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Alexandra Raven Mysteries #1
Death in Soho
A brand-new historical mystery set in London, rebuilding after the Second World War.
Alexandra Raven is smart, stylish and unflinchingly brave. She once risked her life behind enemy lines. Now, she hunts the truth in post-war London.
A war hero found dead in a locked room. Another victim found strangled in Soho. A private investigator with a past no one dares speak of.
London, 1950.
In a quiet Belgravia home, war hero Captain Fabian Sarre is found dead with a bullet wound to his head — no note, no explanation.
The police think Fabian took his own life. But Lady Bentham, Fabian’s godmother, thinks otherwise, and she’s determined to prove it.
She seeks the help of private investigator Alexandra Raven. All they have is a hunch and a police file. But as Alex digs deeper into the case, she uncovers hidden wounds the autopsy overlooked, gambling debts, and a past full of dark secrets.
Then a body is found tortured, gagged, and posed in a grim Soho flat. It becomes clear the victim has ties to Fabian.
Fabian’s death was no isolated tragedy — it’s part of a far-reaching conspiracy. As more bodies with connections to Fabian surface, Alex must outwit a ruthless killer determined to keep the past buried before the next body is hers . . .
A gripping historical mystery packed with intrigue, noir glamour, and a fearless heroine who plays by her own rules.
Meet the Detective
Sharp-witted and fiercely independent, Alexandra Raven isn’t your typical private investigator. A policeman’s daughter who spent her years as a wartime spy, Alex now runs her father’s agency, Raven Private Enquiry Agency in the heart of Soho, after his death.
Fluent in French, trained in hand-to-hand combat, and with a talent for slipping past locked doors and guarded truths, Alex is a force to be reckoned with. She’s most comfortable in a tailored suit drinking black coffee. She doesn’t suffer fools gladly, especially corrupt policemen or men who think she should stay quiet.
Alexandra Raven is smart, stylish and unflinchingly brave. She once risked her life behind enemy lines. Now, she hunts the truth in post-war London.
A war hero found dead in a locked room. Another victim found strangled in Soho. A private investigator with a past no one dares speak of.
London, 1950.
In a quiet Belgravia home, war hero Captain Fabian Sarre is found dead with a bullet wound to his head — no note, no explanation.
The police think Fabian took his own life. But Lady Bentham, Fabian’s godmother, thinks otherwise, and she’s determined to prove it.
She seeks the help of private investigator Alexandra Raven. All they have is a hunch and a police file. But as Alex digs deeper into the case, she uncovers hidden wounds the autopsy overlooked, gambling debts, and a past full of dark secrets.
Then a body is found tortured, gagged, and posed in a grim Soho flat. It becomes clear the victim has ties to Fabian.
Fabian’s death was no isolated tragedy — it’s part of a far-reaching conspiracy. As more bodies with connections to Fabian surface, Alex must outwit a ruthless killer determined to keep the past buried before the next body is hers . . .
A gripping historical mystery packed with intrigue, noir glamour, and a fearless heroine who plays by her own rules.
Meet the Detective
Sharp-witted and fiercely independent, Alexandra Raven isn’t your typical private investigator. A policeman’s daughter who spent her years as a wartime spy, Alex now runs her father’s agency, Raven Private Enquiry Agency in the heart of Soho, after his death.
Fluent in French, trained in hand-to-hand combat, and with a talent for slipping past locked doors and guarded truths, Alex is a force to be reckoned with. She’s most comfortable in a tailored suit drinking black coffee. She doesn’t suffer fools gladly, especially corrupt policemen or men who think she should stay quiet.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 19, 2025
353 people are currently reading
142 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
December 30, 2025
Alexandra Raven has inherited her detective agency from her late father and despite the sexism that was rife in the post war time period this is set in she doing ok for herself bumbling along. But then when a rich aristocrat comes to her office and asks her to look into the death of a family member, Alex’s world is turned upside down. The victim, a decorated Captain, appears to have committed suicide but not everyone is convinced. With the help of the Chief Inspector of the police who Alex seems to have a history with regarding the war uncovers a seedy world of gambling, vice and blackmail. Bodies start piling up and Alex’s life is in constant danger. But can she find out if the Captain really killed himself or was it something more sinister? If you are a fan of Shiv Saywack’s other work particularly the Mary Finch series then this is a more grown up version of that. This is a more gritty, compelling mystery story with plenty of twists. A lot of research obviously went into this in the description of London in the post war era and the way people spoke and dressed and treated each other. Particularly the sexism that Alex faced was very authentic. I thoroughly enjoyed this and I already have book 2 which I will start reading after this review.
