Downton Abbey with a dash of Ripper Street. . .’… superbly written, entertaining and filled with drama. It captures the times perfectly and I love how the author brings the plot together with aplomb. Amazing.’ NetGalley reviewer’Brittney has written a compelling and gripping narrative with a great set of characters.’Goodreads reviewer’All the ins and outs made the search for criminals … gripping narrative with a great set of characters.’
Goodreads reviewer
’All the ins and outs made the search for criminals entertaining as well as interesting… I enjoyed this book very much.’ Genre Reviews
The first in an exciting new Mayfair 100 series of nostalgic crime sagas.
Set against the backdrop of WW1, Mayfair 100 is the telephone number for a small specially-formed crimebusting team based in a house in Mayfair, London in 1915. Just 10 months into the First World War, the City is flooded with women taking over the work vacated by men in the Armed Services.
Chief Inspector Peter Beech, a young man invalided out of the war in one of the first battles, is faced with investigating the murder of an aristocrat and the man’s wife, a key witness and suspect, will only speak to a woman about the unpleasant details of the case. After persuading the Chief Commissioner to allow him to set up a clandestine team to deal with such situations, Beech puts together a small motley crew of well-educated women and professional policemen.
As Beech, Victoria, Caroline, Rigsby and Tollman investigate the murder, they delve into the seedier parts of WWI London, taking them from criminal gangs to brothels and underground drug rings supplying heroin to the upper classes. Will the Mayfair 100 team solve the murder? And if they do, will they be allowed to continue working as a team?
Perfect for fans of Foyle’s War and The Bletchley Circle.
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A delightful ensemble cast of sleuths with their complex relationships make this a compelling read. Even though the setting is London’s fashionable West End, we are constantly reminded that WWI is never far away and that London’s poshest neighborhoods are not far from its seedy underbelly.
Murder in Belgravia is a savvy, sophisticated 1920s murder mystery with a delightfully engaging circle of sleuths, from the wounded war veteran Scotland Yard detective and his team of Bobbies to the smart, unconventional ladies, who bring their own impressive talents to crime solving! I can’t wait for their next case!
Murder in Belgravia offers an exciting blend of history and mystery as Chief Inspector Beech and his intrepid team of investigators seek to solve a murder in the often-dangerous environs of WWI-era London. Filled with rich period detail, a lively cast of characters, and fast-paced twists and turns, this novel will leave you cheering for Beech and company and eager for their next adventure!
An intriguing mystery set during WWI. Very nicely constructed.
A different look at the way police could have used women during the Victorian era. The book moved along at a good pace and I liked the main characters.
I enjoyed this book more that I expected. I enjoyed the writing style, and the character development.
Enjoyable mystery, not heavy. Likeable characters developed nicely. Recommend.
Evokes a period of history when much of British society was changing or about to change. Characters range across the social scale. Little details, with everyone drinking tea and eating pastries, add lightness to a sometimes grim story.
Combines a good murder mystery with social change. Excellent research adds to the understanding of the times and realistic characters.
Excellent!
Enjoyed the description of the world of late 19th century England. Looking forward to book two in the series when available at a reduced price.
A good period tmystery
Trigger warning, the initial setup for the murder is the victim having brutally attacked his pregnant wife and all appearances make it seem she or her maid killed the brute. First impressions prove to be wrong and it gets complicated from there.
Chief Inspector Peter Beech is an open-minded police detective who has the vision of women aiding the police and heads up the unique team. Victoria is a female lawyer who at one point had been “dating” Beech, but that ended and now they attempt working together. Caroline is the female doctor on the team. She is waiting for Beech to see her as more than a friend. Rigsby is the younger male of the team and the handsome one that women seem to flutter eyelashes at despite a scar from the war. Tollman is an older and grizzled policeman that knows more about the goings on in London and who to talk to than most anybody else alive. Tollman takes Rigsby under his wing and begins mentoring him. Lady Maud is Victoria’s mother and provides a large house as the team’s headquarters. Billy Rigby’s mom, Elsie, and his Aunt Sissy provide some comic relief and are gems in the story.
The setting of London provided a sad and seedy backdrop punctuated with brief moments in society houses. This does have a grittier side with some subject matter, but it also displays compassion (particularly Tillman and Rigby) for those struggling. There isn’t gore, but some harsh realities of life at that time presented with sensitivity. Also, the first world war with air attacks from Zeppelins and the tensions of the suffragette movement pepper throughout the story. The British Suffragettes were more confrontational than in America.
Figuring out the who-done-it isn’t easy and information is revealed throughout the investigation in order to get any idea of what took place the fateful night of the murder. The women are aware of their limitations within society in general but in dangerous situations as well. There are a few subplots at work in the story that keep the pace moving and interest up.
The killer reveal was rather cut and dry as the police on the team close in on guilty parties, but it still provided a twist or two that made it satisfying. The wrap-up was heartwarming and paved the way for the team to continue for another case.
I love this new series. If you like the Sebastian St Cyr series but want something a little less grim, this is for you! It is just a bit “gritty” without being gory or explicit and had some comedic lighter moments as well. It does acknowledge the grim realities of life and crime. The characters are well done and there are layers to their exchanges that make the story rich and memorable. This leaves plenty of room over the series for the characters to develop and surprise the reader. The mystery was complex enough to get my interest and keep it throughout.
Rating: Excellent – Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list
I read this first-in-series mystery set in 1915 (WWI) London in preparation for reading an ARC of the second one (A Death in Chelsea).
While an interesting premise of creating a special, secret task force which includes women to help solve cases in which a woman’s presence might be beneficial, I found it a bit slow and a bit simplistic in its narrative. Hoping for better things in the second one.
detective, women-sleuths, WW1, amateur-sleuth, London, historical-research, historical-places-events, sly-humor, law-enforcement, lawyers, medical-doctor
This book ought to get more than just one five star rating per reviewer!
As a mystery novel, it exceeds expectations, is creative with delightful or disgusting characters and slides in some very funny one liners.
As a history of the feminine condition in 1915 it is brutally honest and well researched while demonstrating to the reader the extensive prejudices faced.
As a perspective on the inappropriate dosing of patients, especially war veterans, with opioids by physicians it condemns yet clearly reflects issues of this century as well.
There are other odious problems dragged into the light, and some historical facts like the bombings by Zeppelin.
The best part is the way that the author balances the disgusting with the hopeful. DCI Beech and his cohesive band of very competent and very willing crimebusters are fantastic, and I can hardly wait for the next installment!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
Murder In Belgravia is the first book in the Mayfair 100 series.
I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to more. I will say that this a darker cozy mystery but not overly so. The story is set during WWI in London, where the social structure is starting to crumble, woman’s suffrage is beginning, and the seamier side showing the ease with which heroin and cocaine could be obtained if one had the money and a doctor who would prescribe them.
The story starts with Chief Inspector Beech being called to Lord Murcheson’s home to investigate his death. When he arrives Lady Harriet refuses to talk to Beech about her husband’s death unless it is someone equal to her social status only admitting to having killed her husband. Beech can see that Lady Harriett needs immediate medical attention and calls Dr. Caroline Allardyce, a long time friend and doctor at The London Medical Hospital of London.
As Beech begins to investigate he learns that Lord Murcheson was injured during the war and when he returned home his doctor was providing Murcheson with drugs that caused him to have periods of violent outbursts. Caroline, after having had a chance to exam Lady Harriet, and telling Beech of her injuries, neither one feels she was capable of murdering her husband.
What with the war causing a shortage of officers, Beech proposes to his superior, Sir Edward Henry, that there be formed a group that will deal with crimes to and by women. Sir Edward agrees to the plan so long as the team is kept secret. Beech asks Caroline to join, he also asks a long friend, Victoria Ellingham, he also asks Arthur Tollman a retired police officer and he also asks Billy Rigsby, a young police officer to round out the group. He hopes that people who are going to be interviewed will more willing to talk with someone who is not apparently with the police. Tollman and Rigsby will be used to provide protection for Caroline and Victoria. Their work will take them into the seamier areas of London as they search for the murderer.
I really am looking forward to more books in the Mayfair 100 series. I found it to be a very interesting book and had a very interesting cast of characters. Would love to learn more about the main characters and see what romantic interests might be in store for Beech.