. Kate does appear to be losing the plot quite a lot in this instalment, which is sad to witness. I hope she feels a great deal better in book 8. I was pleased to see she got her speech done at the beginning and all went smoothly for Mark and Jeff. Here's hoping she's happier very soon.
Kate Redman and her cohorts are investigating a number of deaths at a local college. Some seem double suicide, or "normal" suicide, and the one professor always seems to be the first on the scene. (Hmmmmmmmmmmm.........) It turns out that guy is from the state's. I like this series because their are a number of characters on the team and somethings seems to be going on in everyone's life.
I don't like to expose details of the story in a review, and you should read this one, it was a little surprising to me. However, think of Kate and her boss and are they destined to be together, or Theo who got dumped recently but seems to have good luck with the ladies, and think drinking too much by Theo and Kate, and somebody getting off on the suicides, and a broken cheekbone, and chain suicides, and rain in the UK. Read it, you'll probably like it.
The latest in the DS Kate Redman Mysteries delves deep, both into changes in Kate herself [not all for the better], and into a serious societal issue: adolescent/young adult suicide. Kate and colleagues investigate a series of apparent suicides at the local arts college, with no evidence pointing to anything but tragic loss of life. But Kate's intuition niggles a possibility that something behind the scenes is being overlooked. Eventually the investigation, and the tragedies, strike too close to home. CREED is a non-stop read, propelling me to finish because I couldn't turn away. Its revelations still linger in my mind.
This was a good read. It was fairly simple, and quite predictable at times, but I quite liked that part. I definitely felt like I was missing a few things, but that’s completely on me for reading the 7th instalment when I hadn’t read any of the previous books.
I’m definitely interested in the rest of this series, but I honestly can’t see myself actually reading them.
Having gotten hooked on this series from the first book I read ( which was number 3) , I am enjoying every one so far. Once I had read that first one, I got book 1 and 2 and started over.
This one was a bit different that the rest with Kate seeming to be irritated and less trusting of her instincts through most of the book, culminating with seemingly out of character decisions, and it seems she was pushing people away with her inability to deal with the death of her mother. To the point where her friends and co workers were asking more often; because of her obvious difficulty – and she was backing away.
The depression that started with the last book is obviously advancing and I think most fans (like me) are wishing Kate well and hope she starts to get it together and find happiness.
The suicides and their investigations are aways interesting but it is the story of the people, the police, victims, and especially Kate that make the story.
I think anyone that gets hooked on one of these books, should back up and buy them all, and start at book 1… Already started the next book.
Creed is a very creepy book. The idea of a suicide cluster is pretty gruesome and not one I particularly enjoyed, but Grace handles it well. She also comes up with a really surprise villain at the end after Kate nearly loses her life to him. My fondest wish for her next book is that Kate should quit mooning over DI Anderton and get on with pursuing him for real. They are obviously meant for each other. After flopping from one boyfriend to another and her feelings of inadequacy I really wish she could get some enjoyment out of her personal relationship with her boss. After all cops marry cops--because they are on the same job wavelengths. All in all another Celina Grace tour de force.
Another great Kate Redman mystery. I enjoy these books as they aren't too grisly. I like the sort of side story that focuses on the relationships among the police team. I wish I had read this series in the correct order as the stories kind of continue despite the actual crime being investigated being a new one each time. (Obviously).
Joshua Widcombe and Kaya Trent were the golden couple of Abbeyford’s School of Art and Drama; good-looking, popular and from loving, stable families. So why did they kill themselves on the grassy stage of the college’s outdoor theatre?
Detective Chief Inspector Anderton thinks there might be something more to the case than a straightforward teenage suicide pact. Detective Sergeant Kate Redman agrees with him, but nothing is certain until another teenager at the college kills herself, quickly followed by yet another death.
Why are the privileged teens of this exclusive college killing themselves? Is this a suicide cluster? As Kate and the team delve deeper into the case, secrets and lies rear their ugly heads and Abbeyford CID are about to find out that sometimes, the most vulnerable people can be the most deadly…
I have just devoured another in the Kate Redman, detective series and Creed is one of the best. Kate is an intriguing heroine; an excellent detective, popular with her peers but she is more inclined to risk her life to solve a crime than risk her emotions in a relationship. This book gives us more of her back story and I am looking forward to reading later volumes. In Creed we visit an Art and Drama College in a beautiful setting, but the suicide of two star teenagers on the outdoor stage shocks everyone. Once another teenager also kills herself, the police realise there is something deeply troubling behind the events. Definitely a page turner.
OMG! Once again Kate is in he middle of an investigation that hits close to home. This one picks up a while after the events of Snarls and between grieving or more likely refusing to grieve the death of her mother and having to work with that flimsy Fliss character, she faces a challenge that might be fatal as she puts the pieces of the puzzle together. To be honest, I read the series from the beginning and it’s the first time that I take against a side character, namely that Fliss girl. What I like about this series is that Kate isn’t denying her flaws, she is trying to work on them and find a balance to her life.
