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Herbert Reardon #6
A Fatal Necessity
DI Herbert Reardon investigates the murder of an enigmatic woman who was about to leave her comfortable life behind and mysteriously disappear in this page-turning 1930s historical mystery with gasp-worthy revelations.
1935, Templewood, Worcestershire. Judge Waring’s glamorous wife Emilie is mysteriously missing and no one knows where she is – until she’s found the morning after a party at neighbouring Falquonroy Park, in a clearing in Templewood’s grounds, strangled yet neatly laid out next to two pieces of matching luggage.
What could possibly have brought Emilie to the site where the family’s new home, The Spinney, was about to be built, equipped for travelling? Was she planning to leave with someone she knew? Who was determined that she should meet such a terrible end? As Detective Chief Inspector Herbert ‘Bert’ Reardon and Sergeant Jago discover more about the enigmatic Emilie, they unravel terrible lies and devastating secrets stretching back years . . .
This compelling historical mystery sharply conveys British society and politics of the interwar period of the 1930s. A great choice for fans of traditional mysteries with multi-layered and engaging characters from Jacqueline Winspear and Anna Lee Huber.
1935, Templewood, Worcestershire. Judge Waring’s glamorous wife Emilie is mysteriously missing and no one knows where she is – until she’s found the morning after a party at neighbouring Falquonroy Park, in a clearing in Templewood’s grounds, strangled yet neatly laid out next to two pieces of matching luggage.
What could possibly have brought Emilie to the site where the family’s new home, The Spinney, was about to be built, equipped for travelling? Was she planning to leave with someone she knew? Who was determined that she should meet such a terrible end? As Detective Chief Inspector Herbert ‘Bert’ Reardon and Sergeant Jago discover more about the enigmatic Emilie, they unravel terrible lies and devastating secrets stretching back years . . .
This compelling historical mystery sharply conveys British society and politics of the interwar period of the 1930s. A great choice for fans of traditional mysteries with multi-layered and engaging characters from Jacqueline Winspear and Anna Lee Huber.
287 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 6, 2025
2 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Marjorie Eccles
52 books45 followersAka Judith Bordill, Jennifer Hyde
Marjorie Eccles has written several romantic and crime novels, which have been published both in the UK and in the US. Many of her book shave been translated and serialised around the world. She has one grown up son and now lives in Hertfordshire
Marjorie Eccles has written several romantic and crime novels, which have been published both in the UK and in the US. Many of her book shave been translated and serialised around the world. She has one grown up son and now lives in Hertfordshire
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 31, 2025
Set in the 1930s, the murder of a prominent judge's wife sees DCI Reardon and DS Tom Jago investigate a world of upper class privilege amid a tense political environment. They must solve not only the murder of the enigmatic Emilie Waring, the second wife of Judge Waring, but also unravel the mystery of her past.
This is the sixth book in the Herbert Reardon series, and a new series (and author) to me. Despite not knowing any of the backstory it worked well as a standalone story and I didn't feel I was missing out by not having read the previous books. The book grabbed my attention quickly and I couldn't put it down until I'd finished it - the setting, characters and writing style all drew me in.
It combines golden age mystery, pre-WWII political drama, and even has a bit of an I Capture the Castle vibe with the sections from the point of view of Sophy, youngest daughter of the Waring family who is intelligent and just wants to write (but is also slightly naïve to the currents around her).
The mystery was solved at the end and loose ends tied up, but I still want to know more about what happens to the characters and how everyone deals with the outbreak of war. I'll definitely be seeking out more books by the author in the future.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is the sixth book in the Herbert Reardon series, and a new series (and author) to me. Despite not knowing any of the backstory it worked well as a standalone story and I didn't feel I was missing out by not having read the previous books. The book grabbed my attention quickly and I couldn't put it down until I'd finished it - the setting, characters and writing style all drew me in.
It combines golden age mystery, pre-WWII political drama, and even has a bit of an I Capture the Castle vibe with the sections from the point of view of Sophy, youngest daughter of the Waring family who is intelligent and just wants to write (but is also slightly naïve to the currents around her).
The mystery was solved at the end and loose ends tied up, but I still want to know more about what happens to the characters and how everyone deals with the outbreak of war. I'll definitely be seeking out more books by the author in the future.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
May 11, 2025
This is the 6th instalment of this 1930s police procedural but my first to read as I didn't realise it was a series when I started. Its a very well written and plotted series with a complex plot and a group of diverse characters with different reasons to commit murder it kept my interested to the end. I will now be back tracking to catch up with the books I've missed. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 23, 2025
This is the first book I’ve read in this series, but it won’t be the last. This novel is set in 1935, on the cusp of war. The first book took place in 1919, just after WWI, as Britain attempted to put itself back together. In this novel, while life is fairly peaceful in the village of Templewood in Worcestershire, it’s not for one particular family. As the book opens, the wife of a prominent judge has left her husband a note that she’s leaving him. When they find her, her body is in the skeleton of a house site where she had planned to build a new home, and her suitcases are sitting right next to her. It’s pretty apparent she’s been murdered.
The town is tiny and DCI Reardon and Sergeant Jago, a man new to him, are assigned to the case. Jago has been working in London where things are heating up thanks to Oswald Mosley’s gang of thugs. The two end up working well together as they begin to quiz the family of the dead woman, Emilie. Her husband, his two daughters, and his stepson and tutor are all part of the mix, as is a neighboring family whose daughter is a contemporary of the judge’s Sophy and Gizi.
This entire story is subtly and carefully told. As revelations emerge about Emilie’s past and how that past might tie to her death, each suspect, from the gardener to the housekeeper to the daughters and the men hanging around Gizi and the neighboring family’s daughter, Dee, are delicately and memorably portrayed. Dee is engaged to one of them and all of the young men seem fast and somewhat louche. Gizi even seems to feel some affinity for the black shirted Mosleyites, alarming her father.
Reardon and Jago are both good characters – Reardon older and more settled in life, Jago just getting started, and they work well together. The whole relationship between the two men and really, between all the characters in the book, feels very organic, as does the storytelling. Each bit of a clue and revelation of character builds on the one before it, growing into a coherent picture.
It’s gently told, and that’s a term I sometimes use when I mean it’s slow or dull, but that was not the case here. Eccles may simply be the least show-offy of writers. Subtlety is her storytelling method, and with her light touch, it’s an excellent method. There were quite a few characters and a complex backstory for the dead woman, but both characters and their relationship to one another stayed clear in my mind.
Overlaying the novel is the threat of the Moseleyites as well as that of Hitler, and Sophy and Gizi’s brother Sam, who has left a banking job in Berlin, has his own horror story to tell. Subtle storytelling can be just as chilling, resonant and effective as a more in your face method. It’s the build up that gets you. Another author who employs this method is Ann Cleeves, whose books are a slow burn. This trip backward to 1935 is also a slow burn. I loved the writing and the characters and if you are looking for an historical novel that seems like it was actually written in 1935, look no further.
The town is tiny and DCI Reardon and Sergeant Jago, a man new to him, are assigned to the case. Jago has been working in London where things are heating up thanks to Oswald Mosley’s gang of thugs. The two end up working well together as they begin to quiz the family of the dead woman, Emilie. Her husband, his two daughters, and his stepson and tutor are all part of the mix, as is a neighboring family whose daughter is a contemporary of the judge’s Sophy and Gizi.
This entire story is subtly and carefully told. As revelations emerge about Emilie’s past and how that past might tie to her death, each suspect, from the gardener to the housekeeper to the daughters and the men hanging around Gizi and the neighboring family’s daughter, Dee, are delicately and memorably portrayed. Dee is engaged to one of them and all of the young men seem fast and somewhat louche. Gizi even seems to feel some affinity for the black shirted Mosleyites, alarming her father.
Reardon and Jago are both good characters – Reardon older and more settled in life, Jago just getting started, and they work well together. The whole relationship between the two men and really, between all the characters in the book, feels very organic, as does the storytelling. Each bit of a clue and revelation of character builds on the one before it, growing into a coherent picture.
It’s gently told, and that’s a term I sometimes use when I mean it’s slow or dull, but that was not the case here. Eccles may simply be the least show-offy of writers. Subtlety is her storytelling method, and with her light touch, it’s an excellent method. There were quite a few characters and a complex backstory for the dead woman, but both characters and their relationship to one another stayed clear in my mind.
Overlaying the novel is the threat of the Moseleyites as well as that of Hitler, and Sophy and Gizi’s brother Sam, who has left a banking job in Berlin, has his own horror story to tell. Subtle storytelling can be just as chilling, resonant and effective as a more in your face method. It’s the build up that gets you. Another author who employs this method is Ann Cleeves, whose books are a slow burn. This trip backward to 1935 is also a slow burn. I loved the writing and the characters and if you are looking for an historical novel that seems like it was actually written in 1935, look no further.
