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A Dizzy Heights Mystery #1
Petits crimes et gros diamants
Missing diamonds. Mysterious deaths. And all that jazz. London, 1925. With their band the Dizzy Heights, jazz musicians Ivor ‘Skins’ Maloney and Bartholomew ‘Barty’ Dunn are used to improvising as they play the Charleston for flappers and toffs, but things are about to take a surprising turn. Superintendent Sunderland has had word that a deserter who stole a fortune in diamonds as he fled the war is a member of the Aristippus private members’ club in Mayfair―where the Dizzy Heights have a residency. And the thief is planning to steal a hoard of jewels hidden there under the cover of a dance contest. As mutual pal Lady Hardcastle has suggested, Skins and Dunn are perfectly placed to be Sunderland’s eyes and ears―and Skins’s wife Ellie soon lends a hand with a bit of light snooping. But the stakes change dramatically when a mysterious death at the club brings a sinister note to the investigation. With the dance contest fast approaching, the trio must solve the mystery of the missing diamonds, unmask the murderer, and prevent more deadly crimes―all without missing a beat.
304 pages, Pocket Book
First published March 1, 2021
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May 7, 2021
The Deadly Mystery of the Missing Diamonds
by T. E. Kinsey brings to life 1925 London. The country is recovering from the war and escapism from the devastation comes with jazz music, dancing, and excellent company. This is the first book in the Dizzy Heights Mystery series and is a spin-off series from the Lady Hardcastle Mystery series.
Dizzy Heights is a jazz band featuring Ivor ‘Dizzy’ Maloney (drummer) and Bartholomew ‘Barty’ Dunn (double bass) along with the brass section, banjo player, and speaking trumpet. It is believed that a deserter stole a fortune in diamonds while in France during the war. He is now believed to be a member of the Aristippus Club where the band plays. When Superintendent Sunderland of Scotland Yard asks for their help, Dizzy and Barty agree. They also enlist the help of Dizzy’s wife Ellie and the other band members. Will it really be that easy for amateurs to find the deserter and prevent more crimes? Who is the cunning criminal?
The main characters of Dizzy, Barty, and Ellie were likeable and unusual. Their repartee elevated the level of the book and gave this reader a fun laugh-out-loud moments, but there were a few too many puns. This supporting cast had varying degrees of depth, but provided balance and contrast to the main characters. Additionally, protagonists from this author’s other series, Lady Hardcastle and Flo Armstrong, make a short cameo appearance.
The author brings a strong sense of time and place and easily transported this reader to post-war London. Adding to that, the cultural aspects made reading this book an immersive experience and felt authentic. I easily pictured the club, the band, and saw the Charleston being danced. Friendship is at the heart of this novel and Kinsey brings it to life. Besides the diamond theft, other themes included murder, desertion, conscientious objection, how women were treated and what was starting to change. My one quibble is that the pace was a little slow in places.
Overall, this was a light, fun, and entertaining historical cozy mystery. Jazz band members as amateur sleuths was a unique and enjoyable approach. Reading this novel made me want to read the Lady Hardcastle mystery series as well as the next novel featuring the Dizzy Heights. The author’s note has several interesting tidbits of information that are worth reading. Those that like historical cozy mysteries will likely enjoy this spin-off series.
This is my honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and are not biased in any way. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
Dizzy Heights is a jazz band featuring Ivor ‘Dizzy’ Maloney (drummer) and Bartholomew ‘Barty’ Dunn (double bass) along with the brass section, banjo player, and speaking trumpet. It is believed that a deserter stole a fortune in diamonds while in France during the war. He is now believed to be a member of the Aristippus Club where the band plays. When Superintendent Sunderland of Scotland Yard asks for their help, Dizzy and Barty agree. They also enlist the help of Dizzy’s wife Ellie and the other band members. Will it really be that easy for amateurs to find the deserter and prevent more crimes? Who is the cunning criminal?
The main characters of Dizzy, Barty, and Ellie were likeable and unusual. Their repartee elevated the level of the book and gave this reader a fun laugh-out-loud moments, but there were a few too many puns. This supporting cast had varying degrees of depth, but provided balance and contrast to the main characters. Additionally, protagonists from this author’s other series, Lady Hardcastle and Flo Armstrong, make a short cameo appearance.
The author brings a strong sense of time and place and easily transported this reader to post-war London. Adding to that, the cultural aspects made reading this book an immersive experience and felt authentic. I easily pictured the club, the band, and saw the Charleston being danced. Friendship is at the heart of this novel and Kinsey brings it to life. Besides the diamond theft, other themes included murder, desertion, conscientious objection, how women were treated and what was starting to change. My one quibble is that the pace was a little slow in places.
Overall, this was a light, fun, and entertaining historical cozy mystery. Jazz band members as amateur sleuths was a unique and enjoyable approach. Reading this novel made me want to read the Lady Hardcastle mystery series as well as the next novel featuring the Dizzy Heights. The author’s note has several interesting tidbits of information that are worth reading. Those that like historical cozy mysteries will likely enjoy this spin-off series.
This is my honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and are not biased in any way. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
August 22, 2021
More of a warm band family than a mystery.
A very enjoyable read. This is not my usual sort of book but I am very glad I got a chance to read it. It was great to have a hook set in london, and like the author Wood Green has a ver nostalgic place in my heart.
The mystery aspect of the book is a distant second place in the book. It is really getting to get yo know the characters, and these are great characters. I am not sure if 2 of the main characters are what I would call detective material. They would not be my first call to solve a crime, but definitely to hangout with.
Another thing I liked about this book is the setting in post World War 1 London. I like that there is less of a divide among the classes, as if is between people who served in the militery and those that did not. Though most of the officer positions did go to the upper class in general.
I would really like to see what is next for the characters in this book. It will be interesting if, now the characters are established, Skins and Durn can get there detective skills on par with their musical talents, likability personalities or atleast in line with the women.
A very enjoyable read. This is not my usual sort of book but I am very glad I got a chance to read it. It was great to have a hook set in london, and like the author Wood Green has a ver nostalgic place in my heart.
The mystery aspect of the book is a distant second place in the book. It is really getting to get yo know the characters, and these are great characters. I am not sure if 2 of the main characters are what I would call detective material. They would not be my first call to solve a crime, but definitely to hangout with.
Another thing I liked about this book is the setting in post World War 1 London. I like that there is less of a divide among the classes, as if is between people who served in the militery and those that did not. Though most of the officer positions did go to the upper class in general.
I would really like to see what is next for the characters in this book. It will be interesting if, now the characters are established, Skins and Durn can get there detective skills on par with their musical talents, likability personalities or atleast in line with the women.
March 17, 2021
I am a big fan of this author's Lady Hardcastle series so as soon as I became aware of this spinoff series I had to give it a try.
The Deadly Mystery of the Missing Diamonds is set a a time when the most popular dance was the Charleston and people met at a Lyon's Corner House for pots of tea and cakes. Kinsey is a master at the art of setting the scene, both historically and musically. He also writes very appealing and witty characters and there is a lot of amusing banter between the main characters. The mystery is interesting and is resolved in a satisfactory way.
I enjoyed this book very much, not quite as much yet as the other series but I am sure it will grow on me with future books. Lady Hardcastle and Flo do pop in this one for a quick visit, and Flo and Ellie keep up a correspondence throughout the book. I am hoping the author will continue to write their series as well.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
The Deadly Mystery of the Missing Diamonds is set a a time when the most popular dance was the Charleston and people met at a Lyon's Corner House for pots of tea and cakes. Kinsey is a master at the art of setting the scene, both historically and musically. He also writes very appealing and witty characters and there is a lot of amusing banter between the main characters. The mystery is interesting and is resolved in a satisfactory way.
I enjoyed this book very much, not quite as much yet as the other series but I am sure it will grow on me with future books. Lady Hardcastle and Flo do pop in this one for a quick visit, and Flo and Ellie keep up a correspondence throughout the book. I am hoping the author will continue to write their series as well.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
June 16, 2023
I’m not a big fan of cozy mysteries, but a good friend recommended this one. And it was enjoyable. It’s 1925 in London. Two jazz musicians, Skin and Barty, are asked to help a police commissioner find a deserter who stole a fortune in diamonds during the last war. Now, this man is supposedly a member of a posh men’s club. A club where they are resident players. But things quickly take a dangerous turn when someone dies under mysterious circumstances. Skin’s wife has a penchant for investigating and she is soon involved as well.
This is an offshoot of another series, which I didn't realize until I started reading. But it’s not necessary to have read the previous series.
