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Ginger Gold Mystery #26
Murder at the Cave of Harmony
Murder's off the scale!
Ginger Gold and her husband, Chief Inspector Basil Reed, enjoy a night out at the popular jazz club, the Cave of Harmony, run by the captivating Elsa Lanchester—a name well-known in London’s society pages in 1928. But after an evening of dancing and celebration, a band member plays a sour note and drops dead. What initially seems like a sudden, natural death soon turns sinister. A murderer is on the loose, and the Cave of Harmony is anything but harmonious.
With Ginger’s sister-in-law, Felicia, and her intrepid assistant, Magna Jones by her side, can they catch the killer before another musician hits a deadly note?
Ginger Gold and her husband, Chief Inspector Basil Reed, enjoy a night out at the popular jazz club, the Cave of Harmony, run by the captivating Elsa Lanchester—a name well-known in London’s society pages in 1928. But after an evening of dancing and celebration, a band member plays a sour note and drops dead. What initially seems like a sudden, natural death soon turns sinister. A murderer is on the loose, and the Cave of Harmony is anything but harmonious.
With Ginger’s sister-in-law, Felicia, and her intrepid assistant, Magna Jones by her side, can they catch the killer before another musician hits a deadly note?
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 18, 2025
249 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
Lee Strauss
129 books2,340 followersFor fans of Golden Age who-dun-its ~ from a USA TODAY Bestselling author!
You'll adore Lady Gold from the acclaimed Ginger Gold Mysteries series, and the spin of series, Higgins & Hawke.
Look for the connected 1950s era Rosa Reed Mysteries.
NEW ~ The Velvet Spy ~ The Wartime Journal of Ginger Gold
For more info visit: leestraussbooks.com
You'll adore Lady Gold from the acclaimed Ginger Gold Mysteries series, and the spin of series, Higgins & Hawke.
Look for the connected 1950s era Rosa Reed Mysteries.
NEW ~ The Velvet Spy ~ The Wartime Journal of Ginger Gold
For more info visit: leestraussbooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
March 3, 2025
I was thrilled to read the latest book in this entertaining series. It was fun to be back in the 1920s with Ginger, Basil, Felicia, Charles, the Dowager, Pippins and Magna. Ginger, Basil, Felicia and Magna are attending an exclusive birthday party at a London Jazz club when one a musician drops dead. Once ruled a murder Basil and Ginger find themselves solving a difficult case with many threads. The international angle regarding Lefever is interesting as we learn more about Ginger and Magna's war days. Magna's role in this story is particularly intriguing as she balances helping Ginger and keeping government secrets. I think this is not the last we will be hearing about Lefever's Network . I am looking forward to the next extraordinary adventure. Highly recommend this series!
June 3, 2025
4.5 stars
A twisty turny plot with excellent characters. I got a feeling some may resurface later, but the story had a good resolution. I enjoy this series and loved the particular bit of history referenced toward the end of the book.
A twisty turny plot with excellent characters. I got a feeling some may resurface later, but the story had a good resolution. I enjoy this series and loved the particular bit of history referenced toward the end of the book.
June 29, 2025
A really enjoyable book can highly recommended.
February 24, 2025
First, thanks so much to Lee Strauss for this ARC of Murder at the Cave of Harmony. If you follow me on Instagram you know my introduction to Lady Gold was on the S.S. Rosa and was the first cozy mystery I downloaded when the world shut down in 2020. It was not my entry into cozies, just the first one I had read in a while and my association with my reason for devouring it leaves a special place in my heart.
I truly love Ginger Gold. I love her strenght, her intelligence, her kindness. She is a business woman and a mother and her love of Rosa warms my heart. This particular book brings the intrigue of the time, recovering from one war and walking (unknowingly) into another, into the forefront.
It also returns Felicia back to her one of her initial roles as a writer, which I was very glad to see. Felicia is a very endearing character and her own evolution cannot be left out of any review. From spoiled pouty teenager to society darling followed by mystery writer, assistant, wife, fringe spy, and now back to London and writing again. I love her character. Having Felicia central to this story is so fun and to tie her writing to the intrigue surrounding the murder is fantastic!
This is a great book and if you love a good cozy, it's one to read. If you have not yet met Ginger Gold, start at the beginning. While these books are good stand alones, you will devour the series and want more of Ginger, Basil, the Dowager, Pippins....all the people.
Happy reading!
I truly love Ginger Gold. I love her strenght, her intelligence, her kindness. She is a business woman and a mother and her love of Rosa warms my heart. This particular book brings the intrigue of the time, recovering from one war and walking (unknowingly) into another, into the forefront.
It also returns Felicia back to her one of her initial roles as a writer, which I was very glad to see. Felicia is a very endearing character and her own evolution cannot be left out of any review. From spoiled pouty teenager to society darling followed by mystery writer, assistant, wife, fringe spy, and now back to London and writing again. I love her character. Having Felicia central to this story is so fun and to tie her writing to the intrigue surrounding the murder is fantastic!
