The Murder Garden, by Alice Castle

 

Publication Nov. 15,2022

Wow, what a page-turner. And all because Beth wanted a shed, er, office built in the backyard. I mean, no one expected to find bones, human bones.

To be honest, although Beth does seem to go off on tangents, trying to make her primary suspect fit, so to speak, she also operates on hunches. Hunches that frequently prove right. True, her thinking is a bit convoluted at times, revolving around vague things and gossip. She's also prone to go off on thinking tangents not related to the crime, blurting out questions that put off even one of her best friends, not to mention putting herself into danger....repeatedly.... despite all of her detective boyfriend's cautions. She even takes senior dog Colin along on an info gathering visit, endangering not just herself but her beloved old dog in the process when a ferocious watchdog greets them. Whoa, Beth, leave the dog out of it. 

Yet, despite all this, I find myself liking Beth, all the while wondering once again how the heck she keeps her job. She's both careless and caring, loving and likely to forget things like paying the bills, but loves her son and wants the best for him. He's on the age 12/13 cusp now, an age where he'll soon be fighting for some independence from motherly supervision, so that will be interesting to watch as the series continues. Harry seems to genuinely dote on Beth, too, despite her frequent feelings of being shunted into the background and having to fight for his attention. You know, she's a great deal like most of us. She questions herself regularly, unsure of herself, yet doing what she can and hoping, grasping for the best. I think that aspect of her character is what draws me to her so strongly. She's real, even if I'd never, ever, ever admit to being quite so spacey. 

Bottom line, this installment of the Beth Haldane mystery series is a winner. I'm still trying to go to grips with the crime and criminal, however. It packs quite a punch. Nope, not telling, you're going to have to read the book to watch Beth balance her need to know with delicate friendships, family needs, Jake's growing up, and her relationship with Harry (and his massive book collection). And, oh, maybe find time to go into work at least occasionally? 

Thanks #NetGalley and #Bookouture for letting me drop into Dulwich again. I look forward to not just Beth's next adventure but poor Katie's progress with wild child Teddy the dog.

The Murder Hour (A Beth Haldane Mystery Book 7), by Alice Castle

Beth Haldane is house hunting in this installment of the series. Initially, it's about the last thing in the world Beth wants to be doing. She loves her current home, albeit admits that it's crowded now that her detective boyfriend Harry York is moving in permanently. It's Harry that has been prodding her to look at larger homes, something she's resisted doing as much as possible, then finding fault with the houses she does check out. It won't come as any surprise to those who've been reading this series all along that while Beth doesn't find the house of, well, Harry's dreams, she does find a dead body. It's also no surprise that Beth being Beth, also feels a responsibility to the dead man, who she had never met, btw, to investigate his death. Harry is, well, less than pleased. Beth has the tendency to not only find dead bodies but put herself in danger in the process of trying to figure out whodunit. 

I adore author Alice Castle's flowing, descriptive writing style, putting us in character's heads as they ponder both important and completely unimportant things, and Beth has become a favorite character. I can definitely relate to both her best and worst tendencies, such as procrastination, day dreaming, and stubborn desire to be in control. She is a flawed character, smart but often naive, driven but prone to go off on tangents that lead her in other directions, and wanting the best but not always willing to do her job. I mean, how does she keep her job? I asked myself this several times in his book, I must admit. This go-round, she is even sneaking the sweet ol' dog Colin into her office space. What really got on my nerves most, however, is the almost disdain, or at least lack of respect, she shows toward Harry's difficult job of dealing daily with evil doers. At one point she almost smugly seems to overestimate her own sleuthing abilities, which tend to be hit-or-miss, while snidely wondering what Harry and his team are doing at the police station to sweep the discovery of the young real estate agent's body under the rug. 

Of course, all that said, I still thoroughly enjoyed the book. Beth's flaws make her unpredictable, ie realistic, and it's hard to dislike someone who, despite her lack of focus and tendency toward fanciful thinking, she is someone that I'd like to think would be a friend. Even having never met the young realtor's agent, she feels a responsibility toward him, a responsibility that, predictably, gets her into hot water with Harry and danger from those who'd prefer she not keep digging for the truth. Who knew realty could be so corrupt? Why did it appear someone was living in the supposedly unoccupied home-for-sale? Why is Beth, who doesn't want to move, suddenly so determined to keep house shopping? Will Nina be helpful or a mere distraction? Will Beth eventually come to accept Harry and his boxes and boxes of books? She does admit to enjoying the physical presence of a book in her hand, after all. 

 Will Beth ever go to work on time? Heck, let me rephrase that. Will Beth ever put her job, the one that will help pay for her son's expensive education, first? Will she ever get that book done that she promised to write for the school? Uh, maybe. How are canine Colin and feline Magpie getting along? What would Beth do if she put even one of them in danger with her snooping, er, asking of questions? What is going on with Janice and husband Dr. Grover? If they can't make it, is there hope for Beth and Harry? Who.....oh, way too many teasers but I've barely touched the surface. If you enjoy wonderfully written plots with a main character that will both intrigue and irritate you with her realness, give this one a read.

