Murder in the Library - Katie Gale

Julia Bird’s picturesque Cotswolds life is everything she’d dreamed of. Until, that is, she discovers
a dead body in the library…

Julia Bird had imagined the quiet of rural life would be soothing after years in the city, but she finds she can’t just sit still.Determined to throw herself into village activities, she joins the library just in time to attend a talk by celebrated local author Vincent Andrews.

Charming, devilishly handsome and talented, Vincent teases the crowd with a reading from his forthcoming novel. Set in a village bearing strange similarities to Berrywick, with characters the audience start to recognise, Vincent hints of dark secrets to be revealed, to gasps of outrage from the room. The meeting ends in uproar, and, just hours later, Vincent’s dead body is discovered behind the bookshelves…

As one of the last people to see him alive, Julia feels morally bound to help the police investigate. With her trusty Labrador, Jake, at her side, she decides to do her own sleuthing and quickly discovers that Vincent’s personal life is messy, his finances are in disarray and his book sales are declining. But most of all, remembering her neighbours’ faces at the book reading, Julia wonders if one of them could have lost the plot enough to kill…

As Julia interrogates the suspects, she walks straight into another scene of murder and mayhem, and realises Vincent’s manuscript is now missing. There’s someone out there who’s deadly serious about keeping their secrets unpublished. Will Julia be able to stop them, before anyone else gets hurt?

Brilliantly twisty, this completely thrilling cozy mystery is perfect for fans of M.C. Beaton, Helena Marchmont and Clare Chase.

Author Bio:

Katie Gayle is the writing partnership of best-selling South African writers, Kate Sidley and Gail Schimmel. Kate and Gail have, between them, written over ten books of various genres, but with Katie Gayle, they both make their debut in the cozy mystery genre. Both Gail and Kate live in Johannesburg, with husbands, children, dogs and cats. Unlike their sleuth Epiphany Bloom, neither of them have ever stolen a cat from the vet.

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My Review

There's something quite comforting and satisfying about a good murder mystery such as Murder in the Library. It seems odd to suggest that there could be anything in any way pleasant about somebody dying, but there is.
In this second Julia Bird book, Julia manages to stumble across yet another dead body and also manages to involve herself in an investigation in a way that no one would ever be able to in real life. I think that it is in part, this suspension of belief for the way that things play out, that makes the book so satisfying. You know that it would be nothing like this in real life, so it becomes a simple puzzle to solve.
In this case, I did actually manage to get to the bottom of what was going on long before Julia or the police (who it has to be said are particularly inept and clueless) did. Who cares though? As I said, this was a really enjoyable read and one that I really got into. I'm sure that we'll be returning to Julia, Jake her dog and her other local companions before long and I for one am really looking forward to it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

An English Garden Murder - Katie Gayle

 Meet Julia Bird: recently single, reluctantly retired, and… an amateur sleuth?

Julia Bird has left London for a fresh start in a picturesque Cotswolds village, and the rustic charm and cosy fireplaces of her little cottage are everything she’d hoped for. But when she tears down the old garden shed to make way for a chicken coop, she unearths much more than she’d bargained for… the body of a young woman, apparently buried for decades, thrusting Julia into a baffling mystery.

With only one copper on the case in Berrywick, Julia decides to solve the who and whodunnit herself, taking her wayward puppy Jake along for the ride. And so begins a whirlwind tour of the village – from the dotty 90-year-old to the delightful doctor and the village gardener, it seems everyone has something to hide.

Soon, Julia is convinced she has discovered the killer’s identity, until Jake, a true Labrador, finds a new love of the local lake’s waterfowl and instead ends up catching her chief suspect… drowned. Back at square one, with potential culprits galore, Julia – newly nicknamed the Grim Reaper – despairs at ever solving the murders.

But as Julia ruffles feathers village-wide, the clock is ticking. There is someone in the village who has killed twice already. Will they be prepared to make it third time lucky to keep their secret safe?

