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[[Category:New Reviews|Crime (Historical)]]==Crime (historical)==__NOTOC__ <!-- Remove -->{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Sam Siciliano0571370977|title=The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: The Web Weaver |rating=3.5|genre=Crime (Historical)|summary=An old gypsy woman places a curse on guests at a ball, leaving the upper class revellers shocked. When, over the next few years, misfortune befalls several of the party-goers, potted-meat magnate Donald Wheelwright knows there's only one recourse left to him - to call Sherlock Holmes. It's a slightly different version of Holmes from that we've come to expect, though. The detective, far from being an emotionless man, is capable of feeling strongly for the right woman Lock- could the detective find love as well as the answer to the mystery? |amazonuk=<amazonuk>0857686984</amazonuk>}} {{newreviewUp|author=Sax Rohmer|title=The Mystery of Dr Fu ManchuJohn Banville

|summary=It's six months since the dramatic events which we read about in [[April in Spain by John Banville|April in Spain]] and Dr Petrie Quirke is surprisednow back in Dublin and living (if somewhat uneasily) with his daughter, Phoebe. The worst of his grief is over but pleased, to see his old friend Nayland Smith he irrationally blames DI St John Strafford for what happened and this has returned to Englandmade the already strained relationship between them more difficult. But this is no mere pleasure visit – They're brought together by Chief Inspector Hackett when the former Scotland Yard man is on the trail body of Fu Manchua young, Jewish scholar, Rosa Jacobs, is found in a Chinese doctor with ''the brains of any three men of genius'lock-up. At first, it looked as though she'd gassed herself but Quirke is convinced that it was murder rather than suicide. Petrie is immediately plunged into a headlong race against time to stop the mysterious villain from fulfilling his evil plans and leading the East to world domination!|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0857686038</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Maureen Jennings1529337968|title=Except the Dying: Murdoch MysteriesIn Place of Fear|author=Catriona McPherson|rating=45

|summary=Victorian detective novels set in Britain are fairly common, It's July 1948 and some of Helen Crowther is due to start work as a qualified medical almoner the most wellfollowing morning -known and popular crime series fall into this categoryon the day that the NHS is born. The Murdoch stories, however, come from a different angle, being placed ( She'll be working for the most part) Dr Deuchar and Dr Strasser in Canada, their GP surgery and her job will be to help patients with its snowy wastes, its logging camps and pioneering spiritthose non-medical problems which affect their health. Loyalty The hardest part of the job will be to persuade people that the Queen is as ardent here as back home in services she offers really are free and that they don't have to do anything to qualify for them. Some of the old country', problems will require delicate handling but there is a rawness and Helen has a sense problem of space to these novels her own which is due in large part to their settingmight give her some insight. Her marriage has never been consummated.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0857689878</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Charles Dickens057136358X|title=The Mystery of Edwin Drood|rating=4.5|genre=Literary Fiction|summary=If you have never come across 'Drood' before, there are certain significant factors which make this a 'must read'. It is Dickens' last work, and he died without completing it. Given that this is a detective story, one of the very first April in that tradition, it is doubly intriguing, because although we are clearly being fed clues and hints throughout, at the point where the text ends we aren't even fully sure even if a crime has been committed. So as the basis for endless speculation about what really happens this novel could hardly be bettered. We certainly have potential villains and victims, but we also have a number of likely red herrings; complex threads of romantic interest, but again it is by no means clear exactly which way these will resolve; and a shadowy detective figure, whose speculations certainly have no sense of conclusion.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1849904278</amazonuk>}} {{newreviewSpain|author=David Ruffle|title=Sherlock Holmes and the Lyme Regis LegacyJohn Banville|rating=3.5