Thanks #NetGalley and #Bookouture for inviting me over to shadow Beth while she was house hunting. Somehow I knew a body would be involved but it didn't stop me from enjoying the ride.

The Murder Walk (A Beth Haldane Mystery Book 5), by Alice Castle

I adore this series. Beth is a unique, sometimes frustrating character, but she is, oh, so real and likable. Author Alice Castle does a wonderful job letting us get to know Beth and those about her. This installment lets us spend time in her head as she indulges in thoughts ranging from her determination to give her son Jake an element of freedom.....all while tailing him on his walk to school, mind you .... to imagining what she could do should a bundle of money just drop into her hands. She hadn't calculated on a tall tree, let's just say. 

She's also competitive enough to feel smug that she might have gotten one up on detective boyfriend Harry at one point by finding an important bit of info first....or, hmm, did she find it first? She also ponders if dogs mourn losses. Yes, Beth, they do. 

And, oh, yes, the murder. But, first, let me back up a few steps. Beth's best friend, Katie, has adopted a puppy. Puppy Teddy seems to be a wild child, driven by natural hormones. I must admit that I wanted to give Katie's husband a stern talking to with his male disdain for the common sense approach of neutering and even basic training. Anyway, Teddy gets loose.... who are we kidding, Katie makes the mistake of letting him off-leash.... and ultimately leads Beth, hot in pursuit of the wayward pup, to a body. Beside it is a sad older dog, Colin, who Harry somehow gets Beth to agree to take home with her. Magpie the cat isn't a happy kitty. Will Teddy ever learn some manners? Has he learned his lesson after eating that valuable memory stick? Uh, he's a puppy. What do you think? You'll both chuckle and feel sympathy for the usually put together Katie as she deals with the puppy in some unusual ways, all while embracing playing sleuth as a distraction from puppy worries. Katie does prove helpful, however, even if Beth ignores her words of caution  

So, who did it? Who'd hate graffiti artist Mark Smeaton enough to kill him? How does Beth's Bridge playing mother prove helpful? Will Beth drive Harry crazy with worry? Why is she calling her photographer brother? Why is Beth worrying so much about Jake? Will she leave him alone at an interview for a spot at a prestige school to go chase a clue? What lengths will a mother go to to protect her child? 

And, oh, so much more. You'll spend quite a bit of time hanging out in Beth's head, worrying not just about the murder but her private life, and most likely get a chuckle out of her flights of fancy even when facing death. And, you'll like her, even if, like me, you wish you could reach through the virtual pages and shake some sense into her occasionally. 

Thanks #NetGalley and #Bookouture for allowing me to spend some more time with Beth. As a dog person, I'm psyched at her realization of how well Colin the senior Lab fits into her life. Now, if only Magpie the cat will agree...

The Murder Question (A Beth Haldane Mystery Book 3), Alice Castle

 

Originally published as "Calamity in Camberwell"

It's so easy to let yourself be drawn into Beth Haldane's world. Alice Castle's writing engages you quickly and you find yourself rooting for Beth. Given that this installment in the series focuses almost as much on her private, home world as the mystery itself. Beth is a romantic. We get the "meet cute" moment when Beth and her late husband James met, for instance, and her trepidation as she's urged to enter the dating world again. For reasons she is yet to admit, she can't quite stop thinking of Detective Inspector Harry York every time that topic comes up. He both fascinates and frustrates her. Interestingly enough, since this series takes us into the minds of different characters, he's growing tired of being alone, too. His purchase of Beth's favorite tea is a sweet, telling gesture.

As for the mystery, we do get a glimpse into the mind of the missing Jen. Her new husband, after initially seeming perfect, is abusive, seemingly both physically as well as mentally. Dulwich is proof positive that we never know what secrets hide behind firmly closed doors. Then, Jen goes missing. Beth. always drawn to a mystery, can't help snooping. This time it lands her in the hospital. Harry is there when she wakes up. 

Where is Jen? Who put Beth in the hospital? Who is that mystery doctor she vaguely recalls seeing one night? Will all her dates be as, uh, odd as the first? Was sending son Jake for extra tutoring a good idea? Who ransacks Beth's office? Is online dating dangerous? Does the pressure to bow to the opinions of the "yummy mummies" of Dulwich play a role in keeping spousal abuse hidden? What other secrets are hidden behind firmly closed doors? Will Harry be around to save her the next time she gets in trouble?

There's so much more. Life is never simple, even in upper crust areas. One of the things I applaud Alice Castle for is stepping forward and tackling difficult topics.Thanks #NetGalley and #Bookouture for inviting me back to Dulwich. I hope to return soon as I look forward to following Beth and her ability to find trouble without trying as this series continues. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what is next for Beth and Harry. I've spent reading time in their heads and like them both immensely, so I'm rooting for them.

 

The Murder Museum (A Beth Haldane Mystery Book 2), by Alice Castle

 

Previously published as The Girl in the Gallery.  