This totally addictive page-turning cozy mystery is perfect for fans of M.C. Beaton, Faith Martin and Betty Rowlands.

Author Bio:

Katie Gayle is the writing partnership of best-selling South African writers, Kate Sidley and Gail Schimmel. Kate and Gail have, between them, written over ten books of various genres, but with Katie Gayle, they both make their debut in the cozy mystery genre. Both Gail and Kate live in Johannesburg, with husbands, children, dogs and cats.

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My Review

I do enjoy a good, old fashioned murder mystery and that's certainly what An English Garden Murder is. Even the title has that feeling of Midsomer murders or similar. I was really looking forward to getting stuck into this one and I really wasn't disappointed when I did.

There are plenty of twists and turns in this story and I have to admit that I really didn't know who was behind it all by the time we got to the big reveal at the end. I'd been barking up all kinds of wrong trees as I'm sure was the intention, as each time I was sure who was behind it all, it would all suddenly be blown out of the water and I'd be back to scratching my head over who was behind it again.

I hope that this book is going to be the start of a new series, because I really enjoyed reading about Julia Bird and the village that she's moved to. It's marked as book one, so fingers crossed book two won't be too far away.

A Body in Seaview Grange - Dee Macdonald

 A Body in Seaview Grange

Practice nurse Kate Palmer is ready for some peace and quiet in her little Cornish village, but there’s soon to be a murder on her doorstep…

Kate’s retirement in Cornwall hasn’t quite gone as planned – Lavender Cottage is in need of substantial repairs and her sister Angie’s fondness for gin does rather stretch the purse-strings.

So when Kate is asked to do some nursing at the luxury retirement flats in Seaview Grange, she jumps at the chance. The old Victorian house has stunning views of the sea and the retirees are a peaceful bunch. That is, until Edina Martinelli, a glamorous ex-opera singer, is found poisoned in her home.

Edina’s death is ruled an overdose by Digoxin, the same medication she had been on for years. But Kate is sure the woman she met was not suicidal, and with the reputation of her practice on the line, she decides to do some digging. Luckily she’s got the newly retired Detective Inspector Woody Forrest to help her…

It’s not long before Kate discovers evidence of foul play, and there’s no shortage of suspects. Was it the besotted vicar? The ill-tempered stepson? Or perhaps Edina’s neighbour finally had enough of her constant warbling. It seems everyone had a motive, but who amongst them had the stomach for murder? And will they kill again?

If you love murder mysteries by Agatha Christie, Faith Martin or Joy Ellis, then this page-turning novel will have you reading late into the night!  

My Review

A Body in Seaview Grange is the second book in the Kate Palmer Mystery book. I enjoyed meeting her in book one and was excited to go back and see what she got up to next.
This time, Kate has been working at upmarket retirement flats, Seaview Grange in her role as a nurse at the local GPs. After her first visit, she hears that one of the women fears that someone might be trying to kill her. To begin with, she doesn't pay any attention to this until the same woman is rushed to the hospital and later dies. Kate can't help but get involved in the mystery and tries to find out what happened and who might be a murderer.
I do enjoy a good mystery read and this book certainly falls into that category. There are plenty of red herrings and clues to keep you guessing. Kate seemed to be able to get to the bottom of everyone's secrets, finding out who might have a reason to commit murder. It did keep me guessing until we were almost at the end. I was a bit more onto it than Kate though and spotted both who done it and would have avoided getting myself into quite so much trouble in the process.
This was a really enjoyable read. I'm looking forward to finding out what Kate manages to stumble across next. 

Author Bio:

Aged 18, Dee arrived in London from Scotland and typed her way round the West End for a couple of years before joining BOAC (forerunner of British Airways) in Passenger Services for 2 years and then as a stewardess for 8 years.

She has worked in Market Research, Sales and at the Thames TV Studios when they had the franchise.

Dee has since relocated to Cornwall, where she spent 10 years running B&Bs, and only began writing when she was over 70!