This is a great book and if you love a good cozy, it's one to read. If you have not yet met Ginger Gold, start at the beginning. While these books are good stand alones, you will devour the series and want more of Ginger, Basil, the Dowager, Pippins....all the people.
Happy reading!
March 2, 2025
Murder at the Cave of Harmony
This 26th book in the fabulous Ginger Gold series takes us from the glitzy 1920s jazz scene into shadowy pre-WW1 espionage secrets. There’s a bizarre murder to solve, and old grudges to uncover.
As always, I’m eager to enter back into the world of Ginger Gold because of the way the main characters have become as familiar as friends - and I love that dear old favourites like Pippins have not been forgotten!
I also love all the nods to authentic events and people of the time - the actors Elsa Lanchester and Charles Laughton, even the introduction of a famous Disney character to the movie audiences! Lee Strauss’s research is always so brilliant, and all these little touches (along with the gorgeous fashions) are woven seamlessly into the story, never seeming shoe horned in or clunky.
A fun read, most appreciated I think by those who are already familiar with the series. If you’re not, you’ve got a treat in store! Start from the beginning (Murder on the SS Rosa) and enjoy every moment of the cosy, stylish Ginger Gold mysteries!
This 26th book in the fabulous Ginger Gold series takes us from the glitzy 1920s jazz scene into shadowy pre-WW1 espionage secrets. There’s a bizarre murder to solve, and old grudges to uncover.
As always, I’m eager to enter back into the world of Ginger Gold because of the way the main characters have become as familiar as friends - and I love that dear old favourites like Pippins have not been forgotten!
I also love all the nods to authentic events and people of the time - the actors Elsa Lanchester and Charles Laughton, even the introduction of a famous Disney character to the movie audiences! Lee Strauss’s research is always so brilliant, and all these little touches (along with the gorgeous fashions) are woven seamlessly into the story, never seeming shoe horned in or clunky.
A fun read, most appreciated I think by those who are already familiar with the series. If you’re not, you’ve got a treat in store! Start from the beginning (Murder on the SS Rosa) and enjoy every moment of the cosy, stylish Ginger Gold mysteries!
February 25, 2025
This is the 26th book in an amazing series that keeps you hooked from the very beginning. We begin with Ginger Gold and her husband Chief Inspector Basil Reed being invited to a birthday party for Elsa Lanchester at the Cave or Harmony jazz club. All was going well until the last song when the sax player keeled over, dead. Of course, Ginger in her PI persona with her assistant, Magna, who Ginger knew in her past life during the war and her sister-in-law, Felicity become totally engaged in the murder. It becomes a very convoluted mystery with an international criminal involved among others and so many twists and turns. How many suspects are directly involved? This is a page turning book you just can't put down once you start. I highly recommend this book as a great addition to the entire series which I also highly recommend! I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
February 21, 2025
Another great book by Lee Strauss Book 26.Murder at the Cave of Harmony
This is a cozy historical mystery set in England. Lee brings the period alive with her beautiful descrptions of clothes, cars and clubs. The story is a very quick read as it flows off the pages. It can be read as a stand alone but with 25 previous books it would be recommended to read in order.
Ginger and Basil attend a birthday party at a Jazz club. Towards the end of the evening a death occurs. At first glance it appears to be natural causes but Basil and Ginger soon discover that it is in fact murder.
This murder has connections to Gingers and Magdas secret life during the war. There is an evil shadow character who is the puppet master of murders and espionage and secret notebooks with cryptic codes
With the help of Ginger and Magda the clues are unravelled and the killer is found
This is a cozy historical mystery set in England. Lee brings the period alive with her beautiful descrptions of clothes, cars and clubs. The story is a very quick read as it flows off the pages. It can be read as a stand alone but with 25 previous books it would be recommended to read in order.
Ginger and Basil attend a birthday party at a Jazz club. Towards the end of the evening a death occurs. At first glance it appears to be natural causes but Basil and Ginger soon discover that it is in fact murder.
This murder has connections to Gingers and Magdas secret life during the war. There is an evil shadow character who is the puppet master of murders and espionage and secret notebooks with cryptic codes
With the help of Ginger and Magda the clues are unravelled and the killer is found
February 25, 2025
This was a fascinating read that involves murders performed by a mysterious person who runs his own spy network and is dangerous to anyone who gets in his way. Several regular characters have been affected by him and his actions. I enjoyed learning more about their backstory. Ginger’s skills from her wartime years helps crack the case in an exciting way.
I enjoy spending time with these wonderful characters, as they continue to reveal more about their past and their current situations.
The descriptions in the story also makes you feel like you are there, especially as Ginger is driving her motorcar. These episodes made me laugh.
I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy of this enjoyable read.
I enjoy spending time with these wonderful characters, as they continue to reveal more about their past and their current situations.
The descriptions in the story also makes you feel like you are there, especially as Ginger is driving her motorcar. These episodes made me laugh.
I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy of this enjoyable read.
February 18, 2025
Ginger Gold does it again! This one started out fairly straightforward and then the twists and turns began. I appreciated the parallel storyline with Ginger’s assistant, Magda- it was good to see her character develop further. I like the references back to Ginger’s and Magda’s experiences in The Great War. And I always enjoy it when Felicia and Charles get involved.
Devoted Ginger Gold readers will love this latest addition to the series. I predict that new readers who are fans of books set in England in the 20s, with strong female characters (not just the lead, but across the board) will soon become Ginger devotees.
This is a fast, entertaining read and I highly recommend it.
Devoted Ginger Gold readers will love this latest addition to the series. I predict that new readers who are fans of books set in England in the 20s, with strong female characters (not just the lead, but across the board) will soon become Ginger devotees.
This is a fast, entertaining read and I highly recommend it.
February 25, 2025
An excellent addition to the Ginger Gold series!
Not only does Lee Strauss do an exceptional job bringing Elsa Lanchester and Charles Laughton to life, she also provides in depth character developments; especially of Magna Jones (which I love to see).
Murder at the Cave of Harmony continues to follow the lives of Ginger Reed, her family, and close friends. I love that this book continues to share updates on previous characters, even though they are not the focus of this story.
Before I start leaking spoilers, I’ll stop myself here. I highly recommended this book and hope you enjoy it as much as I do. I can’t wait for the next installment!
Not only does Lee Strauss do an exceptional job bringing Elsa Lanchester and Charles Laughton to life, she also provides in depth character developments; especially of Magna Jones (which I love to see).
Murder at the Cave of Harmony continues to follow the lives of Ginger Reed, her family, and close friends. I love that this book continues to share updates on previous characters, even though they are not the focus of this story.
Before I start leaking spoilers, I’ll stop myself here. I highly recommended this book and hope you enjoy it as much as I do. I can’t wait for the next installment!
February 17, 2025
Murder at the Cave of Harmony by Lee Strauss just may be my favourite book of the 26 books in the Ginger Gold Mystery series!
The characters development, especially of the intriguing Magna Jones, is excellent, and the mystery is complex, with hints of international spy craft that leave the reader wanting more. The suspense as the book progresses is palpable, and the tension as Ginger once again inserts herself into dangerous situations (and drives through the London streets) keeps the reader on their toes.
Thanks to the author for the ARC. I look forward to the next book in the series.
The characters development, especially of the intriguing Magna Jones, is excellent, and the mystery is complex, with hints of international spy craft that leave the reader wanting more. The suspense as the book progresses is palpable, and the tension as Ginger once again inserts herself into dangerous situations (and drives through the London streets) keeps the reader on their toes.
Thanks to the author for the ARC. I look forward to the next book in the series.
March 9, 2025
This was a truly enjoyable read. The storyline is complex enough to keep it interesting but not confusing. The characters as always are true to the time period in fashion and dialogue. Magna played a more pronounced role in this story but of course Ginger was the star. Would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical mysteries.
I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.
I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.
March 15, 2025
This Author Never Disappoints
I love Ginger Gold mysteries! I love her relationships, especially with her husband, Basil. I love the respect he gives her and her abilities as they work side by side to solve the murders. I love the history that is part of every book. Once again, the author gives us a refined and classy look at solving mysterious murders and the enemies behind them.
I love Ginger Gold mysteries! I love her relationships, especially with her husband, Basil. I love the respect he gives her and her abilities as they work side by side to solve the murders. I love the history that is part of every book. Once again, the author gives us a refined and classy look at solving mysterious murders and the enemies behind them.
December 2, 2025
As always a fun, cosy mystery - although this story did seem a little darker than previous ones. Ginger and Basil investigate the mysterious death of a blues saxophonist at a popular Jazz club - how did the performer die in front of an audience - what was the motive? Mysterious shadowy characters and spies are some of the people Ginger along with her assistant Magda and her sister-in-law Felicia must deal with.
March 2, 2025
Time for Ginger to retire
What a tedious book! I'm still not sure what the story was about! An elusive French agent with a network of people helping him! All rather vague and no explanation why Ivy Taylor was involved! I have read far better books set in the 20s! This is very amateurish now! The plot is thin, the characters predictable and it has a lacklustre end!
What a tedious book! I'm still not sure what the story was about! An elusive French agent with a network of people helping him! All rather vague and no explanation why Ivy Taylor was involved! I have read far better books set in the 20s! This is very amateurish now! The plot is thin, the characters predictable and it has a lacklustre end!
