The Mystery of Melsham Wood

By Dave Gregson

An unidentified body of an apparent murder victim has been discovered within the gloom and darkness of Melsham Wood, hidden well off the beaten track and in the dense undergrowth in a place where travellers and sunlight rarely tread.
The case falls unexpectedly in the remit of DCI Mowbray who along with his dedicated assistant attempt to solve the case. In order to do this, they need to delve into the innermost workings of the village community, exposing dark and hidden secrets, uncomfortable truths, mysterious intrigue and step where no one has dared go previously.
Who could possibly have imagined how this case would have turned out and just how did DCI Mowbray find the determination and strength to solve the mystery.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Jul 29, 2022
• ISBN: 9781398430594

Dave Gregson

Dave worked in health and social care for many years as a support worker, including for a large national charity that supports people with learning disabilities. Dave faced bullying at work and had a late diagnosis of autism and was dismissed from his job but won his legal case for unfair dismissal in a high profile legal case. Since then Dave has, through his experiences, worked and campaigned to support others in similar situations and a range of other causes including equality, inclusion, tackling prejudice and animal welfare. Dave comes from a family of writers which includes his father, Terence Gregson, who has written for the BBC and brother, Dr John Gregson, who is a non-fiction writer, and senior lecturer in criminology, at the University of Leeds.

Book preview

The Mystery of

Melsham Wood

Dave Gregson

Austin Macauley Publishers

The Mystery of

Melsham Wood

About the Author

Dedication

Copyright Information ©

Acknowledgement

About the Author

Dave worked in health and social care for many years as a support worker, including for a large national charity that supports people with learning disabilities. Dave faced bullying at work and had a late diagnosis of autism and was dismissed from his job but won his legal case for unfair dismissal in a high profile legal case. Since then Dave has, through his experiences, worked and campaigned to support others in similar situations and a range of other causes including equality, inclusion, tackling prejudice and animal welfare. Dave comes from a family of writers which includes his father, Terence Gregson, who has written for the BBC and brother, Dr John Gregson, who is a non-fiction writer, and senior lecturer in criminology, at the University of Leeds.

Dedication

Dedicated to my father, Terence Gregson, the master storyteller.

Copyright Information ©

Dave Gregson 2022

The right of Dave Gregson to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781398430587 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781398430594 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published 2022

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd®

1 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5AA

Acknowledgement

Thanks to Austin Macauley Publishers, proof-reader; Aimee Youles, illustrator; Samuel Batley, the Society of Authors, UK, my parents, brother John, Beth and my niece Esme, Stu, Catherine and my dear friends.

D.C.I. Mowbray sat at his desk – eyes closed – indulging a favourite daydream. The hiss and crackle of the frying pan – the enticing aroma of fish – the…! Then the phone rang.

Mowbray!

Chief Constable Mowbray!

Sir…? The undertone of disbelief must have been unmistakable. The chief constable? In person? At – Mowbray checked the wall clock – 9 am! Direct personal contact with the chief constable – Colonel Sir Alan Heyworth – was rare. As rare, and as unwelcome, as the sighting of a vulture over Melchester Town Hall.

I’d like you to do something for me Mowbray – if you’re not too busy? The tone didn’t invite refusal.

Not at all, sir.

I want you to go and see a Lady Brockhurst – she’s a personal friend – lives in Melsham. Do you know it?

I know of it, of course – but I’ve never been.

"She’s had a death threat. Needs reassurance. From somebody with authority like yourself.

Take young Strang with you – he knows the lie of the land. And a word to the wise Mowbray – keep those – progressive views of yours under wraps. Get over there as soon as possible. Keep in touch."

Mowbray stared with irritation at his wife’s handwritten note pinned to the noticeboard above the desk. Don’t forget the halibut. The colonel – that was his preferred mode of address – as usual, handled the word ‘progressive’ as though it needed a health warning. Progressive views!

Naturally, he had progressive views! How could anyone live through the twelve years since 1939 and