Married twice, she has one son and two grandsons.

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A Dangerous Goodbye - Fliss Chester

Your lost love never came home after the war. Would you risk everything to find out what happened

to him?

1944. While war rages in Europe, Fenella Churche is doing her bit in the green fields of England. But when she finds a letter addressed to her on the scrubbed farmhouse table, she knows the news won’t be good. She hasn’t heard from her fiancé Arthur since he was posted to France on a dangerous undercover mission, and from his very first words she knows he may not be coming back.

I fear this may be my last letter to you, my darling, Arthur writes. Fen won’t give up hope and calls the war office, wanting to know if Arthur is still alive; they refuse to tell her anything. Searching for answers, she returns to his letter, but parts of it just don’t make sense. Through her tears Fen realises that her darling Arthur is giving her all the clues she needs to find out what happened to him.

1945. With the war behind them and nothing left for her in England, Fen travels to the deceptively pretty French village where she thinks Arthur might be, but there’s no sign of him. She’s close to giving up when she finds his silver cigarette case and another letter full of clues. But when the local priest is killed, it’s clear someone wants to keep wartime secrets buried. If Arthur, a brilliant spy, was outwitted and betrayed, can Fen stay alive long enough to find out what happened to the man she loves?

A gripping story of war, mystery, espionage and murder. Fans of Jacqueline Winspear, Charles Todd and Rhys Bowen will absolutely adore this unputdownable World War Two murder mystery.

My Review

What a fantastic read this was. If you enjoy historical murder mysteries, then you won't go far wrong with this one. Set just after the close of the second world war, it focuses on Fennela Churche, who travels to France to see if she can find out what has happened to her Fiance. As she starts to look around the chateau and winery that he was based at, it becomes clear that whatever happened to him is tied up with events that are unfolding at the chateau now.

The book had a great sense of time, atmosphere and place. It wasn't hard to picture the small village in 1940's France and the life that they are trying to put back together after the German forces have left. The characters in this book are fantastic, both those who lead the story and those that are on the edges. It adds a great richness to the story.

As for the mystery itself, it worked well. I had solved it and the reasons behind it before the reveal, but that didn't really matter. I was still caught up in the book and wanted to know if my deductions were correct. The whole thing was well signposted with clues and the odd red herring. I don't think it was too obvious though.

I really liked Fen as a character. She's a great combination of brave and daring, without being unbelievable. She certainly feels of her time and not out of place in the historic setting. I quite liked the way that she has a little bit of a weakness when it comes to her appearance, it's these little things that humanise a character.

I really enjoyed A Dangerous Goodbye and will certainly be reading the next book in the series. I'm looking forward to what Fen might get up to next. 

Death Has Deep Roots - Michael Gilbert

Death Has Deep Roots: A Second World War Mystery by Michael Gilbert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've loved reading these British Library Crime classics over the last year or so. I think that Death Has Deep Roots would have to be one of my favourites so far. Not only does it feature a murder mystery to get to the bottom of, but the action is split between characters who try to get to the bottom of the mystery and the courtroom where the person that has been accused of the crime is being tried.
I really enjoyed the way the action flicked between both parts of the story and it made for a really enjoyable read.
I have to admit that I didn't get to the bottom of the mystery fully until the big reveal, but that really didn't matter. The story is set in postwar Europe, with the murder taking place in London and the events that led to it having happened during the war in France. The storyline dealing with the French resistance in occupied France adds a depth to the storyline that really captures your interest. Possibly even more so now, as we are looking back at something that is now a long time ago, but when this was written the setting would have been a lot more recognisable to readers.
This was a great read and one that I thoroughly enjoyed.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Death in the Village - Betty Rowlands

