Why a Booktrail?
2000s: A shocking death, a sinister game, a deadly message
The Devil’s Dice
What you need to know before your trail
A lawyer is found dead in a Peak District cave, his face ribboned with scratches.
Amidst rumours of a local curse, DI Meg Dalton is convinced this is cold-blooded murder. There’s just one catch – chiselled into the cave wall above the body is an image of the grim reaper and the dead man’s initials, and it’s been there for over a century.
As Meg battles to solve the increasingly disturbing case, it’s clear someone knows her secrets. The murderer is playing games with Meg – and the dice are loaded…
Locations
ResetTravel Guide
The Devil’s Dice – The Peak District
Even the name gives a shiver and when you find out why it’s called that, you’ll soon realise what a great place this is for a murder mystery. The Devil’s Dice is a vast network of caves and well-known local suicide spot deep in the dark and damp Peak District.
The body of the victim is found in one of the caves in this labyrinth and when there’s an empty packet of cake lying next to him and the sign of the Grim Reaper with dates and a name on the wall, you know it’s going to have something to do with local legend.
The entire setting – from the village of Eldercliffe where much of the action is set to the raw and remote moors of the Peak District, it’s not so much what goes on above ground but under it. Those caves, those rituals that witches used to perform, the dice, the chance that something might happen next to you….brilliantly clever and creepy.
The author blurb states that “In her spare time, Roz likes to walk in the Peak District, scouting out murder locations”…..hmmmmm
There’s something very rustic and rural about quarries, places so remote that you need geocaching – but then leading someone to a location might not be the safest idea after all…
Trail Gallery
Booktrailer Review
Susan: @thebooktrailer
Well this was a good read! There’s something about the Peak District – the remote land, the rugged moorland, the caves…oh my goodness the caves. You’ll not see the caves in the same way again. Or pictures of the Grim Reaper. Or dice. Or a lot of things really.
This author has claimed the Peak District as her stomping ground I’m pleased to say as this is the start of a very impressive series. When a man’s body is displayed in the cave system with a message carved into the rock. There’s also a cake packet close to the victim and it’s suspected that this could be death by cake so instantly there is a bubbling cauldron of interesting facts to dive into. Talking of cauldrons, there’s mentions of witchcraft and witch trials too..
Oh the legend of the labyrinth.
Whilst the setting shines, it’s the characters who really stand out. The community who lives in these parts look after their own, protect their culture and legends and don’t like outsiders such as the police wandering on their land. turns out it’s not the police they need to fear.
Yup – totally on board with this book and this series. I HAVE to read this on location one day to totally freak myself out even more.
Booktrail Boarding Pass: The Devil’s Dice
Destination : Peak District Author/Guide:Roz Watkins Departure Time: 2000s
Back to ResultsWhere Next?
