Publication February 19, 2024
In a sense, you're getting two mysteries in one with this book. The "whodunit" and "where is..." kinds. The first deals with the body Hannah Merrill finds in the hospital library. She's volunteering there as a way of offering her services in 1916 as World War I rages. The second is focused on the disappearance of a young, very attractive volunteer nurse at the same hospital. In the process of solving these mysteries, you'll get a feel for what it was like to be attacked by the enemy, not to mention the reality of dead and seriously wounded soldiers. There's even romance woven into all this.
Hannah is young and caring, albeit she grated on my nerves a bit with her attitude toward Inspector Aiden Ferrell. Nevermind that Ferrell just happens to be her Aunt Violet's boyfriend, Hannah chafes under the weight of being dismissed as a woman and not given her due when it comes to solving a crime. Then there is Darius Clifford, who seems to be an intelligence officer. Or is he a spy? Hannah and Darius have been dancing around each other romantically for years, so it's nice to see this romance progressing a bit, too. All are likable, with strengths and weaknesses, especially given that this series is currently taking place during a world war. Archie, the bookshop assistant is quite likable and even shows fortitude and a less reticent side of himself during the story. And, oh, Bartleby, the bookstore cat makes an appearance.
So, who killed Sgt. Tillman? Why does it appear no one particularly mourns his death? What was he doing in the library anyway, especially up on the stage? Are the nurses keeping secrets, too? Is Alice, the nurse's aide who goes missing, really being watched or it is all in her imagination? She comes from an aristocratic background, so it's odd she's working in the military hospital ward to begin with. Why is Hannah so determined to keep asking questions? What lovely gift of a sort does Darius give her? How does Darius know all he knows about the war effort? Are he and Aiden, who works for Scotland Yard, somehow linked? Why does Hannah feel so guilty about certain events? What huge decision is Violet facing?
Who ... oh, enough teasers. While slow building in comparison to many cozy mysteries, this one caught and held my attention nicely and would work nicely as a standalone. You'll like the characters or, at the very least, find them intriguing. Human behavior is odd sometimes, isn't it? You'll also gain a feel for life when under threat of bombardment at any given time. If you're like me, you'll even be a bit bewildered to find the book seeming to wrap up whodunit almost mid-way with so much of the book left. Don't let that throw you. There is much, much more to come. Thanks #NetGalley and #BoldwoodBooks for giving me a sneak peek at how challenging life in this time period could be for all involved, no matter what their status. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what happens next for our main characters.
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