|summary=Dr Watson is happy to be returning to Lyme RegisTerry Tice was a hitman, and the woman although he lovesdidn't think of himself in those terms. He gets more than saw what he bargained for, though, did as ''a matter of making things tidy''. I couldn't resist the thought that he is quickly embroiled in a series was an extreme version of killings Marie Kondo. He enjoyed his job, something which bear strange resemblances occurred to some him when he was in Burma with the army ''where he got the chance to kill a lot of the cases he little yellow fellows and Holmes have been involved inhad a fine old time''. The great detective joins him, He was spending a lot of time with Percy Antrobus - who couldn't understand why Terry didn't know the purpose of a swizzle stick - surely he wouldn't drink champagne with Lestrade following to assist bubbles in their investigations, and the trio realise ''morning''? It was after Percy's death that they are dealing with he saw the benefits of taking up a haunting figure from their past..job in Spain.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1780921004</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=David RuffleB08Z8BMZ7H|title=Sherlock Holmes and the Lyme Regis Horror - Expanded 2nd EditionThe Mystery of Healing|author=A P McGrath

|summary=Taking We meet Solon in Pergamon in the second century of the common era and he's the physician on duty at the munus - the games put on for the amusement of the populace. The remuneration isn't high but the work gives the doctor a rare holiday on feeling of virtue and hones his skills: Solon ''wants'' the Dorsetshire coast, Dr Watson manages warriors to persuade Sherlock Holmes to join himlive. Delighted to spend time with his old friend Godfrey Jacobs, It's quite a spectacle: the magistri are the charge hands and charmed by widowed boarding house proprietor Mrs Heidlerwhen we first see them, they're sprinkling gold dust onto the good doctor is set for a pleasant lions' manes to make them look more impressive. The sagitarii are the archers and relaxing stay – until mysterious events occur, pointing the beastiarii are the condemned criminals who are going to an unimaginable evilfight for their lives with the wild animals. Today, and it's the game’s afoot once more!|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1780920563</amazonuk>crocodiles.

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Margaret Park Bridges1529337925|title=My Dear WatsonThe Mirror Dance (Dandy Gilver)|author=Catriona McPherson|rating=4.5

|summary=''My Dear Watson'' is written by It was the hand of HolmesAugust Bank Holiday weekend and, Lucy Holmesas so often happened, whom it was cold enough to have the world came fire lit and Bunty the Dalmation wasn't inclined to know as Sherlockleave it to keep Dandy Gilver warm on the sofa. The thought of work was almost cheering when Dandy took the call from Sandy Bissett in Dundee. Yes, She was the well-loved detective is publisher of a female crossmagazine and had been told that the man running the Punch and Judy show in the local park had used copies of two of her cartoon characters -dresser but with good reason. The young Lucy, having watched Rosie Cheek and her mother die tragically, rushed off sister Freckle - to live with her brother, Mycroft, at universitydrum up some local interest in his show. In order to stay, undetected (no pun intended), Sandy Bissett's request was simple: she had wanted Gilver and Osborne to dress as a warn the man. Being slight about infringement of copyright - and gamine, this wasn’t difficult Dandy and, after Alex would be cheaper than employing a while, she preferred the lifestyle. Watson hasn’t seen through the disguise, continuing solicitor to live with Holmes between marriages as they combat the odds and solve crimes in (or despite) do the policesame job.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1780920768</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Kate WilliamsB08LKT7HSR|title=The Pleasures of MenMurder in the Belltower (A Miss Underhay Mystery)|author=Helena Dixon|rating=43.5

|summary=Catherine Sorgeiul is a woman with burdensIn December 1933 the remains of Elowed Underhay were discovered in the cellar of the Glass Bottle Public House. Living Ezekiel Hamett was sought in connection with her uncle in London’s East End during the reign murder of Queen VictoriaElowed and his half-brother, hers is a life that seems empty – yet in fact is full of things she is trying to push awayDenzil Hammett, whose body was also discovered.  Filling Kitty Underhay's long search for her days has become a problem, so when a series of grisly murders beginsmother, Catherine is drawn to the mystery of the Man of Crows who disappeared in a way June 1916 was over. Now she's determined that seems bound the man responsible for her murder will be brought to change her lifejustice.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0241951399</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Ben PastorStephen Clarke|title=Liar MoonThe Spy Who Inspired Me

|genre=Crime (Historical)General Fiction|summary=Near Verona, northern Italy, autumn 1943: Captain Martin Bora This is a German military policemanspoof spy story, known to have conducted previous murder investigationsthat isn't about James Bond. Or Ian Fleming. He is asked to look into But it features a man called Ian Lemming, who dresses well and 'likes the ladies' and who works for the secret service, but in the death planning side of one Vittorio Lisithings more than the active service. Lemming finds himself put on a mission with a female spy called Margaux, a prominent local fascist who was run over and the pair end up stranded in his wheelchair Normandy, with Margaux on his own estate by a car. The number one suspect is his widow Claretta.desperate mission to unearth traitors in the resistance network, and Lemming desperately trying to keep up with her!|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1904738826</amazonuk>2952163855

