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Death in Ambush
In a tranquil Kentish village, Dr Sandys and his wife are preparing for Christmas with their guest, Liane ‘Lee’ Crauford. Festivities start badly when their party is spoiled by an enigmatic widow new to the village, and the atmosphere hits rock bottom when the pompous local nobleman and ceramic-collector Sir Henry Metcalfe unexpectedly dies. Sensing potential villains among Metcalfe’s circle, Lee teams up with Detective-Inspector Hugh Gordon to discover the killer playing merry hell with her holiday in this lost vintage mystery, republished for the first time since 1952.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2025
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234 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 21, 2025
Lee has been invited to spend Christmas with her friends in a country village. But what should be an idyllic trip starts to turn sour when a Christmas party is disrupted by a new resident and then soon after another resident suffers a stroke and then dies. But rumours soon start that it was actually murder, and Lee finds herself working with the Scotland Yard detective who has been called in to investigate. Does it count as new if the book was actually written in 1952? I've decided it does because this is this year's British Library Crime Classic Christmas offering. Lee is an interesting character and she has a prior relationship with DI Gordon from another book (also long out of print) that is slightly flirtatious despite the fact that she is married (which may not please some people) but it didn't bother me because it made for a really interesting dynamic in a clever murder mystery.
September 29, 2025
For my full review click on the link below:
https://crossexaminingcrime.com/2025/...
https://crossexaminingcrime.com/2025/...
December 16, 2025
An excellent, fun read. A clever solution. The author dealt charmingly with the problems of the various love entanglements. I must find more books by her.
October 30, 2025
Not a bad story.
But I found it hard to take to the characters.
But I found it hard to take to the characters.
December 13, 2025
Very enjoyable vintage cozy crime. Highly recommended.
December 17, 2025
A nicely handled golden-age murder mystery, with an acceptable amount of Christmas atmosphere thrown in.
Liane Crauford goes to stay with some friends in the peaceful village of Staple Green. At a cocktail party given by her hosts, she encounters several locals, including the unpleasant Sir Henry Metcalfe, who goes out of his way to offend or upset everyone at the party. Readers will not be surprised when he dies a week later - and even less surprised when the doctors decide the death is not the stroke it originally appeared to be. DI Hugh Gordon from Scotland Yard, whom Leane knows from a previous case, is called in to investigate, and allows Liane to tag along.
I enjoyed the setting and the various characters. I also liked the gradual build up to Christmas (the story begins a couple of weeks before Christmas Day), as Liane and her hostess Betty start decorating the house, and the children make cards and paper chains. I felt that Gilruth provided a fair number of clues to the solution, neither being too obvious nor too obscure. (NB: I would recommend avoiding reading Martin Edwards' introduction until after you have read the novel, since one of his comments could potentially be 'spoiler-ish').
This doesn't quite make the five star category for two reasons. Firstly, I felt that Gilruth's resolution was a bit on the weak side. The second was that I really didn't 'take' to Liane. She didn't seem to contribute much to the case, and I felt that most of the 'detecting' was done off-page by Hugh and Howard, Betty's husband. Her flirtatious relationship with DI Gordon also felt a bit 'off', especially bearing in mind that she is married and knows that Gordon is in love with her. Everyone keeps referring to Hugh as her 'boyfriend' and her response definitely smacks of a lady protesting too much. I don't think I would have noticed it so much in a modern novel, but in this type of 1950s 'traditional', it felt wrong.
Having said that, this is a very strong addition to the British Library Crime Classics series, and I would definitely be interested in reading more of Susan Gilruth's books. Strongly recommended for those who are looking for a classic murder mystery with a wintery/pre-Christmas setting.
Liane Crauford goes to stay with some friends in the peaceful village of Staple Green. At a cocktail party given by her hosts, she encounters several locals, including the unpleasant Sir Henry Metcalfe, who goes out of his way to offend or upset everyone at the party. Readers will not be surprised when he dies a week later - and even less surprised when the doctors decide the death is not the stroke it originally appeared to be. DI Hugh Gordon from Scotland Yard, whom Leane knows from a previous case, is called in to investigate, and allows Liane to tag along.
I enjoyed the setting and the various characters. I also liked the gradual build up to Christmas (the story begins a couple of weeks before Christmas Day), as Liane and her hostess Betty start decorating the house, and the children make cards and paper chains. I felt that Gilruth provided a fair number of clues to the solution, neither being too obvious nor too obscure. (NB: I would recommend avoiding reading Martin Edwards' introduction until after you have read the novel, since one of his comments could potentially be 'spoiler-ish').
This doesn't quite make the five star category for two reasons. Firstly, I felt that Gilruth's resolution was a bit on the weak side. The second was that I really didn't 'take' to Liane. She didn't seem to contribute much to the case, and I felt that most of the 'detecting' was done off-page by Hugh and Howard, Betty's husband. Her flirtatious relationship with DI Gordon also felt a bit 'off', especially bearing in mind that she is married and knows that Gordon is in love with her. Everyone keeps referring to Hugh as her 'boyfriend' and her response definitely smacks of a lady protesting too much. I don't think I would have noticed it so much in a modern novel, but in this type of 1950s 'traditional', it felt wrong.
Having said that, this is a very strong addition to the British Library Crime Classics series, and I would definitely be interested in reading more of Susan Gilruth's books. Strongly recommended for those who are looking for a classic murder mystery with a wintery/pre-Christmas setting.
December 20, 2025
„Zagadka świątecznej zbrodni” Susan Gilruth to hołd złożony klasycznemu angielskiemu kryminałowi – takiemu, w którym pod warstwą uprzejmości, porcelanowych filiżanek i skrzypiącego śniegu czai się zbrodnia doskonale zaplanowana i jeszcze lepiej ukryta.
Akcja powieści rozgrywa się w malowniczej wiosce w hrabstwie Kent, gdzie Boże Narodzenie powinno pachnieć piernikiem i igliwiem, a nie śmiercią. Liane „Lee” Craufurd przyjeżdża do przyjaciół, by spędzić spokojne święta – bez pośpiechu, w gronie życzliwych ludzi. Sielanka szybko jednak pęka niczym cienki lód, gdy wśród świątecznych przygotowań pojawia się tajemnicza wdowa, a wkrótce potem umiera sir Henry Metcalfe – wyniosły arystokrata, emerytowany sędzia i człowiek, którego, jak się okazuje, nikt specjalnie nie opłakuje.
Gilruth z niezwykłym wyczuciem buduje atmosferę niepokoju: mamy tu zamkniętą społeczność, galerię pozornie nienagannych postaci i gęstniejące podejrzenia. Każdy coś ukrywa, każdy ma motyw, a prawda – jak to w najlepszych kryminałach – czai się między niedopowiedzeniami i uprzejmymi uśmiechami. Lee, energiczna i bystra obserwatorka, łączy siły z inspektorem Hugh Gordonem ze Scotland Yardu, a ich współpraca dodaje historii lekkości, subtelnego humoru i odrobiny iskrzącego napięcia.
To nie jest kryminał oparty na szokujących zwrotach akcji czy brutalnych scenach. Jego siła tkwi w klimacie: zimowym, świątecznym, „przytulnym”, a jednocześnie podszytym mrokiem. Fani Agathy Christie poczują się tu jak w domu – to klasyczna zagadka, prowadzona spokojnym rytmem, z satysfakcjonującym finałem, który przywraca porządek światu przedstawionemu.
„Zagadka świątecznej zbrodni” to idealna lektura na zimowy wieczór: kryminał do czytania pod kocem, z kubkiem herbaty w dłoni, gdy za oknem pada śnieg, a cisza wydaje się aż nazbyt wymowna. Elegancka, stylowa i niezwykle przyjemna – dowód na to, że morderstwo w klasycznym wydaniu nigdy nie wychodzi z mody!🔥
Dziękuję za zaufanie i egzemplarz do recenzji od @zysk_wydawnictwo (współpraca reklamowa) 🩷.
Akcja powieści rozgrywa się w malowniczej wiosce w hrabstwie Kent, gdzie Boże Narodzenie powinno pachnieć piernikiem i igliwiem, a nie śmiercią. Liane „Lee” Craufurd przyjeżdża do przyjaciół, by spędzić spokojne święta – bez pośpiechu, w gronie życzliwych ludzi. Sielanka szybko jednak pęka niczym cienki lód, gdy wśród świątecznych przygotowań pojawia się tajemnicza wdowa, a wkrótce potem umiera sir Henry Metcalfe – wyniosły arystokrata, emerytowany sędzia i człowiek, którego, jak się okazuje, nikt specjalnie nie opłakuje.
Gilruth z niezwykłym wyczuciem buduje atmosferę niepokoju: mamy tu zamkniętą społeczność, galerię pozornie nienagannych postaci i gęstniejące podejrzenia. Każdy coś ukrywa, każdy ma motyw, a prawda – jak to w najlepszych kryminałach – czai się między niedopowiedzeniami i uprzejmymi uśmiechami. Lee, energiczna i bystra obserwatorka, łączy siły z inspektorem Hugh Gordonem ze Scotland Yardu, a ich współpraca dodaje historii lekkości, subtelnego humoru i odrobiny iskrzącego napięcia.
To nie jest kryminał oparty na szokujących zwrotach akcji czy brutalnych scenach. Jego siła tkwi w klimacie: zimowym, świątecznym, „przytulnym”, a jednocześnie podszytym mrokiem. Fani Agathy Christie poczują się tu jak w domu – to klasyczna zagadka, prowadzona spokojnym rytmem, z satysfakcjonującym finałem, który przywraca porządek światu przedstawionemu.
„Zagadka świątecznej zbrodni” to idealna lektura na zimowy wieczór: kryminał do czytania pod kocem, z kubkiem herbaty w dłoni, gdy za oknem pada śnieg, a cisza wydaje się aż nazbyt wymowna. Elegancka, stylowa i niezwykle przyjemna – dowód na to, że morderstwo w klasycznym wydaniu nigdy nie wychodzi z mody!🔥
Dziękuję za zaufanie i egzemplarz do recenzji od @zysk_wydawnictwo (współpraca reklamowa) 🩷.
November 11, 2025
Firstly, I do enjoy reading Christmas mysteries, so I was interested in reading this one that had been lost. Written in 1952, remnants of WW2 remain here and there in this story. NIH is in full swing, which we see since our narrator Liane Crauford is staying with a friend who's husband is the local doctor. This doctor is constantly running out on calls. However Liane (Lee's) proximity to this home puts her into a bit of a birds-eye of the machinations of a mystery.
I would say that just about half-way, the murder occurs. And a bit later, Scotland Yard appears - in the face of Hugh Gordon (who everyone thinks is Liane's boyfriend- who is clearly in love with her, though she is married.) A couple maddening elements of the 2nd half is that Liane is kept away from seeing a lot of the action; and, she tends to not connect some of the previous events and information to the murder until later. This I found really odd. Though it could be the constant insistence that none of the suspects could have done it by her friend Betty and the fact that the holidays were coming and the two children were anticipating it with happiness.
Regardless of the staying out of some of the events that would have given the reader some more action to get through- action does inevitably arrive. Liane is allowed to attend interviews and visit people and get to see actual information. When the murderer is unmasked, the facts do fit the suspect - though the ending is quite sad. The person who was murdered however, was truly missed by none. He wasn't even a real person and I thought, yup the fictional world is better without him.
The 3 stars instead of higher, is that there were a few extended lulls in the story's progress. I did find the overall plot and people interesting and as always - it is interesting to see how people were doing a little better after the war, but the financial crush was still felt here and there.
