Unhallowed Ground by Melvin R. Starr
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1366 Thomas atte Bridge has been found hanged. The verdict given to this hated man is suicide. But evidence discovered by Hugh de Singleton proves otherwise, unfortunately, so he believes he must investigate. Only to find as expected many motives for the death.
An enjoyable and well-written historical mystery

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His Hand In the Storm by Ritu Sethi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Montreal. A body of a male is discovered, but who is he. This is the start of a series of attacks and possible deaths among the founders of a medical technology startup company. Chief Inspector Gray James investigates with his team. Though he has demons of his own to fight, someone is trying to kill him, but why.
An entertaining well-written modern crime story. A good start to a new series.

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New Discoveries by Eightyearsandahalf
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

On the first morning of married life what can Anne Wentworth nee Elliot discover anew about her husband Captain Wentworth.
Delightful Persuasion short story.

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The Marquess Meets His Match by Julie Coulter Bellon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Major Wolverton has been called home to England, but he has received information that the spy group that he is a member of - Falcon Group - is in danger. A traitor intends to hand over a list of members to the French. The head, the Duke of Huntingdon, insists that the now Lord Christian Wolverton aka Wolf works with his daughter, Lady Alice Huntingdon to help uncover the traitor. Before another British spy is murdered, like Thomas Norwich, son of the Earl of Moreland.
An enjoyable historical mystery and romance.

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Her Innermost Thoughts by Eightyearsandahalf
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Waking through the Uppercross garden Captain Wentworth discovers a book on the grass. This turns out to be Anne Elliot's diary. What happens when he starts to read it.
A delightful Persuasion short story

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Polar Bear Dawn by Lyle Nicholson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Two oil sand companies, one in Northern Canada, one in the Arctic. Two employees murdered in each, all four working for Clearwater Technogies. Why and ultimately who by. Detectives Bernadette Callahan, Canada, and Frank Mueller, Alaska, investigate.
An entertaining thriller

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Her Power With Him Was Gone Forever by Eightyearsandahalf
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What are Captain Wentworth's thoughts about Anne Elliot when she fails to appear at the Musgrove dinner.
Enjoyable Persuasion short story

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Overpowering Happiness by Eightyearsandahalf
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth are now married. Just a few glimpses into their married life.
A delightful Persuasion short story

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The Repenting Serpent by Wes Markin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A killer wanting to resurrect an old religion starts to kill. Jessica, ex-wife of DS Iain Brookes is found dead, mutilated. It is DCI Michael Yorke and his team to discover who and why before any one else is killed.
An interesting and well-written crime story

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A Trail of Ink by Melvin R. Starr
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1365 Master John Wyelif of Canterbury Hall, Oxford and friend to Hugh de Singleton, has had his library of twenty-two books stolen. Lord Gilbert requests that Hugh investigate and take the opportunity while there to also look for a wife. Surely he cannot get into any dangerous situations.
An entertaining and well-written historical mysery with its likeable characters


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Raven by Adele Clee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Widow Lady Sophia Adair needs the help of the Gentlemen of the Order. Someone is threatening her sister Jessica Draper, a sister she has been protecting for the last seven years. Lady Sophia wants the help of Finlay Cole in particular, but he is reluctant because of their shared history. Can Cole protect the sisters and determine where and who the threat is coming from. without losing his heart to Sophia, again.
A well-written, entertaining historical mystery and romance story with its likeable main characters. Contains mature content.
I received a free copy of this book from the author via BooksFunnel and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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Dead on Your Feet by Stephen Puleston
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A female body is put on display and is unveiled in a shop in Llandudno to the horror of passerbys when they realise that it is a real dead body. Then there is another killing. Is there a connection, what could possibly be the motive. Will DI Ian Drake and his team prevent another death.
An entertaining and well-written crime story.

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Never Came Home by Gretta Mulrooney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

2019, Berminster, Sussex. Six years afternLyn Dimas disappeared her body is discovered by a clearance crew, and DI Siv Drummond and her team must re-investigate this cold case. Now they must discover who has been lying, and are there any new suspects to find.
An entertaining and well-written crime story. A good addition to the series with its cast of likeable and well-written characters.
Received an ARC from the publishers.

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The Murder of Edward VI by David Snow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1559 Sir Richard Barton, third Earl of Sussex (a fictional character) has been imprisoned in the Tower by Queen Mary 1, or Bloody Mary. During the reign of Elizabeth 1, he is visited by William Cecil. Cecil wants to hear Barton tell his story of why he was imprisoned, to determine whether there is any truth behind the story. Barton begins his tale from the reign of Henry and his failure to sure a son.
An interesting fictional historical story.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Long Gone: A Detective Paul Cullen Mystery by Paul Pilkington
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

DCI Paul Cullen of the British Transport Police in London is asked by his daughter Amy, at Bristol University, for help. Her flatmate Natalie Long was one of eight candidates for a job at Brand New and the process would last the weekend. But now she has gone missing. Due to a tragedy that morning Cullin is on unofficial leave and so investigates.
An entertaining modern crime story. A good start to a new series.

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Dead Ringer by Kat Ross
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1889 New York. Harrison Fearing Pell and James Weston, investigators for the Society of Psychical Research are seeking a Kidman in the sewers. But she is asked by James Moran for help as old friends of his have been dying in strange circumstances.
An entertaining Victorian paranormal mystery.

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Dragon in the Snow by Lexie Conyngham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ketil Gunnarson wonders how and why he has managed to become betrothed to Thorfinn's daughter Asgerdr. Meanwhile Sigrid has travelled to Shapinsay to determine if she and head man Beinir suit enough for marriage. While there, various house fires occur resulting in several deaths. But why. Ketil and Sigrid both investigate.
Another enjoyable and well-written historical mystery, with its very likeable main characters. A good addition to the series.

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The Scole Confession by Jacqueline Beard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1895 Lawrence Harpham and Violet Smith witness the result of a suicide of Edward Bowden. Their suspicions lead to Diss and the unsolved death of a Fanny Dunn. Time reveals more deaths. But no connections or motives.
An enjoyable and well-written Victorian mystery. With its very likeable and well-developed main characters.

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Murder at the Pony Show by David Pearson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

DI Maureen Lyons and her team investigate when a body is discovered at the Connemara Pony Show in County Galway.
The story was okay but I didn't really find any of the characters that likeable.

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The Mysterious Death of Mr. Darcy by Regina Jeffers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A P&P sequel where not many months after Darcy's marriage to Elizabeth Bennet he is informed of his father's cousins death - Samuel Darcy and of a share in the inheritance of the estate.
They travel to Dorset to find that Samuel Darcy's body has disappeared and another body found on the grave.
But then more bodies are found, and some of Samuel's treasures are lost and found. With the help of Colonel Fitzwilliam can the mystery be solved.
An enjoyable read of this mystery made more delightful as the Colonel was more than a supporting role.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Time's Fool by Leonard Tourney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

William Shakespeare's ex-mistress attempts to blackmail him, but then they must escape a fire. An arson attack. She unfortunately is killed. But events up to then have convinced Shakespeare that someone is trying to kill him. Now he must discover who and why
An enjoyable historical mystery

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A Christmas Mystery by Kate Parker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

20th December 1938. Olivia Denis, reporter, is given a message from Fleur Bettenard, Nazi spy and assassin, to give to her boss, presumably her espionage employer.
An enjoyable short story

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Murder in Mind by Amelia Pasch


1497 Florence. The Duke of Lorraine sends his 18 year old cousin and spy, Isabella to discover a murderer.
After leaving the book unread for over a month I have decided at the moment to consider it unfinished. There is always the possibility of coming back to the story

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Vengeance List by Gary Gregor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

At the police headquarters in Darwin, a policeman is killed. But this will only be the first of potentially six killings on the murderer's list. Can DI Foley or his ex-partner P.I. Samuel Rose discover the killer and stop them before all are dead.
An entertaining and well-written modern crime story. A good start to the series.

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Death of a Clergyman: A Pride and Prejudice Mystery by Riana Everly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this P&P variation, the Netherfield Ball and the marriage proposal of Collins to Elizabeth Bennet have occurred. Both Elizabeth and Collins have left Longbourn that very morning, only for the body of Collins to be found, stabbed, and for a distraught and battered Elizabeth to arrive back to Longbourn.
Darcy on hearing the news engages Alexander Lyons to investigate. Meanwhile Mary is determined to prove her sister innocent.
A delightful and well-written mystery and romance, lovely to see Mary Bennet come out of the shadows. A very enjoyable variation

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The Needle House by Robin Roughley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Billy Jones has gone missing but it is not long before his clothes and part of his body are discovered on the farm belonging to David and Susan Fotheringay. But this will not be the last of the deaths. Is there a connection between them and the Radfields, once a prominent family. DS Lasser investigates.
An entertaining and well-written modern crime story

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Anglesey Blue by Dylan H. Jones
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

DI Tudor Manx returns to Anglesey just time for his first murder case. A story concerning the introduction of a new drug to the island and resulting murders. But who is the supplier and their network of local dealers.
For me there was too much swearing, and there were inconsistencies with the age of Manx and stated dates.

