Are you in the mood to get cosy with a new crime read? You’re in luck! Laurence Anholt‘s Festival of Death has been released today by Little, Brown / Constable Crime.

This is the second book in The Mindful Detective mystery series, which has been described as “Fargo meets Broadchurch“, and follows the gripping life and times of Buddhist police detective DI Vincent Caine and his partner DI Shanti Joyce, as they attempt to crack their latest case:

Buddhism, love, art and murder – welcome to the world of the Mindful Detective . . .

When Ethan Flynn, charismatic vocalist of supergroup Stigma, is electrocuted by his own guitar in front of 175,000 witnesses on the Pyramid stage at the Glastonbury Festival, suspicion falls on his tyrannical twin, Tyrone. Leading the murder investigation is Buddhist detective, Vincent Caine, and his partner, DI Shanti Joyce.

To Shanti’s consternation the pair have become known as ‘the go-to team for weird stuff in the West Country’ and few crimes come weirder than this. Amidst the pulsating beats of the festival, the unlikely duo struggle to untangle the wildly conflicting statements of minders, lovers, drug-fuelled roadies, and dodgy divas. Against the mystical backdrop of Glastonbury Tor and the tiny Somerset village of Kilton, the terrifying trail leads Shanti and Caine from clairvoyant Tarot readings to the cryptic lyrics of a lost song, cunningly concealed by the tragic superstar.

Can the unlikely mix of Shanti’s down-to-earth pragmatism and Caine’s intuitive sleuthing skills solve this most singular of murders? Is the future of the world’s greatest festival in peril? And what happens when two consummate professionals are forced to share a tent in the steamy heat of summer?

The Mindful Detective series has already drawn praise from seasoned crime and mystery writers for its first instalment; Art of Death has been described as “a super start to the series”  by Frances Brody and a “witty” and “entertaining murder mystery”  by L.C. Tyler.  Kate Ellis  also crowned the story as “quirky, compelling and thoroughly enjoyable.”

If you are interested in learning more about how Laurence came up with this unique take on a traditional crime series, and his hero with heart, you’ll certainly want to check out his discussion with his daughter, actress Maddy Anholt, who happened to be the narrative voice for the audiobook version of Art of Death.

In a career spanning 30 years Laurence Anholt has produced more than 200 books in dozens of languages, for every age from babies to adults. These include his newest venture into adult crime fiction, Art of Death, and the multi-award winning Young Adult novel, The Hypnotist, published by Penguin Random House.

Laurence comes from a Dutch family with roots stretching back to Persia. He has a Master’s Degree in Fine Art from the Royal Academy in London. He lives and works in an upside-down eco-house on a hill overlooking the sea in Devon. Laurence is married to the artist, Catherine Anholt. They have three grown up children and three grandchildren.

This book delivers wit, charm and crackling suspense – so be sure to purchase a copy today!