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Gerry O'Hara0349423083|title=Sherlock Holmes Death and The Affair In Transylvania|rating=3.5|genre=Crime the Brewery Queen (HistoricalKate Shackleton Mysteries)|summary=I normally start reviews with a brief plot summary, but it seems almost besides the point to do so for a book entitled 'Sherlock Holmes and the Affair in Transylvania'. From those seven words, the reader will have no doubt guessed that this is a Holmes meets Dracula story, and so we may as well move straight on to the burning question – is it any good?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1780920369</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=D E Meredith|title=The Devil's RibbonFrances Brody

|summary=In the London of 1858Kate Shackleton runs her investigation agency from Batswing Cottage, the Irish are the poorest of the poorably assisted by Jim Sykes, despised who lives in Woodhouse and feared her housekeeper, Mrs Sugden. She's been approached by William Lofthouse of the EnglishBarleycorn Brewery in Masham. They were forced Something is going wrong with his business and he'd like Kate to emigrate from their fatherland because of the famine which decimated the population, look into it discreetly: he's hoping that his nephew and now the majority of them live in filthy, germright-ridden rookeries. Cholera is killing them off in their hundredshand man, and blame for their terrible conditions is laid squarely at the feet of their English mastersJames Lofthouse, together with will be back from a trip to Germany before long. those Irishmen who have so far forgotten their home that they cooperate with James went to see what the oppressorscontinental brewers were doing and what changes Barleycorn might need to make. And as William is worried that James is perhaps enjoying himself a little bit ''too'' much or is going to bring back a German bride but he'd like the hottest summer on record drags on, and the tenth anniversary of the potato blight and its horrific consequences approach, the mood in the slums is ripe for violence and murderbusiness to be ship-shape before his nephew returns.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0312557698</amazonuk>

 {{newreview|author=Thomas Bruce Wheeler|title=The London of Sherlock Holmes - Over 400 Computer Generated Street Level Photos|rating=3|genre=Travel|summary=Should I trust a book that has a typo on the FRONT cover? Would I purchase a book that practically says, as its first words, the e-book version is better than this paper thing? This, despite setting up very much the wrong impression, is a gateway into the world of Sherlock Holmes - but does, as I say, blatantly show itself up as flawed, while the electronic version could count as a very worthwhile app for the Conan Doyle buff.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1780922094</amazonuk>}} {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Andrew Lane0241433568|title=Young Sherlock Holmes: Fire Storm|rating=4.5|genre=Teens|summary=The estate of Arthur Conan Doyle has authorised Andrew Lane to write a series of books about the early years of Sherlock Holmes, and if this book is typical then they made an excellent choice. Through these stories we see the development of the complex and sometimes contradictory aspects of Sherlock's personality, set in the context of the most thrilling adventures and courageous acts of derring-do a young person could desire. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>0230758509</amazonuk>}} {{newreviewEight Detectives|author=Anthony Hays|title=The Killing WayAlex Pavesi|rating=3.5

|summary=Post-Roman invasion It's 1930 and Megan and Henry are staying with Bunny at his house in Spain. It's unbearably hot and Great Britain shows the signs of Bunny drank too much at lunch: he's going to have a beleagured nationrest and then he wants to talk to Megan and Henry about something serious. And straight away Hays gives us an historical flavour - Saxons, Picts and names such as Only it never gets that far: when Bunny doesn'Ambrosius Aurelianust emerge after his siesta his guests find that he' are mentioned early on s been murdered. How can that have happened? There's no one else in the bookhouse, so one of them must be the killer.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0857890050</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Guy Adams1473682401|title=Sherlock Holmes: The Breath of GodTurning Tide (Dandy Gilver)|author=Catriona McPherson

