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[[Category:New Reviews|Crime (Historical)]]==Crime (historical)==__NOTOC__ <!-- Remove -->{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Maureen Jennings0571370977|title=Let Loose the Dogs: Murdoch Mysteries|rating=4.5|genre=Crime (Historical)|summary=The fourth book in the series of mysteries which star Detective William Murdoch is set, like the others, in Toronto. Religion, money and family rule this lateLock-Victorian city just as they do back 'home' in England, and Murdoch's struggles for truth and justice, not to mention his love life, are played out against the sense of guilt and the moral restrictions imposed upon him by his Catholic faith.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0857689908</amazonuk>}} {{newreviewUp|author=Maureen Jennings|title=Under the Dragon's Tail: Murdoch MysteriesJohn Banville

|summary=Murdoch It'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 a lonely mannow back in Dublin and living (if somewhat uneasily) with his daughter, still grieving Phoebe. The worst of his grief is over but he irrationally blames DI St John Strafford for what happened and this has made the fiancée who died over a year beforealready strained relationship between them more difficult. He busies himself, They're brought together by Chief Inspector Hackett when he is not workingthe body of a young, with training for the police sports' dayJewish scholar, learning to danceRosa Jacobs, and trying to overcome his attraction to the charming lady who lodges is found in the nexta lock-door roomup. She is a charming young widow with a young son At first, it looked as though she'd gassed herself but since she Quirke is not Catholic, he knows, sadly, convinced that he can never find married bliss with herit was murder rather than suicide. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>0857689886</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Dan James1529337968|title=UnsinkableIn Place of Fear|author=Catriona McPherson|rating=45

|summary=This year sees It's July 1948 and Helen Crowther is due to start work as a qualified medical almoner the hundredth anniversary of following morning - on the sinking of day that the Titanic, NHS is born. She'll be working for Dr Deuchar and several books, for both children Dr Strasser in their GP surgery and adults, are being published based on the story her job will be to help patients with those non-medical problems which affect their health. The hardest part of the doomed ship. In this particular book job will be to persuade people that the fact services she offers really are free and that we already know fate they don't have to do anything to qualify for them. Some of the majority of the travellers adds problems will require delicate handling but Helen has a whole new level problem of tension to a story her own which is already an exciting thrillermight give her some insight. Her marriage has never been consummated. Not only is there the question of whether they will catch the bad guy or not, but also, and more crucially: will the main characters all survive?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0099558130</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Sam Siciliano057136358X|title=The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: The Web Weaver April in Spain|author=John Banville|rating=3.5

|summary=An old gypsy woman places Terry Tice was a curse on guests at hitman, although he didn't think of himself in those terms. He saw what he did as ''a ball, leaving the upper class revellers shockedmatter of making things tidy''. When, over I couldn't resist the next few years, misfortune befalls several thought that he was an extreme version of the party-goersMarie Kondo. He enjoyed his job, potted-meat magnate Donald Wheelwright knows there's only one recourse left something which occurred to him - when he was in Burma with the army ''where he got the chance to call Sherlock Holmes. It's kill a slightly different version lot of Holmes from that wethe little yellow fellows and had a fine old time''ve come to expect, though. The detective, far from being an emotionless man, is capable He was spending a lot of feeling strongly for time with Percy Antrobus - who couldn't understand why Terry didn't know the right woman purpose of a swizzle stick - could surely he wouldn't drink champagne with bubbles in the detective find love as well as ''morning''? It was after Percy's death that he saw the answer to the mystery? |amazonuk=<amazonuk>0857686984</amazonuk>benefits of taking up a job in Spain.