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Keys: a Marie Antoinette story by Amanda Kai
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1770 Just wedded to the Dauphin of France, Louis-Auguste, Marie Antoinette decides that they need time alone to forward their interactions and so to bring them closer together. But how to achieve this.
An enjoyable historical romance short story told from the point of view of Marie Antoinette.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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The Curse of Cleopatra's Needle: A Sherlock and Lucy Short Story by Anna Elliott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

‭Messages‭ threatening‭ ‬that‭ ‬no-one‭ ‬is‭ ‬safe‭ ‬in‭ ‬London‭ ‬until‭ ‬the‭ ‬British‭ ‬have‭ ‬left‭ ‬Egypt‭ ‬have‭ ‬been‭ ‬sent‭ ‬to‭ ‬the‭ ‬Times‭ ‬from‭ ‬The‭ ‬Sons‭ ‬of‭ ‬Ra.‭ ‬Is‭ ‬there‭ ‬a‭ ‬connection‭ ‬with‭ ‬the‭ ‬Sons‭ ‬of‭ ‬Helios‭ ‬and‭ ‬Lord‭ ‬Sonnebourne.
Then‭ ‬Holmes‭ ‬receives‭ ‬a‭ ‬call‭ ‬that‭ ‬a‭ ‬female‭ ‬body‭ ‬has‭ ‬been‭ ‬discovered.‭ ‬Its‭ ‬location‭ ‬may‭ ‬be‭ ‬the‭ ‬important‭ ‬clue.‭ ‬But‭ ‬who‭ ‬is‭ ‬behind‭ ‬the‭ ‬murder.
Holmes and Lucy investigate with the help of Dr Watson and the Kelly family.
Another entertaining and well-written mystery in this series with its delightful cast of characters.
Received an ARC from the authors

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The Necromancer's Bride by Kat Ross
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The story continues as Anne Lawrence starts her search for necromancer Gabriel D'Ange, leader of The Order of the Rose. He intends to seek out Jorin Bekker and kill him. Meanwhile Balthazar in on the same quest.
A enjoyable paranormal romance and thriller story.

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A Corpse at St Andrew's Chapel by Melvin R. Starr
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1365 Alan the beadle on Lord Gilbert Talbot's estate has gone missing. Two days later his body is discovered. Hugh de Singleton, bailiff and surgeon, is convinced of foul play and investigates. But will this be the last dead body, and a motive seems to be lacking.
A well-written slow paced historical mystery, an enjoyable read with its cast of likeable characters.

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Murder on the Marsh by Anne Penketh
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

DI Sam Clayton and his team are investigating the death of eight year old Jimmy Spratley, found in a graveyard with his heart cut out. Then another body is discovered. Is there a connection, what could be the motive.
DS Everett seemed to have an unwarranted complex when it came to her boss, consequently I didn't really like her character. She seemed too self absorbed.
A solid well-written start to the series, but I did prefer a later book in the series

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A Bad Breed by Kat Ross
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1889 Occult investigator Anne Lawrence can gone missing from a Romanian village which was the scene of brutal attacks. Vivienne Cumberland and husband Nathaniel arrive in Mara Vardac to investigate, but without daeva Alec Lawrence. Are the attacks really from a pricolic, a werewolf. Or is there more behind these attacks.
An enjoyable and well-written paranormal Victorian mystery.

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A Fatal Journey by Blythe Baker
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Morocco. The story starts with Rose Beckingham aka Nellie Dennet, former companion, chasing a murderer. When he is killed a letter he is carrying directs her back to India and Simla, scene of the death of her friend, and employers, the Beckinghams. Where she goes to find closure and solve an international assassin mystery.
Not much of an investigation and the guilty party owns up to a not very intelligent Rose.

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Shelley and the Unknown Lady by Lona Manning
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1818 Percy Bysshe Shelley has been followed throughout Europe by an unknown lady, could it be Mary Crawford of Mansfield Park fame.
Mary Bertram nee Crawford has arrived in Bagni di Lucca, Tuscany, alone, happy to have escaped her marriage when a chance encounter introduces her to Shelley.
A well-written and entertaining story, with its portrayal of these interesting characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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The Diabolical Bones by Bella Ellis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

December 1845 at Top Withens Hall, owner Clifton Bradshaw discovers the bones of a child in the chimney breast in his late wife's room.
Meanwhile at the Haworth Parsonage the Bronte sisters are busy with their individual writings. But eager for a new case for their detecting business, Bell Brothers and Company solicitors they are determined to discover the name of the child found and the guilty party.
A slow paced and enjoyable Victorian mystery with the clues slowly exposed. A well-written story also about the interactions between the various members of the Bronte family.
Another very good story in this series which can be read as a standalone book.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Crime In The Choir by Catherine Moloney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Over the years various boys have gone missing from Bromsgrove and St Mary's Choir School. At the same time Matron of the school, Irene Hummles, disappeared, presumed runaway from her responsibilities.
Twenty years later in 2017, two bodies are found in the graveyard of the school. DI Gilbert Markham partner Olivia Mullen is now the new English teacher at the school.
DI Markham and DS George Noakes investigate. But who or what is the hooded Night Watchman that seems to haunt the boys and the school.
An interesting well-written crime story, a good start to the series with its likeable main two policemen.

