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Ellen Read
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The Dragon Sleeps (The Thornton Mysteries) Paperback – November 10, 2019

by Ellen Read (Author)
4.1 out of 5 stars 49 ratings
A Dragon statue. An ancient sword. A body in the orchard. What secret has remained hidden at Thornton Park for the last eighty years? It’s 1927 in Victoria, Australia. A time after the Great War when women have more options opened to them. At a weekend house party at Thornton Park, Alexandra Thornton decides to break the news to her father that she wants to be an antiques dealer, like her father, grandfather and great-grandfather before her.Guests include Zhang Huo, the Chinese antiques dealer who, with his son, has brought a Ming dragon statue from China for Thomas Thornton, Alexandra’s father. Benedict Archer, manager of Thornton Antiques in Melbourne, is also invited.When Edith Blackburn, her friend since childhood, points out to Alexandra that Benedict is attracted to her, Alexandra can’t believe it. Then a body is found in the orchard, and before the weekend is over, a priceless artefact is stolen. Alexandra is determined to discover how these things are connected to the Ming dragon and the antiques her great-grandfather brought with him from Hong Kong so many years ago. What treasure is worth killing to possess?
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  1. Print length
    382 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    November 10, 2019
  4. Dimensions
    5 x 0.87 x 8 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    168160440X
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1681604404
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Amazon Editors' favorite summer reads Amazon%20Editors%27%20favorite%20summer%20reads

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Crimson Cloak Publishing
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 10, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 382 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 168160440X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1681604404
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.3 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.87 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 49 ratings

About the author

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Ellen Read

Ellen Read

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Multi Award Winning, Multi Genre author, Ellen Read, was born in Queensland, Australia and lives in Brisbane with her husband, and some of her extended family.

When she’s not writing, she’s reading, painting or taking photographs.

Ellen particularly loves to read history and stories of ancient myths and legends. Authors such as Agatha Christie, Robert Graves, Mary Stewart, Edgar Allan Poe, and Victoria Holt have influenced her work.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
49 global ratings

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I was hooked! The Inca’s Curse is next...!!!
5 out of 5 stars
I was hooked! The Inca’s Curse is next...!!!
I decided to make an impromptu visit to see the Thornton’s in Melbourne, Australia. The year was 1929. I arrived after dinner at Thornton Park and met all the dinner guests. I sat back, sipping and enjoying my after dinner tea and watched. Alex was not at all happy with four of the guests which I found extremely unusual as I have always known Alex to be very personable and accommodating towards all of her father’s guests. Something was afoot and not quite right so I decided to stay awhile to see how this all played out. The Dragon Sleeps is a murder mystery, romance and historical fiction mixed with bits of ancient Chinese legend and mythology. Alex has astute observation skills when it comes to reading behavior and expressions. She is also intuitive in discerning what isn’t said... The characters are solidly built, however, it doesn’t take long for Alex to peel back some of the layers to reveal their true nature underneath. The romance between Alex and Benedict develops quickly under the watchful eye of Edie, Alex’s best friend. I enjoyed reading how this love story unfolded. Stardust now has a whole new meaning for me... Yes, I Googled “Stardust “! The Dragon Sleeps is reminiscent of Agatha Christie as others have mentioned; but it was more than that for me. What came to my mind was Nancy Drew which I devoured growing up. Both Alex and Nancy are young women on the cusp; although in two different eras and places, their best friends are very similar and both have a knack for mysteries. Perhaps, I’m reading too much into the similarities. It doesn’t really matter, though. I was hooked. The Inca’s Curse is next...!!!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Kara Harte
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Romantic Murder-Mystery That Transports You Back in Time
    Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    ‘The Dragon Sleeps’ takes place in 1927, and follows young Alexandra Thornton, an aspiring antiques dealer whose yet to tell her father she wants to join the family business.

    That’s how Alexandra finds herself back home at Thornton Park for a weekend party, the manager of Thornton Antiques and dear friend, Benedict, by her side for moral support. No Thornton woman has ever been in the family’s antiques business before. But, brilliant and independent Alexandra is anything but traditional.

    Before Alexandra can break the news to her father, however, a brutal murder is committed on the grounds of Thornton Park, and a rare antique stolen.

    Could the murder have happened because of a murder-hungry dragon spirit, tied to a sword the Thorntons own? And how might the Ming dragon - a statue just gifted to Alexandra’s father - tie in, when blood is found on its claws?

    Alexandra takes it upon herself to solve the mystery, and figure out how it might be connected to her family. As secrets unfold, and Alexandra begins to question her feelings for Benedict, she soon realizes that her own life is in grave danger...

    MC Alexandra was such a joy to follow. Alexandra is very untraditional for her time period, which I absolutely loved. She’s smart as a whip and brave, and determined to carve her own path in life. She’s the kind of character you can root for. I live for strong female characters, and Ellen Read doesn’t disappoint on that account. The author’s love for her homeland, history, architecture, and flowers is displayed with beautiful passion in these pages, and the passion became contagious!