March 8, 2025
Although a very good read, I was disappointed in the ending, which felt very flat. Yes, there was a bit of drama (and I do mean a little bit) when Ginger had to fight off an attacker, but after that... well it just all went flat! I was left feeling cheated somehow. I love this series and don't want them drift away on a cloud of mediocrity so will hope that this is a one-off.
April 15, 2025
When I pick up one of Lee Strauss’s books, I know I am in for a relaxing, entertaining read. This one did not disappoint. One thing I love about the series is that the reader feels the relationship between the characters, so that each book makes it seem like spending time with good friends. Looking forward to the next one in the series.
November 30, 2025
Another good historical mystery in the world of Ginger and Basil. We did get more background about some of the supporting characters too. The method of murder was a new one to me too.
You pretty much know what you'll get worth this steady series. A fairly quick read in a well-defined environment where we know the characters and enjoy watching them solve the murder.
You pretty much know what you'll get worth this steady series. A fairly quick read in a well-defined environment where we know the characters and enjoy watching them solve the murder.
February 26, 2025
Murder at a jazz club
I liked the setting. I liked the characters. I liked seeing several characters get a chance to shine. I did figure out who one of the culprits were. I will read more in this series and by this author.
I liked the setting. I liked the characters. I liked seeing several characters get a chance to shine. I did figure out who one of the culprits were. I will read more in this series and by this author.
February 26, 2025
Loved the book. This was a real puzzle. Ginger, Basil, Magda, and Felicity and Charles all get involved. There's lots of intrigue and mystery. I love Strauss' characters and the historical time period.
March 1, 2025
Another Great Mystery!
Ginger manages to get herself deeply involved in another espionage case. Basil seems to stoically take Ginger’s snooping and dangerous, impulsive actions in stride. The other family characters are mostly in the background in this plot with Ginger’s detective employee taking a greater role.
Ginger manages to get herself deeply involved in another espionage case. Basil seems to stoically take Ginger’s snooping and dangerous, impulsive actions in stride. The other family characters are mostly in the background in this plot with Ginger’s detective employee taking a greater role.
February 28, 2025
I highly recommend this series and the two related series (Rosa Reed Mysteries and Higgin & Hawke Mysteries). They are such good mysteries, well written and well researched. Historical mystery at it's best.
March 6, 2025
great mystery and Ginger excitement continue.
Intriguing murder and a woman’s life in the ‘20’s! Every book is a must read and habit forming. Basil and Ginger still in love with excitement.
Intriguing murder and a woman’s life in the ‘20’s! Every book is a must read and habit forming. Basil and Ginger still in love with excitement.
March 8, 2025
I have read every book this Author has written!
I love the Characters, I love the setting, I love the story!!!! This one was good, and kept you guessing!! I wasn’t sure who was the bad guy/girls.
I love the Characters, I love the setting, I love the story!!!! This one was good, and kept you guessing!! I wasn’t sure who was the bad guy/girls.
March 9, 2025
Fantastic Read as usual!!!!!
Ginger and Basil had another great adventure but it was nice to have the addition of Magna and Madame Roux in the mix. I enjoyed the two mysteries running parallel to one another.
Ginger and Basil had another great adventure but it was nice to have the addition of Magna and Madame Roux in the mix. I enjoyed the two mysteries running parallel to one another.
March 13, 2025
disappointing entry in this series
Plot was difficult to unravel as there was very little plot! Motive was very weak and just unraveled in the end. Usually enjoy this series and characters.
Plot was difficult to unravel as there was very little plot! Motive was very weak and just unraveled in the end. Usually enjoy this series and characters.
March 14, 2025
Too Short
Enjoyed this book. I've loved all the Lady Gold mysteries. But, this one makes me feel that we will hear from the mysterious L again. Definitely looking forward to that.
Enjoyed this book. I've loved all the Lady Gold mysteries. But, this one makes me feel that we will hear from the mysterious L again. Definitely looking forward to that.
May 4, 2025
Teamwork between lady Gold and CI Reed iis in top form.
The twists were quick, history reviewed, and interesting. Even the historical reminders of talking movies and Micku Mouse assed the reality of life and times I the 20s .
Always a learning experience alongside a good read.
The twists were quick, history reviewed, and interesting. Even the historical reminders of talking movies and Micku Mouse assed the reality of life and times I the 20s .
Always a learning experience alongside a good read.
February 15, 2025
Fans of Lady Gold will love this (and new readers will become fans). With its twists and turns, the reader never knows “who done it”. And, of course, as a Boston Terrier lover Boss is my favorite!
February 27, 2025
A Winner!
I think this is one of the best of all the Lady Gold books. I’ve enjoyed all of them but especially recommend this one.
I think this is one of the best of all the Lady Gold books. I’ve enjoyed all of them but especially recommend this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews