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[[Category:New Reviews|Crime (Historical)]]==Crime (historical)==__NOTOC__ <!-- Remove -->{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Robert Dinsdale0571370977|title=Three Miles|rating=4.5|genre=General Fiction|summary=Captain Abraham Matthews is so desperate to catch the villainous Albie Crowe and bring the youngster to justice that some people would say he was obsessed. After six months, Matthews has finally tracked down his prey, and captures him just three miles from the police station. But with Albie's boys trying to rescue him, other men without Abraham's moral compass more interested in vengeance than justice, and the Luftwaffe dropping bombs on Leeds, this is set to be the longest three miles of either of their lives...|amazonuk=<amazonuk>057126025X</amazonuk>}} {{newreviewThe Lock-Up|author=Ben Pastor|title=LumenJohn Banville

|summary=CracowIt's six months since the dramatic events which we read about in [[April in Spain by John Banville|April in Spain]] and Dr Quirke is now back in Dublin and living (if somewhat uneasily) with his daughter, Poland, October 1939: Phoebe. The Germans have recently occupied Poland worst of his grief is over but he irrationally blames DI St John Strafford for what happened and are seeking to establish their authority. Captain Martin Bora of the Wehrmacht (the German army) this has just arrived in made the city from already strained relationship between them more difficult. They're brought together by Chief Inspector Hackett when the battlefield to take up body of a posting to Intelligence. His boss asks Bora to drive him to a convent every day to see the renowned Abbessyoung, rumoured to have mystic and healing powers. A few days laterJewish scholar, thoughRosa Jacobs, she is found shot dead in the grounds of her convent. Bora is asked to investigate and report backa lock-up. He proceeds to investigate who shot her and why At first, it looked as though she'd gassed herself but as his investigation continues, there are more questions for Bora and the readerQuirke is convinced that it was murder rather than suicide. Where does this case fit in with the priorities of the occupying forces?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1904738664</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Frank Tallis1529337968|title=Death and the MaidenIn Place of Fear|author=Catriona McPherson|rating=35

|summary=Just It's July 1948 and Helen Crowther is due to clear start work as a qualified medical almoner the confusion out of following morning - on the way, this book has nothing to do with day that the novel of the [[Death NHS is born. She'll be working for Dr Deuchar and the Maiden by Gladys Mitchell|same name]] by Gladys Mitchell. Both take Dr Strasser in their name from an early Schubert piece, in GP surgery and her job will be to help patients with those non-medical problems which Death entices affect their health. The hardest part of the Maiden job will be to leave persuade people that the world of menservices she offers really are free and that they don't have to do anything to qualify for them. The maiden resistsSome of the problems will require delicate handling but Helen has a problem of her own which might give her some insight. It was a common enough theme at the time: the death of beautyHer marriage has never been consummated.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1846053579</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=C J Sansom057136358X|title=Dark FireApril in Spain|author=John Banville

|summary=1540 Terry Tice was the hottest summer of the sixteenth century but Matthew Shardlake was doing his best to hold his legal practice togethera hitman, which was made more difficult by the fact that although he believed didn't think of himself to be out of favour with Thomas Cromwellin those terms. He tried to keep a low profile but when saw what he defended the accused in did as ''a most unpopular case – that matter of a girl accused of brutally murdering her cousin – he found that the kingmaking things tidy''s chief minister had a new assignment for him. Unless I couldn't resist the thought that he could solve Cromwell's problem his client was likely to die a slow and nasty death.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0330450786</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=D E Meredith|title=Devoured|rating=4.5|genre=Crime (Historical)|summary=It is the 1850s, and religion and science are at war. Hatton and Roumonde carry out investigations in the morgue, and even at crime scenes, but their findings are seen as an extreme version of little value in Victorian EnglandMarie Kondo. Indeed He enjoyed his job, something which occurred to many of their colleagues, what they do to him when he was in Burma with the human body is downright blasphemous. They struggle on, sending begging letters to rich patrons so they can buy equipment, and trying to persuade army ''where he got the police chance to accept kill a lot of the findings of their autopsies, but they make slow progress. In this engrossing case, their efforts are rewarded little yellow fellows and they are called in by Inspector Adams of Scotland Yard to help with the murder of Lady Blessingham, who has had her head smashed in with a fossilfine old time''. This immediately plunges them into He was spending a series lot of murders, each more bizarre and horrible than time with Percy Antrobus - who couldn't understand why Terry didn't know the last, which are all connected to theories purpose of evolution and a swizzle stick - surely he wouldn't drink champagne with bubbles in the ''morning''? It was after Percy's death that he saw the creation benefits of the worldtaking up a job in Spain.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>031255768X</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Stefanie PintoffB08Z8BMZ7H|title=In the Shadow The Mystery of GothamHealing|author=A P McGrath