I would say that just about half-way, the murder occurs. And a bit later, Scotland Yard appears - in the face of Hugh Gordon (who everyone thinks is Liane's boyfriend- who is clearly in love with her, though she is married.) A couple maddening elements of the 2nd half is that Liane is kept away from seeing a lot of the action; and, she tends to not connect some of the previous events and information to the murder until later. This I found really odd. Though it could be the constant insistence that none of the suspects could have done it by her friend Betty and the fact that the holidays were coming and the two children were anticipating it with happiness.
Regardless of the staying out of some of the events that would have given the reader some more action to get through- action does inevitably arrive. Liane is allowed to attend interviews and visit people and get to see actual information. When the murderer is unmasked, the facts do fit the suspect - though the ending is quite sad. The person who was murdered however, was truly missed by none. He wasn't even a real person and I thought, yup the fictional world is better without him.
The 3 stars instead of higher, is that there were a few extended lulls in the story's progress. I did find the overall plot and people interesting and as always - it is interesting to see how people were doing a little better after the war, but the financial crush was still felt here and there.
December 22, 2025
A classic Golden Age mystery, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie!
Liane (“Lee”) Crawford is spending the Christmas holidays visiting friends in the quaint village of Staple Greens when tragedy strikes. Sir Henry Metcalfe, a retired judge, dies suddenly during the festivities. What initially appears to be a stroke is soon revealed to be murder, and the list of suspects is anything but short. From his second wife and his son to what feels like half the village, no one is above suspicion. Scotland Yard sends one of its brightest, DI Hugh Gordon, a good friend of Lee’s from a previous case. Can they uncover the truth before another life is lost?
Originally published in 1952 and long thought lost, this rediscovered holiday mystery is a real gem. I especially enjoyed the introduction by Martin Edwards, whom I recently discovered and instantly fell in love with. His insights into Susan Gilruth were fascinating, and I couldn’t help but notice how much the author has in common with her series protagonist.
The atmosphere is wonderfully done, particularly in the descriptions of the village itself, a close-knit community that feels tailor-made for Christmas shopping and seasonal cheer. It all transported me straight into a cozy English village in the style of Miss Marple, in a time when extended visits with friends were the norm. The post-WWII setting adds an extra layer of intrigue, like the presence of a mysterious widow who may, or may not, be a foreign spy or femme fatale.
The mystery is cleverly plotted, though at times the overly detailed descriptions slowed the pace. Still, this is very much a cozy Golden Age mystery, one that gently lulls you in before revealing something darker and more sinister beneath the surface.
If you love Golden Age mysteries, quaint English villages, and larger-than-life characters, this is definitely one to check out.
Liane (“Lee”) Crawford is spending the Christmas holidays visiting friends in the quaint village of Staple Greens when tragedy strikes. Sir Henry Metcalfe, a retired judge, dies suddenly during the festivities. What initially appears to be a stroke is soon revealed to be murder, and the list of suspects is anything but short. From his second wife and his son to what feels like half the village, no one is above suspicion. Scotland Yard sends one of its brightest, DI Hugh Gordon, a good friend of Lee’s from a previous case. Can they uncover the truth before another life is lost?
Originally published in 1952 and long thought lost, this rediscovered holiday mystery is a real gem. I especially enjoyed the introduction by Martin Edwards, whom I recently discovered and instantly fell in love with. His insights into Susan Gilruth were fascinating, and I couldn’t help but notice how much the author has in common with her series protagonist.
The atmosphere is wonderfully done, particularly in the descriptions of the village itself, a close-knit community that feels tailor-made for Christmas shopping and seasonal cheer. It all transported me straight into a cozy English village in the style of Miss Marple, in a time when extended visits with friends were the norm. The post-WWII setting adds an extra layer of intrigue, like the presence of a mysterious widow who may, or may not, be a foreign spy or femme fatale.
The mystery is cleverly plotted, though at times the overly detailed descriptions slowed the pace. Still, this is very much a cozy Golden Age mystery, one that gently lulls you in before revealing something darker and more sinister beneath the surface.
If you love Golden Age mysteries, quaint English villages, and larger-than-life characters, this is definitely one to check out.
November 25, 2025
Death in Ambush was republished in 2025 in the British Library Crime Classics series. It was originally published in 1952 but lost for many years until its resurrection in this series.
Even after reading it, I'm still not sure what the title refers to - possibly the fact that living in a typical quiet English village in the immediate post-WWII period is not a particularly safe place. Certainly, there are many characters in the novel who could have been the murderer as the victim, Sir Henry Metcalfe, a retired judge and landowner was universally disliked in the village.
At the start of the novel, Liane (Lee) Craufurd has been invited to spend the pre-Christmas and Christmas period with her friends, Howard and Betty Sandys at their home in Staple Green, a Kent village close to Tunbridge Wells. Howard is the village doctor. Lee arrives a couple of weeks before Christmas and her husband Bill, currently on war department service, is due to arrive on Christmas Eve. I enjoyed the setting and descriptions of the area as I know Tunbridge Wells quite well.
The setting is very reminiscent of many of the Agatha Christie Miss Marple novels. The murder of Sir Henry Metcalfe takes place early in the novel and a Scotland Yard detective, Liane's friend Hugh Gordon, is called upon to take charge of the investigation. I found the novel slow-going in places and did not warm to the flirty relationship between Lee and Hugh.
This was an interesting read, with some Christmassy aspects, but I was a little disappointed and don't rate it as highly as some of the others in the Crime Classics series. I would give it 3.5 stars.
Even after reading it, I'm still not sure what the title refers to - possibly the fact that living in a typical quiet English village in the immediate post-WWII period is not a particularly safe place. Certainly, there are many characters in the novel who could have been the murderer as the victim, Sir Henry Metcalfe, a retired judge and landowner was universally disliked in the village.
At the start of the novel, Liane (Lee) Craufurd has been invited to spend the pre-Christmas and Christmas period with her friends, Howard and Betty Sandys at their home in Staple Green, a Kent village close to Tunbridge Wells. Howard is the village doctor. Lee arrives a couple of weeks before Christmas and her husband Bill, currently on war department service, is due to arrive on Christmas Eve. I enjoyed the setting and descriptions of the area as I know Tunbridge Wells quite well.
The setting is very reminiscent of many of the Agatha Christie Miss Marple novels. The murder of Sir Henry Metcalfe takes place early in the novel and a Scotland Yard detective, Liane's friend Hugh Gordon, is called upon to take charge of the investigation. I found the novel slow-going in places and did not warm to the flirty relationship between Lee and Hugh.
This was an interesting read, with some Christmassy aspects, but I was a little disappointed and don't rate it as highly as some of the others in the Crime Classics series. I would give it 3.5 stars.
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December 22, 2025Porządny, świąteczny kryminał - w starym, dobrym stylu... tego było mi trzeba i to zapewniła mi Susan Gilruth, a właściwie Susannah Margaret Godley, która żyła i tworzyła w 1911-1992. Obecnie nieco zapomniana, ale na szczęścia właśnie została odkopana przez Wydawnictwo Zysk i S-ka. Na szczęścia - ponieważ jej ZAGADKA ŚWIĄTECZNEJ ZBRODNI jest bardzo dobrą pozycją z fantastycznym klimatem. Atmosfera "malowniczej wioski w hrabstwie Kent" nie pozawala czytelnikowi pozostać obojętnym.
Narracja pierwszoosobowa - opowiada Lee, która zostaje niechcący wplątana w świąteczną zbrodnię, którą mógł popełnić każdy, ponieważ ofiara była... powiedzmy, że sir Henry Metcalfe nie był lubiany. I ta narracja została poprowadzona znakomicie. Jest odpowiednie tempo, wiarygodność i wielka sympatia do bohaterki... a co najważniejsze - literacko jest naprawdę pięknie.
Najbardziej cenię w tej książce tę unikalną atmosferę, ten "przyjemny' kryminał z dawnych lat i ten angielski humor, który potrafi zaczarować rzeczywistość. Tę książkę zwyczajnie świetnie się czyta. Sama intryga może nie jest niezwykle skomplikowana, nie ma głębokich portretów psychologicznych, ale jest wystarczająco wiarygodnie, by czytać ZAGADKĘ ŚWIĄTECZNEJ ZBRODNI z wielką przyjemnością. Książka idealna na ten czas! Idealna! Ach i oczywiście znakomity projekt okładki - pod choinkę jak znalazł.
gdy ginie męczący człek
Wydawnictwo Zysk i S-ka
egzemplarz recenzencki
Narracja pierwszoosobowa - opowiada Lee, która zostaje niechcący wplątana w świąteczną zbrodnię, którą mógł popełnić każdy, ponieważ ofiara była... powiedzmy, że sir Henry Metcalfe nie był lubiany. I ta narracja została poprowadzona znakomicie. Jest odpowiednie tempo, wiarygodność i wielka sympatia do bohaterki... a co najważniejsze - literacko jest naprawdę pięknie.
Najbardziej cenię w tej książce tę unikalną atmosferę, ten "przyjemny' kryminał z dawnych lat i ten angielski humor, który potrafi zaczarować rzeczywistość. Tę książkę zwyczajnie świetnie się czyta. Sama intryga może nie jest niezwykle skomplikowana, nie ma głębokich portretów psychologicznych, ale jest wystarczająco wiarygodnie, by czytać ZAGADKĘ ŚWIĄTECZNEJ ZBRODNI z wielką przyjemnością. Książka idealna na ten czas! Idealna! Ach i oczywiście znakomity projekt okładki - pod choinkę jak znalazł.
gdy ginie męczący człek
Wydawnictwo Zysk i S-ka
egzemplarz recenzencki
December 21, 2025
Gosh! This is a really good book. The only caveat to that is the character Liane Crauford. She is a married woman but also a 'close friend' of Hugh Gordon, the Scotland Yard inspector sent down to Staple Green to investigate the suspicious death of Sir Henry Metcalfe. Why on earth he is friends with her I simply cannot imagine. If he doesn't give her a full report on the crime and what he is doing to solve it, she sulks! If he ignores or doesn't agree with something she says, she sulks! If he doesn't keep her appraised of the latest clue/investigation - well yes, you guessed it, she sulks! I began to question just when this woman had left the playground. Honestly, I would be ashamed to behave like that. She seems to think she is in somehow in charge and is constantly questioning him on what he is doing (or in at least one situation, what he is not doing). And the way she gloats over being right about something is very annoying and certainly unattractive. Liane's friend Betty and indeed some of the other women of Staple Green behave in similar fashion. If this is how women behaved in the 1950s, thank goodness I wasn't around then. It's a shame really because Liane's sulks colour what is otherwise and really good murder mystery.
December 16, 2025
I loved this classic British Murder Mystery and think Agatha Christie fans will enjoy this. Set within a small, local community a very well disliked man is murdered, so there are quite a few possibilities. I found the plot quite ingenious and finished it while taking a cross country train journey and I felt that I was back in that post WW2 era where train travel was more common. I find some of these British Library Classics a bit mint and miss but I have been lucky recently and have now picked up another set in the festive period. These are available on Kindle Unlimited if any readers have this option.
December 20, 2025
Leanne is visiting friends for Christmas when the grumpy, mean man from the hall is murdered. Not an original concept, but incredibly well done.
I like the light and humorous writing style, told in Leanne’s voice. Her flirtatious relationship with the Scotland Yard inspector is also great. The writing itself is skillfull as the author moves your suspicion from wine character to another.
I hope BL Crime publish more Susan Gilruth books because I’m struggling to find her others, and if this is anything to go by, I want to read more!
I like the light and humorous writing style, told in Leanne’s voice. Her flirtatious relationship with the Scotland Yard inspector is also great. The writing itself is skillfull as the author moves your suspicion from wine character to another.
I hope BL Crime publish more Susan Gilruth books because I’m struggling to find her others, and if this is anything to go by, I want to read more!
December 20, 2025
A vintage crime novel set before Christmas. It has a little Christmas cheer in it but not much. Liane goes to stay with her friend Betty and her husband the local gp. An unpopular man is murdered and Liane and her friend inspector Gordon go about solving the case. I had an idea of who the murderer was early on but it did not detract from enjoying the mystery.
November 12, 2025
Originally written in 1952 but forgotten about,this is from the Golden Age of Crime writing.Would sit nicely among Christies works.An unliked bully of a man dies unexpectedly, murder?
There us a whole host of likely character's and twist,turns and Red Herrings.Not to spoil it but ......
There us a whole host of likely character's and twist,turns and Red Herrings.Not to spoil it but ......
November 28, 2025
Nice normal mystery, no big twists and with a satisfying conclusion. It is set near me which added to my enjoyment. It's not really a Christmas mystery, it just happens to be set at Christmas but that gives it a nice cosy feel.
December 14, 2025
This got a little slow in the middle but otherwise this is a satisfying murder mystery that is slightly seasonal but not hard to read at any time. I loved Lee, the narrator, and wish there were more of these to come. Recommended.
November 28, 2025
Death in Ambush is set in the days leading up to Christmas so in the end of the day, it seemed perfectly reasonable to read it early ☺️ 🌲
What is it about?
Lee Crauford is visiting her friends in the quiet village of Staple Green. Her husband will join them later and there are plenty of things to do and plan beforehand. One of the things is a little party at her hosts house where the atmosphere gets a bit tense when their various guests arrive. But the evening is over soon and all is well…. Or is it really? Not long and Sir Henry Metcalfe, a retired judge unexpectedly dies of a stroke. This might not be that suspicious in itself if the circumstances would have been different.
It’s my first encounter with Scotland Yard’s Detective Inspector Hugh Gordon, but Lee Crauford already met him on the scene of a previous murder and is eagerly joining his investigation of this case. And am I imagining it or is she flirting a bit with him? 🤔Watch out hubby!🤭
I really enjoyed this story and am now eager to read Susan Gilford’s other stories including the one which preceded this title. Certainly a worthy addition to the BLCC series and great choice for the Christmas reading season.
Thank you again @bl_publishing for sending me a copy! I really appreciate it!
#reviewbook The book was a gift but opinions are all my own.
What is it about?
Lee Crauford is visiting her friends in the quiet village of Staple Green. Her husband will join them later and there are plenty of things to do and plan beforehand. One of the things is a little party at her hosts house where the atmosphere gets a bit tense when their various guests arrive. But the evening is over soon and all is well…. Or is it really? Not long and Sir Henry Metcalfe, a retired judge unexpectedly dies of a stroke. This might not be that suspicious in itself if the circumstances would have been different.
It’s my first encounter with Scotland Yard’s Detective Inspector Hugh Gordon, but Lee Crauford already met him on the scene of a previous murder and is eagerly joining his investigation of this case. And am I imagining it or is she flirting a bit with him? 🤔Watch out hubby!🤭
I really enjoyed this story and am now eager to read Susan Gilford’s other stories including the one which preceded this title. Certainly a worthy addition to the BLCC series and great choice for the Christmas reading season.
Thank you again @bl_publishing for sending me a copy! I really appreciate it!
#reviewbook The book was a gift but opinions are all my own.
December 5, 2025
Even though I figured out who did it and how I loved this. The voice and Hugh and Lee. I hope they publish the rest of this series.
December 8, 2025
A solid 3.5 for this vintage crime novel. Fun narrator, lots of humour, a tad arch and a little overlong. But certainly I’d read more in this series if they were available on Kindle.
December 16, 2025
Good old fashioned murder mystery similar to Agatha Christie. Well written and well narrated by Charlotte Strevens.
December 17, 2025
Mystery: 6/10
Christmassiness: 7/10
Christmassiness: 7/10
December 19, 2025
Very enjoyable.
December 19, 2025
Very much enjoyed this! Engaging story and characters, a real comfort read. Hope more of Susan Gilruth's books will be re-published.
December 21, 2025
Do hope we get more of these.
December 22, 2025
A perfect Christmas mystery. I loved it.
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