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Lizzie Martin #4
A Particular Eye for Villainy
When Mr Thomas Tapley, a respectable but down-at-heel gentleman, is found bludgeoned to death in his sitting room, his neighbour Inspector Benjamin Ross of Scotland Yard rushes to the scene. Tapley had recently returned from abroad but little else is known about the elusive man. Then, on hearing the news of Thomas's death, Mr Jonathan Tapley, QC, comes forward and the truth about his cousin's tragic past slowly begins to emerge.
Meanwhile, Ben's wife Lizzie is convinced that Tapley was being followed on the day he died and, with a bit of surreptitious questioning, she discovers that he received a mysterious visitor in a beautiful carriage a few days before his death.
As the list of suspects begins to mount, Ben can't help wondering how much of the truth is being revealed and who would benefit most from Tapley's unfortunate demise?
Meanwhile, Ben's wife Lizzie is convinced that Tapley was being followed on the day he died and, with a bit of surreptitious questioning, she discovers that he received a mysterious visitor in a beautiful carriage a few days before his death.
As the list of suspects begins to mount, Ben can't help wondering how much of the truth is being revealed and who would benefit most from Tapley's unfortunate demise?
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
84 people are currently reading
335 people want to read
About the author
Ann Granger
76 books301 followersAnn Granger attended the Northern Grammar School for Girls, and had thoughts about becoming a veterinarian, but discovered women were not accepted into vet schools because they were not believed to be strong enough. Instead she earned a Modern Languages degree at the University of London, where she first developed a desire to become a writer. worked in British embassies in various parts of the world. She met her husband, who was also working for the British Embassy, in Prague and together they received postings to places as far apart as Munich and Lusaka. They had two children.
Her first novels were historical romances published under the nom de plume Ann Hulme.
In 1991, Granger made the decision to switch to crime novels, saying, "Basically, there is only one plot in love stories: You can describe it in different ways, but you always come back to the subject of man and woman. Crime fiction opens up a world of possibilities for the writer. It lets you tackle deep and difficult issues." Her first crime novel, Say it with Poison, centred on the protagonists Meredith Mitchell, a consular clerk, and police officer Alan Markby. The book proved popular and Granger wrote 14 more Mitchell & Markby novels between 1991 and 2004.
Granger also wrote other crime novel series & in 2021, in recognition of thirty years of crime novels, Granger released a collection of eighteen short stories, Mystery in the Making.
On 24 September 2025, her publisher Headline announced that Granger had died at the age of 86
This autobiography was added to with information from Wikipedia & Encyclopedia.com.
Her first novels were historical romances published under the nom de plume Ann Hulme.
In 1991, Granger made the decision to switch to crime novels, saying, "Basically, there is only one plot in love stories: You can describe it in different ways, but you always come back to the subject of man and woman. Crime fiction opens up a world of possibilities for the writer. It lets you tackle deep and difficult issues." Her first crime novel, Say it with Poison, centred on the protagonists Meredith Mitchell, a consular clerk, and police officer Alan Markby. The book proved popular and Granger wrote 14 more Mitchell & Markby novels between 1991 and 2004.
Granger also wrote other crime novel series & in 2021, in recognition of thirty years of crime novels, Granger released a collection of eighteen short stories, Mystery in the Making.
On 24 September 2025, her publisher Headline announced that Granger had died at the age of 86
This autobiography was added to with information from Wikipedia & Encyclopedia.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
December 18, 2015
Un 4ème tome un peu moins bon que les tomes précédents (ou les circonstances de lecture qui m'ont empêché de savourer pleinement ? ...) En tout cas, j'ai un peu moins apprécié ma lecture de ce tome. Après, c'est du "Ann Granger" donc du très bon quand même
Malgré mon "léger" manque d'optimisme sur ce tome (léger parce qu'une étoile en moins...), Ann Granger reste et restera mon auteur chouchou et j'attends avec impatience le prochain tome.
Malgré mon "léger" manque d'optimisme sur ce tome (léger parce qu'une étoile en moins...), Ann Granger reste et restera mon auteur chouchou et j'attends avec impatience le prochain tome.
June 11, 2016
Fourth in the Ben Ross/Lizzie Martin mysteries. Inspector Ben Ross finds himself investigating the death of a neighbour, a man who has a mysterious past and whose appearance is not all that it seems. Lizzie is determined to get herself involved in the investigation even if it means putting others at risk.