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Sax RohmerB08Z8BMZ7H|title=The Mystery of Dr Fu ManchuHealing|author=A P McGrath

|summary=Dr Petrie is surprised, but pleased, to see his old friend Nayland Smith has returned to England. But this is no mere pleasure visit – We meet Solon in Pergamon in the second century of the common era and he's the physician on duty at the munus - the former Scotland Yard man is games put on for the trail amusement of Fu Manchu, the populace. The remuneration isn't high but the work gives the doctor a Chinese doctor with feeling of virtue and hones his skills: Solon ''the brains of any three men of geniuswants''the warriors to live. Petrie is immediately plunged into It's quite a headlong race against time spectacle: the magistri are the charge hands and when we first see them, they're sprinkling gold dust onto the lions' manes to stop make them look more impressive. The sagitarii are the mysterious villain from fulfilling his evil plans archers and leading the East beastiarii are the condemned criminals who are going to world domination!|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0857686038</amazonuk>fight for their lives with the wild animals. Today, it's the crocodiles.

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Maureen Jennings1529337925|title=Except the Dying: Murdoch MysteriesThe Mirror Dance (Dandy Gilver)|author=Catriona McPherson|rating=4.5

|summary=Victorian detective novels set in Britain are fairly common, and some of It was the most well-known August Bank Holiday weekend and popular crime series fall into this category. The Murdoch stories, howeveras so often happened, come from a different angle, being placed (for it was cold enough to have the most part) in Canada, with its snowy wastes, its logging camps fire lit and pioneering spirit. Loyalty to Bunty the Queen is as ardent here as back home in Dalmation wasn'the old country', but there is a rawness and a sense of space t inclined to these novels which is due in large part leave it to their settingkeep Dandy Gilver warm on the sofa.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0857689878</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Charles Dickens|title= The Mystery thought of Edwin Drood|rating=4work was almost cheering when Dandy took the call from Sandy Bissett in Dundee.5|genre=Literary Fiction|summary=If you have never come across 'Drood' before, there are certain significant factors which make this She was the publisher of a 'must read'. It is Dickens' last work, magazine and he died without completing it. Given had been told that this is a detective story, one of the very first man running the Punch and Judy show in that tradition, it is doubly intriguing, because although we are clearly being fed clues the local park had used copies of two of her cartoon characters - Rosie Cheek and hints throughout, at the point where the text ends we arenher sister Freckle - to drum up some local interest in his show. Sandy Bissett't even fully sure even if a crime has been committed. So as s request was simple: she wanted Gilver and Osborne to warn the basis for endless speculation man about what really happens this novel could hardly be bettered. We certainly have potential villains infringement of copyright - 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; Dandy and Alex would be cheaper than employing a shadowy detective figure, whose speculations certainly have no sense of conclusionsolicitor to do the same job.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1849904278</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=David RuffleB08LKT7HSR|title=Sherlock Holmes and Murder in the Lyme Regis LegacyBelltower (A Miss Underhay Mystery)|author=Helena Dixon

|summary=Dr Watson is happy to be returning to Lyme Regis, and In December 1933 the remains of Elowed Underhay were discovered in the cellar of the woman he lovesGlass Bottle Public House. He gets more than he bargained for, though, as he is quickly embroiled Ezekiel Hamett was sought in a series of killings which bear strange resemblances to some connection with the murder of the cases he Elowed and Holmes have been involved inhis half-brother, Denzil Hammett, whose body was also discovered. The great detective joins him Kitty Underhay's long search for her mother, with Lestrade following to assist who disappeared in their investigations, and June 1916 was over. Now she's determined that the trio realise that they are dealing with a haunting figure from their past..man responsible for her murder will be brought to justice.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1780921004</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=David RuffleStephen Clarke|title=Sherlock Holmes and the Lyme Regis Horror - Expanded 2nd EditionThe Spy Who Inspired Me

|genre=Crime (Historical)General Fiction|summary=Taking This is a rare holiday on the Dorsetshire coastspoof spy story, Dr Watson manages to persuade Sherlock Holmes to join himthat isn't about James Bond. Or Ian Fleming. Delighted to spend time with his old friend Godfrey Jacobs But it features a man called Ian Lemming, who dresses well and 'likes the ladies' and charmed by widowed boarding house proprietor Mrs Heidlerwho works for the secret service, but in the planning side of things more than the good doctor is set for active service. Lemming finds himself put on a mission with a pleasant female spy called Margaux, and relaxing stay – until mysterious events occurthe pair end up stranded in Normandy, pointing with Margaux on a desperate mission to an unimaginable evilunearth traitors in the resistance network, and the game’s afoot once moreLemming desperately trying to keep up with her!|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1780920563</amazonuk>2952163855