    Reading TDS was like stepping into the pages of an old-world Agatha Christie novel. The world Read builds brings the setting, characters, and time period roaring to brilliant life. The romance and suspense left me breathless until the very end.

    With amazing story, characters, and historical content, ‘The Dragon Sleeps’ is a luscious literary treat. Highly recommend!
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  • Literary Ruin
    4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2017
    Ellen Read is one of the first authors I came to know after joining the book community on Instagram. I say she has a heart of gold. And I find myself rather lucky to have got the chance to read her book.

    The first word I would like to provide as the very first compliment for this book - thrilling!

    The story revolves around Alexandra Thronton, the daughter of Mr. Thronton, who like her father and forefathers shares the deep interest in artifacts.

    Then comes the importance of another man, Benedict Archer, the manager of Thronton Antiques in Melbourne who is secretly helping Alexandra learn more about the family business.

    Edith Blackburn is Alexandra's sister, who after her parents'death has been adopted into the family. She as well is the culprit behind pointing out Benedict's love for Alexandra to her.

    Zhang Hou, the Chinese antiques dealer and his son Zhang Lei are throughout the book can be found to be the least favourite characters. They try to force Mr. Thronton into giving up his possession on Ming artifacts and hand them over to the father-son pair. However, their proposal or forceful act, whatever way one wishes to express it, aren't successful as Mr.Thronton doesn't give them up.

    Mr. & Mrs. Buckley, the ignorant couple, who always seem unnaturally interested in everyone else's business, here specifically that of the Ming artifacts. Mr. Thronton not having the habit of telling upon anyone always tries not to notice Buckley couples aukward behaviour.

    And last but not the least, Mr. & Mrs. Campbell, who love Alexandra and Edith too much to not being loved back by the girls as well.

    These characters as described had been present in the weekend house party at Thronton Park where Zhang Hou had walked in caring an expensive artifact - the Dragon statue. The party leads to all being shown the Ming artifact collection of the Throntons. Which mostly attracts Zhang Boy's eyes if the ancient sword his he urged into being put in to display. All was well until the day a body is found in the orchard. All hells break loose when every soul in the house is in fear of being the next to be killed.

    The story tells the tale of how, standing in the time where women are not expected to take the lead, Alexandra plays the most important role in solving the mystery of the murder and the reason of the murder.

    What attracted me very much about the book is the character of Mr.Thronton, a father with absolute faith in his daughter. The time in which the story is set, to agree in letting your girl choose her love and as well allow her to start working in the family business, is the sign of a wide-minded, caring heart. A man who though objects at first, doesn't cruelty point out the difference of men and women in the society.

    Another thing that touched my heart is Alexandra and Benedict's love story. It is too pure and beautiful to not be dreamt of.

    Now, to the main point, the story line has been deeply thought of and the details provided on Ming artifacts makes me certainly think that the author has done a large part of her work in researching about it all. The plot and the situation arrangements are clearly described and the whole of it has the beautiful skill of providing a visualisation of the happenings in front a reader's eyes.

    I hope more and more people get the chance to read these book. It's very much informative and interesting.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Jeanie B Womack
    3.0 out of 5 stars A house party
    Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    It sounds like a peaceful weekend or weeklong getaway in the country, filled with pleasant people who share common interests and desires. It should be a wonderful way to deepen relationships with acquaintances. That is, if all goes well. This isn't one of those house parties.
    Intrigue and threats begin to change the gathering, leaving you to follow your instincts as to the identity of the villain.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • professor
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully evocative period mystery.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 18, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    On my bookshelves there are, among many others, 137 full-length Agatha Christie novels. You can thus probably deduce that I am a fan. However, it is over forty years since I read any of them, even though I loved them all at the time I bought them. Actually, I had forgotten what a pleasure they were until I came across The Dragon Sleeps by Ellen Read.

    In this terrific novel we experience the same old-world charm of the Christie novels, the dress, the styles, the mannerisms of lives lived by wealthy people in the Australia of the 1920s. Christie had the advantage of writing contemporaneously about her own era, mostly between the two world wars; Read had the much more difficult task of going back in time to recreate the atmosphere, the mores, the customs and manners of that period and she has done a marvellous job. Historically impressive, brilliantly evocative, this novel offers much evidence of serious research and many indicators that the writer was determined to be true to the milieu in which her story is set. For this reason alone, the book is well worth a read.

    But there is more, much more. A significant element of the story revolves around ancient Chinese artefacts, reference to fabulous dynasties, and the many marvellous treasures stored in the large house in which the story takes place. The excitement of experiencing these mythical curios is clouded by the threatening presence of two ominously dark Orientals and a couple of singularly unpleasant guests. All of this adds additional and fascinating spice to the story. Characters that we come to know and love – Alexandra, Benedict, Thomas, Edith and others – find their lives plunged into mortal danger because of their connection to a rare Chinese artefact, a fossil of a tiny sleeping dragon thousands of years old. Somebody wants it, and is prepared to murder to get it. Edge of the seat stuff.

    Read is a very capable professional writer. Her characters are real people, the setting comes alive via her sharp and accurate attention to detail, her narrative skills hold the reader’s attention from the very first page. Add high quality editing and error-free prose and you have a wonderful story that cannot be faulted. A page turner in the true sense of the phrase, and an absolute must for readers of cozy mysteries who have not yet had the pleasure of meeting this writer. Do yourself a real favour. Go and search for Ellen Read.
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  • Rhonda
    4.0 out of 5 stars This book will drop you right into the 1920s!
    Reviewed in Australia on January 4, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    This was a beautifully written book that took me straight into the 1920's in Australia. The language, the descriptions of the home, clothing and music all made it a magical read. With the extra touch of intrigue and mystery, this was an overall great read.
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars This book reminded me why I love this genre so much
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 5, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    The Dragon Sleeps was my first murder mystery in a long time! I used to read them all the time when I was younger, and then my paranoia won over and I had to stop because apparently everything scares me? In murder mysteries, anyway.

    This book reminded me why I love this genre so much! It was the first of my four holiday reads, and it was so easy to get lost in it; perfect for my holiday!

    Alexandra is the daughter of a rather wealthy antiques dealer. She's an incredibly good person, but not to the extend that she can't see any bad in people. She wants to see the good in everything, but she's not naive. She's also not content to stick to her current lifestyle of being waited on and doing nothing but attending social events: she wants to be an antiques dealer like her father and grandfather (and so on - you get the idea), and has been studying behind his back.

    When the first body is found, she doesn't cower in a corner and prays for everything to blow over. She takes an active part in helping the murders get solved, and knowingly puts herself in danger when she's sure it'll help solve the mystery.

    If you don't love her already, let me summarise: Alexandra isn't some spoilt brat, but a brave, intelligent young woman who doesn't care for social norms and would much rather work than sit around looking pretty all day. She has wealth (you should see that manor, friends!), but she doesn't wish to hide behind it.

    One of my favourite aspects was Alexandra's relationship with Edith. It added some adorable banter and was used well to lighten up the mood when the murders upset the peace.

    The plot developed well, and gave just enough new information when the last plot twist had sunk in. The more I read, the harder it was to put down and while I had my suspicions regarding the murderer's identity, there was so much more going on. While I was mostly right, there were other motives and developments in the background, too, and it kept me turning the pages.

    Thornton Park is on my list of fictional places to visit when I die and go to author/bookworm heaven (because it's definitely the same place, or maybe I can hop from cloud to cloud?) (nobody burst my bubble, please). The gardens, the park, the animals cuddling to you... <3 Need. To. Go!

    This has definitely made me want to read more mystery novels again. I'm looking forward to the sequel and can't wait to see how the story develops next. If you don't usually read much mystery, this could be a good starting novel for you because it's not too heavy. If mystery is your thing and you fancy something more light-hearted, I recommend this, too! (And just so we understand each other - I'm only calling it light-hearted because it didn't scare me witless! I appreciate that in my books!)
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  • Charlie Edwards
    5.0 out of 5 stars An Enchanting Murder Mystery
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 12, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    As a huge fan of Agatha Christie and the other masters of crime I went into this book with high expectations and I'm happy to say that those expectations were exceeded! Set in the grandiose estate of Thornton House and taking place in the heart of the antiques trade of the 1920s, The Dragon Sleeps is a clever little novel that keeps you guessing throughout and which is equal parts murder mystery as it is a charming look into the past.

    One of the aspects that really stood out for me was Read's use of music and other well researched parts of the history that brought the 20s setting to life. I found myself googling various pieces of music she mentioned, letting them play as I read the book so that I could fully plunge myself into the story and experience what her characters were enjoying at the same time, an interesting experience which really added to the charm of the book as a whole.

    The characters are full of vitality and believable, and the relationship between Lexy and Edie in particular was really charming to experience, not to mention the smooth suave of the ever charming Benedict whom I'm sure is the sort of man that no woman could find fault with.

    The mystery itself is well researched and cleverly put together, and of course I won't spoil it but the solution is not as straightforward as you would initially presume - the twists and turns keep the novel going exactly as a murder mystery should.

    An enchanting and engaging novel that sets the stage for murder and intrigue with aplomb, I can't wait to read more of what Ellen Read has to offer - here's hoping she is writing more!
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  • TL Clark
    4.0 out of 5 stars An elegant yet exotic 1920s mystery
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 1, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Ooh, this book was hard to put on - I read late into the night!

    It took a little while to get going but the lead-up was interesting.

    Alexandra is a girl in changing times - 1927, Victoria, Australia to be precise. She isn't fond of the society scene and has her sights on going into her father's antique business (gasp). And has a mind of her own (gasps again).

    One weekend starts a chain of events in motion and wakes the sleeping dragon! A Chinese mystery begins to unfold. Plotting, avarice and death ensue.

    Alexandra holds her own, but Benedict is a charming hero. Whilst her best friend, Edith, is understandably frightened.

    Flowers scent the scenes beautifully, and I felt like I was there. Wonderful description and characters.

    Who can one trust?
    And who is Yazi?

    An elegantly conducted murder mystery with evocative story-telling. Well worth a read.
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