Solid, entertaining Victorian crime series with a few twists, good period detail and not too much violence.
Solid, entertaining Victorian crime series with a few twists, good period detail and not too much violence.
July 6, 2019
Bei einem Spaziergang treffen Lizzie Ross und ihr Hausmädchen Bessie ihren Nachbarn Thoms Tapley, einen Exzentriker, über den man wenig weiss. Kurz darauf wird er erschlagen in seinem Wohnzimmer aufgefunden und Ben bekommt den Fall sogleich übertragen. Bald stellt sich heraus, dass Thomas Tapley weit mehr Geheimnisse hatte, als es zu vermuten war und es beginnt eine knifflige Ermittlung, an der Lizzie natürlich nicht unbeteiligt ist.
Ich lese die Bücher von Ann Granger schon lange sehr gerne, weil sie einfach einen richtig schönen britischen Touch haben. Auch hier wird der Flair der britischen Hauptstadt im 19. Jahrhundert wieder lebendig. Von der ersten Seite an sieht man London vor sich und begleitet Lizzie und Bessie bei ihren Ausflügen. Auch bei Bens Ermittlungen ist man immer voll dabei, vor allem wenn er außerhalb Londons gemeinsam mit ortsansässigen Kollegen ermittelt.
Mir hat das Buch wieder richtig viel Spaß gemacht, lange habe ich gerätselt, wie denn nun die Hintergründe des Verbrechens sein mögen.
Ich freue mich schon auf die weiteren Bände der Serie, die ich sicher noch lesen werde.
Von mir eine Leseempfehlung!
Ich lese die Bücher von Ann Granger schon lange sehr gerne, weil sie einfach einen richtig schönen britischen Touch haben. Auch hier wird der Flair der britischen Hauptstadt im 19. Jahrhundert wieder lebendig. Von der ersten Seite an sieht man London vor sich und begleitet Lizzie und Bessie bei ihren Ausflügen. Auch bei Bens Ermittlungen ist man immer voll dabei, vor allem wenn er außerhalb Londons gemeinsam mit ortsansässigen Kollegen ermittelt.
Mir hat das Buch wieder richtig viel Spaß gemacht, lange habe ich gerätselt, wie denn nun die Hintergründe des Verbrechens sein mögen.
Ich freue mich schon auf die weiteren Bände der Serie, die ich sicher noch lesen werde.
Von mir eine Leseempfehlung!
August 9, 2019
Beaucoup de redite, c'est assez mou comme intrigue, heureusement les personnages sont assez bien écrits, mais c'est vraiment le 2è que je préfère, je ne sais pas si je vais lire le suivant ! C'est un peu ennuyeux !
March 7, 2022
This series reminds me of the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt novels but not as dark. The narration is excellent.
July 5, 2013
Good read which didn't require too many brain cells, was a little annoyed that Granger would throw in a clue which had been with held in order to add a new twist, but I won't spoil it for you.
May 28, 2013
First I've read of Ann Granger and I really liked it. The setting is brilliantly created in this Victorian police drama with a great plotline too. I shall be seeking out more...
December 22, 2014
I've read a couple of the other books in this series , and this was also an enjoyable read . The period detail was well done and the characters were interesting and amusing .
November 26, 2014
Nice character sketch. Not much in the way of plot, suspense etc, though.
February 13, 2016
Un gros coup de coeur pour le 4ème tome de cette saga. L'enquête est excellente et nous tient en haleine jusqu'à la fin. Les deux répliques de la dernière page, sont juste adorables ! :)
April 23, 2018
Mlle Alice, pouvez-vous nous raconter votre rencontre avec Un Flair Infaillible pour le Crime ?
"Malgré mes réserves sur les tomes précédents, l'époque, mon inépuisable optimisme et les couvertures sublimes me font replonger à chaque fois..."
Dites-nous en un peu plus sur son histoire...
"Quand Lizzie n'essaie pas de s'immiscer dans les enquêtes de son mari, se sont les meurtres qui s'invitent dans sa vie. Aussi, lorsque l'un de ses voisins est retrouvé mort et qu'elle se rend compte être l'une des dernières personnes à lui avoir parlé, elle ne peut faire autrement que d'intervenir..."
Mais que s'est-il exactement passé entre vous?
