Cadavers can be deadly . . .Unregistered corpses are showing up amongst the cadavers in the mortuary of the London School of Medicine for Women. Unnatural deaths. Murders. The first known victim is recognized by Haley Higgins, a third-year pathology student. War-widow fashionista Ginger Gold feels a responsibility for the man’s death and is determined to find his killer. Her pursuit takes her … killer.
Her pursuit takes her into the dangerous realm of the famous Italian gangster Charles ‘’Derby’’ Sabini. With the help of Haley and the handsome Chief Inspector Reed – an uneasy alliance – Ginger investigates shady dealings at the docks and at the racehorse stables. What does one have to do with the other, and how are they connected to the bodies piling up at the mortuary? Someone is working on the inside at the school, and Ginger has to find out who before she, or someone she loves, ends up lifeless on a ceramic mortuary slab.
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I just love this series!
Lee Strauss is the very best at writing golden age novels.
I’d been reading quite a few Christmas themed books and wanted a change so I decided to see what Ginger Gold was up to since I’m way behind in her adventures. What a better place to hide the body from a murder than in the mortuary? But it turns out it isn’t just a body, several of them start appearing in the mortuary without any documents.
This is Ginger’s first paid job as an investigator, and she and Chief Inspector Basil Reed are no longer working together–his wife has come back and he’s giving his marriage another try. Her sister-in-law, Felicia is upset with Ginger and partially blames her for the death of her fellow actor Angus Green. Ginger wants to solve his murder. Her investigation leads her down to the docks and the racehorse stables. Are these two seemingly unrelated places connected? If so, how? Ginger ends up working with Basil despite the change in their friendship status.
I enjoyed this mystery and didn’t figure out who was helping to get the bodies into the mortuary. I was happy to see Ginger and Basil working together but was thrown by the relationship cliffhanger at the end of the book. I’ll have to hurry and read the next book in the series to see what happens.
Everyone makes an appearance in the story–Haley, Ambrosia, Felicia, Pippins, Basil, and of course Boss. I love Ginger’s generous heart and how she reaches out to those in need like Matilda and Scout, although I do wish Ambrosia would stop acting so high and mighty. She gets on my nerves, but Ginger handles Ambrosia’s comments far better than I would be able to.
I love all the descriptions of Ginger’s clothes and usually end up looking at the author’s Pinterest board about Ginger’s clothes. This is a great addition to the Ginger Gold Mystery series.
Murder at the Mortuary is the fifth cozy mystery with unofficial private investigator, Lady Ginger Gold and Scotland Yard Detective Reed. I love these mysteries, set in the post WWI era and this one set in London. Strauss uses lots of action and fun characters to entertain her readers. The author knows how to tell a great story and keep interest high. Italian Mafia, drugs, bodies inexplicably showing up in the morgue, and information about the beginnings of forensic science–all keep the pages turning quickly. I love the cliffhangers at the end of the books–and are things for Lady Gold and Detective Reed ever going to head to the altar??? I can’t wait to read more in this series. Elizabeth Klett does a great job of narrating which makes for an enjoyable reading experience.
I listened to a library copy of the book and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.
Another wonderful Ginger Gold mystery involving horse racing, drugs and the mafia. Also the strained relationship with Detective Basil Reed. I received a complimentary audio and this review is voluntary.
Ginger is looking into the death of Angus Green. Felicia, Ginger’s sister in law saw him when he was acting in a play. Unfortunely, Ginger didn’t find him. Haley Higgins, a friend and long time guest at Hartigan House calls Ginger. Haley is a student of forensic pathology and found Angus’ body in the mortuary without a tag. Why was his body there without identification?There is something not right going on at the mortuary, can Ginger figure it out? Then Ginger finds out there was cocaine in Angus’ system. Was he involved in the Italian Mafia? Ginger finds herself and Haley in danger with all her investigating. Will they too end up in the mortuary? You will need to read the book to find out. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this story.
I like al the Ginger Gold books. A British cozy mystery at its best.
This series just keeps getting better with each new book. I am greatly impressed at the historical detail written into the books. This effort shows in the descriptive passages written about everything from fashion and music to automobiles. It is easy to become invested not only in the main characters but the supporting characters as well. In this book we see the relationship of Ginger and Basil tested even further as they must work together to solve the murders of the unregistered bodies brought to the mortuary. Things get a bit dangerous as Ginger and Haley go seeking information at the docks. I was glad to see the young cousins we met on the SS Rosa play a big part in this story but all is not well for the boys. Will we see love bloom for Ginger and Basil? Will studious Haley find a love interest? How will young Scout fare now that his older protective cousin is on the run from the law? Can Ginger’s generosity and care change the course of his life? I gratefully review this book for the opportunity to have an advanced copy to read.