The story is light as air and fluffy as popcorn. There are lovely bits of humor dribbled throughout the book. It’s mindless entertainment and I doubt I’ll remember a single plot point two days from now. The big climax and reveal didn’t really hang together for me (neither the visualization of the first or the explanation of the second).
I will admit to liking my mysteries with a little more meat. But for those that want some wholesome fun, I can recommend it.
The narrators did a lovely job.
This is an offshoot of another series, which I didn't realize until I started reading. But it’s not necessary to have read the previous series.
The story is light as air and fluffy as popcorn. There are lovely bits of humor dribbled throughout the book. It’s mindless entertainment and I doubt I’ll remember a single plot point two days from now. The big climax and reveal didn’t really hang together for me (neither the visualization of the first or the explanation of the second).
I will admit to liking my mysteries with a little more meat. But for those that want some wholesome fun, I can recommend it.
The narrators did a lovely job.
April 4, 2021
Working for Superintendent Sunderland was a different way of going about their music, as the Dizzy Heights played many gigs in London in 1925, but with Skins and Barty, good friends of Lady Hardcastle and Flo, and best friends themselves, everything was lighthearted and fun and loved by many. The dance contest that the band had promised to play for – helping them practice every week - saw the group bumble their way through their first lessons.
But when a murder occurred in the Aristippus Club in Mayfair where Dizzy Heights were playing, things became personal, and they were determined to find the killer. They also vowed to sort out Sunderland’s problem along the way. Would the Alphabet boys win the dance contest? And would they discover the killer and thief before the entertainment was over?
The Deadly Mystery of the Missing Diamonds is the 1st in A Dizzy Heights Mystery series by T.E. Kinsey and it was fun and entertaining. I laughed out loud many times, especially at Skins and Barty’s antics and comments. There wasn’t much interaction with Lady Hardcastle and Flo but they were behind the scenes. All in all, a great start to a new series by the author of The Lady Hardcastle Mysteries which I love! Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
But when a murder occurred in the Aristippus Club in Mayfair where Dizzy Heights were playing, things became personal, and they were determined to find the killer. They also vowed to sort out Sunderland’s problem along the way. Would the Alphabet boys win the dance contest? And would they discover the killer and thief before the entertainment was over?
The Deadly Mystery of the Missing Diamonds is the 1st in A Dizzy Heights Mystery series by T.E. Kinsey and it was fun and entertaining. I laughed out loud many times, especially at Skins and Barty’s antics and comments. There wasn’t much interaction with Lady Hardcastle and Flo but they were behind the scenes. All in all, a great start to a new series by the author of The Lady Hardcastle Mysteries which I love! Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
March 7, 2021
This is my first book by this author. I haven't read too many historical mysteries either. But I definitely liked this one.
I really liked the way this book is written. The author did a great job introducing the atmosphere of the 20's not only to the plot but also to the language of the book. And he did it with real humor and intuition. When you read a book, you can almost feel the atmosphere of jazz. Everything from the style of writing to the characters to the plot is permeated with it. This is a very well created 20's styling. At the same time, this story is written in a playful tone with a grain of salt. If you like this type of narrative, then you won't be disappointed.
Another strong point is the interesting and diverse characters. The book mostly focuses on three people – Dunn, his best friend Skins and Skins’ wife Ellie. This trio makes a very well-knit team, then you’ve got the other members of the Dizzy Heights band, just as colorful and fascinating. I really like the dynamics of the relationship between all these characters. Their friendly banter gives the book an additional humorous twist. They make a great team to which I will gladly come back in the next book. They are complemented by the Alphabet Gang - a group of potential suspects, which in itself is also very interesting and introduces another comic element.
And finally, we have an interesting and complicated criminal plot, still in the style of the 20s and novels from that time. Although I admit that the death of one of the characters at the beginning of the book surprised and saddened me. I wish it could have been avoided. And while I wasn't particularly surprised by who turned out to be the thief, watching Ellie and the guys try to solve it in their own unique way was great entertainment.
Also because of the fast pace which I like very much. There is a lot of exceptionally good dialogue here that effectively sets the pace and introduces this light, playful tone. Only at the beginning we get short information about Skins and Dunn's childhood and how they met. But it is not tiring or boring, it just allows us to quickly orientate ourselves in the situation and enjoy the novel. We get the rest without any problems throughout the story.
I definitely recommend this book to all those who like historical mysteries set in the 1920s and jazz musicians who, despite their grim wartime experiences, take little things seriously. Although this may not be a book for people who do not like any, even the smallest, mentions about the war (in this case the First World War), because the plot of this book refers to such events.
Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked the way this book is written. The author did a great job introducing the atmosphere of the 20's not only to the plot but also to the language of the book. And he did it with real humor and intuition. When you read a book, you can almost feel the atmosphere of jazz. Everything from the style of writing to the characters to the plot is permeated with it. This is a very well created 20's styling. At the same time, this story is written in a playful tone with a grain of salt. If you like this type of narrative, then you won't be disappointed.
Another strong point is the interesting and diverse characters. The book mostly focuses on three people – Dunn, his best friend Skins and Skins’ wife Ellie. This trio makes a very well-knit team, then you’ve got the other members of the Dizzy Heights band, just as colorful and fascinating. I really like the dynamics of the relationship between all these characters. Their friendly banter gives the book an additional humorous twist. They make a great team to which I will gladly come back in the next book. They are complemented by the Alphabet Gang - a group of potential suspects, which in itself is also very interesting and introduces another comic element.
And finally, we have an interesting and complicated criminal plot, still in the style of the 20s and novels from that time. Although I admit that the death of one of the characters at the beginning of the book surprised and saddened me. I wish it could have been avoided. And while I wasn't particularly surprised by who turned out to be the thief, watching Ellie and the guys try to solve it in their own unique way was great entertainment.
Also because of the fast pace which I like very much. There is a lot of exceptionally good dialogue here that effectively sets the pace and introduces this light, playful tone. Only at the beginning we get short information about Skins and Dunn's childhood and how they met. But it is not tiring or boring, it just allows us to quickly orientate ourselves in the situation and enjoy the novel. We get the rest without any problems throughout the story.
I definitely recommend this book to all those who like historical mysteries set in the 1920s and jazz musicians who, despite their grim wartime experiences, take little things seriously. Although this may not be a book for people who do not like any, even the smallest, mentions about the war (in this case the First World War), because the plot of this book refers to such events.
Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 7, 2021
So fun to read this wonderful spin-off series from author T.E. Kinsey! Although the indomitable Emily, Lady Hardcastle and her sassy maid Florence Armstrong do put in an appearance, the main attractions — and sleuths — are drummer Ivor “Skins” Maloney, bass player Barty Dunn and Maloney’s American wife. We first met the musicians and best mates in the very first Lady Hardcastle novel, A Quiet Life in the Country, and the pair now lead a band called the Dizzy Heights, which plays this new American music called jazz.
Set a little more than 15 years after that book, Skins and Barty — along with Skins’ wife Ellie (the former Eleanora Wilson from book No. 6, Death Beside the Seaside) investigate a long-ago diamond theft that leads to murder. (No spoiler, as both are in the title!) As humorous, clever and fun as any of the titles in the original series, with luck, The Deadly Mystery of the Missing Diamonds will be the first of many in this spin-off series that’s as good as the first one and more suspenseful than most of the Lady Hardcastle books. (Still, Mr. Kinsey, a little more Lady Hardcastle and Flo always improves a book, to my mind. Just sayin’.) Highly recommended.
For those reading the Audible edition, the series’ usual wonderful narrator Elizabeth Knowelden is joined by the capable Simon Mattacks, making the Audible version the one to savor.
Set a little more than 15 years after that book, Skins and Barty — along with Skins’ wife Ellie (the former Eleanora Wilson from book No. 6, Death Beside the Seaside) investigate a long-ago diamond theft that leads to murder. (No spoiler, as both are in the title!) As humorous, clever and fun as any of the titles in the original series, with luck, The Deadly Mystery of the Missing Diamonds will be the first of many in this spin-off series that’s as good as the first one and more suspenseful than most of the Lady Hardcastle books. (Still, Mr. Kinsey, a little more Lady Hardcastle and Flo always improves a book, to my mind. Just sayin’.) Highly recommended.
For those reading the Audible edition, the series’ usual wonderful narrator Elizabeth Knowelden is joined by the capable Simon Mattacks, making the Audible version the one to savor.
March 5, 2021
It would seem the author got caught up in his humorous characters, witty banter, and comical scenes, and forgot to focus on building suspense or creating a believable mystery. The mystery part of the book falls flat and so the book is disappointing even though the characters had me laughing and the author clearly had a talent for alliterations.
March 2, 2021
This tale was a damp squib...
