Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder

Marion Lane's dreary life changes forever when an old family friend extends a mysterious invitation. What appears to be a run-of-the-mill clerk's job at a dusty used bookstore is, instead, an apprenticeship into London's most successful (and most mysterious) private detective agency. Miss Brickett's Investigations & Inquiries is literally an underground operation, located in subterranean tunnels. They have engineers who are creating the most advanced technology in spycraft, and a series of letterboxes around the city where concerned citizens can drop off hints and requests. When a filing assistant is murdered one night, it's clearly an inside job -- and it may be up to Marion to figure out who the perpetrator is, in order to avoid a show more serious miscarriage of justice.

I picked this one up from the library shelves without knowing much about it, and was pleasantly surprised. It's not exactly fantasy (though the tech isn't fully explained, and some of it borders on the magical), but it has that fantasy feel of a person swept up from the humdrum into another, more exciting world that they didn't know existed. I think dedicated mystery readers might find the mystery part of the plot a little weak, but the book makes up for it with the details of setting and character. I look forward to future volumes in the series. show less

Marion Lane has a most unusual job - she's ostensibly working at a bookstore, but really she's in training to become an Inquirer. In 1950s London, Miss Brickett's Investigations and Inquiries is located in tunnels under the city, operating in secret but available to investigate jobs the police can't figure out. But then one of their own is murdered.

This was a lot of fun to read. I enjoyed the mystery and the setting, which is a London very similar to ours but with a lot of gadgets and alchemy giving it a fantastical feeling yet without magic. There were a lot of characters to keep track of, but the solution surprised me (even if most of it depended on the perpetrating explaining it all) and I'll be interested in seeing where the series show more goes next. show less

I loved the description of Willberg's debut novel! What's not to love - a hidden detective agency below the streets of London, wondrous, magical gadgets to aid in investigations, a spunky female apprentice - and that last descriptor - Agatha-Christie-style-locked-room murder mystery.

Initially on starting to read, I thought of Platform 9 ¾. And our lead protagonist reminded me a bit of Nancy Drew. That should give you an idea about the feel of Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder. I just knew I was going to love it.

Marion is a wonderful lead - clever, curious, dogged and determined to become a full fledged Inquirer. But she has to wend her way through what is truth, what are lies and what is reality to find the perpetrator. There are show more many, many choices for whodunit. There are numerous characters in the book and it did take me a few chapters to remember who was who.

The setting is so detailed! I could picture myself climbing down the trapdoor stairs to find a whole 'nother world. Willberg's imaginings are fantastical. The changing paths, the gadgets, the training and so much more. The name of the agency, Miss Brickett’s Investigations & Inquiries, conjures up time and place and a bygone method of crime solving. The 1958 time period is perfect. This book wouldn't work for me in a current time.

The plot is fairly involved and will keep the reader on their toes.

Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder was a unique, wonderfully imaginative, delightfully fun read that took me away from the worries of today. I had great fun walking in Marion's footsteps as pursued the mysteries of Miss Brickett's - and the name of the murderer. And that last page.....I'm hoping there's more in store for Marion Lane. show less

This was super fun! Set in 1950s London, it's a secret society of investigators complete with underground tunnels and ingenious gadgets that give them a jump on the police. It very much reminded me of the TV show Warehouse 13. I thought the author did a great job of creating that secret, underground world that was just slightly off-kilter of the world we know and filled the story with really likable characters - that includes the ones we weren't supposed to like. I was completely engaged and delighted every minute I was reading this! Many thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy.

whodunit, inventions, investigation, 1950s, steampunk, clandestine-agency, London, locked-room-mystery, family-dynamics, friendship, murder, murder-investigation*****

Marion Lane is a new recruit in a clandestine under-the-ground investigation agency with a difficult task ahead (even more so than the usual). She has to solve the locked-room murder of an unpleasant co-worker and clear her friend of the deed. Marion is gifted but underestimated and the agency is reminiscent of Veronica Speedwell, The Chronicles of St Mary's, and even Inspector Gadget. There are lots of plot twists, mysterious maps, and peculiar clues. Some characters are drawn in depth, but there are others who seem to be waiting for a sequel. The publisher's blurb is a show more good hook, but the story has a bit of background to overcome, so don't expect it to hit the ground running.
I noticed some other reviewers had issues with the gadgets in a timeframe of the late 1950s, but as someone who was in grammar school at that time, I have no problem at all with it. I really loved it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from HARLEQUIN (U.S. & Canada)/Park Row Books via NetGalley. Thank you! show less

What a gray and dreary story! The setting is London in 1958. The main character is Marion Lane. She worked for an auto repair shop and learned a lot about mechanics until a lack of business forced it to close. Now her grandmother, who moved in after her mother's suicide, is trying to pressure Marion to marry. She even goes so far as to sell her home out from under her.

Marion's mentor Frank who was a friend of her late mother's finds her a job with Miss Brickett's Investigations & Inquiry where she is currently an apprentice. Miss Brickett's is underground both literally and figuratively. One enters through a decrepit used book store and a hidden trapdoor. The business has taken over some World War II underground shelters which were show more built from older facilities that may stretch back to Alchemists in the 1300a. The facility comes complete with dangerous and shifting tunnels and booby traps. Miss Brickett's also works outside the law and with questionable ethical standards.

When Michelle White who works in the Filing Department is found dead in the Lock Room, the hidden camera indicates that only Marion's mentor Frank accessed the room during the relevant time. Marion is determined to clear his name and find the real murderer and unravel the mystery of how the murder was done. There isn't much desire to get justice for Michelle who wasn't a likeable character and who had a justly earned reputation for being a snitch. She alienated almost everyone who came into contact with her.

Marion teams up with fellow apprentice Bill and a new agent hired from the US named Kenny Hugo to solve the crime and clear her mentor's name. But the real killer has a much bigger and much more dangerous plot than they know about. He's determined to complete his dastardly plans no matter who stands in his way.

This book had shades of the MAN FROM UNCLE in the underground headquarters and even bits of HARRY POTTER in the map which illuminates the changing tunnel systems. But it is the MAN FROM UNCLE without the dashing heroes and humor and HARRY POTTER without the magic - though some of the gadgets in the story have a bit of a magical feel.

The characters were not very well-developed. I don't feel that I ever got to know anything about Marion and her goals other than that her mother committed suicide and she was now homeless. The other characters were all similarly one-dimensional.

All-in-all there were few bright spots mixed in with the dreary gray in this historical mystery for me. I did like some of the gadgets. show less

Just what I needed! Marion Lane is a delightful protagonist. The beginning page captured my attention and Willberg’s writing kept me turning the pages. Taking place in 1950’s London, Marion is recruited into a super-secret investigation group. Like all good fantasy, magical devices are in plentiful supply and there is a powerful evildoer among the group. Marion, while only an apprentice shows her mettle in bringing the dastard to his demise. Interesting characters, adventure, and an intelligent female protagonist make me hope for more books in this series.