|summary=Those who were with us at the end of [[A body Step So Grave (Dandy Gilver) by Catriona McPherson|A Step So Grave]] will remember that Donald was engaged to Mallory Dunnoch. They're now married and Mallory is discovered in Londonhaving twins. The young gentleman concerned, a Mr Hilary De Montfort, had enjoyed a good life: When they arrive no money problems for example one can doubt the charms of Lavinia Dahlia Cherry and as far as anyone can ascertainher brother, no enemies eitherEdward Hugh Lachlan Gilver. The motive is therefore fuzzy at best. The state of his body when it was discovered was bizarre - it looked as if heThere are two drawbacks: they'd been hurled from a great height, even although here noisy and they'd been discovered in an open space around Grosvenor Squarere staying with Dandy and Hugh. And in the words of Dr Watson himself (it is he who narrates in the main) ' ... as varied as our capital might beDandy and her detective partner, Alec Osborne, it will always be found wanting of mountain ranges.'|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0857682822</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Tracy Revels|title=Shadowblood: A Novel Of Sherlock Holmes|rating=5|genre=Crime (Historical)|summary=For those picking had not taken up a Tracy Revels novel for the first time, she writes Sherlock Holmes fiction with the twist that Holmes is chance to look into a supernatural being, coming from problem at the Shadows. In the hugely enjoyable romp [[Shadowfall: A Novel of Sherlock Holmes by Tracy Revels|Shadowfall]], Watson discovered this, and Cramond ferry when it was plunged headlong into an adventure involving Titaniaoffered to them twice before, Spring-Heeled Jack, voodoo, and various other dark and mysterious beings. That one ended with but suddenly the good doctor losing his memory possibility of being out of the story – but I was always hoping that was merely a temporary measure, and indeed, it’s not long here before he starts to recall Holmes’ true naturehouse at Gilverton seems irresistible.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1780920474</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=John O'ConnellSeishi Yokomizo and Louise Heal Kawai (translator)|title=The Baskerville Legacy: A NovelHonjin Murders

|genre=General FictionCrime|summary=1900To many readers, and a man on a ship coming back from the Boer War phrase 'locked room murder mystery' is enough to edit make the Daily Express meets book one of his heroes in to read; preferably quantified by the form of Arthur Conan Doylewords 'clever' or 'good'. With similar experiences and interests yet different enough to bounce off each other they take up For those who need more, here is the extra background – we're in rural Japan in the idea of collaborating on a plot1930s. When they do fix on time to do soThe oldest son of an esteemed family is belatedly getting married, although the whole affair is really not as ostentatious as it leads to literary prospectsmight be – hardly anybody has turned up, which lead to a week's research together on Dartmoorwhat with it being arranged at great haste. She only has an uncle representing her family, which leads to ''The Hound of the Baskervilles''for one thing. But perhaps in a Either way that , the celebrations have gone ahead as planned, only one of them intended.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1907595465</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Dicky Neely and Paul R Spiring (Editor)|title=The Case of for the Grave Accusation: A Sherlock Holmes Adventure|rating=3|genre=Crime (Historical)|summary=Much wedded couple to be slashed to death in their private annexe before the way that legend says that King Arthur will return when his country needs him, Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson have returned because an accusation has been made against sun rises on their creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doylemarriage. The charge is that the great What with a man plagiarised ''The Hound missing parts of his fingers being in the Baskervilles'' from his great friend Bertram Fletcher Robinson – and then went on to commit adulteryneighbourhood, blackmail and murder in order to conceal what he had done. Holmes' rooms in Baker Street have not changed some mysterious use of a great deal – if one can overlook traditional musical instrument at the addition time of the crime, this case has a desktop computer and better plumbing – but lot of the peculiar about it's not long before the pair are off to Dartmoor to discover the truth.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1908218819</amazonuk>1782275002

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=John BuchanB07XLM3SM6|title=The Thirty-nine StepsMurder at the Dolphin Hotel|author=Helena Dixon

|summary=Ask anyone about 'The ThrityElowed Underhay was just twenty-nine Steps' seven when she disappeared from Dartmouth in June 1916, leaving her daughter, Kitty, in the care of her grandmother. A great deal of money had been spent to find out what happened to her and I guarantee they'll be able the conclusion was that she was dead, mainly because there was no evidence to suggest otherwise. Kitty has come to tell you it's a spy story terms with this and in 1933 she was running the Dolphin Hotel in Dartmouth with Richard Hannay at its hearther grandmother when her grandmother had to leave to look after her sister who was ill. Most people will be able She was reluctant to tell you how it startsleave Kitty in charge - and Kitty could not understand why. But when you ask, She'Yess always coped with the mix of holidaymakers, but what ARE boating people and the naval college on the 39 Steps?edge of town before - and she' s done every job in the hotel. most people will falterAnd she particularly cannot understand why her grandmother's friends have been roped in to keep an eye on things ''and'' why Captain Matthew Bryant has been hired to take charge of security at the hotel.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1846971985</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Tracy Revels0349423067|title=Shadowfall: A Novel of Sherlock HolmesThe Body on the Train (Kate Shackleton Mysteries)|author=Frances Brody

|summary=You remember Sherlock HolmesFrom Christmas to Easter a train ran from Leeds City Station to King's Cross, yes? Deerstalkerarriving before dawn so that the forced rhubarb it carried could be taken to Covent Garden. In early March 1929, pipe, leetle grey cells… (Oh, sorry, that one of the porters who was Poirot, but same kind unloading the boxes discovered the body of deductive ability)a man, stripped naked winged-woman and with no means of identification. Scotland Yard hit a dead end and called on, or at least floating above, the sofa services of Kate Shackleton in the hope that her knowledge and connections in Baker Street… wait Yorkshire would give them the lead they needed. Kate immediately found herself hamstrung: Commander Woodhead remembered her as a child and could not come to terms with the fact that she was now a minute? Seriously?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1908218258</amazonuk>woman experienced in dealing with murder. He was reluctant to give her all the information which the police held.

{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Gerard Kelly1472127110|title=The Outstanding Mysteries of Sherlock HolmesIndian Summer: a Mirabelle Bevan Mystery|author=Sara Sheridan|rating=4.5

|summary=I'll spare people Life has changed dramatically for Mirabelle, our favourite fifties sleuth, since the details of Holmes war, and Watson as crime-solvers – I'm assuming anyone likely to pick this one up is probably familiar with not always for the Victorian duobetter. This is generally very faithful to the Arthur Conan Doyle originals When she first settled in Brighton she was alone, rudderless and secretly grieving for Jack, the best stories lover who died before he could leave his wife. As time went by she found in this set of thirteen sound authentic enough herself an ability to solve crimes, made friends including an ebullient and determined young woman called Vesta who refused to take their place alongside some let a little thing like racial prejudice stop her doing what she wanted, and even found consolation in the arms of the canona rather charming policeman.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1908218673</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Kate Workman1912374439|title=Rendezvous at the Populaire : A Novel of Sherlock HolmesThe Courier|author=Kjell Ola Dahl and Don Bartlett (translator)

|summary=After chasing his archNazi-enemy Moriarty without success on occupied Oslo, 1942. There, I've given the game away. For in a book that centres around a cold night murder, I've told you who did it – the Nazis, surely? Well, that certainly has to remain to be seen in November 1882this volume, Sherlock Holmes is left maimed which splits its time between one of war, when a young woman sees her father arrested, and their store condemned as Jewish and unable rushes to her best friend to walk without help – not knowing she will never see her alive again, and the use of a canelate 1960s, when great consternation is being felt. DespondentIn this timeline, he decides to give up his career as a detective – but maverick agent is talked into taking an extra special caseback in town, one who might have been fingered for murdering that female victim, even though she and he lived together with their baby as a Madame Giry comes across the Channel young family, except he was thought by all to beg his help with the mysterious 'ghost' which is terrorising have died in the Opera Populaire…|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1908218703</amazonuk>War…

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Carole Bugge1786075431|title=The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: Star of IndiaMrs Mohr Goes Missing|author=Maryla Szymiczkova and Antonia Lloyd-Jones (translator)

|summary=A woman with a distinguished scent about her appears flustered at a concert recitalMeet Zofia. A famous landlady gets kidnapped while on an innocent holiday to the west country. A malformed, brilliant modern-day alchemist gets murdered. There is only one person, who famously went over socially climbing wife of a certain Alpine waterfall, who could piece all this and more into a threat to the Royalty and Empire itself. But there is also only one person, who famously seemed to have stayed dead in going over the same Alpine waterfallmedical professor, with the strength of mind to put the whole game into play.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0857681214</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Philip Jose Farmer|title=The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: The Peerless Peer|rating=4.5|genre=Crime (Historical)|summary=Itshe's World War Oneintent on making herself known as a charitable lady, and Britain has got wind of some brilliant scientific research, that has created a new bacterial weapon capable of wiping out the world's supply of sauerkraut. But a dastardly German has stolen the formulakeen on her husband progressing yet through his esteemed career. Before he can give a variant based on boiled meatIn 1890s Cracow, cabbage and potatoes to the kaiserlife is pretty good, his most recent nemesis - Sherlock Holmes, no less - must but she knows it could always be brought out of beekeeping retirementbetter. Cue an adventure and a halfMeanwhile, as he and Watson take to the skies for the first time in their hectic lives, end up in darkest Africa, and encounter a certain yodelling, long-haired nobleman, more than up to the name of King of the Jungle...|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0857681206</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Rory Clements|title=John Shakespeare: Prince|rating=4|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=This other people's life could certainly be better – cholera is nearing the third in the excellent Elizabethan murder mystery series, featuring John Shakespeare, brother of Will. An inexplicable murder is linked city due to a much deeper plot lack of political dimensionshygiene, leading Shakespeare into danger and tragedy. A series of bombings, which appear many people have to be targeting the immigrant population causes huge unrest and fear, fall on charity and leads almshouses to the uncovering of further political dimensionskeep a roof over their heads.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1848544251</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Anne Perry|title=Betrayal at Lisson Grove|rating=4.5|genre=Crime (Historical)|summary=After recently reading Perry's [[Acceptable Loss by Anne Perry|Acceptable Loss]] and thoroughly enjoying itOne such was Mrs Mohr, I although she was looking forward rich enough to reading this book keep private lodgings and hoping it would be as good as read. The novel opens with Pitt, Special Branch, staff in the midst of frenzied action trying to catch a suspecther charitable home. Suspected of murder, itI say ''was's imperative that he's caught. They weave between crowds, duck through alleys, but their best efforts are simply not good enoughfor she has vanished. The man is not caught. HeOnly due to Zofia's free to strike again. This all makes for a goodhelp does she get found, old-fashioned chase as Pitt makes up his mind to board dead and in a ferry for France, believing that's where place the suspect near-lame woman could be headingnever reach by herself. Pitt is extremely thorough and meticulous Just who could be killing people in all matters of policing but this may very well bode ill later on in the story. We learn of deep unrest in parts of the world: Europe a charity home, and Ireland in particular. to what end? And Perry is good at giving her readers why does Zofia feel the need to make a little palatable history here and there, to keep us all in the loop.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>075537682X</amazonuk>name for herself by answering those questions?

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Anne Perry1786893762|title=Acceptable LossThings in Jars|author=Jess Kidd

|summary=I must admit to not taking A child has gone missing. The detective asked to take on the case is still struggling with the rather stylized front cover shame and nor did I frustration left by a previous case, where the child was not found in time. Hardly original themes for a private eye thriller. And yet . . . take to the titleanother look. I got This detective is a woman, and the initial impression that this novel was going to be setting is Victorian London, with all about heaving bosoms the rich and manly men without too much substance. Was I right though? I gave a bit colourful paradoxes of that era: technical and scientific progress jostling for space beside superstition and a sigh as I started on chapter one. Straight away we meet two of fascination with the central characters, Mr bizarre and Mrs Monkthe downright hideous. Mrs Monk (Hester) seems to have brought And before you're more than a local street urchin into her lovely homecouple of pages in, you realise just how much more unusual our heroine is than you expected. All sounds Bridie Devine may dress in half-mourning, with a bit odd widow's cap and also stout, shiny boots, but the tobacco she smokes in her pipe (my dear, what an utterly ''fast'' thing for a bit intriguing. Perry back-tracks lady to do!) is mixed with a little for the benefit nugget of something, well, let's say recreational, created by her readers and lets us know how this situation has come aboutchemist friend Prudhoe. The boy fact that it's actually meant to cure bronchial problems is streetby the by. Her housemaid, being seven-wise but he's foot-tall, is also now desperate for a warmsomewhat remarkable. And then, of course, safe bed and regular meals if hethere's luckythe ghost. He's had a dreadful life up till now and has somehow survived a terrible ordeal Ruby Doyle, world- famous tattooed boxer (deceased) accompanies Bridie all through her investigation, and yes, you could say that it's clear he has a soft spot for the stuff of nightmaresdetermined young woman. I loved his name - Scuff and I automatically called him Scruff in my headIf he really exists, every timethat is.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0755376846</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Alan Bradley0349414327|title=A Red Herring Without MustardSnapshot of Murder (Kate Shackleton Mysteries)|author=Frances Brody

