Unpapered Bedroom Murder in a Nutshell: A Nutshell Murder Mystery

by Frances McNamara

272 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 4, 2026

About the author

Frances McNamara grew up in Boston, where her father served as Police Commissioner for ten years. She has degrees from Mount Holyoke and Simmons Colleges, and formerly worked as a librarian at the University of Chicago. When not working or writing she can be found sailing on the Charles River in Boston or beaching on Cape Cod.

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Reviews

[Gregory Van Den Berg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Francis McNamars in writing her book Unpapered Bedroom Murder in a Nutshell decided to explore the origins of moderen forensic science. This exploration was to accomplished by utilizing the early life of a pioneer in forensic science, Franes Lee, a woman. The author's focus in the story was to bridge the gap between feminine craft, historical justice, and the author's own personal experience by being raised in a law enforcement family. The author's argument was how true justice required looking past societal and political biases while focusing on objective and scientific truth.

Her first argument was how being objective overcomes prejudices in life and society. She believed human prejudices and biases distorted criminal investigations. The was evidenced through the lives of the main characters in the story. These characters were Ms. Lee and Dr. George McGrath. Dr. McGrath was an early believer in forensic science. He believed this science was able to prove innocence or guilt because physical evidence is objective and without bias.

Her second argument was all victims deserved to have a thorough investigation of the crime which affected them. The author contended the standard of scientific investigation was based on the victim's perceived status in society. It was the author's experience that investigators made incorrect assumptions about victims based on stereotypes. For example, a person who was murdered in the story was discovered in a seedy boarding house. The detectives assumed that the victim may of died of alcoholism, suicide, or a lover's quarrel. She believed all victims deserved the same type of scientific investigation regardless of the perception of law enforcement. Frequently, these victims were reduced to statistics or became nameless casualties. This matters because evidence may have been overlooked or investigations that never begun.

This is a must read book for those who enjoy historical fiction, clever forensic work, and a story based on real world events(the Sacco and Vanzetti). What is unique about the story is how the author does not fall into cliches such as the gritty detective or amateur sleuth. Instead, she based her story on a woman who is older, has sharp observationm and was at the beginning of early forensic science. The book deserves a five star rating.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unpapered Bedroom Murder, the 4th book in McNamara’s Nutshell historical mystery series, expands upon the earlier stories and provides increasing nuance to the characters and their relationships in the varied political, economic and social influences effecting the neighborhoods of post WWI Boston.

The dead body of a well-known married socialite is discovered in a shabby South End rooming house in the weeks before Christmas. Her presence in the rooming house as well as the cause of her death and indications she was known to Dr. Jake McGrath launch the team and reader into a well-written and clever mystery further deepening our understanding of Boston a century ago. The story is well-paced as the reader follows each of the main characters as they pursue the investigation.

The story is told using the varied points of view of the series sleuths: Frances Glessner Lee, the historical miniaturists so involved in forensic education at Harvard in later decades; Dr. Jake McGrath, the historical medical examiner of the county and friend to Glessner Lee; a fictional idealistic young police detective who has rejected his father’s Harvard plans for his career; and his counterpart, a fictional street wise, experienced Irish ex-cop (fired after the police strike in 2019).

I enjoyed this historical mystery set in 1924 Boston for the atmosphere the author creates weaving tensions from real historical events (the Sacco & Vanzetti trial) and contemporary societal tensions over immigrants, women’s rights (suffragists), workers rights, and Prohibition. I highly recommend it to fans of well-researched and even better written historical mysteries that honor the characters and times of the story expanding the understanding of today’s reader.

[Matthew Cost · Rating 5 out of 5]

A twisting tale of deception, intrigue, class, history, and murder fills the pages of this latest work by Frances McNamara in a deliciously clever smorgasbord of the written word. The victim is unlikable, the heroes are flawed, and the suspects range from poor immigrants to wealthy elites of Boston’s Back Bay, as the narrative traverses the cobblestone streets of a world from a century ago, a time gone by brought back to life in vivid detail. The investigative team into the murder of an upper-class woman, seemingly involved in a tawdry affair in a cheap rooming house, is investigated by a widely diverse investigative team that fluctuates in working together as a unit and splintering apart to follow up their own leads and agendas. The Boston of Christmastime 1924 is painted with rich brushstrokes, and real people and events of the time fill the pages with authenticity, mixed with a page-turning story that will mesmerize and enchant the reader's senses long after the dizzying conclusion.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

For fans of historical mystery (that leans towards actual historic events), this mystery is for you!


Featuring the "mother of forensic sciences" Frances Glessner Lee, the mystery begins with a woman found dead in a run down rooming house in Boston. Lee is in attendance as an artist/investigtor with the city morgue. Between battling the differences between the high society life, and the life of an investigative team, she must try to help her collegues to find a resolution before more people are injured.


Set agains the highly charged backdrop of the real life demonstrations against the Sacco and Vanzetti trial, Lee must navigate personal relationships while trying to find justice for a deeply troubled woman and her family.


Well researched, the mystery set around the holidays brings the reader in to a time in Boston when class lines were drawn and tensions were high. I enjoyed following this mystery to the very end.

[Linda K Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very well written story, with a very believable plot. It follows investigation and history of the time where men believe at first that the woman who is dead, committed suicide.

Love all the twist and turns this story takes to solve the mystery. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. It is a very well investigated story, and easy to read and understand. Really enjoyed this writers style.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an engaging mystery. The characters were all very different and didn’t seem to mesh at first, but somehow they managed to work together to get the murder solved. I will read more from this author gladly.


I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Catalina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really love the idea behind this novels. And I love reading about women forging their way into what was considered a man's world. I also really loved the plot and all the twists, keeping us guessing almost until the end. The characters are well defined and I liked observing all the class dynamics . But the writing itself didn't work all that well for me. The story was slow to develop and I disliked the repetition of certain phrases/scenes.
Despite all that, Unpapered Bedroom Murder is still an enjoyable read and I'd willingly read another from this series.

[Homerun2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This historical cozy features actual forensic pioneer Frances Glessner Lee, who crafted exquisitely detailed miniature crime scenes to aid in investigations in the early to mid 20th century.

This case featured the murder (first thought to be suicide) of the wife of a wealthy Bostonian. Investigation of the victim revealed multiple motives and suspects. The characters include Mrs. Lee, the medical examiner, and several police detectives. There is some personal detail here after it is revealed the medical examiner had a relationship to the murder victim. The historical background includes the backlash after the Sacco and Vanzetti case.

These Nutshell mysteries are quite readable and Mrs. Lee's determination at her craft is admirable.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.