Locations for the novels
The books use real locations when possible. Here are images from all of the books in the Drake and Hepple Mysteries

Locations are crucial in the Drake and Hepple Mysteries. If you pull down MORE on the top menu you can find images of the locations used in each book.
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The heading on the first page of this website reads:-
"These fascinating novels intricately weave real locations with fictional narratives that reflect contemporary and historical events."
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All the books except Without Trace are set in the wonderful, historic city of Chester.

But inevitably, each story also takes Drake and Hepple to other places. I love writing about places I know and have been fortunate to visit many fascinating places. I hope this makes the books more authentic.

But there is more to it than that. The crimes committed in each book relate to the particular places used. Sometimes, they relate to current events in those places, and sometimes, the events are more historical. So, each story could only be uniquely located in the places used in the narrative.

I find it fascinating to weave a new story into events in particular places in the world.




This also relates to the victims of the crimes. I like to create fascinating victims who have had interesting lives and are in some way connected with the locations used.
Please try using the locations pages for the novel you are reading. Of course, it is not compulsory. Many people enjoy this and tell me that they now want to visit those places. Some people like to follow the places chapter by chapter, others like to review all the images after finishing the book. It's entirely up to you.
These places have been chosen for their unique settings and histories.
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Finally, a teaser that might give a clue about volume 7, which is currently being written.​

The Queen's suspension bridge over the Dee in Chester, looking towards the Groves where Katie was walking.

The Queen's suspension bridge as Drake approached it from Handbridge.

The Chester Grosvenor Hotel in Eastgate

The interior of the Grosvenor Hotel.

The whole of the Deva University campus is imaginary. The SEABU building has architecture similar to this.

The beautiful Eastgate as seen from Foregate Street. Drake walks under here to get to the Grosvenor Hotel.

Sheng Tian has a house like this one in Whitchurch Road.

Drake talks to the owner of a pleasure steamer on the River Dee like this one.

The old police station in Singapore.

Arab Street in the Bugis area of Singapore. Drake walks around here.

The world-famous Raffles Hotel in Singapore where Drake goes to meet his daughter Lucy.

Drake and Lucy have lunch in the Tiffany Room.
The view from The Cross in the foreground. Miss Simpson is told to walk from here to The Grosvenor Hotel which is on the right just before the Eastgate.

Lucy takes Drake on a trip down Boat Quay in Singapore. They go on a bumboat like these.

Drake, his daughter Lucy and son, Tom have a meal at one of these restaurants overlooking Boat Quay.

The Countess of Chester Hospital where Grace was taken.

The Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore where Drake meets Wo Dao Rui.

The Perenakan dresses that Wo Dao Rui shows to Drake. The upper garment is known as a Kebab. Drake will encounter this again later.

Buildings in Bridge Street Chester. A cafe is in one of these buildings where Grace and Martin Henshaw had salads.
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Later Grace went into the basement of a building across the street.
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The Cross in Chester. It stands at the junction between the four main streets.

Another part of Bridge Street showing the famous Rows. This high level sheltered walkway can be found round much of the centre of Chester. Drake found The Orient shop here.

The bandstand in the Groves in Chester. Drake looked down on it from the suspension bridge.