October 30, 2025
I was drawn into this thriller from page 1. The character of Alex Raven is so well described I felt like I knew her. This book could definitely be turned into a film, I would definitely watch it even though I know the ending. The descriptions of the London boroughs made me feel like I was part of the story I was in London watching the thriller unfold in front of my eyes. And now thanks to this story I am fully versed in money laundering. I'm hooked and ready for the next mystery.
December 1, 2025
Alexandra (Alex) Raven, the daughter of a deceased police officer, was a spy throughout world war 2, and is now carrying on her father's private detective agency and has a steady stream of people looking for her services. One of whom is Lady Bentham who is the aunt of Captain Fabian Sarre who was found dead, shot through the head in his father's study. She doesn't believe that he committed suicide, he is from a long line of aristocrats and stood to inherit the house and entire estate and money, his sister appears doesn't believe it either, but their father does and thinks it's a disgrace that he killed himself as he was from a long line of renown soldiers and finds what he did was insulting and cowardly.
Alex finds that he has a back which was flailed badly when he was alive and from looking into this she uncovers the shady world of a crossdressing former soldier and a group of soldiers he commanded with money laundering problems and a pregnant girlfriend who didn't want to marry him. Fabian Sarre was a very unhappy man. As Alex dives deeper into his army and personal affairs she believes he was killed, but by whom. Along the way she finds herself being seriously beaten up several times but she still gets up with broken ribs and carries on working. Hmm...
She does find an outcome for his father, aunt and sister but maybe not the one they were expecting. It is different in that it's set just a few years after the war and everyone is still on rationing and there is a job and housing shortage and people are still trying to pick up the pieces, but am not sure I like her. She's no lady, she's very much in your face and seems to almost invite all the trouble which follows her. Am not sure I would carry on reading this series.
Alex finds that he has a back which was flailed badly when he was alive and from looking into this she uncovers the shady world of a crossdressing former soldier and a group of soldiers he commanded with money laundering problems and a pregnant girlfriend who didn't want to marry him. Fabian Sarre was a very unhappy man. As Alex dives deeper into his army and personal affairs she believes he was killed, but by whom. Along the way she finds herself being seriously beaten up several times but she still gets up with broken ribs and carries on working. Hmm...
She does find an outcome for his father, aunt and sister but maybe not the one they were expecting. It is different in that it's set just a few years after the war and everyone is still on rationing and there is a job and housing shortage and people are still trying to pick up the pieces, but am not sure I like her. She's no lady, she's very much in your face and seems to almost invite all the trouble which follows her. Am not sure I would carry on reading this series.
October 31, 2025
A Stylish and Suspenseful Start to the Alexandra Raven Mysteries
Death in Soho is a superb start to what promises to be an excellent new series. Set in post-war London during the 1950s, it offers a rich historical backdrop full of atmosphere and intrigue.
Alexandra Raven is a compelling protagonist — a determined woman navigating a man’s world as she takes over her late father’s private investigation business. When war hero Captain Fabian Salle is found dead in what the police dismiss as suicide, his goddaughter, Lady Bentham, suspects otherwise and hires Alex to uncover the truth.
As the investigation deepens, Alex unearths a web of secrets within the Salle family, and what begins as a simple inquiry soon spirals into something far darker. The case draws her into the murky underworld of gambling and deception, where danger lurks at every turn and the body count rises.
The depiction of post-war London — with its bomb-damaged buildings and shifting social order — feels vivid and authentic. The writing sparkles with wit and dry humour, echoing the tone of Raymond Chandler with its blend of cynicism and lyricism. Told in the first person, the narrative draws the reader close to Alex, allowing us to share her insights, frustrations, and flashes of defiance as she works to unravel the mystery.
There are plenty of twists and moments of genuine suspense, and the ending delivers a satisfying surprise. Death in Soho is an engaging, stylish, and atmospheric mystery — an excellent introduction to Alexandra Raven and a promising beginning for what looks to be a wonderful new series.
Death in Soho is a superb start to what promises to be an excellent new series. Set in post-war London during the 1950s, it offers a rich historical backdrop full of atmosphere and intrigue.
Alexandra Raven is a compelling protagonist — a determined woman navigating a man’s world as she takes over her late father’s private investigation business. When war hero Captain Fabian Salle is found dead in what the police dismiss as suicide, his goddaughter, Lady Bentham, suspects otherwise and hires Alex to uncover the truth.
As the investigation deepens, Alex unearths a web of secrets within the Salle family, and what begins as a simple inquiry soon spirals into something far darker. The case draws her into the murky underworld of gambling and deception, where danger lurks at every turn and the body count rises.
The depiction of post-war London — with its bomb-damaged buildings and shifting social order — feels vivid and authentic. The writing sparkles with wit and dry humour, echoing the tone of Raymond Chandler with its blend of cynicism and lyricism. Told in the first person, the narrative draws the reader close to Alex, allowing us to share her insights, frustrations, and flashes of defiance as she works to unravel the mystery.
There are plenty of twists and moments of genuine suspense, and the ending delivers a satisfying surprise. Death in Soho is an engaging, stylish, and atmospheric mystery — an excellent introduction to Alexandra Raven and a promising beginning for what looks to be a wonderful new series.
October 1, 2025
Death in SOHO is a gripping murder mystery set in 1950s London with a most entertaining female lead private investigator. Alexandra Raven follows in her father’s footsteps to continue the struggling investigative agency she inherited from the father when Lady Bentham, a woman of great social standing, arrives at her doorstep with a commission to find out the truth about the so-called suicide of her godson.
The intrigue of such a commission and the financial rewards take Raven on a wild ride to uncover a wealth of family secrets, a confrontation with a transplanted New York mobster, the renewed friendship of a current police chief inspector from her WWII past, money-laundering, and a string of murders as Raven unravels the mystery surrounding the death she is tasked with investigating.
The writing is crisp and fresh, and Alex Raven is a gritty character with very witty dialogue and an aggressive personality that shows she’s not afraid of a fight to dig for the truth. It was an enjoyable read and those readers who especially like a police procedural mystery that unfolds layer by layer, with a surprise ending that is truly a surprise, will enjoy the story.
The intrigue of such a commission and the financial rewards take Raven on a wild ride to uncover a wealth of family secrets, a confrontation with a transplanted New York mobster, the renewed friendship of a current police chief inspector from her WWII past, money-laundering, and a string of murders as Raven unravels the mystery surrounding the death she is tasked with investigating.
The writing is crisp and fresh, and Alex Raven is a gritty character with very witty dialogue and an aggressive personality that shows she’s not afraid of a fight to dig for the truth. It was an enjoyable read and those readers who especially like a police procedural mystery that unfolds layer by layer, with a surprise ending that is truly a surprise, will enjoy the story.
August 12, 2025
A real page turner murder mystery set in a post WW2 London.
I loved the simple descriptive and almost staccato delivery reminiscent of a 1950s John Malone detective story. Very well written!
Captain Fabian Sarre, a war hero, is found dead in his family home in Belgravia. He was discovered in a locked room with his service revolver by his side. One shot has been fired and the man has a fatal bullet wound to the head.
The obvious conclusion to the death of the war damaged man with a serious gambling habit is suicide.
However, his godmother and society name Lady Bentham is convinced of foul play.
Lady Bentham seeks a private investigator to delve into the mystery as the rest of the family and the police accept the coroners verdict of suicide. Enter Alexander Raven, a young sleuth following in her late fathers firm.
There follows a few more deaths before the mystery is solved and the seedier side of Soho is exposed in great detail. Dark intrigue and the closed ranks of high society make this book a real page turner.
I loved the simple descriptive and almost staccato delivery reminiscent of a 1950s John Malone detective story. Very well written!
Captain Fabian Sarre, a war hero, is found dead in his family home in Belgravia. He was discovered in a locked room with his service revolver by his side. One shot has been fired and the man has a fatal bullet wound to the head.
The obvious conclusion to the death of the war damaged man with a serious gambling habit is suicide.
However, his godmother and society name Lady Bentham is convinced of foul play.
Lady Bentham seeks a private investigator to delve into the mystery as the rest of the family and the police accept the coroners verdict of suicide. Enter Alexander Raven, a young sleuth following in her late fathers firm.
There follows a few more deaths before the mystery is solved and the seedier side of Soho is exposed in great detail. Dark intrigue and the closed ranks of high society make this book a real page turner.