|summary=We meet Solon in Pergamon in the second century of the common era and he'Never Judge… s the physician on duty at the munus - the games put on for the amusement of the populace. The remuneration isn' Every time I look into t high but the work gives the Bookbag to see if theredoctor a feeling of virtue and hones his skills: Solon ''s anything I fancy, I should remind myself: wants'Never judge a book by its cover'the warriors to live. PintoffIt's first novel in quite a spectacle: the magistri are the Simon Ziele series, indeed her charge hands and when we first published novelsee them, they're sprinkling gold dust onto the lions'In manes to make them look more impressive. The Shadow of Gotham' is yet another of those ill-served by both its title sagitarii are the archers and its cover. In fairness Americans the beastiarii are the condemned criminals who are probably more familiar going to fight for their lives with Gotham as a nickname for New York City than we Brits – to whom the wild animals. Today, it simply conjures up variations on a theme of Batman's the crocodiles.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0141399708</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Giulio Leoni and Shaun Whiteside1529337925|title=The Kingdom of Light|rating=3|genre=Crime (Historical)|summary=Famous poet Dante is at present the prior of Florence, which gives him responsibility for investigating crime. Several murders occur in quick succession - there must be a connection… but how, why? I approached this book with excitement. The underlying premise seemed to be interesting - take a famous character and place them in situations unknown to us. The portents were good! Mirror Dance (Can you feel, a ''but''?Dandy Gilver)|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0099516462</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Shona Maclean|title=A Game of SorrowsCatriona McPherson|rating=4|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=Two years have passed since [[The Redemption of Alexander Seaton by Shona Maclean|Alexander Seaton]] found his redemption. He is comfortably settled in his life at the University, about to be sent on the academic expedition of a lifetime, and wondering how best to ask the woman he loves to be his wife. Then a case of mistaken identity, which almost costs him his love and the respect of his friends leads Alexander to discover he has a cousin in town – the son of his late mother's brother, come from Ireland to seek his help.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1849162441</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=C J Sansom|title=Heartstone (Matthew Shardlake)|rating=5

|summary=Henry VIII It was not one the August Bank Holiday weekend and, as so often happened, it was cold enough to ponder on his failings but his recent invasion of France had gone completely wrong have the fire lit and Bunty the French fleet was preparing Dalmation wasn't inclined to leave it to cross keep Dandy Gilver warm on the Channel and invade Englandsofa. The only way that Henry could raise thought of work was almost cheering when Dandy took the money to gather a large militia army call from Sandy Bissett in Dundee. She was to debase the currency publisher of a magazine and had been told that the country was put man running the Punch and Judy show in the grip local park had used copies of raging inflation two of her cartoon characters - Rosie Cheek and economic crisisher sister Freckle - to drum up some local interest in his show. Meanwhile Sandy Bissett's request was simple: she wanted Gilver and Osborne to warn the man about infringement of copyright - and Dandy and Alex would be cheaper than employing a solicitor to do the English fleet gathered at Portsmouthsame job.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1405092734</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Simon BrettB08LKT7HSR|title=Blotto, Twinks and Murder in the Dead Dowager DuchessBelltower (A Miss Underhay Mystery)|author=Helena Dixon