"J'ai bien aimé cette intrigue, peut-être plus que les précédentes. Il y a toujours des choses qui me chiffonnent, comme l'incroyable ressemblance d'un grand nombre d'éléments avec les livres d'Anne Perry, au hasard, mais les personnages ont enfin pris un peu d'épaisseur. Je trouve toujours que Lizzie résout une trop grande partie des énigmes, faisant passer son mari pour un idiot mais je commence malgré tout à plus apprécier Benjamin Ross et à trouver de plus grandes nuances dans la palette d'individus rencontrés. L'enquête policière est intéressante et bien menée, le choix de cet homme mystérieux, assassiné sans qu'on ne sache rien de lui ou presque, est judicieux et on tourne rapidement les pages, impatients de savoir tout ce qu'il nous cache."
Et comment cela s'est-il fini?
"La fin gâche tout. Jusqu'à la dernière ligne on attend la révélation d'un secret, d'une querelle, d'une incompréhension peut-être. N'importe quoi qui donnerait un motif valable à ce crime mais qui malheureusement n'arrive jamais. Quand ce ne sont pas les personnages, c'est donc la conclusion qui flanche. La bonne nouvelle c'est que la marge d'évolution reste ouverte..."
http://booksaremywonderland.hautetfor...
"Malgré mes réserves sur les tomes précédents, l'époque, mon inépuisable optimisme et les couvertures sublimes me font replonger à chaque fois..."
Dites-nous en un peu plus sur son histoire...
"Quand Lizzie n'essaie pas de s'immiscer dans les enquêtes de son mari, se sont les meurtres qui s'invitent dans sa vie. Aussi, lorsque l'un de ses voisins est retrouvé mort et qu'elle se rend compte être l'une des dernières personnes à lui avoir parlé, elle ne peut faire autrement que d'intervenir..."
Mais que s'est-il exactement passé entre vous?
"J'ai bien aimé cette intrigue, peut-être plus que les précédentes. Il y a toujours des choses qui me chiffonnent, comme l'incroyable ressemblance d'un grand nombre d'éléments avec les livres d'Anne Perry, au hasard, mais les personnages ont enfin pris un peu d'épaisseur. Je trouve toujours que Lizzie résout une trop grande partie des énigmes, faisant passer son mari pour un idiot mais je commence malgré tout à plus apprécier Benjamin Ross et à trouver de plus grandes nuances dans la palette d'individus rencontrés. L'enquête policière est intéressante et bien menée, le choix de cet homme mystérieux, assassiné sans qu'on ne sache rien de lui ou presque, est judicieux et on tourne rapidement les pages, impatients de savoir tout ce qu'il nous cache."
Et comment cela s'est-il fini?
"La fin gâche tout. Jusqu'à la dernière ligne on attend la révélation d'un secret, d'une querelle, d'une incompréhension peut-être. N'importe quoi qui donnerait un motif valable à ce crime mais qui malheureusement n'arrive jamais. Quand ce ne sont pas les personnages, c'est donc la conclusion qui flanche. La bonne nouvelle c'est que la marge d'évolution reste ouverte..."
http://booksaremywonderland.hautetfor...
February 25, 2025
Pro mě je to druhá knížka, kterou ze série čtu. A musím říci, že se mi celkově líbila. Má dobrou atmosféru, která i odpovídá, jak si dané období představuji. Navíc Lizzie a její manžel jsou mi velmi sympatičtí jako postavy. Knížka ani příliš krvavá, jak říká moje mamka. A nezabíhá do podrobností popisu mrtvoly v přílišných detailech.
A vlastně se v ní člověk i dočká pár překvapení a nečekaných zvratů. Situaci navíc zkomplikovala druhá vražda, která ale s tou první úzce souvisela. I tak vrah mě lehce napadl celkem záhy, ale nebyla jsem si jistá, jestli jsem to uhádla a jesli jsem odhalila správně motiv pro vraždu. Nakonec ano.
Celkově se mi knížka líbila a určitě se k sérii zase vrátím, jenco se nějaká knížka objeví opět v knihovně, až budu mít cestu kolem. A mamce jsem ji doporučila k přečtení.
A vlastně se v ní člověk i dočká pár překvapení a nečekaných zvratů. Situaci navíc zkomplikovala druhá vražda, která ale s tou první úzce souvisela. I tak vrah mě lehce napadl celkem záhy, ale nebyla jsem si jistá, jestli jsem to uhádla a jesli jsem odhalila správně motiv pro vraždu. Nakonec ano.