Beth Haldane is someone you can root for. She isn't perfect, which she acknowledges to herself rather frequently, but she cares about people and wants justice done where there is injustice. This brings her into contact and frequent conflict with Harry, the Detective Inspector. What I particularly liked about this story is that we get to spend time in not just Beth's head, but Harry's, giving us insight into who he is as a human being, too. Heck, we get to visit quite a few different minds in this installment of the series, including that of pouty, self-centered, and, oh, so spoiled and neglected schoolgirl Sophia. Even her drug wasted "boyfriend" gets a turn and, quite frankly, I hope he doesn't pop up again. Let's just say, bad news.

 The mystery begins benignly enough. Beth, playing a childhood game in her head of "Which work of art would you save in a fire?" is making a quick visit to the upscale school museum where she works. Instead of a fun, relaxing visit, however, she finds a body. Well, not quite a body. The mystery girl is still alive but in what appears to be a coma. She's wearing a flowing white dress and has her hands folded against her chest, recalling several works of art that Beth is familiar with. It's the folded hands that won't allow Beth to let the image go and next thing we know, she's off on her own investigation. Her budding friendship with Harry is already shaky but this time it takes off on a roller coaster of a ride as he alternately shoves her away and allows her into his world as the investigation goes along. 

The case is baffling. How did the comatose girl get into the mausoleum? Who arranged her so picturesquely? More importantly, who is she? Why haven't her parents reported her as missing? Why is she comatose? Drugs? Why is the upper crust school so shaken? How does a parent make the horrendous decision of life or death for the child they carried within them? What does the Blue Whales challenge have to do with anything? Is social media to blame? How powerful does being a known influencer make a teenage girl feel? Do we blame society? Busy, distracted parents? Seriously, what sort of nasty secrets are lurking under the veneer of upper crust Dulwich? I know I didn't see the ending coming, that's for sure. It was at once satisfying and saddening. Author Alice Castle made me care about her characters, even the ones we only meet in passing, and I was fully, intently invested until the end. And, hey, what about that ending?

If you like multi-layer mysteries with well-defined characters and suspects, you will surely love this one. Go into it with an open mind and be prepared to think, "Whoa!", sit back and think periodically. There's a great deal to this book and this is just an overview of all that is tackled. The world we live in is a complicated one and one never really knows what is going on behind closed doors, be they at home, school, or elsewhere. This one made me think, reflect, and as a former teacher, feel the pangs of knowing I can't gather all my students under my wings and protect them from real life. Kudos to Alice Castle. This series has me hooked.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #Bookouture for inviting me back to Dulwich. It was an uneasy trip occasionally but I adored the moments when the prose flowed and we saw the world through Beth's whimsical, romantic eyes. I'll be diving into book three asap.

The Murder Mystery (A Beth Haldane Mystery Book 1), by Alice Castle

 

Previously published as Death in Dulwich.

Beth Haldane seems like a nice woman, realistic, likable and somehow both confident and unsure of herself. She compares herself to that adorable little pony while wishing for longer legs herself and a more tameable mane. I immediately liked her attitude, which is good as we spend a great deal of time in her head. Determined to give her 9 year-old son the best life possible, she's accepted a job at a posh, rather snooty school. Yet, she can't figure out why they hired her. She knows her own resume was sketchy in the area of historical archivist and that there were surely other applicants far more experienced. She's grateful, however, as she presents herself at the school the next morning. 

That gratefulness turns to uneasiness. To be polite, let's just say her boss leers. She's actually glad when he heads out to meet someone and leaves her alone in the shed, er, office for hours. He never returns. Finally steeling herself to find lunch and a restroom, Beth heads out, only to get turned around on the school's paths. Then, she finds her boss. He's dead. That is where the story truly begins. Detective Inspector Harry York soon arrives to begin the investigation. 

Who killed Dr. Alan Jenkins, her boss? She slowly comes to grips with the thought that the person who finds the body is often a suspect. Determined to prove her innocence, albeit without a clue how to do so, Beth begins her own investigation. Will this get her in trouble? Oh, come on. You know the answer to that. This is a cozy mystery after all. This brings her into frequent contact and conflict with Det. York. Will he tell her not to get involved? Of course. Will she listen? Of course not. They gradually come to respect and even, hmm, like each other, however, as the book continues. 

What I liked most about this book, aside from the likable main character, is that the murder plot involved more depth than who killed Jenkins. Sadly, many readers, especially women, will relate. Like Beth, Jenkins has a backstory and it isn't an admirable one. Maybe this explains the reactions of so many to his death? Will Beth get herself fired asking nosy questions at the school? It's an upscale facility, think parents with money and prestige, and the school is anxious to move past this and regain its usual hallowed status. Is the fact Beth spied the headmaster near where the body was found meaningful? Who was that flash of pink she saw? Is the receptionist friend or foe? Why are so many relieved to know Jenkins is dead? Why was there a handkerchief over his face? What secrets are hidden in the archive office? Oh, my, so much to think about but, enough teasers. Read the book. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and #Bookouture for introducing me to Beth and her posh new job setting. I wasn't sure what to expect but am glad I accepted and am looking forward to the next in the series. I wonder if she'll listen more to her cat's not so subtle hints that a bad day may be at hand.