|summary=There is a long tradition In December 1933 the remains of country house murder novels, and Simon Brett has a glorious time parodying them Elowed Underhay were discovered in the Blotto and Twinks series. All the stock characters are there: the dim but honourable young man, the clever and emancipated young woman, cellar of the loyal lower orders and the dastardly (and preferably foreign) villainsGlass Bottle Public House. Death is treated Ezekiel Hamett was sought in connection with the most lightmurder of Elowed and his half-heartedbrother, almost off-hand mannerDenzil Hammett, and danger is as regular an occurrence as kippers whose body was also discovered. Kitty Underhay's long search for breakfasther mother, who disappeared in June 1916 was over. In hands as experienced as Simon Brett Now she's this should determined that the man responsible for her murder will be a rich mine for comedy, and brought to some extent it is, but still, it has to be said, something is lackingjustice.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1849013179</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Alan WrightStephen Clarke|title=Act of MurderThe Spy Who Inspired Me

|summary=It's 1863 and the Superintendent covering the inner city area of Glasgow has his hands full. First off an alarming forgery scandal has just been discovered and no sooner has he drawn breath than one, two and counting suspicious deaths occur. InstinctivelyThis is a spoof spy story, I want to say that itisn's all good, clean funt about James Bond. Because it isOr Ian Fleming. The language Fraser uses is very much of that era which lends the book But it features a particular old-fashioned man called Ian Lemming, who dresses well and rather twee, charm. It's all over likes the ladies' and who works for the book secret service, but in spadesthe planning side of things more than the active service. On almost every page. Let me give you just one endearing example of Lemming finds himself put on a mission with a female spy called Margaux, and the flavour of pair end up stranded in Normandy, with Margaux on a desperate mission to unearth traitors in the book 'None of Mrs Maitland's four regulars at resistance network, and Lemming desperately trying to keep up with her superior guest house for single gentlemen would even dream of taking another's seat ...'!|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0709090684</amazonuk>2952163855

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Norman Russell0349423083|title=The Calton PapersDeath and the Brewery Queen (Kate Shackleton Mysteries)|author=Frances Brody|rating=34.5

|summary=Philip Garamond had had an abiding interest Kate Shackleton runs her investigation agency from Batswing Cottage, ably assisted by Jim Sykes, who lives in Woodhouse and her housekeeper, Mrs Sugden. She's been approached by William Lofthouse of the Barleycorn Brewery in botany since Masham. Something is going wrong with his teens business and when we first meet him he's on his way d like Kate to Sothebylook into it discreetly: he's intent on making hoping that his nephew and right-hand man, James Lofthouse, will be back from a bid for the Calton Paperstrip to Germany before long. Sir George Calton's papers include an unpublished account of Darwin's explorations on James went to see what the Beagle, some letters continental brewers were doing and a geographical survey of the British Isleswhat changes Barleycorn might need to make. GaramondWilliam is worried that James is perhaps enjoying himself a little bit ''too''s ambition had always been much or is going to own bring back a botanical garden on Madeira, German bride but he lacked the funds and 'd like the Calton Papers seemed business to be as close as he would get to owning something specialship-shape before his nephew returns.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0709089546</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Cora Harrison 0241433568|title=Writ in Stone (Burren Mysteries)Eight Detectives|author=Alex Pavesi|rating=45

|summary=Once again we are transported back to medieval Ireland, following the life It's 1930 and times of the charismatic lady judge, Marra, Megan and her fiancé King Turlough Henry are staying with Bunny at his house in Spain. A violent It's unbearably hot and horrific murder sets the stage for Bunny drank too much at lunch: he's going to have a dramatic prelude rest and then he wants to talk to the happy coupleMegan and Henry about something serious. Only it never gets that far: when Bunny doesn't emerge after his siesta his guests find that he's been murdered. How can that have happened? There's nuptials!|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0727868128</amazonuk>no one else in the house, so one of them must be the killer.

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Imogen Robertson1473682401|title=Instruments of DarknessThe Turning Tide (Dandy Gilver)|author=Catriona McPherson

|summary=The lively heart of this book is Harriet Westerman. Harriet is a capable woman and manager Those who were with us at the end of her family's estate in Sussex, while her husband [[A Step So Grave (a naval CommodoreDandy Gilver) is away at seaby Catriona McPherson|A Step So Grave]] will remember that Donald was engaged to Mallory Dunnoch. Her neighbours at Thornleigh Hall are a titled family in decline: the owner is crippled, his heir is missing, They're now married and his second son Mallory is an alcoholichaving twins. Against this background Harriet finds When they arrive no one can doubt the body charms of a dead stranger holding a ring displaying the Thornleigh arms. MeanwhileLavinia Dahlia Cherry and her brother, in London, a young father is murdered in his music shopEdward Hugh Lachlan Gilver. HarrietThere are two drawbacks: they's actions uncover a linkre noisy and they're staying with Dandy and Hugh. She turns for help to Gabriel CrowtherDandy and her detective partner, Alec Osborne, an anatomist and reclusive recent arrival in had not taken up the area. Their enquiries allow chance to look into a problem at the author Cramond ferry when it was offered to paint a wide ranging picture of life in Georgian Englandthem twice before, and to tell a rollicking good tale reminiscent of Daphne du Maurier. Robertson uses her knowledge but suddenly the possibility of the period with a light touch: the level being out of detail advances the plot without overcomplicating the storyhouse at Gilverton seems irresistible.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0755348397</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Cora Harrison Seishi Yokomizo and Louise Heal Kawai (translator)|title=The Sting of Justice (Burren Mysteries)Honjin Murders

|genre=Crime (Historical)|summary=Having recently To many readers, the phrase 'locked room murder mystery' is enough to make the book one to read and reviewed Cora Harrison; preferably quantified by the words 'clever' or 'good'. For those who need more, here is the extra background – we's [[Michaelmas Tribute (Burren Mysteries) by Cora Harrison|second Burren mystery]]re in rural Japan in the 1930s. The oldest son of an esteemed family is belatedly getting married, although the whole affair is really not as ostentatious as it was might be – hardly anybody has turned up, what with it being arranged at great excitement that I noticed that Bookbag had haste. She only has an uncle representing her family, for one thing. Either way, the celebrations have gone ahead as planned, only for the third wedded couple to be slashed to death in their private annexe before the series available to review! I had a strong suspicion that sun rises on their marriage. What with a treat was man missing parts of his fingers being in store for me-the neighbourhood, and I was not disappointedsome mysterious use of a traditional musical instrument at the time of the crime, this case has a lot of the peculiar about it.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1405092270</amazonuk>1782275002

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Cora HarrisonB07XLM3SM6|title=Michaelmas Tribute (Burren Mysteries)Murder at the Dolphin Hotel|author=Helena Dixon

|genre=Crime (Historical) |summary=Several surprising murders Elowed Underhay was just twenty-seven when she disappeared from Dartmouth in June 1916, leaving her daughter, Kitty, in the kingdom care of her grandmother. A great deal of money had been spent to find out what happened to her and the Burrenconclusion was that she was dead, on mainly because there was no evidence to suggest otherwise. Kitty has come to terms with this and in 1933 she was running the Dolphin Hotel in Dartmouth with her grandmother when her grandmother had to leave to look after her sister who was ill. She was reluctant to leave Kitty in charge - and Kitty could not understand why. She's always coped with the Western coast mix of Irelandholidaymakers, lead our heroine (Mara) boating people and the naval college on a tortuous quest for the truth. Were the killings unpremeditated edge of town before - or brought about through resentment, greed and she's done every job in the desire for revenge? Aided by hotel. And she particularly cannot understand why her scholars grandmother's friends have been roped in the Law School, Mara doggedly pursues the truth, to bring 16th century justice keep an eye on things ''and'' why Captain Matthew Bryant has been hired to her communitytake charge of security at the hotel.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0330446460</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Lindsey Davis0349423067|title=AlexandriaThe Body on the Train (Kate Shackleton Mysteries)|author=Frances Brody|rating=4.5|genre=Crime (Historical Fiction)|summary=Marcus Didius FalcoFrom Christmas to Easter a train ran from Leeds City Station to King's Cross, a professional informer working for arriving before dawn so that the Emperor Vespasian, has been forced rhubarb it carried could be taken to many places in his timeCovent Garden. In early March 1929, but for once he's on one of the porters who was unloading the boxes discovered the body of a family outingman, stripped naked and with no means of identification. Well, mostly Scotland Yard hit a dead end and called on the services of Kate Shackleton in the hope that her knowledge and connections in Yorkshire would give them the lead they needed. An 'informal commission' (read Kate immediately found herself hamstrung: no money) from Vespasian finds Falco at Commander Woodhead remembered her as a child and could not come to terms with the Great Library fact that she was now a woman experienced in Alexandria uncovering his usual brand of intrigue, dealing with murder and incongruous mayhem. And getting He was reluctant to know a crocodilegive her all the information which the police held.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1846052874</amazonuk>