Celkově se mi knížka líbila a určitě se k sérii zase vrátím, jenco se nějaká knížka objeví opět v knihovně, až budu mít cestu kolem. A mamce jsem ji doporučila k přečtení.
January 10, 2025
4e tome de ce policier victorien, et c'est un plaisir de voir que les histoires ne s'essouflent pas !
Lizzie et Ben sont égaux à eux-mêmes, de même que Bessie ou encore le surintendant Dunn.
J'ai retrouvé avec joie dans ce tome Wally Slater, le cocher ancien boxeur.
J'aime cette narration à deux voix (unies qui plus est), qui permet de faire avancer l'intrigue très vite.
Beaucoup de rebondissements, une intrigue et un dénouement très crédibles, encore une fois pour moi c'est un excellent policier.
Mention spéciale pour Ben, dont les tentatives pour comprendre la gent féminine (surtout sa femme) sont très touchantes. Attendre que l'aveu vienne, noter les détails de la tenue pour complimenter...
Lizzie et Ben sont égaux à eux-mêmes, de même que Bessie ou encore le surintendant Dunn.
J'ai retrouvé avec joie dans ce tome Wally Slater, le cocher ancien boxeur.
J'aime cette narration à deux voix (unies qui plus est), qui permet de faire avancer l'intrigue très vite.
Beaucoup de rebondissements, une intrigue et un dénouement très crédibles, encore une fois pour moi c'est un excellent policier.
Mention spéciale pour Ben, dont les tentatives pour comprendre la gent féminine (surtout sa femme) sont très touchantes. Attendre que l'aveu vienne, noter les détails de la tenue pour complimenter...
July 2, 2021
This is the fourth book in the Lizzie Martin and Inspector Ben Ross mystery series by Ann Granger, and I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The author's writing skills immediately draw the reader into the story and as the murder mystery unfolds one can't help but keep turning the pages. The author alternates different voices throughout the book, primarily depicting Lizzie's perspective and activities and then changing to reflect on how Lizzie's husband, Inspector Ross, sees the events. This adds interest both to the story and to the characters as they develop. Looking forward to reading the next book in this series!
May 30, 2022
Enjoyable setting, a few nice twists to the plot, and a couple of clues I should have picked up on at the time but the author successfully made me forget about it until the end. I think Ben is a bit of a stick: I don't know what Lizzie sees in him. Perhaps it's just that he doesn't attempt to order her around, but at this point, even Superintendent Dunn knows that would be a lost cause.
I learned a few fascinating historical details, like Quakers not varying their clothing when they went into mourning, and like the date when male-on-male sex ceased to be a capital offense in England. (Obviously, one of those was much more important than the other.)
I learned a few fascinating historical details, like Quakers not varying their clothing when they went into mourning, and like the date when male-on-male sex ceased to be a capital offense in England. (Obviously, one of those was much more important than the other.)
July 31, 2022
I am really enjoying this series by Ann Granger and this, the fourth in the series was by far the best. Inspector Ben Ross is called to investigate the sudden death of a neighbor Mr. Thomas Tapley. Mr. Tapley a gentleman who appears to be of modest means is bludgeoned to death in the room of his lodging house. Who would want to kill this unassuming man? Ben's wife Lizzie is soon drawn into the investigation and together they discover the victims mysterious past.
Set in the mid 1860's this is so well written. The characters are finely drawn and historical background and period detail gives atmosphere to the story. I look forward to the next one in the series.
Set in the mid 1860's this is so well written. The characters are finely drawn and historical background and period detail gives atmosphere to the story. I look forward to the next one in the series.
June 11, 2017
Having seen this book in the library and being a fan of victorian crime fiction. I decided to read this book, and I am glad I did. This book is the last of a series of 4 books, and I am particularly interested in the use of Lizzie's (Inspector Ross' wife) and Inspector Ross himself. Lizzie is very much a woman who I see myself as. The story has a twist in it, and it is something which is quite sad when you think about it, and the twist comes on the last 2 pages of the novel.
A new series for me to indulge in.
A new series for me to indulge in.
September 19, 2017
I picked this book up from the library mostly because I've been reading heavy things lately and this looked like an entertaining break. I was right, Granger writes with a humorous tone and the POV characters - Lizzie and Ben Ross - are quite likable. The mystery unfolds at a good pace, with some engaging characters to keep you interested. I also liked the diversity of supporting characters present, as well as a statement/description of the social challenges each faced. Overall a fun and quick read.