Death in the Village: A totally gripping British cozy murder mystery by Betty Rowlands
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm going to be really sad when this series comes to an end, I've become quite fond of Sukey and her investigations. This is book eleven and I think that there are only two more left in the series. Reading these books is very much like meeting up with an old friend for a good old chin wag. I've never been a fan of the term cosy mystery and I think in many ways, this doesn't totally fit into that category, but there is something cosy about the familiarity of these books.
This time Sukey is involved in the investigation into a missing girl. There is also a question mark over death from seemingly natural causes. As the story progresses more things need to be looked into and it's not clear if any of them are connected at all. Sukey now has a boyfriend, a journalist who's father happens to live quite close to her. She enlists him to help out with a bit of poking around into something that isn't really an ongoing investigation and in the processes manages to solve the whole thing.
I have to admit that I had got this one all figured out before Sukey and the other detectives. She didn't make as many dramatic leaps this time, but she did seem to miss one or two things that seemed a bit obvious. I did think that there was a bit of a lack of understanding around computers, the idea that the police wouldn't even look at a missing person's computer until it was suggested that she might have met someone online seemed a little unlikely, even if this book was originally written in 2011.
Sukey now has familiar characters around her, although they are different from those that appeared in the earlier books. Her son Gus, who I've always really liked got barely a mention in this book. I suppose that he will have long finished university and moved away from home, but it would still have been nice to have some input from him.
I'm looking forward to the last two books with a mix of pleasure and sadness. They are always a good read, but I will miss them when I've reached the end.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Gallows Court - Martin Edwards

Gallows Court by Martin Edwards
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There are some books that just seem to grab your imagination. While you're reading them, you just can't put them down and then when you finally do have to put them down for a bit, you can't stop thinking about them. Gallows Court by Martin Edwards is certainly one of those.
Set in the 1930's the book manages to capture the era well and the book certainly has the feel of those books from the golden age of crime writing. Having said that, the fact that it is told by a modern author certainly adds an element to this book that is missing from most of the books that were written in that era. There is a certain sophistication and also a depravity that doesn't tend to feature in books of that time. It gives a depth to the book that elevates it from a homage to the classic crime novels and gives us a gripping thriller.
There are plenty of twists and turns in this story and it was that which kept me on the edge of my seat. Not sure where things would head next or who was to be trusted. Like all good characters, there is a certain blurring of the lines between the good and the bad. Although, the baddies really do turn out to be baddies of the worst kind.
While I did manage to see where things were going once or twice, I will admit that I was taken by surprise on a number of occasions. Things that I really hadn't seem coming, but that made perfect sense once they were revealed caught me by surprise on a number of occasions.
The story itself is told as we follow young journalist Jacob Flint. He's enthusiastic, tenacious but ultimately naive and as an investigating lead makes an interesting person to follow. The standout character in this book though, is Rachel Savernake, although I'm not entirely sure that we ever see her as she actually is.
I thoroughly enjoyed Gallows Court. I suspect that it will be one of those books that I think about for some time to come. It certainly covered enough ground to keep the little grey cells entertained for a while.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Death at the Library - Betty Rowlands

Death at the Library: A completely gripping cozy mystery by Betty Rowlands
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have to admit that when I read the last Sukey Reynolds book Death at the Mariners Hotel I was a little disappointed. One of the things that I'd loved about this series was the characters that appeared time and time again. In book eight, however, Sukey had left her previous job and moved to Bristol, leaving behind the people that she had worked with before. I wasn't sure how the series would progress from here on in. Death in the Library appears in some ways to be a bit of a transition book. Sukey still has a little input from her son, Fergus, although now he is at University, he only has a small role. But, Sukey is beginning to gather a small cast of regular characters that I'm sure will grow in future books. She has a sergeant that she works with regularly and a friend and colleague, Vicky, who she is spending more and more time with. Hopefully, in future books, the cast of characters will build back to something similar to what existed before.
I enjoyed this book much more than the previous one. As I said, I wasn't sure about the sudden change that had taken place. I think if you hadn't read any of the earlier books, then you wouldn't be at all bothered by this, as the mystery and the storyline is a good solid one. I really enjoyed this aspect of it and this time around I have to admit that I didn't guess who was guilty, although I was right about who wasn't. That probably doesn't make much sense, but if you read the book, you'll see what I mean.
The question of Sukey's relationship with Jim is finally resolved, although I have to admit, not quite the way that I would like. Although I do see why.
Overall this was a good read and I'm interested to see where next for Sukey.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Death at The Mariners Hotel - Betty Rowlands