{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Alanna Knight1472127110|title=Murder in ParadiseIndian Summer: a Mirabelle Bevan Mystery|author=Sara Sheridan|rating=4.5|genre=Crime(Historical)|summary=It is 1860. Constable Jeremy FaroLife has changed dramatically for Mirabelle, our favourite fifties sleuth, much to his chagrinsince the war, is lifted from his Edinburgh beat and dispatched to Kent to pick up not always for the trail of the master criminalbetter. When she first settled in Brighton she was alone, MacHeath. All too aware of MacHeath's genius rudderless and secretly grieving for evasionJack, Faro goes through the motions of finding himlover who died before he could leave his wife. As time went by she found in herself an ability to solve crimes, only made friends including an ebullient and determined young woman called Vesta who refused to become embroiled in let a local case of petty theftlittle thing like racial prejudice stop her doing what she wanted, which might be connected to and even found consolation in the disappearance arms of a young girl. At the same time, he discovers a terrifying secret about his best friend's wife-to-berather charming policeman. Are all of these events connected, and has the demonic MacHeath really fled, after all?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0749079436</amazonuk>

{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Andrew Martin 1912374439|title=Death on a Branch LineThe Courier|author=Kjell Ola Dahl and Don Bartlett (translator)|rating=43.5

|summary=Like all the best literary detectivesNazi-occupied Oslo, Jim Stringer is a mixture of know-all and know-nothing1942. As an ex-railway worker he can identify when There, I've given the local young firemen are over-stoking their enginesgame away. He canFor in a book that centres around a murder, I't figure out whyve told you who did it – the Nazis, thoughsurely? Well, that certainly has to remain to be seen in the sweltering heat this volume, which splits its time between one of the summer of 1911. He is well used war, when a young woman sees her father arrested, and their store condemned as Jewish and rushes to her best friend to solving heinous crimes help – this is not knowing she will never see her alive again, and the fifth book he's been inlate 1960s, after allwhen great consternation is being felt. But he In this timeline, a maverick agent is not used to criminals stopping over back in the York station town, one who might have been fingered for murdering that female victim, even though she and he works at lived together with their baby as a traffic policemanyoung family, on their way to the gallows. And when except he asks of a condemned aristocrat if the man did it, he is certainly not used was thought by all to have died in the answer being ''I don't know''.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0571229670</amazonuk>War…