I have read most of the Kate Redman stories but missed this one, and it took me a bit to get reoriented. I have read past this novel so there are parts that I have forgotten, and some characters have changed their relationships with Kate. I would have appreciated a bit of a refresher about a few things in Kate's personal life. That was the only drawback to this story for me. I liked the mystery. It wasn't easy to guess the person responsible until Kate clearly figured it out. The ending was exciting. I hope to read more Kate Redmans stories.
Although I’ve read several Kate Redmond mysteries and enjoyed them, this was missing some crucial information that hindered both enjoyment and understanding. Having not read about Tin before, it wasn’t clear how his relationship with Kate began or where it stood. Also difficult to understand was the impact of the death of Kate’s mother. A bit of backstory on these two things would have been helpful and appreciated. The identity of the villain seemed clear to this reader before the police realized that there was a villain.
This may have taken me a few days to read but every time I picked it up I could barely put it down as the story unfolded in the usual intriguing and gripping manner. I will admit though that I did have a gut feeling about the ending but that may be more due to my rather cynical view of humanity more than anything else. And as ever, there is no need to have read the earlier ones in the series, in fact I've only read a few of the later ones and still thoroughly enjoyed this.
I’m enjoying this series. In this book, there is a murder suicide at an exclusive art college followed by 2 more suicides. Kate has a suspicion that there is more to it. When she learns of similar events at a similar school in Vermont and sees that the drama teacher looks identical to the drama teacher in Abbeyford but with a different name, her suspicions are aroused. How she solves this is well done.
On another site, I read a review about this book which reflected my feelings. I was happy to find that I'm not the only one to feel this way.
I find Kate as a person really irritating. I don't like her - she even gets annoyed whenever people tell her that she isn't nice and that she upsets people.
The police story is always engrossing and involved and well-developed - but then Kate throws another hissy fit.
A well-crafted police procedural by one of my favorite authors
Celina Grace has a wonderous way of telling a story that engages the reader. I could barely out it down to sneak off to the kitchen to create something to eat. Always quickly back to the story as the detective Kate Redman sought to solve the case and with nearly every page providing more clues. Worth the time and effort.
as a loyal fan of DS Redman, I found this book on a par with all I have read in her series. I get a little confused by her personal stories due to the fact I have been going at them in no particular order, something I would advise doing. However the tension of some of the various situations in the crime solving are so good. I don't regret being a little out of order on the personal side. Write on Ms. Grace!!!
Two students, Joshua Widcombe and Kaya Trent, are discovered dead and the official ruling is initially of two suicides. But something is not right. Then another body is discovered, yet again a suicide. Chief Inspector Anderton and his team investigate. But how is Kate coping with the problems in her personal life. An interesting mystery and enjoyable read
That was close. In more ways than you could imagine. Off to find #8 in series. The fact these books have bad, bad editing is disturbing. And each e book costs way too much, especially when the end arrives just over 90% completed and the remainder is +++ advertising and blurbs about other books in series and other books she's written. I'm soon done with this series!!!
Mostly it’s disappointed that such a highly reviewed book was so boring. There are many reviews that say it’s ok to read if you aren’t a fan of the series but I found there to be many characters and references that I didn’t get. It was also very obvious who the killer was/would be. Definitely don’t recommend this book or series
Lucky number seven for fans of Celina Grace and the Kate Redman novels. The characters continue to develop and are so much like us, with doubts and love and uncertainty and families that bug us but that’s part of what makes these so entertaining to read. You feel as if you could be friends or coworkers with these characters! Thoroughly enjoyable!!
I really enjoy these Kate Redman stories. They have great complex characters and plenty of plot twists. There is a little more violence than I would prefer, but it doesn't ruin the good parts for me.
Can't say I really enjoyed this book. To me the plot was weak and predictable and the ending was hurried and really unbelievable. Sorry, I usually enjoy Kate Redman books but I have to add that Kate's obsession with her boss, Addison, is wearing a little thin!!
Another excellent and graphic piece of literature as Kate Redman continues her life of unhappy relationships and that sense of her need to find a invigorating and successful partner to reverse her apparent stodgy and staid lifestyle.
Luved the story and characters was little sluggish reading but worth getting past those points great twist at the end thinking was Zack but did not expect him to be so twisted . Can't wait for next book. Hopefully faster paced read.
Mate Redman always gives a good story. I like her emotional struggles with Anderton, just waiting below the surface. This is an interesting storyline about teenage suicides, but with a sick twist.
The excitement and suspense are raw. This is one of her best. Psychological thriller with a little romance thrown in will keep you reading long after you planned.
This was an enjoyable mystery. Nothing really too deep to change your focus and no tricky twists and turns to lead you astray. The book was purely a mystery novel that you could looee yourself in the story
Several students from an arts and drama college appear to be committing suicide and Kate is on the case while still dealing with the death of her mom. Another great Kate Redman mystery!