Death at the Mariners Hotel by Betty Rowlands
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've been loving these Sukey Reynolds' mysteries. I have to admit though, that it took me a little while to warm to this one. I'm sure that this was in large part, due to the sudden change in Sukey's life. When we last joined her she was working as a scene of crime officer and getting involved with investigating a little bit more than she should have done. She did want to rejoin the police force though and although I expected that she might eventually manage it, I wasn't expecting her to have achieved that in this book. In fact, things had moved on quite a bit, with Sukey now living in Bristol and having completed her probationary period for a different police force than the one she worked for.
Fortunately, once I got into the swing of the story and the change that had taken place, I really enjoyed it and reading about Sukey's new role. I have to admit that this time I didn't really solve the mystery, but this book was less of a puzzle than some of the previous ones.
I am really enjoying this series. I'm not sure where it's going to go next, with the change in Sukey's role and her relationship with Jim. I had assumed that over time that might become more permanent, but he played such a minor role in this one that I think he might be on his way out. I suppose that time will tell where Sukey will end up... I'll be looking forward to finding out.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Murder in the Mill-Race - E.C.R. Lorac

Murder in the Mill-Race by E.C.R. Lorac
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am really enjoying discovering some new to me authors through this British Library Crime Classics series. Like many of the other books that I've read, I hadn't heard of E.C.R. Lorac before this series (although this is the second of her books that I've now read). I always enjoy a good classic mystery and this one was no exception.
The story is set in a small out of the way village. I suspect that such places are now populated with holiday cottages and outsiders who want to escape to the country. That said, I grew up in a small village and in it, I recognised some of the characteristics of the people who populated this fictional village.
The mystery revolves around the death of a local saintly type, who of course turns out to be far from the image that she has tried to cultivate. There are plenty of potential suspects. I did guess who it was before the end, but I wasn't completely convinced that I was right.
This was a gripping read. I suspect for some people it perhaps moves a little slowly, especially by modern standards, but I enjoy this slower-paced style of mystery from time to time. I don't know if there are plans for many more books in this series, but I'll be reading them. I'd also quite like to collect the hard copies, as I love the covers.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Death at Ivy House - Betty Rowlands

Death at Ivy House: An utterly gripping English cozy mystery by Betty Rowlands
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Five books into the Sukey Reynolds series and I'm really enjoying this scene of crime officer who spends a little too much time investigating things herself. Although unlike some amateur detectives, Sukey has a reason to be involved in the crimes that she investigates, really she shouldn't be looking into them the way that she does. Fortunately for us, the fact that she ignores that and does get involved makes for a good read.
Again with this book, we know a little bit more than Sukey and her detective boyfriend Jim do. If you haven't read any of this series, I should perhaps mention that while Sukey is romantically involved with the lead detective on most of the mysteries that she gets involved in, it isn't really with his blessing, or often even his knowledge. She does seem to have an uncanny knack for getting to the bottom of things.
This was an enjoyable read. The plot did have quite a few twists, turns and players which made me a little confused. I have to admit though, that despite having the extra knowledge to the detectives, I didn't guess who done it until it was revealed.
I'm loving this series and will be reading the next very shortly. If you're looking for a good detective story that itsn't too dark, but doesn't have that frothy rubbish that you often get with so-called 'cosy' mysteries, then this may well be one for you.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.


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Death at Burwell Farm - Betty Rowlands

Death at Burwell Farm by Betty Rowlands
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I think that I may have mentioned on one of the previous Sukey Reynolds books, that they are a little different from Betty Rowlands' other series. Unlike her other female lead, Mel Craig, Sukey doesn't really set out to investigate the mysteries that she finds herself in the middle of. Unlike Mel, Sukey actually has a reason to get close to crimes, in her role of SOCO, which is possibly why the approach is slightly different here. Either way, it doesn't really matter as the story itself is very enjoyable.
Having said all of that, this time, Sukey is asked by more than one person to look into a potentially dodgy alternative therapy, meditation retreat type place. Although she does set out to find out what is going on there, once the murder takes place, events unfold around her, rather than her actively trying to get to the bottom of them.
This really is a very enjoyable series. There is the chance to try and work out who-done-it, but just reading the story is entertaining in itself. This is only book number four in the series and I'm looking forward to reading more about Sukey, her son Gus and boyfriend Jim Castle.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Death at Hazel House - Betty Rowlands

Death at Hazel House: An utterly addictive cozy murder mystery by Betty Rowlands
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was very sad when I read the last of the Melissa Craig novels, I needn't have worried, as I now have the Sukey Reynolds series to work my way through.
If you have read and enjoyed Betty Rowland's Melissa Craig series, then I think that it's highly likely that you will enjoy these too. There is something that is familiar with the books, while at the same time they have a new and different feel to them. Unlike Melissa, Sukey actually has a reason to get involved in crime and trying to work out who done it. She is a scene of crime officer, primarily a photographer, but she also seems to take fingerprints and other similar jobs. In addition to having this role herself, she also has a relationship with a local policeman. This is the first in the series and at this stage, they seem to be more friends than anything. I suspect that this will develop into something more as the series progresses.
This story is perhaps a little more modern than the Melissa Craig books. Characters have mobile phones and other 'modern' inventions. It still has that charm that made the other books so appealing. Sukey herself is an interesting and engaging character and it's the little things, such as her relationship with her teenage son that add to the appeal and readability of the book.
I have to admit that I didn't solve the mystery this time. I had a few ideas that were in the right direction, but I hadn't got it all. This is less like a puzzle mystery to solve though, the story unfolds and there is a mystery, but there is more to it than that.
All in all, this was a great start to a series and I'm looking forward to reading more about Sukey soon.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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A Blunt Instrument - Georgette Heyer.

A Blunt Instrument by Georgette Heyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I do enjoy Georgette Heyer's mystery novels. They are of a different time, but there is something that is still so very satisfying when you read them. Like many books of this period, there is a small cast of characters, all of whom potentially have a motive for doing away with the murder victim. Part of the fun is then trying to work out 'who-done-it'.
This particular story was quite ingenious, I did actually guess who the murderer was, but had decided that I must be wrong and barking up the wrong tree. When the big reveal came, I was fairly surprised to discover that I hadn't been mistaken after all.
I think one of the things that make Heyer's novels, both her murder mystery and Regency novels, so enjoyable, is her sense of humour. More than one of the characters in this book appears to be a caricature of a particular type. One of who takes himself very seriously and the other who does not at all.
This was a great read and I really enjoyed following Hemmingway and Hannasyde's attempts to get to the bottom of who the murder was and why. I have a few more of these books still to go, I seem to be reading them in no particular order, but I am looking forward to enjoying another one soon.

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Murder in the Dining Room - Betty Rowlands

Murder in the Dining Room: An absolutely gripping British cozy mystery by Betty Rowlands
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This Mel Craig book as a little different to the previous ones in the series. This time, rather than Mel getting involved in a mystery and investigating what had happened, her mother was in the thick of things. Mel was reunited with her estranged mother in the previous book, after the death of her father. Now in a residential home for the elderly, which is more like a hotel than anything, while she waits for the extension to be done to Mel's house, Sylvia finds that she the death of a dog, followed by her owner makes her suspicious that a murderer is at large.
I did find it quite funny that Mel did her best to stop her mother from investigating when in previous books she's been the one nosing into things and ignoring everyone else. Of course, her mother doesn't listen and before long both Sylvia and Mel are independently trying to get to the bottom of what happened.
This was another really enjoyable mystery. Sadly, this time I didn't quite manage to solve it all before the reveal, but that never detracts from the enjoyment of a book like this. I think that there's only one more Mel Craig book to go, which is a bit of a shame, as I've been thoroughly enjoying them.