|summary=Eleven year old Flavia is 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 keen to take the youngest daughter opportunity to visit Haworth and Stanbury, not least because the deeds of the de Luce family Brontë Parsonage are being handed over so that it can become a museum and she doesn't get on all that well with her elder sisters, Feely (Ophelia) and Daffy (Daphne)parents will be there for the event. It What could be rather lonely for better than seeing her as her father is an eccentric stamp collector family, witnessing a momentous event and her mother died in having the opportunity to take photographs of the Himalayas some ten years before, but she has her faithful bicycle, Gladys, setting for company and when she's not doing some sleuthing she's tinkering in her laboratory, where she has enough chemicals and poisons to give the modern-day Health and Safety person a heart attackWuthering Heights''? Nothing could go wrong.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0752897152</amazonuk> Or could it?

{{newreview|author=Cassandra Clark|title=Abbess of Meaux: The Law of Angels|rating=4|genre=Crime (Historical)|summary=A widow who remarried in the Middle Ages became, once again, subject to her husband, and many women of independent means preferred, therefore, the greater financial freedom afforded by taking the veil. After the death of her husband Hildegard joins the Cistercians, one of the richest and most powerful groups in Europe at the time, and sets out to found a small convent near her childhood home. Chance leads her to investigate the death of several men whose bodies she finds on her way, and in each subsequent book in the series she finds herself yet again risking her life to investigate and solve crimes.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>074900942X</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Robert Dinsdale|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 Move on Leeds, this is set to be the longest three miles of either of their lives...|amazonuk=<amazonuk>057126025X</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Ben Pastor|title=Lumen|rating=4|genre=Crime (Historical)|summary=Cracow, Poland, October 1939: The Germans have recently occupied Poland and are seeking to establish their authority. Captain Martin Bora of the Wehrmacht (the German army) has just arrived in the city from the battlefield to take up a posting to Intelligence. His boss asks Bora to drive him to a convent every day to see the renowned Abbess, rumoured to have mystic and healing powers. A few days later, though, she is found shot dead in the grounds of her convent. Bora is asked to investigate and report back. He proceeds to investigate who shot her and why, but as his investigation continues, there are more questions for Bora and the reader. Where does this case fit in with the priorities of the occupying forces?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1904738664</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Frank Tallis|title=Death and the Maiden|rating=3|genre=Crime (Historical)|summary=Just to clear the confusion out of the way, this book has nothing to do with the novel of the [[Death and the Maiden by Gladys Mitchell|same nameNewest Dyslexia Friendly Reviews]] by Gladys Mitchell. Both take their name from an early Schubert piece, in which Death entices the Maiden to leave the world of men. The maiden resists. It was a common enough theme at the time: the death of beauty.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1846053579</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=C J Sansom|title=Dark Fire|rating=5|genre=Crime (Historical)|summary=1540 was the hottest summer of the sixteenth century but Matthew Shardlake was doing his best to hold his legal practice together, which was made more difficult by the fact that he believed himself to be out of favour with Thomas Cromwell. He tried to keep a low profile but when he defended the accused in a most unpopular case – that of a girl accused of brutally murdering her cousin – he found that the king's chief minister had a new assignment for him. Unless he could solve Cromwell's problem his client was likely to die a slow and nasty death.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0330450786</amazonuk>}}