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Margaret Park Bridges0349423083|title=My Dear Watson|rating=4|genre=Crime (Historical)|summary=''My Dear Watson'' is written by the hand of Holmes, Lucy Holmes, whom the world came to know as Sherlock. Yes, the well-loved detective is a female cross-dresser but with good reason. The young Lucy, having watched her mother die tragically, rushed off to live with her brother, Mycroft, at university. In order to stay, undetected (no pun intended), she had to dress as a man. Being slight and gamine, this wasn’t difficult Death and, after a while, she preferred the lifestyle. Watson hasn’t seen through the disguise, continuing to live with Holmes between marriages as they combat the odds and solve crimes in Brewery Queen (or despite) the police.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1780920768</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Kate Williams|title=The Pleasures of Men|rating=4|genre=Crime (HistoricalShackleton Mysteries)|summary=Catherine Sorgeiul is a woman with burdens. Living with her uncle in London’s East End during the reign of Queen Victoria, hers is a life that seems empty – yet in fact is full of things she is trying to push away.  Filling her days has become a problem, so when a series of grisly murders begins, Catherine is drawn to the mystery of the Man of Crows in a way that seems bound to change her life.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0241951399</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Ben Pastor|title=Liar Moon|rating=4|genre=Crime (Historical)|summary=Near Verona, northern Italy, autumn 1943: Captain Martin Bora is a German military policeman, known to have conducted previous murder investigations. He is asked to look into the death of one Vittorio Lisi, a prominent local fascist who was run over in his wheelchair on his own estate by a car. The number one suspect is his widow Claretta.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1904738826</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Gerry O'Hara|title=Sherlock Holmes and The Affair In Transylvania|rating=3.5|genre=Crime (Historical)|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=Meet Zofia. A woman with socially climbing wife of a distinguished scent about her appears flustered at medical professor, she's intent on making herself known as a concert recital. A famous landlady gets kidnapped while charitable lady, and keen on an innocent holiday to the west countryher husband progressing yet through his esteemed career. A malformedIn 1890s Cracow, life is pretty good, brilliant modern-day alchemist gets murderedbut she knows it could always be better. There Meanwhile, other people's life could certainly be better – cholera is only one personnearing the city due to lack of hygiene, who famously went and many people have to fall on charity and almshouses to keep a roof over a certain Alpine waterfalltheir heads. One such was Mrs Mohr, who could piece all this and more into a threat although she was rich enough to the Royalty keep private lodgings and Empire itselfstaff in her charitable home. But there is also only one personI say ''was'', who famously seemed for she has vanished. Only due to have stayed Zofia's help does she get found, dead and in going over a place the same Alpine waterfallnear-lame woman could never reach by herself. Just who could be killing people in a charity home, with and to what end? And why does Zofia feel the strength of mind need to put the whole game into play.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0857681214</amazonuk>make a name for herself by answering those questions?

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Philip Jose Farmer1786893762|title=The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: The Peerless PeerThings in Jars|author=Jess Kidd

|summary=It's World War One, A child has gone missing. The detective asked to take on the case is still struggling with the shame and Britain has got wind of some brilliant scientific researchfrustration left by a previous case, that has created a new bacterial weapon capable of wiping out where the world's supply of sauerkrautchild was not found in time. But Hardly original themes for a dastardly German has stolen the formulaprivate eye thriller. And yet . . . take another look. Before he can give This detective is a variant based on boiled meatwoman, cabbage and potatoes to the kaisersetting is Victorian London, his most recent nemesis - Sherlock Holmes, no less - must be brought out with all the rich and colourful paradoxes of beekeeping retirement. Cue an adventure that era: technical and scientific progress jostling for space beside superstition and a half, as he fascination with the bizarre and Watson take to the skies for the first time downright hideous. And before you're more than a couple of pages in their hectic lives, end up you realise just how much more unusual our heroine is than you expected. Bridie Devine may dress in darkest Africahalf-mourning, with a widow's cap and encounter a certain yodellingstout, shiny boots, long-haired noblemanbut the tobacco she smokes in her pipe (my dear, more than up what an utterly ''fast'' thing for a lady to the name do!) is mixed with a nugget of King of the Junglesomething, well, let's say recreational, created by her chemist friend Prudhoe...|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0857681206</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Rory Clements|title=John Shakespeare: Prince|rating=4|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=This The fact that it's actually meant to cure bronchial problems is by the third in the excellent Elizabethan murder mystery seriesby. Her housemaid, featuring John Shakespearebeing seven-foot-tall, brother of Willis also somewhat remarkable. An inexplicable murder is linked to a much deeper plot And then, of political dimensionscourse, leading Shakespeare into danger and tragedythere's the ghost. A series of bombingsRuby Doyle, which appear to be targeting the immigrant population causes huge unrest and fearworld-famous tattooed boxer (deceased) accompanies Bridie all through her investigation, and leads to it's clear he has a soft spot for the uncovering of further political dimensionsdetermined young woman. If he really exists, that is.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1848544251</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Anne Perry0349414327|title=Betrayal at Lisson GroveA Snapshot of Murder (Kate Shackleton Mysteries)|author=Frances Brody

|summary=After recently reading Perry's Even detectives need a break and for Kate Shackleton, photography gives her the mental relaxation which she needs. [[Acceptable Loss by Anne Perry|Acceptable Loss]] and thoroughly enjoying itWhen the local Photographic Society proposed an outing, I Kate was looking forward keen to take the opportunity to reading this book visit Haworth and hoping it would be as good as read. The novel opens with PittStanbury, Special Branch, in not least because the midst deeds of frenzied action trying to catch a suspect. Suspected of murder, the Brontë Parsonage are being handed over so that it's imperative that he's caught. They weave between crowds, duck through alleys, but their best efforts are simply not good enough. The man is not caught. He's free to strike again. This all makes for can become a good, old-fashioned chase as Pitt makes up his mind to board a ferry museum and her parents will be there for France, believing that's where the suspect event. What could be heading. Pitt is extremely thorough better than seeing her family, witnessing a momentous event and meticulous in all matters of policing but this may very well bode ill later on in having the story. We learn of deep unrest in parts opportunity to take photographs of the world: setting for ''Wuthering Heights''? Europe and Ireland in particularNothing could go wrong. And Perry is good at giving her readers a little palatable history here and there, to keep us all in the loop.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>075537682X</amazonuk>Or could it?

{{newreview|author=Anne Perry|title=Acceptable Loss|rating=4.5|genre=Crime (Historical)|summary=I must admit to not taking to the rather stylized front cover and nor did I take to the title. I got the initial impression that this novel was going to be all about heaving bosoms and manly men without too much substance. Was I right though? I gave a bit of a sigh as I started on chapter one. Straight away we meet two of the central characters, Mr and Mrs Monk. Mrs Monk (Hester) seems to have brought a local street urchin into her lovely home. All sounds a bit odd and also a bit intriguing. Perry back-tracks a little for the benefit of her readers and lets us know how this situation has come about. The boy is street-wise but he's also now desperate for a warm, safe bed and regular meals if he's lucky. He's had a dreadful life up till now and has somehow survived a terrible ordeal - and yes, you could say that it's the stuff of nightmares. I loved his name - Scuff and I automatically called him Scruff in my head, every time.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0755376846</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Alan Bradley|title=A Red Herring Without Mustard|rating=4.5|genre=Crime (Historical)|summary=Eleven year old Flavia is the youngest daughter of the de Luce family and she doesn't get on all that well with her elder sisters, Feely (Ophelia) and Daffy (Daphne). It could be rather lonely for her as her father is an eccentric stamp collector and her mother died in the Himalayas some ten years before, but she has her faithful bicycle, Gladys, 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 attack.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0752897152</amazonuk>}} {{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>}}