May 16, 2020
À nouveau, Ann Granger s'intéresse aux interactions sociales dans le Londres victorien. En effet, si la victime du meurtre est désargentée, elle faisait partie d'une famille très en vue, presque intouchable. Alors, pour l'inspecteur Ross, tout se complique très vite, surtout que Lizzie est bien décidée à mettre son grain de sel dans l'histoire. Un tome jouissif, qui est, pour l'instant, le meilleur de la série.
https://lauryn-books.blogspot.com/202...
https://lauryn-books.blogspot.com/202...
November 24, 2017
c2012 (8) Hmm. Not much I can say about this one other than I guessed the murderer as soon as he/she came on the scene. I didn't care the dialogue and I did not find the discussion of a certain topic to be believable for the period it was set in. The characters are humdrum and I didn't quite get into the male/female POVs. For me, there are better historical crime novels out there so unable to recommend to the normal crew.
June 18, 2018
It took me a while to get into this book despite it being an easy read as I did not really find any of the characters likable or engaging.I did warm to Ben as the book went on but I found Lizzie's meddling in the police case annoying.
I also did not think the Victorian setting was very convincing, the dialog and inner voice of the characters did not fit in with this time period at all.
I will not read any more in this series.
I also did not think the Victorian setting was very convincing, the dialog and inner voice of the characters did not fit in with this time period at all.
I will not read any more in this series.
July 9, 2018
Again, I tried getting out of my too long of a reading slump by reading this book. In the end, sadly, it didn't work for me. I like historical, mystery books especially when the woman is very involved in it. But the book wasn't interesting enough for me to keep going. It was one of those books that often skip to the end and just read the ending instead
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2019
An old fashioned murder mystery with a spunky young female protagonist. Probably not quite the most period correct term to describe her though kind of befitting considering her comportment was courageous for a woman of the day. Plenty of action and adventure. Now to find the beginnings of the series!
May 17, 2020
Thomas Tapley is found dead in his room a few doors away from Lizzie and Ben Ross’s house. Although a gentleman h was down at heel. His landlady, and indeed his previous landlady know nothing about him. A cousin identifies the body and so begins the investigation in his Tapley’s life and death. Plenty of red herrings.
A satisfying read.
A satisfying read.
May 28, 2020
Un quatrième tome toujours aussi efficace. L'auteur me ravit avec ses enquêtes extrêmement bien construites et développées. J'adore aussi le fait qu'elle incorpore à chaque fois des thèmes différents (ici, l'homosexualité entre autres) et qu'elle continue ses dénonciations sur les inégalités hommes-femmes et riches-pauvres de l'époque. Passionnant !
May 12, 2022
The fourth installment of the Ben and Lizzie Ross Victorian mysteries finds them both investigating the death of an acquaintance. Though Mr. Tapley appears a friendly, though down on his luck neighbor, there's more to the story. This book touches on the hardships and difficulties of being gay in Victorian England and also finds Lizzie trying aid a street urchin. An enjoyable read.
October 13, 2023
A decent Victorian murder mystery.
The beginning was a little long in the tooth, but once’s things got going it was better.
I’m still not really sure why Joey was important at all.
The way characters spoke was very old fashioned and long winded. Which made the story really feel like it was taking place in the Victorian era.
The beginning was a little long in the tooth, but once’s things got going it was better.
I’m still not really sure why Joey was important at all.
The way characters spoke was very old fashioned and long winded. Which made the story really feel like it was taking place in the Victorian era.
May 6, 2024
The books in this series are pretty good, but not what I would call great. They tend to be overlong (loads of unnecessary repetition), and I get tired of the harping on Lizzie's detecting being just horrifying to the men around. The plots are reasonably well-constructed however. I'll read another one.
December 18, 2017
Ann Granger nous livre une fois encore une enquête bien ficelée que j'ai suivie avec plaisir. On retrouve son style de narration qu'on lui connait avec cette série ainsi que cette ambiance britannique de l'époque victorienne pleine de charme désué.
April 2, 2019
3 1/2 stars. A murder mystery set in the Victorian period, with Scotland Yard investigating. This is no 4 in the series, but stands alone. A very good mystery great characterisation for the time period. Good audio version with 2 narrators.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews