N. R. Daws

Initially I thought the plot was a little far-fetched, but after reading the author's notes at the end and his research, decided that it wasn't. A young female member of the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) is brutally murdered shortly after arriving at her new base and the pressure is on to find the culprit. The policeman investigating is frustrated by hostility of the RAF base commander who is incensed to have women pilots on his base.

1891 Hampton Court Palace. Housekeeper Mrs Lydia Bramble is informed that one of the inhabitants, Miss Philomena Franklin, has been found dead with a knife in her back. DI Cole of Scotland Yard is called in but Mrs Bramble believes she is better equipped and recruits Reverend Thomas Weaver to aid her in her investigations.
An entertaining and well-written historical cozy mystery with its varied characters. A good start to this new series.

Mrs Lydia Bramble, housekeeper in charge, is unchuffed when a lady turns up not only dead but seemingly murdered, and takes it upon herself to find the murderer.

I didn't care for this. The characters are dull, and so is the mystery. Bramble is insufferable, and only shines by going up against the stupidest oaf of a copper to ever exist.

The author obviously needed to prove just how much time they spent pouring over Hampton Court Palace maps. And holy HECK do I wish an editor had demanded show more mentions of Bramble's time as an army nurse be capped to no more than 10. show less

When the Reverend Weaver is asked to lead a service at the Tower of London, he is honoured but then guests become very ill and one lady dies. Now Reverend Weaver is the main suspect but his redoubtable friend from Hampton Court, Mrs Bramble, has arrived to solve the case. There is a background of ingrained feuds and illicit relationships to be untangled before the truth will out.
There is lots to like about this book but I found it hard to engage at first as I had not read the first in the show more series which meant that I was catching up with the key characters and their relationships. However it is a clever little plot (if rather far-fetched) it bounces along quite pleasantly. show less