January 6, 2026
A Sharp, Stylish Noir
Death in Soho is set in a post-World War 2 London scarred by bomb damage, secrets, and unresolved loyalties, where the past lingers in every shadow.
Alexandra Raven is a formidable private detective and former wartime operative running her late father’s struggling agency. Her intelligence, grit, sharp instincts, and dry wit in a male-dominated world give the book much of its energy and charm.
An investigation into an apparent suicide unravels family secrets, wartime trauma, criminal underworld figures, and moral compromises as Alex digs deeper, and the stakes escalate. The colourful, ambiguous cast of characters adds tension as the mystery tightens. Nothing is quite as it first appears.
Shiv Saywack’s writing maintains momentum while the noir tone and biting dialogue keep things fresh. The ending lands with impact, making Alexandra Raven a heroine worth following. Death in Soho is an excellent start to what promises to be a gripping series for lovers of historical crime fiction. I can’t wait to tuck into the next one!
Death in Soho is set in a post-World War 2 London scarred by bomb damage, secrets, and unresolved loyalties, where the past lingers in every shadow.
Alexandra Raven is a formidable private detective and former wartime operative running her late father’s struggling agency. Her intelligence, grit, sharp instincts, and dry wit in a male-dominated world give the book much of its energy and charm.
An investigation into an apparent suicide unravels family secrets, wartime trauma, criminal underworld figures, and moral compromises as Alex digs deeper, and the stakes escalate. The colourful, ambiguous cast of characters adds tension as the mystery tightens. Nothing is quite as it first appears.
Shiv Saywack’s writing maintains momentum while the noir tone and biting dialogue keep things fresh. The ending lands with impact, making Alexandra Raven a heroine worth following. Death in Soho is an excellent start to what promises to be a gripping series for lovers of historical crime fiction. I can’t wait to tuck into the next one!
August 20, 2025
A great gripping historical mystery. Alexandra Raven is a private investigator that has taken over her dad's firm. She is asked by Lady Bentham to look into her Godson's suicide. The case is far more complicated that it first appears especially when another body is discovered. Everything is not as it seems but Alexandra will stop at nothing to get to the bottom of it. She is very daring and tenacious and doesn't like unanswered questions. Dangerous secrets and duty all come to the surface and Alexandra doesn't know who to trust. The character of Alexandra is particularly brilliant she is fiesty and will not leave any stone unturned. She is a woman in a man's world but doesn't let anything deter her from digging deeper. I found myself thinking if I needed anything investigating she would be my first choice. A very enjoyable and exciting read and I cannot wait to read further titles in this series.
August 25, 2025
A war hero is found dead in a locked room. But this is no standard “locked room mystery.” Shiv Saywack has you on tenterhooks all the way through adding layer upon layer to this very nuanced story.
Alexandra Raven runs a PI firm with one employee. Herself. Taking over from her late father, she mostly deals with debt collectors and spouses wanting their other halves followed. Getting payment isn’t always guaranteed and like as not, she can be found with a black eye rather than a full purse.
Then, one day, Lady Bentham comes to call with a letter from Inspector Latimer, someone Alex knew from the war, and a story of her godson being found dead in the locked library. It’s been ruled a suicide but she thinks it’s anything but. Her godson would not kill himself and she wants Alex to find out that truth whatever that might be.
An excellent start to what I hope is to be a series with Alexandra Raven and the erstwhile Inspector Latimer.
Alexandra Raven runs a PI firm with one employee. Herself. Taking over from her late father, she mostly deals with debt collectors and spouses wanting their other halves followed. Getting payment isn’t always guaranteed and like as not, she can be found with a black eye rather than a full purse.
Then, one day, Lady Bentham comes to call with a letter from Inspector Latimer, someone Alex knew from the war, and a story of her godson being found dead in the locked library. It’s been ruled a suicide but she thinks it’s anything but. Her godson would not kill himself and she wants Alex to find out that truth whatever that might be.
An excellent start to what I hope is to be a series with Alexandra Raven and the erstwhile Inspector Latimer.
September 8, 2025
This historical mystery is set in 1950s Soho, London, when a female private investigator would have been unusual. However, Alexandra Raven is no ordinary young woman and, having inherited the business from her late father, she is more than capable of the job, having once risked her life behind enemy lines. When Lady Bentham calls with a letter from Inspector Latimer, a man Raven worked with during the war, the private investigator is keen to solve the mystery of Fabian Sarre’s death. The police are satisfied it is a case of suicide, but Lady Bentham, Sarre’s godmother, is not so sure. The book is well-paced and well-written, with some wonderfully descriptive passages that transport the reader back to the London of yesteryear. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and look forward to reading the next book in the series. However, I am left with one unanswered question that had never occurred to me before: why do you never see baby pigeons?
November 18, 2025
This is the first book I've read by this author, and I'll certainly be reading more in the future.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one, the first in the Alexandra Raven Mysteries. It had me captured from the very start into a gripping ,well written storyline and plot. It's one of those books that once started. You just want to curl up and read to the end.
It did keep me guessing, but I never did work out who it was.
There are strong and interesting characters, revelations, and many a twist and turn. I particularly liked the main character, Alex, and her determined attitude to do the job, no matter what she faced, and even if it put her own life in danger.
I also enjoyed the references to life in the times the book is set in. I did find out lots of things I had no idea about.
I very much look forward to the next book in this series.
My thanks to Joffe books for the advanced copy. This is my honest and unbiased review of this book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one, the first in the Alexandra Raven Mysteries. It had me captured from the very start into a gripping ,well written storyline and plot. It's one of those books that once started. You just want to curl up and read to the end.
It did keep me guessing, but I never did work out who it was.
There are strong and interesting characters, revelations, and many a twist and turn. I particularly liked the main character, Alex, and her determined attitude to do the job, no matter what she faced, and even if it put her own life in danger.
I also enjoyed the references to life in the times the book is set in. I did find out lots of things I had no idea about.
I very much look forward to the next book in this series.
My thanks to Joffe books for the advanced copy. This is my honest and unbiased review of this book.
December 11, 2025
There is so much to enjoy in this sharp, stylish crime mystery.
First—London in the 1950s. The fashions, the post–WWII rebuilding of lives and landmarks, and the impeccable manners layered with razor-edged snark. Alexandra Raven is the reigning queen of that snark, and when verbal sparring isn’t enough, she’s not above landing a well-aimed punch.
Since inheriting her father’s detective agency, most of Alex’s cases have been small-scale: a missing person here, a suspected deception there. All of that changes when the Right Honorable Lady Bentham hires her to investigate the death of her godson. The police say suicide, but the Lady insists it’s murder.
The deeper Alex digs, the higher the body count rises—and the louder the warnings for her to stop looking. This fast-paced mystery pulls you in from the first page and doesn’t let go until every last secret and every last body is accounted for.
First—London in the 1950s. The fashions, the post–WWII rebuilding of lives and landmarks, and the impeccable manners layered with razor-edged snark. Alexandra Raven is the reigning queen of that snark, and when verbal sparring isn’t enough, she’s not above landing a well-aimed punch.
Since inheriting her father’s detective agency, most of Alex’s cases have been small-scale: a missing person here, a suspected deception there. All of that changes when the Right Honorable Lady Bentham hires her to investigate the death of her godson. The police say suicide, but the Lady insists it’s murder.
The deeper Alex digs, the higher the body count rises—and the louder the warnings for her to stop looking. This fast-paced mystery pulls you in from the first page and doesn’t let go until every last secret and every last body is accounted for.
December 14, 2025
Atmospheric, Witty, and Intriguing Murder Mystery
I am a big fan of Shiv Saywack’s old English ghost stories. His gracefully refined writing draws me in with such ease. And that is so with his murder mystery novel as well. I absolutely loved Alex Raven, the sharp-witted, sharp-minded, and uncompromising private detective. Her character development goes layers deep. I couldn’t help but root for her. And the wealth of colorful characters she encounters contributes to the story’s building intrigue. The historical setting is so richly defined you can sense it all around you. The pacing kept me captivated and flipping pages. The surprise ending sparked my emotions and sent me for a loop. A must read for murder mystery lovers. Book two here I come!
I am a big fan of Shiv Saywack’s old English ghost stories. His gracefully refined writing draws me in with such ease. And that is so with his murder mystery novel as well. I absolutely loved Alex Raven, the sharp-witted, sharp-minded, and uncompromising private detective. Her character development goes layers deep. I couldn’t help but root for her. And the wealth of colorful characters she encounters contributes to the story’s building intrigue. The historical setting is so richly defined you can sense it all around you. The pacing kept me captivated and flipping pages. The surprise ending sparked my emotions and sent me for a loop. A must read for murder mystery lovers. Book two here I come!