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A body in the Lakes by Graham Smith

A Body in the Lakes by Graham Smith
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I went into this book with such high hopes and I really wanted to love it. Sadly, it just wasn't for me. It's a real shame, as I usually particularly enjoy British crime novels and the idea of one set in the lake district really appealed.
Half of my problem with this book was that I just didn't like any of the characters. The main detective, Beth, just hadn't really got anything likeable about her. She also didn't seem very believable as a person. One of my other major issues was that much of the mystery was dealt with by jumping to conclusions from nowhere. More than once someone was arrested on the flimsiest of evidence and everyone spoke as though everything was solved and wrapped up. For example, in the first couple of chapters, a man is arrested and all of the police officers talk as though he is guilty and don't seem to be interested in any other lines of enquiry based on nothing more than a missing credit card and a letter that someone has written to the police accusing them. I don't think so somehow!
The mystery itself was interesting and there was a lot of potential here. For me, though it was just not very well executed, which was a shame. Add to that the really misogynistic attitude to rape from all of the characters and it was the final nail in any chance of enjoyment. I don't know if it was the writer's intention to wheel out all of the cliche's that re-enforce rape culture, but that's certainly what he did.
There seem to be plenty of high scoring reviews for this book, so some people certainly enjoyed it, so perhaps you will too, it just wasn't for me.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.


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Murder by Matchlight - E.C.R. Lorac

Murder by Matchlight by E.C.R. Lorac
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another great golden age mystery, again from another writer that I haven't come across before. I used to think that I was quite well read when it came to those classic British mysteries from early to mid last century, this series from poisoned pen press just keeps on showing me how wrong I was about that.
This story is set during London in the second world war. This adds a special twist to the mystery itself, with much of it taking place in darkness, in the middle of the blackout. In fact, in many ways, what makes this a mystery to puzzle out, only works because of this setting, with two people witnessing the murder, but due to the blackout, not really being able to see much at all.
One of the joys of these books has been the way that it shows the period in which they are set so clearly. If you were interested in wartime history in England but were not that bothered about mystery books, I think that you would still get a lot out of this. It sets the scene so well.
I have to admit that I didn't solve this one until right at the very end when it all became obvious. It worked well as a mystery and it was a thoroughly enjoyable read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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They found him dead - Georgette Heyer

They Found Him Dead by Georgette Heyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love a good who done it and this one is certainly that. Not only did I find that the storyline drew me in, but I also loved all of the characters. They were beautifully portrayed and I found them so engaging from the very beginning.

Much of the start of this book is spent building up the background story, with the mystery coming in later in the book. Sometimes books like this can drag a little bit, but the story itself drew you along so that it didn't matter that there wasn't much of a mystery to get your teeth in straight away.

Once the murder actually takes place, there was the usual cast of potential suspects and plenty of clues and red herrings to confuse and enlighten. As well as the two professional detectives, Hannasyde and Hemingway, (who apparently appear in some of Heyer's other mystery novels). A young member of the family, fourteen-year-old Timothy, spends much of his time trying to work out who the murderer is. I loved how excited he was, diving around, without really taking anything very seriously. He reminded me very much of my own son, who is a little bit younger, he was fantastic though and really added to my enjoyment of this book.

The mystery itself worked well. I had pretty much solved it by the end of the book and before the detectives in the book had got there. It wasn't too obvious though and worked well (my two usual tests for a good murder mystery).

This was a great read and an excellent classic style mystery. I really enjoyed it and I love Georgette Heyer's writing. I'll certainly be giving some more of her mystery novels a go.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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