The action just never got going. Page after page in each chapter going over the same details. Characters weak and ill formed, supposed I assume to echo Christie etc. but just does not work. Would not recommend.
The action just never got going. Page after page in each chapter going over the same details. Characters weak and ill formed, supposed I assume to echo Christie etc. but just does not work. Would not recommend.
Want to read
February 2, 2021This first book in a Lady Hardcastle spin-off series is one of the free ebook choices in Amazon First Reads’ program for Prime members this month!
October 10, 2022
The Deadly Mystery of the Missing Diamonds
I both read and listened to this book, but omuch preferred listening to narrators Simon Mattacks and Elizabeth Knowelden bring the quirky characters to life. I had already read the 2nd book in the series so knew the primary characters—jazz musicians in a band called the Dizzy Heights— so the first part of the book seemed a bit slow; I didn’t need the introductions. But things did pick up and I enjoyed the dry wit and sometimes wacky behaviors of the band and in this book the inept dancing abilities of certain members of a London gentlemen’s club as they learn the latest 1920s dance steps for a competition. Scotland Yard comes into the picture, as the band is recruited to do some sleuthing while at the club. The plot keeps the reader guessing and amused. This is a fun book and I recommend it (especially the entertaining audio) for enjoyable reading and gaining some insight into life in London before, but mostly immediately after, WWI.
I both read and listened to this book, but omuch preferred listening to narrators Simon Mattacks and Elizabeth Knowelden bring the quirky characters to life. I had already read the 2nd book in the series so knew the primary characters—jazz musicians in a band called the Dizzy Heights— so the first part of the book seemed a bit slow; I didn’t need the introductions. But things did pick up and I enjoyed the dry wit and sometimes wacky behaviors of the band and in this book the inept dancing abilities of certain members of a London gentlemen’s club as they learn the latest 1920s dance steps for a competition. Scotland Yard comes into the picture, as the band is recruited to do some sleuthing while at the club. The plot keeps the reader guessing and amused. This is a fun book and I recommend it (especially the entertaining audio) for enjoyable reading and gaining some insight into life in London before, but mostly immediately after, WWI.
February 3, 2021
Thanks for another Goodreads Giveaway. For those fond of British mysteries set in 1925 after WWI. Fun set up. Liked the husband and wife combo. 100 pages too long. 300 pages of redundancy 20 pages of mystery.
April 2, 2021
I really enjoy T. E. Kensey's Lady Hardcastle series when I pick it up, so I was excited about the spin-off of it. Here we follow Skins Maloney and Barty Dunn, with the edition of Skins' wife Ellie, superintendent Sunderland and the band that the boys are in, The Dizzy Heights.
The year is 1925. Jazz music is getting very popular in Britain, so The Dizzy Heights are quite busy with gigs. Then an old acquaintance, Sunderland, reaches out to Skins and Dunn to ask for their help. As one of the gigs, The Dizzy Heights are playing for a group of club members called The Alphabet Gang, who will participate in a dancing contest in a few weeks. The police have reasons to suspect that one of the group's members is an imposter and is in fact a diamond thief. Skins and Dunn are asked to look closer at each member to try and figure out who it might be. Things get more complicated when someone from The Dizzy Heights is murdered.
I enjoyed this one. It was nice to see the characters that I already breifly know take center stage. This book is set quite a few years in the future, so Emily Hardcastle is almost 60 years old! She and Flo Armstrong make a brief appearance and they are still kicking it.
My biggest complaint is that for a mystery novel there was very little investigating going on. The book is over 300 pages but the solving of the crime only happened in the last 20%. The rest of it was just lots of dialogues and dance practices. I wasn't too mad about that because I liked The Alphabet Gang, they were hilarious, and I liked the relationship between our main characters, Ellie was definitely my favorite. But I still wish there was more clues and theories and so on.
But overall, it wasn't a bad first book in a new series. You definitely don't have to have read the Lady Hardcastle books to understand this one, it stands well on its own.
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The year is 1925. Jazz music is getting very popular in Britain, so The Dizzy Heights are quite busy with gigs. Then an old acquaintance, Sunderland, reaches out to Skins and Dunn to ask for their help. As one of the gigs, The Dizzy Heights are playing for a group of club members called The Alphabet Gang, who will participate in a dancing contest in a few weeks. The police have reasons to suspect that one of the group's members is an imposter and is in fact a diamond thief. Skins and Dunn are asked to look closer at each member to try and figure out who it might be. Things get more complicated when someone from The Dizzy Heights is murdered.
I enjoyed this one. It was nice to see the characters that I already breifly know take center stage. This book is set quite a few years in the future, so Emily Hardcastle is almost 60 years old! She and Flo Armstrong make a brief appearance and they are still kicking it.
My biggest complaint is that for a mystery novel there was very little investigating going on. The book is over 300 pages but the solving of the crime only happened in the last 20%. The rest of it was just lots of dialogues and dance practices. I wasn't too mad about that because I liked The Alphabet Gang, they were hilarious, and I liked the relationship between our main characters, Ellie was definitely my favorite. But I still wish there was more clues and theories and so on.
But overall, it wasn't a bad first book in a new series. You definitely don't have to have read the Lady Hardcastle books to understand this one, it stands well on its own.
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Read
January 26, 2024A spin off from the Lady Hardcastle stories, this is the first in a series that follows the lady detective’s friends, Skins and Barty, in 1920s London. For some reason I did not get into it as quickly as with the author’s earlier series, perhaps because I’m already attached to Lady Hardcastle and Flo, and they’re only a passing reference in this story, with some correspondence between Flo and Ellie (another friend and Skins’s wife) and an appearance from their mutual friend in the forces. I have not formed quite such an attachment to Skins and Barty yet, though the mystery was entertaining, and Ellie was impressive in her part at the end.
February 17, 2021
I absolutely loved this book and I want to thank the author for my advanced reader copy through #GoodreadsGiveaway.
I am absolutely going to read the Lady Hardcastle Mysteries series now. I wish I had read it first now, as this is a spin-off of that series with what I'm assuming were some tertiary characters. I have to admit I am a jazz-hater, so I'm glad I did not have to hear the music throughout the book. That would have changed my impressions greatly.
The story centers around a jazz band, two of whose members, Skins and Dunn, have been coopted by Scotland Yard to help them find an army deserter turned jewel thief. The two consider themselves amateur comedians and they never take themselves very seriously, so the banter between the two is really fun. I also love the chemistry between Skins and his wife American wife, Ellie. Peppered throughout the book, the two argue about American vs. English versions of the same idioms and it's really funny.
I always enjoy a light, comedic mystery and this one does not disappoint. It kept me laughing all the way through and the mystery was well laid out. I had my suspicions, but I was not certain of the culprit until pretty close to the end.
I would highly recommend this book.
I am absolutely going to read the Lady Hardcastle Mysteries series now. I wish I had read it first now, as this is a spin-off of that series with what I'm assuming were some tertiary characters. I have to admit I am a jazz-hater, so I'm glad I did not have to hear the music throughout the book. That would have changed my impressions greatly.
The story centers around a jazz band, two of whose members, Skins and Dunn, have been coopted by Scotland Yard to help them find an army deserter turned jewel thief. The two consider themselves amateur comedians and they never take themselves very seriously, so the banter between the two is really fun. I also love the chemistry between Skins and his wife American wife, Ellie. Peppered throughout the book, the two argue about American vs. English versions of the same idioms and it's really funny.
I always enjoy a light, comedic mystery and this one does not disappoint. It kept me laughing all the way through and the mystery was well laid out. I had my suspicions, but I was not certain of the culprit until pretty close to the end.
I would highly recommend this book.
September 23, 2021
(2.5) the low rating is strictly personal. the writing is excellent and the worldbuilding flows easily, but for me it was difficult to really get immersed because a) it's a spin-off of another series (which i didn't know at first), and b) i guess i don't really like "cozy mysteries." everything was just a little too lukewarm for me, the action very minimal; it's more of a character story and an exploration of 1920s london than a real crime story. there's an in-depth look at the budding jazz scene, richly detailed with imagery of the city, and crimes just happen to occur every couple chapters. there's some guest appearances from the characters of the primary series and while there is enough detail provided to fill in the gaps if you haven't read those books, it made me feel a little lost, personally, but i also don't find it interesting enough to go and read the other series.
but i mean it when i say it's well-written; kinsey really does an incredible job of establishing character voices and setting the scene in an interesting way. i don't really enjoy historical or period settings, but i didn't find myself struggling to keep up with it in the usual way, so major props to the author for that.
but i mean it when i say it's well-written; kinsey really does an incredible job of establishing character voices and setting the scene in an interesting way. i don't really enjoy historical or period settings, but i didn't find myself struggling to keep up with it in the usual way, so major props to the author for that.
February 18, 2022
2.5 stars
Somewhere along the way I realised this was a spin-off from another series, Lady Hardcastle Mysteries, and that explained why I felt like I had missed something. (I have not read it.)
I'm unsure if I think this book works well on its own.
The characters treat each other like there's been at least 20 years of previous history between them and I felt like that awkward newcomer to a group of friends that's been a solid unit forever. It's a bit difficult to get into, but I still found it enjoyable.
It reminded me of an episode of the TV version of Poirot with David Suchet. I love that show, but I mainly think of it as light-weight entrainment.
This book gave me the same feeling.
There's a lot of banter between the characters going on and it can be fun, but it can also contribute to that feeling of being the odd one out and just standing on the sideline and listening to people talk about things that happened long before you were a part of the group.
No way in. No way to connect. Things go over your head, just a bit.
The mystery was OK, but not much more.
On a positive note, the book could be funny at times. And some characters were likeable and interesting enough to get me tentatively positive when I think about listening to more books in this series, but I'm not sure.
Somewhere along the way I realised this was a spin-off from another series, Lady Hardcastle Mysteries, and that explained why I felt like I had missed something. (I have not read it.)
I'm unsure if I think this book works well on its own.
The characters treat each other like there's been at least 20 years of previous history between them and I felt like that awkward newcomer to a group of friends that's been a solid unit forever. It's a bit difficult to get into, but I still found it enjoyable.
It reminded me of an episode of the TV version of Poirot with David Suchet. I love that show, but I mainly think of it as light-weight entrainment.
This book gave me the same feeling.
There's a lot of banter between the characters going on and it can be fun, but it can also contribute to that feeling of being the odd one out and just standing on the sideline and listening to people talk about things that happened long before you were a part of the group.
No way in. No way to connect. Things go over your head, just a bit.
The mystery was OK, but not much more.
On a positive note, the book could be funny at times. And some characters were likeable and interesting enough to get me tentatively positive when I think about listening to more books in this series, but I'm not sure.
March 21, 2021
Ugh. I wish I hadn’t wasted time reading this. It was full of unnecessary information and lingo. It seemed like half of the book was spent talking about dance steps or carting around instruments. I ended up just skimming the last few chapters to at least finish it.
May 16, 2021
2⭐️ for the humour.
For this reader, it didn’t measure up to Kinsey’s other, original series.
For this reader, it didn’t measure up to Kinsey’s other, original series.
March 18, 2021
Finished reading: March 14th 2021
"It's more than just deserters and secret vaults. It's personal."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
February 15, 2021
Jazz Age Cozy
Review of the Thomas & Mercer Kindle eBook edition (to be released March 1, 2021)
The Deadly Mystery... was one of the 9 possible selections in the 2nd month of the Amazon First Reads program which offered 1 free Advance Reading Copy (ARC) selection to Prime members in Canada (2 copies in the USA).
This is a spin-off from the author's other popular cozy series the Lady Emily Hardcastle & Florence Armstrong mysteries. Musicians Ivor "Skins" Maloney and Bartholomew Dunn have made several guest appearances in that pre-World War I series. This new Dizzy Heights series jumps forward in time to 1925 where Skins & Dunn now play in a jazz band called the Dizzy Heights.
Things are kept fairly light throughout with much of the time taken up by banter between the musicians and their interactions with members at a club where they are undercover in order to assist the police with a possible deserter and diamond smuggler enquiry. Skins and Dunn spend more of their time bantering and it is left to Skins' wife Ellie to take a firmer hand in order to bring the investigation to a conclusion. Ellie has an occasional correspondence with Flo Armstrong which provides an opportunity to update Hardcastle series readers on those characters.
The Deadly Mystery... was definitely in very light cozy territory but did have a strong element of authentic research behind it. The author's note gives some details in that regard. There are no notes about the music authenticity but every single work mentioned that I previously knew about was authentic to the period (e.g. King Oliver's "Dippermouth Blues", George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue", etc.)
Review of the Thomas & Mercer Kindle eBook edition (to be released March 1, 2021)
The Deadly Mystery... was one of the 9 possible selections in the 2nd month of the Amazon First Reads program which offered 1 free Advance Reading Copy (ARC) selection to Prime members in Canada (2 copies in the USA).
This is a spin-off from the author's other popular cozy series the Lady Emily Hardcastle & Florence Armstrong mysteries. Musicians Ivor "Skins" Maloney and Bartholomew Dunn have made several guest appearances in that pre-World War I series. This new Dizzy Heights series jumps forward in time to 1925 where Skins & Dunn now play in a jazz band called the Dizzy Heights.
Things are kept fairly light throughout with much of the time taken up by banter between the musicians and their interactions with members at a club where they are undercover in order to assist the police with a possible deserter and diamond smuggler enquiry. Skins and Dunn spend more of their time bantering and it is left to Skins' wife Ellie to take a firmer hand in order to bring the investigation to a conclusion. Ellie has an occasional correspondence with Flo Armstrong which provides an opportunity to update Hardcastle series readers on those characters.
The Deadly Mystery... was definitely in very light cozy territory but did have a strong element of authentic research behind it. The author's note gives some details in that regard. There are no notes about the music authenticity but every single work mentioned that I previously knew about was authentic to the period (e.g. King Oliver's "Dippermouth Blues", George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue", etc.)
November 15, 2021
This was fun. The characters are witty and the setting is vivid. Although this is marketed as the first in a series, it reads more like the continuation of a longer series with many references made to cases of the past. However, not having read any of the previous books did not interfere with my understanding of this mystery. I am not truly convinced of the abilities of Skins and Dunn as detectives, and Ellie is only slightly better (but remarkably brave and level-headed in a confrontation), pitted against more sophisticated criminals I think they might come up lacking.
2021 Popsugar Reading Challenge: A book that has a heart, diamond, club, or spade on the cover.
2021 Popsugar Reading Challenge: A book that has a heart, diamond, club, or spade on the cover.
August 27, 2021
I had an absolute blast reading this. It's funny and charming throughout. It's a book of dialog - loads of conversations and not that much 'action' really. Also enjoyable for a musician to read, although there's not lots of jargon that might put others off. The whodunnit aspect is intriguing and well played and ends in a slightly unusual way, which was interesting - that certainly is a bit of action. It's not perfect; characters lack depth, probably from trying too hard to have multiple protagonists. But it's just trying to be fun and it really, really is. Highly recommended if you need a break from more heavy works or subjects.
March 12, 2021
3.5 stars rounded up for easy listening!
A fun and light historical cosy mystery. It's a spin off from the Lady Hardcastle and Flo mystery series set around 1911, this book is set later in 1925.
Band members (friends of Lady H and Flo) are asked to 'keep an eye on' a (very) amateur dance group but they get rather more embroiled in the mystery than they expected.
Lots of fun and spliced with historical nuggets of interest.
A fun and light historical cosy mystery. It's a spin off from the Lady Hardcastle and Flo mystery series set around 1911, this book is set later in 1925.
Band members (friends of Lady H and Flo) are asked to 'keep an eye on' a (very) amateur dance group but they get rather more embroiled in the mystery than they expected.
Lots of fun and spliced with historical nuggets of interest.
March 10, 2021
Nice ripper of a mystery set in about 1925. New music, new lingo, new mores. and a sweet adventure for the Dizzy Heights jazz band to assist the coppers in finding a deserter and diamond thief.
Lost a star for putting the climax too early--or the last TWO chapters in too late. Lost its mojo at the end. But a lot of fun.
Lost a star for putting the climax too early--or the last TWO chapters in too late. Lost its mojo at the end. But a lot of fun.
December 27, 2021
This was good fun. I enjoyed the characters and their interactions. I felt it dipped a bit in the middle but the end picked up again. It makes being in a jazz band sound so enjoyable.
January 11, 2025
A fun little mystery but not nearly as enjoyable as the Lady Hardcastle mystery series.
July 28, 2022
1.5⭐
I loved the Lady Hardcastle series but this one did not work for me
I loved the Lady Hardcastle series but this one did not work for me
February 2, 2022
I tried to read this as I love the Lady Hardcastle and Florence books, and this band has been in a couple of those stories. However,the band characters aren't detectives and I couldn't get through this one.
March 8, 2021
Another excellent mystery story from TE Kinsey. This one only mentions Lady Hardcastle and Flo Armstrong, but concentrates on Skins and Barty from the band. Inspector Sunderland is back, but promoted to Superintendent and in the Metropolitan Police force instead of Bristol. Thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended.
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