August 12, 2025
This was an excellent start to a very promising new series. Captain Fabian Sarre is found dead in what seems to be a suicide. His godmother Lady Bentham thinks otherwise and hires Alexandra Raven to investigate.
I really liked the character of Alex. She's feisty and determined in her role in post-war London which is really a man's world. Her unlikely ally in Inspector Latimer is interesting and one I am keen to delve into a bit more to see why this is. The depiction of the seedy side of Soho was fascinating and the whole post-war and seedy side felt very real. There are twists aplenty here and it was a very riveting finale. I look forward to reading more in the series.
I really liked the character of Alex. She's feisty and determined in her role in post-war London which is really a man's world. Her unlikely ally in Inspector Latimer is interesting and one I am keen to delve into a bit more to see why this is. The depiction of the seedy side of Soho was fascinating and the whole post-war and seedy side felt very real. There are twists aplenty here and it was a very riveting finale. I look forward to reading more in the series.
August 20, 2025
Alex Raven has inherited Raven Investigations from her father, a female private investigator is unusual in 1950s London. She is hired to investigate the suicide of Fabian Sarre by his Godmother, she is not convinced it was suicide, but if it was she wants to know why. She has been Alex by Latimer, now a Police detective, but formerly a Major and Alex’s boss during the war.
Alex is drawn into the murky world of Soho in her search for answers, uncovering money laundering, blackmail and police corruption. A good read.
Alex is drawn into the murky world of Soho in her search for answers, uncovering money laundering, blackmail and police corruption. A good read.
September 29, 2025
A Wonderful Read
The strength of this book lies not only in its tightly woven mystery, but in how vividly the author brings characters to life. Alexandra Raven feels fully realized—layered, sharp, and compelling from the very first page. The supporting cast, too, each carries a presence that makes the world of post-war London feel authentic and alive. The writing has an elegance to it, with a steady rhythm that keeps the story moving while still allowing space for atmosphere and depth. This is the kind of book that makes you eager to follow the detective into the next case.
The strength of this book lies not only in its tightly woven mystery, but in how vividly the author brings characters to life. Alexandra Raven feels fully realized—layered, sharp, and compelling from the very first page. The supporting cast, too, each carries a presence that makes the world of post-war London feel authentic and alive. The writing has an elegance to it, with a steady rhythm that keeps the story moving while still allowing space for atmosphere and depth. This is the kind of book that makes you eager to follow the detective into the next case.
October 15, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Death in Soho by Shiv Saywack. It's a classic murder mystery set in London after WW2. The gritty protagonist is a PI who is hired to solve a series of murders. She is constantly faced with several hurdles in her quest to solve the case. The author does a wonderful job keeping the reader on the edge of their seat through vivid scene descriptions and character development. I could feel the rain that fell on those London streets.
I highly recommend reading this novel. I know that I will read the other books in the series.
I highly recommend reading this novel. I know that I will read the other books in the series.
November 10, 2025
I’m already very familiar with Mr Saywack’s writing; I think it’s excellent. This new series, featuring private investigator Alex Raven is going to fly; I’m sure of it. Alex is a good character; one wants her to succeed in the business she’s inherited from her father. The portrayal of the high class clients and the seedier side of life is excellent. I was drawn into the story from the start and enjoyed every minute of the time I could spend in this tale. It is different from the usual ‘whodunnit’ but is wholly absorbing.
August 21, 2025
Set in the 1950s Alexandra Raven, a private investigator takes on a case for Lady Bentham . Her godson Captain Fabian Sarre was found dead with a shotgun wound inside a locked room . An open and shut case of a tragic suicide , but Alexandra is put to work to prove otherwise . The story takes us into the seedy world of Soho, gambling and dark secrets
An enjoyable and compelling read with twists along the way
An enjoyable and compelling read with twists along the way
September 12, 2025
A good read with a solid plot and a witty detective – maybe a bit too much at times – Alexandra Raven has an answer for everything. She’s not afraid to speak her mind, even to the toughest of criminals, and not afraid to delve deep into getting to the bottom of Fabian Sarre’s supposed suicide.
