Murder by the Letter: A cozy 1930s Jack and Frances mystery, by Carmen Radtke

 Available Jan. 1, 2025

Frances and Jack are in London spending some time with his mother. While there, Frances and her mother-in-law stumble across a blackmail scheme at the Athena Club for women. It doesn't take long before not just Frances and Jack are involved trying to nab the blackmailer but family members and associates. Being new to the series, I didn't warm up to the characters immediately but ultimately enjoyed the story. The pace was slow, true, in comparison to most modern day cozy mysteries but, hey, life moved much slower in the 1930's, so that's understandable. Human nature hasn't changed, however, as we discover. Murder soon follows.

My favorite characters, ironically, weren't Frances and Jack. Instead, Uncle Sal quickly won me over with his genius at assuming disguises at the merest suggestion. He obviously didn't come by his stage title of Salvador the Magnificent by accident. Frances seems to have been his occasional assistant, so I'm going to have to play catch-up with the back stories, it seems. Mildred, er, excuse me. Lady Mildred, wasn't a slouch, either. I did learn something, or at least think I did. According to the text, Frances' confusion on British titles was somewhat helped when she discovered that when the title is inherited, the woman is referred to as Lady Mildred. Otherwise, she'd have been known as Lady Clifton if my marriage alone, I must check to verify this as, quite frankly, how British titles works eludes me, too, Frances. Grin. In any case, while the characters don't always seem to be coordinating their ideas for the investigation well....no cell phones in 1930's, remember.... it was fun to see how they worked with what they had, brains and largely Jack's military background. The setting was well described and I grinned at the wonder on spectators' eyes at the idea of a female driver. Yes, definitely a different world.

Bottom line, while I wasn't quite hooked, I did enjoy the story and easily fell into the more relaxed pace while marveling at how times have changed. I definitely liked seeing women being taught self-defense, sadly a need that hasn't vanished. Even the rarity of typewriters was something I'd never really pondered, so that added a new twist to my thinking about that era. Toss in the delay in discovering the identity of a murder victim, possible financial problems at the women's club, and more, and there was much to keep you entertained while learning a bit about life not quite a hundred years ago. Thanks #BookSirens for the early copy. Bet you never imagined it'd help me sort out British titles, did you?

The Cursed Writer (The Baker Street Mysteries, #2), by Holly Hepburn

 

Publication October 17, 2024

Journey back with me to 1930s London. Harriet/Harry White has a job that sounds at once both mind numbing tedious and potentially exciting. She's answering letters sent to the fictional Sherlock Holmes because the company she's employed by just happens to be located at that, oh, so famous Baker Street address. And, oh, there's the little matter of it being a bit of a demotion after she refused to be the victim of sexual harassment by her overseer. Having not read the first book in the series, I was a bit wary of jumping into this one given the frequently puzzling, complicated cases that come to mind when one thinks Sherlock Holmes but, well, what can I say. That name alone and a mention of "Hound of the Baskervilles" was enough to pull me in. I'm glad it did as I very quickly liked Harry and the author quickly got us up to pace on the background from book one. 

Just as she seems to have done in book one, Harry responds personally, well, as Holmes instead of using her tried and true normal line as Holmes' secretary about him being retired and unable to help. This time she was intrigued by a telegram arriving rather than a letter, however. I won't detail the plot, it's too much fun to sort it all out as it happens, but it involves a nephew worried about the health, both physical and mental, of his uncle. Let's just say his uncle seems to be in turmoil, panicked, and unable to function. John Arbor, the sender of the telegram, hopes Holmes can help. And, from there, Harry's rash action of responding sets off a series of events involving not just her but Oliver Fortescue, a childhood friend who, from what I can gather, seems to be in the midst of a very slow burn wannabe-romance with Harry. Remember, the setting is in the 1930s, so things do tend to move slower overall,  

Delightfully spooky, full of tales of a grim reaper of sorts known as the Ferryman,  ghostly spirits on the marshy fen that surrounds the estate, and the poor, afflicted man's loyal wolfhound, abound.....and that's just the main story. Not only does the author give us a dose of Holmes, but there are other side stories, all of which Harry finds herself involved in investigating. Without giving away too much, let's just say they seem to tie back to book one but even without reading it, I had no problems sorting out what was what and who was who. I definitely liked Harry and have my fingers crossed Oliver will perhaps be bolder in future books. Again, remembering the date, no pressure, Oliver. Grin. Harry's courage and, yes, even rashness at times, not to mention there's so much going on that it has the sense of moving right along without too much time spent spinning our wheels. In other words, while cringing at the role of women of that time and Harry's mother's hopes for her marriage to a suitable man, I thoroughly enjoyed the book/mystery and am already looking forward to my next virtual trip back to Baker Street in the author's lovely time machine. Thanks #BoldwoodBooks for allowing me this early peek into this case and introducing me to these fascinating people.

Murder at the Village Fair (Miss Underhay #13), by Helena Dixon

 

Publication Aug. 10, 2023

Oh, a fair! How fun! An elephant! Let's go!"

Seriously, it was that easy for me to fall into the leisurely pace of Kitty's world. In the hustle and bustle and tech dominated world of today, I found it strangely easy to settle into a more simple time of 1935 when not everyone is tied to a cell phone or computer. A time where one has time to take a leisurely walk and enjoy the birds flitting around and chirping, the bees buzzing, and simply enjoy the aromas floating from the flowers dancing in the gentle breeze. But, then, drat, someone had to go and kill Madama ZaZa.

Kitty and Matt are enjoying a bit of a belated honeymoon while staying with his aunt, Euphemia, known to friends and family as Effie. She's delighted to have them, especially since they're just in time for the annual village fair. It has an eastern theme this year and Kitty is excited to have an opportunity to see an elephant. They've just begun to look around when their little dog, Bertie, escapes and leads them to a fortune teller's tent. Inside, oh, dear, they find Madama ZaZa, who is dead. As it turns out, they met her earlier in her real world persona of Miss Crowther who seems to get most of her insight from being snoopy, not some magical power. It doesn't take long for Matt and Kitty to be drawn into the investigation. 

I won't detail the plot further except to say there are several suspects as well as sub-plots in the story. Needless to say, they are lead on wild goose chases by several red herrings, too, although not all are without meaning. Everyone has secrets. From the highest to the lowest amongst us, we all have secrets we don't want others to know. Our hopes and dreams and expectations may not align with those others have for us, either, complicating lives. Let's face it, in small towns everyone frequently knows everyone else's business.

Bottom line, I thoroughly enjoyed the more leisurely pace of this one. It's another world, yes, but the author brings the characters, both major and minor, to life nicely. Heck, you may even find yourself warming up to the elephant. Thanks #NetGalley and #Bookouture for allowing me to tag along with Kitty and Matt to the fair and hang out at Effie's. Looking forward to my next visit.