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=C J Sansom 1786075431|title=Revelation Mrs Mohr Goes Missing|author=Maryla Szymiczkova and Antonia Lloyd-Jones (Matthew Shardlake 4translator)|rating=3.5

|summary=Matthew Shardlake Meet Zofia. A socially climbing wife of a medical professor, she's intent on making herself known as a charitable lady, and keen on her husband progressing yet through his esteemed career. In 1890s Cracow, life is an enigmatic lawyerpretty good, but she knows it could always be better. Meanwhile, other people's life could certainly be better – cholera is nearing the city due to lack of hygiene, shunned and mocked by many people have to fall on charity and almshouses to keep a roof over their heads. One such was Mrs Mohr, although she was rich enough to keep private lodgings and staff in societyher charitable home. I say ''was'', for she has vanished. Only due to his physical deformity: he comes across as an immensely compassionate Zofia's help does she get found, dead and clever man in a place the near- born ahead of his timelame woman could never reach by herself. Matthew shows immense physical Just who could be killing people in a charity home, and moral courage, strongly facing up to insults and taunts, at what end? And why does Zofia feel the same time as confronting need to make a murderous enemy, who name for most of the novel has the upper hand.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1405092726</amazonuk>herself by answering those questions?

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Nicola Upson 1786893762|title=An Expert Things in MurderJars|author=Jess Kidd

|genre=Crime(Historical)|summary=In March 1934 author A child has gone missing. The detective asked to take on the case is still struggling with the shame and playwright Josephine Tey travelled from her home frustration left by a previous case, where the child was not found in Scotland to time. Hardly original themes for a private eye thriller. And yet . . . take another look. This detective is a woman, and the setting is Victorian London , with all the rich and colourful paradoxes of that era: technical and scientific progress jostling for space beside superstition and a fascination with the bizarre and the final week downright hideous. And before you're more than a couple of pages in, you realise just how much more unusual our heroine is than you expected. Bridie Devine may dress in half-mourning, with a widow's cap and stout, shiny boots, but the tobacco she smokes in her successful play pipe (my dear, what an utterly ''Richard of Bordeauxfast''. On the train she met Elspeth Simmonsthing for a lady to do!) is mixed with a nugget of something, whowell, coincidentallylet's say recreational, was travelling to meet created by her boyfriend and to see the play yet againchemist friend Prudhoe. When they arrive at KingThe fact that it's Cross actually meant to Elspeth's delight they're met cure bronchial problems is by one of the stars by. Her housemaid, being seven-foot-tall, is also somewhat remarkable. And then, of course, there's the show but their arrival coincides with ghost. Ruby Doyle, world-famous tattooed boxer (deceased) accompanies Bridie all through her investigation, and it's clear he has a murder on soft spot for the traindetermined young woman. If he really exists, that is.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0571237703</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Marjorie Eccles0349414327|title=Last NocturneA Snapshot of Murder (Kate Shackleton Mysteries)|author=Frances Brody|rating=4.5|genre=Crime(Historical)|summary=It was whilst Even detectives need a break and for Kate Shackleton, photography gives her the mental relaxation which she needs. When the local Photographic Society proposed an outing, Kate was at Evensong keen to take the opportunity to visit Haworth and Stanbury, not least because the deeds of the Brontë Parsonage are being handed over so that Grace Thurley decided that she would not marry it can become a museum and her fiancéparents will be there for the event. Instead she took What could be better than seeing her family, witnessing a job as a social secretary to recently-widowed Edwina Martagon momentous event and moved having the opportunity to Londontake photographs of the setting for ''Wuthering Heights''? Nothing could go wrong. Eliot Martagon had shot himself in his study some months earlier, leaving neither suicide note nor any indication that there was a problem in his life.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0749080795</amazonuk>Or could it?

{{newreview |title=Death In Hellfire (John Rawlings Mystery) |author=Deryn Lake|genre=Crime (Historical)|rating=4|summary=John Rawlings, an apothecary in eighteenth century London, is set a task by John Fielding, the founder of the Bow Street Runners, which involves the investigation of a gentleman's club. This club, frequented by members of the upper classes, has a reputation for organising orgies. Rawlings is lucky enough Move on to attend one of the gatherings, but apart from sexual excess, can find nothing terribly wrong until one of the club's members is found dead, apparently poisoned to death. This incident is followed by another murder. Can Rawlings find out what is going on before someone else dies? |amazonuk=<amazonuk>0749080760</amazonuk>}}[[Newest Dyslexia Friendly Reviews]]