The more I read, the more I became involved in Alexandra’s quest to discover the truth. I was intrigued until the very last page, and I have to admit, I hadn’t expected that ending.
The more I read, the more I became involved in Alexandra’s quest to discover the truth. I was intrigued until the very last page, and I have to admit, I hadn’t expected that ending.
December 4, 2025
It Was A Bit Different
War hero Captain Fabian Sarre is found dead in a locked room from gunshot wounds. It was ruled as a suicide but his aunt is not convinced and hires private investigator Alexandra Raven to look at the case again. Can she prove he was murdered, and if so how? It is a good book but I didn't find it as gripping as some I have read, hence the 4 stars. There was a certain amount of humour which I enjoyed but also some violence involving Alexandra which I didn't.
War hero Captain Fabian Sarre is found dead in a locked room from gunshot wounds. It was ruled as a suicide but his aunt is not convinced and hires private investigator Alexandra Raven to look at the case again. Can she prove he was murdered, and if so how? It is a good book but I didn't find it as gripping as some I have read, hence the 4 stars. There was a certain amount of humour which I enjoyed but also some violence involving Alexandra which I didn't.
August 20, 2025
When I began reading this I wasn't sure it was my type of story. However it soon grabbed my attention and I was eager to find out what was really happening. Alex Raven is a realistic figure dealing with some good characters, friends and foe.
A well written investigation with interesting elements of historical detail.
A well written investigation with interesting elements of historical detail.
August 28, 2025
The narrative tone of this book this made me feel like I was watching a 'Film Noir' it had all the hallmarks of the old gumshoe movies, with the benefit of a dry witted female lead. The author captured the 1940's post war vibe, I almost felt I could smell the cigarette smoke on my clothes!
It did progress a bit slowly for me but loved the writing style.
It did progress a bit slowly for me but loved the writing style.
September 10, 2025
SOPHISTICATED DETECTIVE MYSTERY
It is incredibly remarkable how Shiv Saywack’s writing smoothly transports you to 1950s London, then fully captivates you with such an elegance in DEATH IN SOHO – even while describing some rather gruesome details! BTW, my favorite line from the book regarding one of the characters… “A man of extraordinary talent, in that he doesn’t have any.”
It is incredibly remarkable how Shiv Saywack’s writing smoothly transports you to 1950s London, then fully captivates you with such an elegance in DEATH IN SOHO – even while describing some rather gruesome details! BTW, my favorite line from the book regarding one of the characters… “A man of extraordinary talent, in that he doesn’t have any.”
September 26, 2025
This is a beautifully written book. I loved Alex Raven's character. She inherited her father's business in 1950's London. She finds herself at the heart of a suicide investigation, not all is at it seems. Alex finds herself pulled into a world filled with deceit and lies. The author did an amazing job writing the setting of this story. Very well written. Highly recommend.
October 18, 2025
Good job on this one - good plot, good MC, good characters - I liked everything about it. I liked how the detective was tough and talked back to people, even the dangerous ones. There were a lot of seedy people in there - you'd think that when a loyal patriot goes off to war, he'd find good, loyal buddies....no, and they were not only lethal but also good at covering their tracks.
December 11, 2025
Post war suicide or not? Alex Raven investigates.
Though this starts slowly, I persisted and got drawn in. Alex Raven has inherited her father's PI business. She is asked to investigate the suicide of the godson of a Lady. There are lots of twists, turns and murders before the unexpected ending.
Though this starts slowly, I persisted and got drawn in. Alex Raven has inherited her father's PI business. She is asked to investigate the suicide of the godson of a Lady. There are lots of twists, turns and murders before the unexpected ending.
August 20, 2025
Death in Soho. An apparent suicide of a war hero is not all it seems. Alex gets her teeth into the case peeling back the layers until the guilty are exposed. Well crafted with strong characters it's a riveting read.
August 21, 2025
Good storyline. The style is different from my usual reads but it punches along with remarkable swiftness. Alex makes a feisty heroine and I look forward to reading more of her adventures as a private investigator.
September 14, 2025
What a magnificent book!
I was totally hooked from the first page and didn't want to put it down.
Beautifully written with subtle humour all the way through, and just the right amount of twists and turns. Great job, Shiv. Highest recommendations.
I was totally hooked from the first page and didn't want to put it down.
Beautifully written with subtle humour all the way through, and just the right amount of twists and turns. Great job, Shiv. Highest recommendations.
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