May 27, 2025
*3.5 Stars*
A Fatal Necessity is the next book in the Herbert Reardon Mystery series, and I enjoyed this descriptive murder-mystery set in the politically tense days of the late 1930s before the world erupted in war. While set in a fairly peaceful part of Britain, events in Germany were still affecting the citizens in subtle ways, and the author blends this exceedingly well into the story.
I thought the story was very well told; the plot lines were subtle and well done. The author did a great job misleading the reader into thinking that Emilie’s disappearance was one thing, only to discover it was something completely different. As someone who taught WWII history for years, I love how the story brings a lot of the elements of the late 1930s into this book. The threat of Hitler and what was happening in Germany was certainly leaving a pall over the lives of everyone in the village, some taking completely polar sides over whom they supported causing a lot of tension and issues, including the rise of the Socialist and Communist Parties, most of which had to be secret, leading to increased tensions within households and police forces trying to tamp down secret meetings and spying. I found the discussions around these topics fascinating and the author really had a knack for bringing it all to life. The mystery was subtly woven in between all of this tension and conflict.
Because there was so much focus on the political tension, I did feel like there was a lot of repetition and there were times I felt the story dragged. If this was simply a fiction book about this time period, I would have had a different reaction, but this was also a mystery book so I would expect the tension to be a bit higher, and it really wasn’t. And while I liked the ending, there was little to no suspense. And I had to go back to my notes to remind myself what actually happened as it was not memorable so that says something to me when it comes to tension and excitement.
Reardon and Jago were interesting characters and I really liked how they were developed, especially Jago who was new to this book. I liked him so much, in fact, that I hope he will appear in future books as I feel like there is so much more to develop with his character. And while the other characters were quirky and each had distinct voices, they were much more one-dimensional in nature and all blended together.
A Fatal Necessity had a good story, and I did enjoy it overall. The author has a subtle story-telling method which I appreciate as it is not about throwing in useless red herrings and also allows the reader to discover things as they go. However, I did feel like you can go too far and forget that mystery novels also need to have that suspense and tension in them to make the reader turn the page, and I thought this one was lacking that element, concentrating more on the historical details. However, there is still a lot to recommend in this book and if you enjoy historical mysteries, this one may be for you.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
A Fatal Necessity is the next book in the Herbert Reardon Mystery series, and I enjoyed this descriptive murder-mystery set in the politically tense days of the late 1930s before the world erupted in war. While set in a fairly peaceful part of Britain, events in Germany were still affecting the citizens in subtle ways, and the author blends this exceedingly well into the story.
I thought the story was very well told; the plot lines were subtle and well done. The author did a great job misleading the reader into thinking that Emilie’s disappearance was one thing, only to discover it was something completely different. As someone who taught WWII history for years, I love how the story brings a lot of the elements of the late 1930s into this book. The threat of Hitler and what was happening in Germany was certainly leaving a pall over the lives of everyone in the village, some taking completely polar sides over whom they supported causing a lot of tension and issues, including the rise of the Socialist and Communist Parties, most of which had to be secret, leading to increased tensions within households and police forces trying to tamp down secret meetings and spying. I found the discussions around these topics fascinating and the author really had a knack for bringing it all to life. The mystery was subtly woven in between all of this tension and conflict.
Because there was so much focus on the political tension, I did feel like there was a lot of repetition and there were times I felt the story dragged. If this was simply a fiction book about this time period, I would have had a different reaction, but this was also a mystery book so I would expect the tension to be a bit higher, and it really wasn’t. And while I liked the ending, there was little to no suspense. And I had to go back to my notes to remind myself what actually happened as it was not memorable so that says something to me when it comes to tension and excitement.
Reardon and Jago were interesting characters and I really liked how they were developed, especially Jago who was new to this book. I liked him so much, in fact, that I hope he will appear in future books as I feel like there is so much more to develop with his character. And while the other characters were quirky and each had distinct voices, they were much more one-dimensional in nature and all blended together.
A Fatal Necessity had a good story, and I did enjoy it overall. The author has a subtle story-telling method which I appreciate as it is not about throwing in useless red herrings and also allows the reader to discover things as they go. However, I did feel like you can go too far and forget that mystery novels also need to have that suspense and tension in them to make the reader turn the page, and I thought this one was lacking that element, concentrating more on the historical details. However, there is still a lot to recommend in this book and if you enjoy historical mysteries, this one may be for you.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
April 27, 2025
I thank NetGalley and Severn House for an advance reader copy of A Fatal Necessity. All opinions and comments are my own.
Herbert Reardon, now a Chief Inspector, is back solving crimes in A Fatal Necessity, and this time he’s doing it with a new sergeant by his side in 1930’s Worcestershire. Seems easy enough -- a missing lady of the manor, who apparently decided the country life wasn’t for her and ran away. But then her body is discovered, and what seemed like something a wee bit sordid turns into something far more complex, when past and present lives combine to bring about murder.
Reardon and his new DS Jago ((Joe Gilmour’s laid up with a broken leg) have a whole lot of suspects to keep them busy; angry estate workers with republican leanings, visiting toffs who know more than they’re saying, and family who’d like to ignore class distinctions while dealing with “winds of war” issues (we’re in 1935 England). Details of the dead woman slowly emerge; author Marjorie Eccles planned for quite the surprises in this one, that’s for sure. A woman fighting her own battles, which the author illustrates with a sure descriptive hand. Her “good fight” ensures her death, in A Fatal Necessity.
In Reardon’s capable hands, aided by Tom Jago (would be nice to see more of him), the truth is uncovered, after a thorough investigation filled with many secrets. Lady Justice has her day, after a fashion.
There’s also an exploration of the history of the times, with mention of Oswald Mosley’s Blackshirts and what was going on in Europe. This story is packed with stories within stories, and well worth your time and attention. And it’s always a pleasure to watch a good copper at work.
Herbert Reardon, now a Chief Inspector, is back solving crimes in A Fatal Necessity, and this time he’s doing it with a new sergeant by his side in 1930’s Worcestershire. Seems easy enough -- a missing lady of the manor, who apparently decided the country life wasn’t for her and ran away. But then her body is discovered, and what seemed like something a wee bit sordid turns into something far more complex, when past and present lives combine to bring about murder.
Reardon and his new DS Jago ((Joe Gilmour’s laid up with a broken leg) have a whole lot of suspects to keep them busy; angry estate workers with republican leanings, visiting toffs who know more than they’re saying, and family who’d like to ignore class distinctions while dealing with “winds of war” issues (we’re in 1935 England). Details of the dead woman slowly emerge; author Marjorie Eccles planned for quite the surprises in this one, that’s for sure. A woman fighting her own battles, which the author illustrates with a sure descriptive hand. Her “good fight” ensures her death, in A Fatal Necessity.
In Reardon’s capable hands, aided by Tom Jago (would be nice to see more of him), the truth is uncovered, after a thorough investigation filled with many secrets. Lady Justice has her day, after a fashion.
There’s also an exploration of the history of the times, with mention of Oswald Mosley’s Blackshirts and what was going on in Europe. This story is packed with stories within stories, and well worth your time and attention. And it’s always a pleasure to watch a good copper at work.
May 7, 2025
4.25/5 stars
Full disclosure. This is the 6th installment of this 1930s police procedural but my first to read. I normally don't jump into an established series, but it does happen. And in this case, I'm glad to have discovered the series and the author and was able to keep up quite nicely with no prior experience of it.
While not going into specifics (which I'll leave to the book blurb), I really enjoyed the investigative team of DCI Reardon and Sergeant Jago. While new as a team (Reardon's usual partner was out on sick leave), they worked well together...Reardon, a seasoned investigator with Jago, an ambitious and fresh new pair of eyes. I really enjoyed their dynamic.
The plot becomes more and more complex as the story progresses, and I found it both interesting and well-plotted. There's a diverse cast of suspects with varying reasons for murder, and all is ominously overshadowed by the events taking place in the world at that time.
I was impressed with this story and its characters, and I will look forward to backtracking to previous escapades. As a series lover, I'm always happy to discover new adventures and interesting characters to follow.
My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and Severn House for providing the free early arc of A Fatal Necessity for review. The opinions are strictly my own.
Full disclosure. This is the 6th installment of this 1930s police procedural but my first to read. I normally don't jump into an established series, but it does happen. And in this case, I'm glad to have discovered the series and the author and was able to keep up quite nicely with no prior experience of it.
While not going into specifics (which I'll leave to the book blurb), I really enjoyed the investigative team of DCI Reardon and Sergeant Jago. While new as a team (Reardon's usual partner was out on sick leave), they worked well together...Reardon, a seasoned investigator with Jago, an ambitious and fresh new pair of eyes. I really enjoyed their dynamic.
The plot becomes more and more complex as the story progresses, and I found it both interesting and well-plotted. There's a diverse cast of suspects with varying reasons for murder, and all is ominously overshadowed by the events taking place in the world at that time.
I was impressed with this story and its characters, and I will look forward to backtracking to previous escapades. As a series lover, I'm always happy to discover new adventures and interesting characters to follow.
My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and Severn House for providing the free early arc of A Fatal Necessity for review. The opinions are strictly my own.
March 26, 2025
I have enjoyed quite a few of Marjorie Eccles’ books and was excited to see a new one of hers on NetGalley.
It did not disappoint.
Despite being sixth in a series I haven’t read, it was fine as a stand-alone. Told from various perspectives in 1930s pre-war England, it develops gradually (but without dragging) as layers of the life of murder victim Emilie Waring are uncovered by detectives Reardon and Jago. The imminent threat of the Nazi regime, the British fascist movement, and efforts to help Jews flee Germany play a role in the story. I found myself absorbed in slowly coming to know and like Emilie in a way that doesn’t always happen for me when the person is only revealed through the memories of others. and this kind of character development is a testament to Eccles’ talent. There were enough twists to keep me guessing almost to the end, and a charming hint at a future romance provided lightness. All in all a great read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
It did not disappoint.
Despite being sixth in a series I haven’t read, it was fine as a stand-alone. Told from various perspectives in 1930s pre-war England, it develops gradually (but without dragging) as layers of the life of murder victim Emilie Waring are uncovered by detectives Reardon and Jago. The imminent threat of the Nazi regime, the British fascist movement, and efforts to help Jews flee Germany play a role in the story. I found myself absorbed in slowly coming to know and like Emilie in a way that doesn’t always happen for me when the person is only revealed through the memories of others. and this kind of character development is a testament to Eccles’ talent. There were enough twists to keep me guessing almost to the end, and a charming hint at a future romance provided lightness. All in all a great read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
March 8, 2025
Inspector Bert Reardon and Sergeant Tom Jago are called to a lonely building site where a woman, Emilie, met her death by strangulation days ago. Why was she not missed and why should she have been at a building site with packed luggage? Emilie's past life is a secret to everyone, including her husband, but Reardon and Jago are convinced that the crime will have had its roots in Emilie's early life.
This book has all the elements of a British mystery that aficionados love -- the idyllic countryside, quaint cottages, grand estates, quirky characters, and police officers with sharp minds and a bulldog's tenacity, occasionally hidden underneath a somewhat bumbling facade. I loved it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
This book has all the elements of a British mystery that aficionados love -- the idyllic countryside, quaint cottages, grand estates, quirky characters, and police officers with sharp minds and a bulldog's tenacity, occasionally hidden underneath a somewhat bumbling facade. I loved it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
April 20, 2025
In 1935 Worcestershire, the mysterious murder of a judge’s wife leads DCI Reardon and Sergeant Jago on an investigation that uncovers long-buried secrets and lies.
This richly developed mystery has a strong Golden-Age feel as well as an intriguing family drama subplot. There’s a lot here, and it’s revealed at a gradual rate that keeps the level of suspense high. The characters are compelling and the pace never drags. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This richly developed mystery has a strong Golden-Age feel as well as an intriguing family drama subplot. There’s a lot here, and it’s revealed at a gradual rate that keeps the level of suspense high. The characters are compelling and the pace never drags. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
May 24, 2025
I'm enjoying this series immensely. The battle-scarred veteran policeman Reardon features in an series set in Worcestershire, England after the Great War. With Hitler and his British supporters on the rise, tensions are high in aristocratic families. The characters and their sympathies are very well written and convicing.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 18, 2025
Templewood, Worcestershire, 1935. Mrs Emilie Waring left a letter for her husband the Judge, stating that she was leaving him, but three days later her body is discovered in the woods nearby. DCI Herbert Reardon and DS Thomas Jago are called in to investigate. But why would any one want to kill her, a seemingly amiable lady.
A well-written and entertaining historical mystery with its likeable and interesting main character. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
A well-written and entertaining historical mystery with its likeable and interesting main character. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 30, 2025
What an amazing book. The mystery is honestly so good. I love how the book was written and it was interesting to see why and what happened as well as who did it. I also enjoyed the characters, I had several that I thought were guilty and none of them ended up being the right one.
May 8, 2025
I always enjoy the books in this series. Herbert Reardon is an interesting person and I like following along as he solves the mysteries and murders committed by those in his territory. His DS this time was an especially interesting addition to the team. Down from London on another matter, he is assigned to Reardon whose usual DS is on medical leave. Seeing this area of England through a Londoner's eyes was a great addition to the story.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews