The Calling Card Murders

Eliza Thomson Investigates #8

by V.L. McBeath

A prestigious department store, a fatal stabbing, and four calling cards.
Eliza Thomson Investigates…

September 1905: In need of an outfit for Connie’s special day, Eliza treats them to a day’s shopping at her favourite London store. After a successful morning, tragedy strikes.

Connie is knocked to the ground as two men push past them, but there is no help at hand. Feet away, a man lies dying, a knife protruding from his side.

With no witnesses, and the identity of the victim a mystery, the only clue is the four calling cards found in the man’s jacket pocket. Can they shed any light on who he is? And why anyone would want him dead?

Once Inspector Adams is assigned to the case, he instructs Eliza to return to Moreton and leave the investigation to him. But when a second body is found in the village, Eliza refuses to do nothing.

With Connie’s big day approaching, time is of the essence. Can Eliza help the police find the killer before they strike again?

This is the ninth standalone story in the Eliza Thomson Investigates series. If you like Miss Marple-style murder mysteries and historical women with attitude, you’ll love this historical British series.

Preorder your copy today!

Books in the Eliza Thomson Investigates

• A Deadly Tonic (A Novella)
• Murder in Moreton
• Death of an Honourable Gent
• Dying for a Garden Party
• A Scottish Fling
• The Palace Murder
• Death by the Sea
• Murder at the Marquee
• The Calling Card Murders
• A Christmas Murder (A Novella)

NB. This series is written in UK English

Genres: Historical

316 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2024

About the author

Val is an accidental author! She started writing in 2010 when she realised the family history research she was working on would make a great story.

That story ultimately turned into The Ambition & Destiny Series, a five part series with a short story prequel.

By the time that was complete, Val had developed a taste for writing and began a series of historical cozy mysteries - Eliza Thomson Investigates.

Prior to writing, Val trained as a scientist and worked in the pharmaceutical industry for many years. In 2012, she set up her own consultancy business, and currently splits her time between business and writing.

Born and raised in Liverpool (UK), Val now lives in Cheshire with her husband, two daughters and a cat. In addition to family history, her interests include rock music and Liverpool Football Club.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last case for Eliza and Connie as life moves on and changes are afoot. It all started so innocently when the two are shopping for a dress for Eliza to wear to Connie’s wedding. An unfortunate collision with a fleeing man leaves Connie injured and a murder to solve. Things grow more complex and dangerous as the investigation proceeds which leads to the worry will all be well in time to walk down the aisle?
A very well done wrap up to what has been an enjoyable series. A perplexing mystery, weddings and life changes all make for a very realistic way to get Eliza to cease her sleuthing. I’ve enjoyed the characters and the mysteries along the way and this was an excellent conclusion.

[Anne Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Eliza & Connie get themselves involved in a murder. They are in Harrods shopping for things for Eliza to wear at Connie’s wedding, when there is some noise, someone rushes into Connie & knocks her over where she is unconscious. Nothing seems to be happening so Mr Bell who is with them, manages to get Connie into a carriage & to a hospital where she is installed for a few days! The murderer man has four calling cards in his top pocket which seems odd to Eliza. Inspector Adams is called in & so, naturally, Eliza & Connie want to help. Then another man gets murdered in the same way, but in Moreton where Eliza lives. He too has the same calling cards in his pocket. Things get very tangled, as an attempt is made on Eliza’s life & she has to play dead for days! Then, after a 3rd murder, again with cards in his pockets, the police finally get things sorted. An elaborate plan gets lots of people who have somehow been involved all together, & the Police have the murderer & a few other bits & pieces tied up. Another interesting read.

[Catherine Stratman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The end of a wonderful series?

Eliza and Connie are spending the day shopping for Connie's wedding in Harrod's. As they are walking to the restaurant to meet with Connie's father for lunch, Connie is knocked to the floor and seriously injured. Only feet away a man lies dying with a knife in his side and no ID. Eliza has trouble getting anyone to call for a doctor for Connie, when Eliza's father finds them and gets a carriage to take Connie to the hospital. Of course, in the meantime Eliza does try to learn something about the dead man. There are four calling cards in his pocket but nothing else to identify him. Plenty of twists and another body much closer to home so Eliza is trying to solve the case. Can she find the killer before she is the next victim? I really hope this is not the end to the series but perhaps a spin-off? Very enjoyable series!

I received an ARC. This is my honest review.

[Avis Witter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last in the series of Eliza Thomson investigations and what a finale! A complex plot left me wondering at different points “how is this connected to that?” and “ how is he involved?” and “noooo we can’t lose Connie!” Lots of suspense and action and, in the end, collusion with Inspector Adams. I think this was the most intriguing and exciting book in the series. Thank you for my ARC Ms. McBeath. It was a marvellous roller coaster read and worth a lot more that 5 stars. I am sad that there will be no more in the series to look forward to.

[Loretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

An ARC book. Eliza Thomson and her assistant Connie are in London visiting her father and shopping at Harrod's for Connie's up comin wedding. While shopping and going to the restaurant for lunch a couple of men ran by and knocked Connie down causing her to be sent to the hospital. Eliza found out there was a man murdered. Of course she along with her father starts investigating trying to find who the murderer was and the one that hurt Connie. Things start to happen even after they go home. Lots of excitement to the end!

[Paula Corregan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the last book in the Eliza Thomson mystery series, and I guarantee the reader will not be disappointed. Three men are stabbed to death, each having four calling cards for the same people in their pockets. Are the deaths related or not? Eliza looks into the deaths with the help of some of her friends. I highly recommend this unputdownable book to other mystery readers. I received an ARC of this book, and the opinion expressed is strictly my own.

[KathleenWH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvelous story

VL McBeath has given us a wonderful story with plenty of twists, turns, red herrings, and a classic denouement with all involved.

I’m sure many, if not all of you will NOT decide whether to read “The Calling Card Murders” based on a review, for, like me, you have followed every twist and turn in the multi-book saga.

Enjoy! It is a marvelous story.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfectly normal trip in London turns out to be murderous. And poor Eliza and Connie become targets instead of witnesses.

A convoluted murder mystery with seemingly unrelated victims. Intriguing and exciting as always, another good read from Val McBeath!

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elisa and Connie find a trip to London more than what they thought. When they become targets from a murder..Characters were great, plot was good and the story flowed. Highly recommend ..Jan 26 releases

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic, so much action and suspense. Eliza is trying to have a nice day shopping for a party. It seems that Eliza will end up investigating a crime instead. Not too many clues, just calling cards. Will she be able to solve it.

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eliza and Connie will tea m up once again to solve a difficult case before the killer finds them. Once again they will use their sleuthing scales in this historical cozy. A charming read that will keep you glued to the pages

[Mark J. Sauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

love the series

I am so sad that the series is coming to an end. I love the characters and was so excited for Eliza to get a new sidekick. I hope you bring her back!

[davidlowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read.

Like all the other books in this series,a very good read with a couple of twists along the way.This is a fitting tribute to the last in series.

[Susan Behrmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

sorry to see this series end!