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Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of the Peculiar Provenance by Derrick Belanger
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1890 Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson are sent for by Scotland Yard, as Sir Hardwick Wellington has been accosted in his home, with an attempt to steal a painting. They follow the clues to a conspiracy.
Unfortunately a few Americanisms crept in, and an incorrect usage of titles
But still an enjoyable story

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The Cross-Legged Knight: The Owen Archer Series - Book Eight by Candace Robb
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1371 William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester arrives in York with the remains of Sir Ranulf Pagnell. His arrivals brings tension to York, but soon the burning of one of his homes uncovers a dead female. Owen Archer investigates.
Enjoyable and well-written historical mystery

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A Simple Country Killing by Blythe Baker
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

On her return to Brookminster, Helen Lightholder discovers Mr James, the vicar, dying. Does he in his last few breaths say who the guilty party is? Unfortunately for Helen she is arrested for the murder.
Took a dislike to the main character of this lightweight cozy mystery with its too much time spent considering Roger, and hardly any investigation.

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Imperfection by Ray Clark
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

DI Stewart Gardiner and his team are called in to investigate a hanging during an evening performance at a theatre in Leeds. But actor Leonard White did not die from the hanging but had been dead a while. So who was impersonating him during the day. But what is the connection to the next murder.
An entertaining modern crime story

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Blackfriar by Gary Mill
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

DS Chrissie. Dewar is looking for her missing sister, Marian, a tour guide in the tombs, which are inhabited by the ghost of the Black Friar from eight hundred years ago. But there seems to be a killer roaming the streets of Edinburgh. Then there is sex-trafficker Tam Mackinnon to deal with.
An enjoyable modern gothic murder mystery

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The Study of the Poisoned Pen by T E Scott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1920s London. Moreton and Fort have two cases. To investigate. The first, the case of the poison pen letters, and secondly, a series of minor thefts among the members of the literary circle. Unfortunately murder is not far behind.
An enjoyable Victorian mystery





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A Spy for the Redeemer by Candace Robb
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1370 Owen Archer is instructed by Archdeacon Rokelyn of St. David's to find the murderer of the stonemason Cynog before he will be allowed to leave with his men. Meanwhile back in York, Lucy Wilton has her own troubles to contend with.
An enjoyable historical mystery

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The Body in the Bookseller's: A Sherlock and Lucy Short Story by Anna Elliott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1899. Holmes and Watson are called in by Mycroft to investigate because a packet has been stolen from a diplomatic courier. As their investigation proceeds people are soon attacked, but then a body is discovered. Can Holmes and friends solve the case.
Another enjoyable and well-written Victorian mystery i this series, with its group of likeable characters.

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The Way That It Falls by Robin Roughley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When Shaun Miller deliberately pushes 85 year old Charlotte Green while being chased by DS Lasser he sets off a chain of events that can only result in pain. Beacuse unfortunately for hime she is grandmother to local drugs baron Callum Green.
A police procedural which although an interesting read the swearing did become too much

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Tallant for Trouble by Christopher Nicole
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Colonel Munroe Tallant, is the Commissioner of Police on the island of Grand Flamingo, in the West Indies. His day begins in thwarting a terrorism plot, and ends with a possible murder. Can his investigations lead to the guilty parties.
An enjoyable crime story

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Charles Fort and the Beast of Loch Ness by T E Scott
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1920. The suspicious death of Major Oliver Plunkett, at the former home of Aleister Crowley, Satanist, means Moreton and Fort are sent to Boleskine House in the highlands of Scotlandto investigate.
An enjoyable historical mystery

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Revenge in Rubies by A.M. Stuart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1910 Singapore. Inspector Robert Curran is called in to investigate the death of Sylvie Nolan, the new and much younger wife of Lt. Colonel John Nolan. Mrs Harriet Gordon becomes involved as she is friend to his sister Priscilla Nolan. But what could possibly be the motive of someone who was so well liked. But then another murder occurs. What is the possible connection between the deaths, will this be the last one.
An entertaining well-written historical mystery, with its cast of well-developed characters. A story which can easily be read as a standalone book
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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Fatal Decision by Ted Tayler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

DI Gus Freeman is recalled from retirement to head up the Crime Review Team, i.e. Cold cases.
The first investigation is of the murder of 68 year old Daphne Tolliver in 2008, ten years ago in Lowden Woods.
An enjoyable and well-written crime mystery. A good start to the series with its likeable characters.

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